NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Lincoln Navigator Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Lincoln Navigator has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 32 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Lincoln dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Lincoln Navigator, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2002 Lincoln Navigator owner complaints

Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Lincoln Navigator, describing incidents dated March 20, 2002 to July 24, 2016.

Most-cited components

Engine 9 complaints
Air Bags 7 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 7 complaints
Electrical System 6 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 5 complaints
Steering 3 complaints

Of the 32 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 32 complaints, owners report 7 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10894146 · Filed August 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT INDICATE THE ACCURATE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY AND…
ODI #10639044 · Filed September 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN…
ODI #10628210 · Filed August 25, 2014
MY 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR EJECTED A SPARK PLUG CAUSING A SUBSTANTIAL REPAIR BILL. *TR

Read all 32 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Lincoln Navigator in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA05-005: ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed August 2, 2006
- Recall 05V-388
- Recall 06V-286
- Recall 07V-078
- Recall 07V-336
- Recall 07V-347
- Recall 07V-488
- and 1 more on the investigation page
Defect Petition DP05-005: SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
Closed January 4, 2006

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS

NHTSA #09E012000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported April 7, 2009 · SABERSPORT

Potentially affected: 16,270 vehicles

Owners notified May 11, 2009

Defect description

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E064000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported July 17, 2006 · TRADESONIC

Potentially affected: 4,029 vehicles

Defect description

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Safety consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO TRADESONIC AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FUEL LEAK/FIRE

NHTSA #06E056000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported June 13, 2006 · UFI FILTERS USA

Potentially affected: 58,640 vehicles

Owners notified August 4, 2006

Defect description

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Safety consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO UFI FILTERS USA (PUROLATOR) AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH

NHTSA #05V388000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice

Reported September 7, 2005 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 4,500,000 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 05S28 · Owners notified September 12, 2005 · Vehicles built through August 20, 2002 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Safety consequence

A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2005, OWNERS WERE INSTRUCTED TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERS TO HAVE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH DISCONNECTED. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND ADVISED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECONNECT THE SPEED CONTROL BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS WHO DID NOT HAVE THEIR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATED ARE BEING NOTIFIED TO HAVE THEIR SYSTEM REMEDIED BEGINNING IN FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS ARE URGED TO AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE FREE DISCONNECT SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT RISK OF FIRE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. (NOTE: ALSO SEE RECALLS 05V017 AND 06V286)

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 05S28.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2002 Lincoln Navigator 4 DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Safety Technology

2 investigations

32 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Lincoln Navigator.

Vehicle Speed Control; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10894146

Incident: July 24, 2016 · Filed: August 8, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT INDICATE THE ACCURATE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY AND THE SPEED CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

Air Bags

ODI #10639044

Incident: August 30, 2014 · Filed: September 25, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR PASSENGER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10628210

Incident: August 22, 2014 · Filed: August 25, 2014

MY 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR EJECTED A SPARK PLUG CAUSING A SUBSTANTIAL REPAIR BILL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10445192

Incident: January 7, 2011 · Filed: January 25, 2012

I HAD THE SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE HOLE CAUSED CAR TO RUN ON LESS COMPRESSION AND IT IS VERY COSTLY TO FIX MECHANIC INFORMED THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN FOR THIS. *TR

Electrical System; Exterior Lighting; Seat Belts

ODI #10438466

Incident: December 3, 2011 · Filed: December 3, 2011

ON 12/03/11 WHEN MY HUSBAND STARTED OUR 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR A LOUD BANG HAPPENED, MY SEAT BELT TIGHTENED ACROSS MY CHEST SO TIGHT IT HURT AND I COULDN'T BREATHE, THE CAR STARTED SMOKING SO BAD THAT MY OLDEST DAUGHTER JUMPED OUT OF THE TRUCK BECAUSE IT SCARED HER SO BAD. THE SEAT BELT WAS SO TIGHT IT WOULDN'T COME OFF AT FIRST WHICH SCARED ME BECAUSE THE SMOKE WAS BY THE SIDE OF MY HEAD! NOW THE SEAT BELT WON'T WORK AND I DON'T WANT TO USE MY CAR WITHOUT IT. IN THE PAST YEAR, 2011, MY TRUCK KEEPS BLOWING FUSES ON THE AUTOMATIC LIGHTS AND AIR BAG FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. I KEEP REPLACING THE FUSE BUT THEY ONLY LAST ABOUT A WEEK AND THEN THEY BLOW OUT. ONCE THE FUSE IS REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC LIGHTS WORK, THE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES OFF. BUT, NO SOONER DO I CHANGE IT, IT BLOWS AGAIN. SO, I HAVEN'T REPLACED IT. IN FEBRUARY I HAVE TO GO FOR EMISSIONS AND I WON'T PASS WITH THIS LIGHT ON. IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, MY BRIGHT LIGHTS HAVE TURNED ON BY THEMSELVES. I THOUGHT IT ONLY HAPPENED WHEN WE USE THE TURN SIGNALS, BUT MY HUSBAND TOLD ME IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME. I DIDN'T BELIEVE HIM UNTIL THREE DAYS AGO WHEN I HIT A BUMP AND THEY WENT ON. THEN, YESTERDAY I WAS SITTING IN OUR RUNNING, PARKED CAR AND THE BRIGHTS JUST TURNED ON WHILE THE CAR WAS ON AND NOT MOVING. THAT REALLY SCARED ME. WHAT KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS DOES THIS VEHICLE HAVE? I HAVE DONE THE ONE RECALL ON MY TRUCK FOR ENGINE FIRE. ARE THERE MORE RECALLS I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT? *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10425095

