Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 209 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Lincoln Navigator, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | 51 | 24% |
| Suspension | 18 | 9% |
| Steering | 18 | 9% |
| Vehicle speed control | 17 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 6% |
| Power train | 12 | 6% |
| Wheels | 12 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 4% |
| Visibility | 6 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL FORWARD OR BACKWARDS, DEPENDING ON IF THE VE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SWAYED FROM SIDE TO SIDE WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL W
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT IN PLACE. A POLI
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ON A RODE A DROVE EVERYDAY SOMETHING BROKE ON MY 98 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR . THE GUYS WHO FLIPPED IT BACK OVER SAID THE SUSPENSION BROKE I SCRAPED A GUARDRAIL THEN STRAIGHT ACROSS THE ROAD HEAD ON W
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
WHEELS ARE NOT SAFE AND VERY DANGEROUS AND RANDOMLY BREAKING OFF ALL SCREWS WHILE DRIVING AND RUINED THE FRAME AND DRIVE SHAFT TRANSMISSION SUSPENSION ETC... HIGHWAY 10 WEST AND VEHICLE BECAME UNSTOPPABLE AS BRAKES ALSO
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR INDICATOR ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED TO DISPLAY THE DESIRED GEAR SELECTION. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR LEVER WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO THE PARK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT FAILED TO GO INTO THE PARK POSITION. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION. THE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
STARTED WITH THE LIGHT IN VEHICLE STAYING ON FOR HOURS AT A TIME CAUSING A LOUD NOISE UNDER HOOD. WHILE DRIVING AND PICKING UP MY GIRLFRIEND, WE WERE SCARED BY THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF MY VEHICLE. WE HIT ANOTHER CAR C
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1998 Lincoln Navigator. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.
Risk: A FIRE AT THE SWITCH COULD OCCUR.
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 CONTRO
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES. THE TRAILER HITCH ASSEMBLY TO THE FRAME ATTACHING BOLTS COULD LOSE THE CLAMP LOAD.
Risk: THE TRAILER HITCH COULD THEN SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCH MOUNTING BOLTS AND NUT PLATES.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES AND LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE LUG NUTS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT CREATE SUFFICIENT CLAMP LOAD ALLOWING WHEEL MOVEMENT IN RELATION TO THE HUB/ROTOR MOUNTING SURFACE.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN THE LOOSENING OF LUG NUTS, STUD FATIGUE FAILURE, AND THE POTENTIAL FOR A WHEEL SEPARATION FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES WILL BE RECEIVING TWO NOTIFICATIONS. THE FIRST NOTIFICATION, WHICH BEGAN IN MAY 1998, WILL PROVIDE AN INTERIM REPAIR PROCEDURE UNTIL PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. THIS INTERIM PRO
| Reliability raw | 80 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 48 | below average |
| Depreciation | 36 | below average |
| Performance | 73 | good |
| Efficiency | 25 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 209 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and tires is the most reported area with 51 of them (24%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 60/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.