2008 Lincoln NAVIGATOR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 30 complaints (23.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 36.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
Electrical System: 7; Service Brakes: 5; Structure:Body: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Steering: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2007: 1; 2008: 4; 2009: 1; 2011: 3; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 6; 2017: 1; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2022: 1; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10214805 · 2008-01-14 (January 14, 2008)
2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR SOMETIMES HAS NO BRAKES. HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. TOOK THE NAVIGATOR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. WROTE FORD A LETTER AND THEY REPLIED "THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH YOU OUTLINED CONCERNING YOUR NAVIGATOR, HAVE BEEN GIVEN CAREFUL CONSIDERATION. FORD MOTOR COMPANY CONSIDERS THE SATISFACTION OF ITS OWNERS TO BE ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT OBJECTIVES. WE COMMIT VERY SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES AND EFFORT IN A SINCERE ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE CONCERNS OF OUR OWNERS. …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10214805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230132 · 2008-06-06 (June 6, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-45 MPH, THE TRACTION LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURES STILL PERSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10379732 · 2011-01-31 (January 31, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCLON NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE CALIBRATION WAS REPROGRAMMED AND UPDATES WERE MADE TO THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES WHERE THE SAME REPAIRS WERE MADE EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAG…
Owner-reported narrative. 78,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10379732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10915602 · 2016-10-12 (October 12, 2016)
THE SUV GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH SYMBOL(POWER TRAIN) AND BEGAN TO JERK AFTER STOPS AT RED LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS WHILE HEADING TO THE EXPRESSWAY. IT LOST POWER COMPLETELY,WHILE IN MOTION AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON THE BELT PKWY. I HAD THE GAS PEDAL FULLY PRESSED DOWN AND COULDN'T ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. I HAD TO DRIVE WITH ON FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE OTHER ON THE GAS TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE SUV AND WAS AFRAID IF BE REAR ENDED OR WORST AT HIGH SPEED. I GOT OFF AT THE NEAREST EXIT ON THE WAY HOME AND SHUT IT OFF. I LET IT REST A FEW M…
Owner-reported narrative. 124,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10915602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10663173 · 2014-12-09 (December 9, 2014)
STEERING WHEEL - FELT LOOSE UNATTACHED PARTS RATTLING AGAINST EACH OTHER IN STEERING ASSEMBLY WHEN CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 46,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10663173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11166569 · 2019-01-11 (January 11, 2019)
AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT RETURN TO CENTER, IT MUST BE BROUGHT BACK MANUALLY. SECOND, THE ROCKER PANELS FRONT AND BACK ARE RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AND I WORRY ABOUT INTEGRITY AND SAFETY OF THE FRAME.
Owner-reported narrative. 122,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11166569 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11706694 · 2025-12-23 (December 23, 2025)
The brake booster vacuum hose attached to the intake manifold fitting swelled over time and was close to detaching from the intake manifold fitting. This condition could allow the hose to detach from the fitting during an engine backfire, resulting in loss of power brake assist and increased brake pedal effort. As a result, stopping distance may increase and potentially result in a crash.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11706694 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11222770 · 2019-06-26 (June 26, 2019)
MY FRONT DRIVER SEAT WON'T GO BACK OR FORWARD. AND MY RUNNING BOARD IS NOT WORKING ANY MORE. ON THE DRIVER SIDE WON'T COME OUT ANY MORE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE STUCK OUT AND WON'T GO BACK IN. I TOOK IT TO MY MANICA AND HE SAID IT'S A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 158,188 miles reported. Look up ODI 11222770 at NHTSA ↗