Used Car Checklists

2023 Lincoln Navigator: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical. The 7 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

Lincoln Navigator2023
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
8
Crashes reported
0
Reliability
Good
63/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Run the VIN before you go

A history report shows accidents, title brands, odometer readings, and open recalls for this 2023 Lincoln Navigator. Ask the seller for the VIN; it is also on the dash at the base of the windshield.

Your inspection sheet

Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.

These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.

Reported on other Navigator years with the same design

These years share the 2023's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.

2024 Navigator

14 owner complaints
  • Suspension 5

Worth adding to your 2023 checks

  • Drive at a steady 70 mph or faster and feel for vibration through the steering wheel and seat.
  • Hold 40 to 50 mph on a smooth road and listen for rattles or a cabin-wide shimmer.
  • Ask for service records showing tire replacements, road force balancing, or driveline work done for a vibration complaint.
Open the 2024 checklist

2022 Navigator

16 owner complaints
  • Electrical 7

Worth adding to your 2023 checks

  • Use the center screen through every menu on a long test drive and watch for blackouts or reboots.
  • Open and close each door several times. Confirm the running boards deploy, retract, and stay down when stepped on.
  • Inspect the panoramic sunroof glass for chips, cracks, or bowing, and ask whether it has ever been replaced.
Open the 2022 checklist

2021 Navigator

26 owner complaints
  • Transmission 4
  • Engine 4
  • Wipers and visibility 3

Worth adding to your 2023 checks

  • Accelerate firmly from 50 mph on a highway and watch for slipping into neutral, lost power, or a harsh lurch back into gear.
  • Watch the dash for Shift System Fault or Powertrain Malfunction messages and ask for any transmission repair records.
  • Run the VIN through federal recall records and confirm every open recall has been completed by a Lincoln dealer.
Open the 2021 checklist

Which Navigator is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2023 Lincoln Navigator. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.

VersionDriveEPA rating
3.5L 6-cyl4WD, RWD18–19 mpg
  • Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Navigator that averages well under the EPA 18 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Lincoln Navigator, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

  • Electrical3No crashes

    The center screen and backup camera are slow to load at startup, freeze, or never come on. One report describes the electronic systems going dead at highway speed with no warning lights. Other complaints describe a vehicle that sometimes will not start and power running boards that open and close by themselves. Only 3 complaints are on file, and no mileage pattern shows up: one problem began on a nearly new vehicle, and another came past 43,200 miles. A dead camera takes away a key aid for backing up safely.

In owners' own words

Excerpts from complaints Navigator owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.

Electrical
We buy used 2023 Lincoln Navigator with only 2937 miles and the running boards opens and close by it self and the most dangerous that the car doesn’t start whenever it wants I have 3 times already it just doesn’t start so I don’t know what to do

Filed with NHTSA, July 2024

Electrical
Upon starting, my 2023 Lincoln Navigator Reserve L has a significant delay when booting the back up camera and infotainment system and renders the vehicle safety systems unusable. Sometimes the back up camera freezes and locks the screen, sometimes it doesn't turn on at all. Often, the infotainment screen doesn't launch at all. I have multiple videos of evidence but this website won't allow me to submit them, only pictures.

Filed with NHTSA, May 2024

How the 2023 compares with other Navigator years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2023 has the fewest owner complaints of the 8 Navigator years we cover, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2023 Average of other years
  • Electrical34

Where the 2023 fits in the Navigator's history

Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.

The 2023 is the sixth model year of the Navigator's fourth generation (2018–2024).

It includes the 2022 update.

What changed for 2022

  • Introduced new 13-inch center touchscreen
  • Enhanced features including BlueCruise and improved interior

Recalls to confirm (8)

Recall repairs are free at any Lincoln dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.

  1. 26V204000Wipers and visibilityMar 2026

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2022-2023 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, and F-600 SD vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.

    Risk: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed April 13, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S24.Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 1, 2026.

  2. 26V165000Backup cameraMar 2026

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

    Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S21. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 25, 2026.

  3. 26V104000ElectricalFeb 2026

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 F-150, 2022-2026 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, Maverick, 2024-2026 Ranger, 2023-2026 F-600 SD, 2022-2027 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2026 E-Transit vehicles. When towing a trailer, the integrated trailer module (ITRM) may lose communication with the vehicle, possibly causing a loss of brake and turn signal lights, or a loss of brake function. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, " Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".

    Risk: Trailer lights or brakes that do not function can reduce the driver’s ability to control the trailer and decrease the trailers visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: The integrated trailer module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 17, 2026.

  4. 25V315000Backup cameraMay 2025

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.

    Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.

  5. 25V314000BrakesMay 2025

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Navigator and Expedition vehicles. The front brake lines may contact the engine air cleaner outlet pipe and become damaged, possibly resulting in a brake fluid leak and reduced brake function.

    Risk: A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect the front brake line and replace the brake line or air cleaner outlet pipe, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S47.

  6. 24V852000EquipmentNov 2024

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".

    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.

    Fix: 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.

  7. 23V420000EquipmentJun 2023

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints.".

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

    Fix: 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.

  8. 23V128000TransmissionFeb 2023

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.

    Risk: A fractured pinion can result in a loss of 4-wheel drive and may cause the front wheels to lock up, increasng the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set. If there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S07.

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