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Model Year Problem Record

Lincoln Navigator 1998 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1998 Lincoln Navigator: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

192Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
5Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
8Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
45Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Tires49 complaints

49 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control19 complaints

19 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 05V388000.

Engine19 complaints

19 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train16 complaints

16 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V171000.

Wheels15 complaints

15 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V095000.

Brakes11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting3 complaints

3 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V028000.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

00V073000Reported March 7, 2000 - 565,800 vehicles potentially affected

Trailer Hitches and Towing. Recall covering the trailer hitches and towing system, reported to NHTSA on March 7, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 565,800 vehicles across all affected models.

05V388000Reported September 7, 2005 - 4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on September 7, 2005. The campaign covers an estimated 4,500,000 vehicles across all affected models.

97V171000Reported October 7, 1997 - 866,000 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on October 7, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 866,000 vehicles across all affected models.

98V028000Reported February 10, 1998 - 571,800 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on February 10, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 571,800 vehicles across all affected models.

98V095000Reported May 13, 1998 - 1,520,000 vehicles potentially affected

Wheels. Recall covering the wheels system, reported to NHTSA on May 13, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 1,520,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05005Opened September 22, 2005 - Closed January 4, 2006

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA05005Opened March 22, 2005 - Closed August 2, 2006

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.

EA05005Opened March 22, 2005 - Closed August 2, 2006

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.

EA05005Opened March 22, 2005 - Closed August 2, 2006

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V388000.

PE98024Opened April 21, 1998 - Closed July 21, 1998

TIE ROD END FAILURES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE99060Opened September 27, 1999 - Closed March 8, 2000

FACTORY INSTALLED TOWING HITCH SEPARATIO. Resulted in recall campaign 00V073000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19971
199813
199925
200035
200114
200221
200313
200412
200516
20068
20075
20086
20096
20103
20112
20121
20132
20141
20152
20165
20181
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.