Used Car Checklists

2025 Lincoln Navigator: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 7 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 Navigator2025
Owner complaints
7
Recalls
6
Crashes reported
0
Reliability
Good
64/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Run the VIN before you go

A history report shows accidents, title brands, odometer readings, and open recalls for this 2025 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 neighboring Navigator years

Nearby years usually share most parts, so their problems are worth checking on this car too.

2024 Navigator

14 owner complaints
  • Suspension 5

Worth adding to your 2025 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

2023 Navigator

5 owner complaints
  • Electrical 3

Worth adding to your 2025 checks

  • Start the vehicle several times over the test drive and confirm it cranks and starts every time.
  • After each start, time how long the center screen and backup camera take to come on.
  • Shift into reverse several times and confirm the camera image appears, stays live, and does not freeze.
Open the 2023 checklist

Which Navigator is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2025 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-cyl4WD17 mpg
  • Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Navigator that averages well under the EPA 17 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2025 Lincoln Navigator, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

  • Electrical2No crashes

    The vehicle slows down on its own while driving, sometimes with no warning message on the dash. Reports describe this between 20 and 70 mph, including on the interstate, which creates a risk of being hit from behind. Other faults include a driver window that malfunctions, a key that stops working at times, and connectivity that often fails. The main screen and the rear screen can also stop working. Dealers often cannot find a cause, and cars go back for repeat visits with the same problems still not fixed.

How the 2025 compares with other Navigator years

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

The 2025 ranks seventh for owner complaints among 8 Navigator years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2025 Average of other years
  • Electrical24

Recalls to confirm (6)

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. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 25V831000Exterior lightsDec 2025

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The rear lightbar may have cracks in the outer lens or weld track that allow moisture to accumulate, which can result in inoperative or flickering reverse lights. 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: Inoperative or flickering reverse lights may not alert other drivers that the vehicle is reversing, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the rear lightbar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C66. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 3, 2025.

  4. 25V823000BrakesDec 2025

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.

    Risk: An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features are engaged can result in the vehicle not braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the electronic brake booster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 26, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD4. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 3, 2025.

  5. 25V488000BrakesJul 2025

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Navigator, F-150, Expedition, Bronco, and Ranger vehicles. The Electronic Brake Booster (EBB) module may malfunction while driving or when the driver is utilizing an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) feature, resulting in a loss of power brake assist.

    Risk: An unexpected loss of power brake assist while driving can extend stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, a loss of power brake assist while ADAS features are engaged can result in the vehicle not braking as expected, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: The EBB module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S77.

  6. 25V439000AirbagsJun 2025

    Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Navigator and Expedition vehicles. The passenger side air bag may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag to deploy with excessive force during a crash.

    Risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger side air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S51.

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