AutoDefect IQ

2002 Lincoln Navigator problems, complaints & recalls

Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (7) · Engine And Engine Cooling (4) · Air Bags:frontal (3)

🧭 Reliability snapshot

100 /100
✓ Typical or better for this model

Compared against other Lincoln Navigator model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →

🛣️ Complaints by mileage

<25k miles: 0 complaints <25k 25–50k miles: 3 complaints 25–50k 50–75k miles: 2 complaints 50–75k 75–100k miles: 8 complaints 8 75–100k 100–125k miles: 3 complaints 100–125k 125–150k miles: 2 complaints 125–150k 150k+ miles: 4 complaints 150k+

22 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.

32
Complaints
0
Recalls
87
Service bulletins
2
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Deaths

Safety recalls (0)

No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).

Service bulletins (87)

Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.

Structure 2020-07-13 · TSB 20-2233 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

this article supersedes tsb 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. some 2000 and newer ford/lincoln/mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is

Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition

Structure 2019-02-07 · TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

some 2000 and newer ford, lincoln and mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. panel replacement is recommended. follow the service procedure steps to correct the condition

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2006-01-01 · 06513 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

engine misfire with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) pewee, p0302, p0303, p0304, p0305, p0306, p0307, p0308, and p0316. *tt

Engine And Engine Cooling 2005-11-14 · 041601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running. *tt

Seat Belts:front:retractor 2005-06-07 · 042421 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

safety belt retraction speed. *tt

Showing the 6 most recent of 87 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.

What owners report

2016-08-08 · Vehicle Speed Control · 128,000 mi

“tl* the contact owns a 2002 lincoln navigator. while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. the check engine warning light illuminated. the fuel gauge did not indicate the accurate amount of fuel in the vehicle. in addition, the hazard lights failed to illuminate properly and the speed control warning light illuminated. the co…”

2014-09-25 · Air Bags · 160,000 mi

“tl* the contact owns a 2002 lincoln navigator. the contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph, the driver's side rear passenger's air bag deployed independently without warning. also, the contact mentioned that there was an explosion underneath the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. the vehicle was not diagnosed or re…”

2014-08-25 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 120,000 mi

“my 2002 lincoln navigator ejected a spark plug causing a substantial repair bill. *tr…”

2012-01-25 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 160,000 mi

“i had the spark plug blow out of the hole caused car to run on less compression and it is very costly to fix mechanic informed this vehicle is known for this. *tr…”

2011-12-03 · Seat Belts · 150,000 mi

“on 12/03/11 when my husband started our 2002 lincoln navigator a loud bang happened, my seat belt tightened across my chest so tight it hurt and i couldn't breathe, the car started smoking so bad that my oldest daughter jumped out of the truck because it scared her so bad. the seat belt was so tight it wouldn't come off at first which scared me bec…”

2011-09-12 · Air Bags

“tl* the contact owns a 2002 lincoln navigator. the contact was driving 50 mph when the side impact air bag deployed without warning. as a result, the contact sustained an injury to the ear drum. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics but the dealer was unable to determine why the air bags had deployed without the vehicle being involv…”

2011-07-13 · Air Bags:frontal · 180,000 mi

“tl* the contact owns a 2002 lincoln navigator. the contact stated the air bag deployed immediately after the vehicle was turned on. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that either something was placed under the seat or the seat cover was worn excessively. the air bag deployed from under the seat. the contacts left arm was severel…”

2011-06-04 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 32,000 mi

“i think this is a common tactic by ford and the justice department should look into it. i leased a new 2002 navigator and had a similar situation. on a road trip in 2004 with 32000 miles, the engine seized. the dealer claimed there was sludge in the engine and ford would not honor the warranty. apparently, the lease included free oil changes at the…”

2010-12-29 · Vehicle Speed Control · 80,000 mi · 🔥 fire

“tl*the contact owns a 2002 lincoln navigator. while the vehicle was parked, it caught on fire. the fire was extinguished was put out by a dealer. the manufacturer was contacted and stated a written report of the incident would be provided within fifteen days. the contact was informed by the manufacturer's website that her vehicle was included in a…”

2010-06-03 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 102,000 mi · 🔥 fire

“my 2002 lincoln navigator caught fire, the entire engine and front half of the car is charred and the interior has significant burn damage, it almost set fire to our home. *tr…”

Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.

Other Lincoln Navigator years