MODEL
Lincoln Navigator
NHTSA safety across every Lincoln Navigator model year we cover.
Across the 8 model years of the Lincoln Navigator we cover (2019 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2025 at 86 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2022 at 74. 72 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Lincoln Navigator is a full-size, body-on-frame luxury SUV competing at the top of the American market alongside the Cadillac Escalade and Infiniti QX80. Built for buyers who want commanding presence, generous three-row seating, and premium refinement, the Navigator has anchored Lincoln's lineup since its debut and remains one of the most recognizable large luxury SUVs on the road today.
The Lincoln Navigator carries real weight in the full-size luxury SUV segment, and its safety record from 2019 through 2025 tells a story that is genuinely mixed. On the positive side, the 2025 model earns an 86 out of 100 on the MotorCaliber Safety Index, the strongest result across the covered years, and the Navigator has demonstrated solid crash-test hardware in its best showings, posting five stars in both frontal and side impact testing. Those are meaningful numbers for a vehicle this large. The rollover score of 3 out of 5 stars is worth noting, however. It is not surprising for a tall, heavy body-on-frame SUV, but shoppers should understand that rollover risk is a real tradeoff in this class. The recall picture is harder to overlook. Seventy recalls spanning the 2019 to 2025 model years is a substantial count for any vehicle, and two of those campaigns carried park-outside or do-not-drive designations, which indicates Ford and Lincoln identified serious enough safety concerns to pull owners off the road entirely. That level of recall activity warrants careful attention when shopping any specific model year. Owner complaints total 173 across the covered period, including 12 alleged crashes, 3 fire-related reports, 8 injury allegations, and 1 death allegation. These are unverified claims, but the pattern signals that real-world safety experiences have not always matched the test-track results. The 2025 Navigator's improved Safety Index is encouraging, but buyers considering earlier model years should research individual recall histories before purchasing.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the Navigator for its refined, spacious interior and strong road presence, placing it among the most comfortable entries in the full-size luxury SUV class. Most professional assessments highlight its polished driving experience and upscale features as genuine strengths, while acknowledging that its size and truck-based platform come with handling and efficiency compromises typical of the segment.
- The 2025 Navigator earned the highest MotorCaliber Safety Index score of the covered generation at 86 out of 100, making it the safest model year to target if safety is your priority.
- Two recalls across the 2019 to 2025 period carried park-outside or do-not-drive advisories, meaning Lincoln identified issues serious enough to instruct owners to stop driving the vehicle until repaired. Always verify that any used Navigator has had these campaigns completed.
- The Navigator's rollover rating of 3 out of 5 stars reflects the inherent physics of a tall, heavy body-on-frame SUV. Buyers should factor this in, particularly if the vehicle will be used in emergency maneuver situations or by less experienced drivers.
- Seventy total recalls across roughly six model years is a high volume. Before buying any Navigator from this generation, run the VIN through NHTSA's recall database to confirm all open campaigns have been resolved by a dealer.
Most-recalled year on record: 2022 Lincoln Navigator with 14 recalls.