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Lincoln Navigator 2007–2017

3rd generation · U326 (standard wheelbase); U418 (Navigator L)

NHTSA data through 12 August 2026306 complaints, 188 with mileageMethod

On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 29,784 and 103,000 miles.

10%

1,500

25%

29,784

Median

70,250

75%

103,000

90%

134,103

Tallest bin: 37 complaints between 0 and 20,000 miles. Based on 188 complaints that record mileage. Bin width 20,000 miles.

What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.

What fails, and when

Each bar spans the middle half of reports for that system; the tick marks the median.

1. Electrical system80,000median 80,500 miles, middle half 57,000 to 102,000
2. Transmission and driveline72,000median 72,000 miles, middle half 32,000 to 102,000
3. Problems owners could not categorise72,000median 71,500 miles, middle half 54,000 to 113,000
4. Brakes70,000median 69,500 miles, middle half 58,000 to 90,000
5. Visibility equipment86,000median 86,500 miles, middle half 13,000 to 122,000
6. Engine76,000median 75,500 miles, middle half 59,000 to 90,000
7. Body structure78,000median 78,000 miles, middle half 27,000 to 122,000

Which systems, and when

Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 70,250 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.

The electrical system accounts for 13.7% of complaints (42 reports, 23 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 80,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 57,114 and 102,000 miles.

The transmission and driveline accounts for 11.1% of complaints (34 reports, 23 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 72,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 32,000 and 102,000 miles.

Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 8.8% of complaints (27 reports, 12 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 71,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 53,986 and 113,412 miles.

The brakes account for 8.8% of complaints (27 reports, 14 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 69,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 58,252 and 90,000 miles.

Visibility equipment accounts for 6.2% of complaints (19 reports, 12 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 86,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 13,000 and 122,000 miles.

The engine accounts for 5.9% of complaints (18 reports, 10 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 75,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 59,000 and 90,500 miles.

Differences between model years

Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2007 model year drew the most — 56 complaints — while 2010 drew the fewest at 22. The median year sits at 33.

The first year of the generation, 2007, sits above the median. That is a common pattern — early production of a redesigned vehicle tends to surface problems that later years do not repeat — and it is worth weighing when choosing between years.

Recalls and what they cover

NHTSA records 9 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.

The campaigns cluster around the reversing camera and sensors (2), the hydraulic brake circuit (2), visibility equipment (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.

Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.

Reported severity

Of the 306 complaints filed against this generation, 24 reported a crash; 12 reported a fire; 22 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 7.8% of the total.

These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.

What this means if you are buying one

For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 29,784 and 103,000 miles, with a median of 70,250. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.

On inspection, the electrical system and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 72,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.

None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.

Documented problems

By model year

Recalls (9)

What owners reported

Tl*the contact owns a 2007 Lincoln Navigator. While driving the vehicle at night, the contact is blinded by the glare from oncoming vehicles and cannot change lanes. The contact believes that because the dashboard is black, the lights from the dashboard are affecting her visibility. She stated that when the sun…

2007 · 100 miles · Visibility equipment

On 07/26/07, while driving our brand-new Navigator, (purchased new on 07/06/07) all dash lights flickered and brake pedal would not engage. A cracking noise coming from the brake pedal sounded, and the light showing a car with squiggly lines flashed. After several attempts to engage the brakes, we were finally able…

2007 · 1,000 miles · Electronic brake control

Tl*the contact owns a 2007 Lincoln Navigator. While the vehicle was parked, the contact heard a popping noise followed by a loud explosion. He noticed that the vehicle was on fire. He then heard more popping sounds and noticed that the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. The fire destroyed the vehicle and…

2007 · 1,500 miles · Engine and its cooling system

Built from 188 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page

Other generations

• Navigator 1998–2002
• Navigator 2003–2006
• Navigator 2018–2024
• Navigator 2025–2025