MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index

NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED

2019 Lincoln Navigator

Federal crash-test performance, recalls, and complaints, scored into one NHTSA Safety Index.

10Recalls
67Complaints
1Investigations
ABOUT THE LINCOLN NAVIGATOR

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.

VERDICT

The 2019 Lincoln Navigator earns an NHTSA Safety Index of 79 out of 100, an average result driven by its federal crash-test stars and its recall record. Both frontal and side crash protection reached the full 5 stars. It has 10 recalls on record, reflected in the score.

WHO IT IS FOR
  • urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY

Reviewers 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.

NCAP // CRASH TESTCrash-test breakdown

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk 19.3%

Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 13313

Index breakdown

Crash protection66/70
Avoidance tech6/10
Defect record7.25/20
Forward collision warning: OptionalLane departure warning: OptionalStability control: Standard

NHTSA // RECALLSRecall record

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION26V402000

Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed August 3, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford'

Reported 2026-06-24

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL26V372000

Risk: A blank instrument cluster that fails to display critical safety information, such as vehicle speed or safety system warnings, increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6. 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C27. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.

Reported 2026-06-09

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER26V344000

Risk: Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 8, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S34. This recall replaces and expands previous

Reported 2026-05-27

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER25V197000

Risk: Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S31. Some vehicles in this recall that were previously inspected under recall 24V-099 and did not have parts replaced will need to have this new recall remedy completed.

Reported 2025-05-23

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS24V852000

Risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

Reported 2024-11-08

SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER24V099000

Risk: Seat belts that do not retract or extend may fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors, as necessary. Additionally, dealers will install an HVAC drain tube elbow if it is missing. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S06.

Reported 2024-02-09

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA23V598000

Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, and update the software and wiring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023 to Lincoln owners. Ford vehicle owners notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024. Ford remedy parts are anticipated 2nd Quarter 2024. Ford's number for this recall is 23S48.

Reported 2023-08-25

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL23V420000

Risk: Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C20.

Reported 2023-06-09

SUSPENSION:REAR19V773000

Risk: A disconnected toe link can cause a sudden change to vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the rear toe link fasteners, check and adjust the rear toe alignment, and inspect the rear tires for abnormal tire wear, replacing them if necessary. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S36.

Reported 2019-10-28

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL19V076000

Risk: A blank instrument cluster will not show important information like vehicle speed, fuel or temperature level, or safety system warnings. Driving with an inoperative cluster can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC), free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C03.

Reported 2019-02-11

NHTSA // COMPLAINTSOwner complaints

67 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.

3reported crash
0reported fire
5reported injuries
0reported deaths
Most-reported systemsPower Train 19Seat Belts 15Engine 11Electrical System 10Unknown Or Other 9Vehicle Speed Control 3

Other Navigator years

Rivals in SUV (2019)

Last verified 2026-07-03. Sources: NHTSA SafetyRatings (VehicleId 13313), recallsByVehicle, complaintsByVehicle for Lincoln Navigator 2019. Class rank 67 of 93 in SUV 2019. Methodology · Disclosure