1999 Lincoln Navigator Problems, Recalls & Reliability
155 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1999 Lincoln Navigator, alongside 7 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 58/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Wheels & tires leads the reports, typically around 78,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 1999 Lincoln Navigator sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2002, 2007–2008, 2015–2018, 2020–2022.
Avoid
Where 1999 sits among all Navigator years
What owners report
“While driving, the tread of the left rear tire separated from the tire, the consumer is requesting reimbursement per the customer satisfaction program (continental contitrac as, p245/75r16, dot #ad70449387). Nlm”— owner report to NHTSA, 1999 Navigator
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 66 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 86,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 63,755 and 134,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (7)
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…
Fix: 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.
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…
Fix: 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.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Fix: 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…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. THE TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS COULD LOSE THE CLAMP LOAD.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUT PLATES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL-DRIVE (4X4), 17" CHROME STEEL WHEELS. THE CLAMP LOAD CAN BE LOST ON THE WHEEL LUGS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WHEEL CONTACT AREA WITH THE HUB. IN SOME CASES, THE CONTACT AREA CAN DEFORM,…
Fix: DEALERS WILL RE-TORQUE THE WHEEL LUGS TO PROPER SPECIFICATIONS AND ALSO INSTALL A LABEL THAT SPECIFIES THAT THE WHEEL LUGS BE TORQUED TO 110 LB-FT ANY TIME THE WHEEL IS REMOVED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLIES MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE SUPPLIER DURING MANUFACTURING, ALLOWING LEAKAGE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FRONT AND REAR FUEL LINE ASSEMBLIES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A MISSING OR PARTIALLY INSTALLED RETAINER CLIP THAT HOLDS THE MASTER CYLINDER PUSH ROD TO THE BRAKE PEDAL ARM.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES TO SEE IF THE RETAINER CLIP WAS INSTALLED, AND REPAIR, IF NECESSARY.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 05V388000.
Led to recall campaign 00V073000.
Technical service bulletins
261 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on transmission & drivetrain and engine — are on file for the 1999 Lincoln Navigator. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 1999 Navigator TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1999 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
The 1999 Lincoln Navigator drew 155 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 58/100, scored against the model's worst year (1998).
What are the most common 1999 Lincoln Navigator problems?
The top reported problems for the 1999 Lincoln Navigator are wheels & tires (40 complaints), engine (24), and electrical (16).
At what mileage do 1999 Lincoln Navigator problems show up?
Owners most often report 1999 Lincoln Navigator problems around 86,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 63,755 and 134,000 miles.
Does the 1999 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?
7 recall campaigns apply to the 1999 Lincoln Navigator. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.