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Lincoln NavigatorModel year report

2020 Lincoln Navigator Problems

Compared with other Lincoln Navigator years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2017

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
32filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
50,742miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
13campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 4 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
19 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2020 Lincoln Navigator (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2020 Lincoln Navigator. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 18 complaints (56% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and engine (3). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,742 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns and 194 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 41 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the software and 73 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 6 Lincoln Navigator model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “When driving, if the accelerator pedal is depressed to merge into the highway or overtake other vehicles, the vehicle abruptly stops accelerating, and the RPM reaches max revs. The vehicle quickly loses momentum until it abruptly slams back into gear, causing a loud bang and startling the driver. This vehicle had a TSB for similar issues that was repaired by our dealer 2 times previously. We have experienced this 2 times since the repair (A total of 4 times). …”

NHTSA complaint #11564489, filed 2024-01

Electrical system: “We've had this vehicle for a little less than two months. The app started sending notifications about the car going into deep sleep and needing to conserve battery within a week after purchase. We were unable to use remote unlock or start. Jan 10, it was dead after sitting overnight and needed to be jump started. After that, the running boards were stuck one up and one down all day. The next day it needed to be jumped again but after that time, all warning lights were on, running boards did not work at all. Took the car to the dealership, they didn't find anything wrong but charged it up. …”

NHTSA complaint #11388698, filed 2021-01, 100 miles

Engine: “Regularly maintained 2020 Lincoln Navigator at 78,000 miles experienced engine failure with no warning. No check engine light until we experienced power issues and engine shuttering. We took the vehicle directly to the mechanic within an hour of check engine light. They changed the oil and said to go to the dealer. Dealer assessed the vehicle as follows: Bottom end failure of the short block which caused a knocking noise. Confirmed metal debris in the engine oil. Seals failed and leakage occurred. Recommend complete engine replacement. This is the same issue occurring in newer models. …”

NHTSA complaint #11717154, filed 2026-02

Seat belts: “On August 20, 2026, I was driving my 2020 Lincoln Navigator and came to a complete stop at a traffic light. While I was sitting stationary at the light, with no collision, impact, sudden braking, or other event, I suddenly heard a very loud noise that sounded like a gunshot. At the same time, the driver-side seat belt violently tightened and pulled me back into the seat. The seat belt tightened with enough force to leave marks across my chest and stomach. …”

NHTSA complaint #11758614, filed 2026-08

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 500 and 100,000 miles.

33%0–100%10–2517%25–5017%50–750%75–10033%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 50,742 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20212022202320242025202611
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 Lincoln Navigator. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Navigator · SUV 2WD★★★★★5 / 5553 · 20.8% risk
Navigator · SUV 4WD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 19.3% risk
Navigator El · SUV 2WD★★★★★5 / 5553 · 20.8% risk
Navigator El · SUV 4WD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 19.3% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2020 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking optional.

Neighbouring years: 2019: same overall rating; 2021: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2020 Lincoln Navigator version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Navigator 2WD3.5L 6-cyl10-speed automatic162219$3,550
Navigator 4WD3.5L 6-cyl10-speed automatic162118$3,700
Navigator L 2WD3.5L 6-cyl10-speed automatic162118$3,700

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 13 recalls for the 2020 Lincoln Navigator → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 194 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 194 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lincoln Navigator

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2025132,5006517—Too new
20241612,3507—18—Too new
2023743,2008—19—Too new
20222157,00014—19—Rising
20213319,7001251882 · MoreRising
20203250,7421351950 · TypicalRising
20198570,0001051973 · MoreRising
20185257,5001251956 · TypicalRising
20173287,000551712 · FewerRising
20162579,50045181 · FewerRising
20152166,5004518—Rising
20141786,0000416—Falling
20131420,0000416—Not enough data
20121230,0003416—Not enough data
2011986,3000—16—Not enough data
20101677,0000—16—Stable
20091066,0571—16—Not enough data
20083060,0002—1417 · FewerStable
20074570,0002—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20066073,7503—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20054860,0000—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20048666,5000—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200312772,5000—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20023290,0001—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20018178,0003—12Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200010975,0004—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199913285,0605—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199819298,0605—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Lincoln Navigator model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020 Lincoln Navigator have?

NHTSA recorded 32 consumer complaints for the 2020 Lincoln Navigator as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2020 Lincoln Navigator is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 18 complaints (56% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.

Has the 2020 Lincoln Navigator been recalled?

NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2020 Lincoln Navigator do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2020 Lincoln Navigator 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 4 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2020 Lincoln Navigator get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Lincoln Navigator (Navigator 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2020 Lincoln Navigator reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,742 miles and the middle half falls between 500 and 100,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.