1 injury

Incident: August 31, 2011 · Filed: September 12, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED AN INJURY TO THE EAR DRUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED WITHOUT THE VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER SENT A SPECIALIST TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE SPECIALIST ADVISED THAT A FAULTY COMPONENT IN THE AIR BAG CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Air Bags

ODI #10412104

1 injury

Incident: July 1, 2011 · Filed: July 13, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT EITHER SOMETHING WAS PLACED UNDER THE SEAT OR THE SEAT COVER WAS WORN EXCESSIVELY. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FROM UNDER THE SEAT. THE CONTACTS LEFT ARM WAS SEVERELY INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE AIR BAGS ARE NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT REPLACED. THE VIN WAS REJECTED FROM THE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10404430

Incident: July 3, 2004 · Filed: June 4, 2011

I THINK THIS IS A COMMON TACTIC BY FORD AND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD LOOK INTO IT. I LEASED A NEW 2002 NAVIGATOR AND HAD A SIMILAR SITUATION. ON A ROAD TRIP IN 2004 WITH 32000 MILES, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE DEALER CLAIMED THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE AND FORD WOULD NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY. APPARENTLY, THE LEASE INCLUDED FREE OIL CHANGES AT THE DEALER, WHICH I WAS NOT AWARE OF. I PRODUCED ALL OF THE RECEIPTS TO SHOW THAT I HAD THE OIL CHANGED EVERY 3000 MILES (MORE FREQUENTLY THAN REQUIRED) BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS IRRELEVANT SINCE I DIDN'T HAVE THE DEALER DO THE OIL CHANGES. I WAS TOLD THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST $12,000. THE FORD DEALER WAS SO UPSET BY THIS HE OFFERED TO DO IT FOR COST, ABOUT $4500, BUT I JUST WALKED AWAY, EVEN THOUGH THEY SUED AND PUT A $15,000 BLOT ON MY CREDIT RATING.THIS WAS MY THIRD NAVIGATOR LEASE, INCLUDING A 1998 AND 2000 MODEL BEFORE THIS. I PAID TOP DOLLAR FOR THEIR MOST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE AND THIS IS HOW THEY TREAT GOOD CUSTOMERS. NOT TO MENTION BEING STRANDED IN THE DESERT WITH MY WIFE AND FIVE KIDS. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. ONE LAST POINT - I HAD JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED BEFORE I LEFT AND HAD LESS THAN 1000 MILES ON THE CAR WHEN IT BROKE DOWN. I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS MORE THAN 1/2 QUART DOWN. CLEARLY THE CAR WAS USING OIL AT JUST 32000 MILES. FUNNY THING IS, I HAVE A 97 EXPLORER WITH ROUGHLY THE SAME ENGINE, AND IT FINALLY THREW A ROD AT 250,000 MILES OF EXCELLENT SERVICE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10373278

Fire

Incident: December 23, 2010 · Filed: December 29, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED WAS PUT OUT BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED A WRITTEN REPORT OF THE INCIDENT WOULD BE PROVIDED WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V388000 COMPONENT: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT CONFIRM THAT INFORMATION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System

ODI #10334517

Fire

Incident: June 3, 2010 · Filed: June 3, 2010

MY 2002 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR CAUGHT FIRE, THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND FRONT HALF OF THE CAR IS CHARRED AND THE INTERIOR HAS SIGNIFICANT BURN DAMAGE, IT ALMOST SET FIRE TO OUR HOME. *TR

Other Lincoln Navigator model years

Check your 2002 Lincoln Navigator VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Lincoln Navigator at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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