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 141 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Lincoln Navigator, and it carries 7 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 | 31 | 22% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 18 | 13% |
| Suspension | 9 | 6% |
| Visibility | 9 | 6% |
| Wheels | 8 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 5% |
| Power train | 7 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 4% |
| Steering | 5 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
IT BLOWS THE SPARK PLUGS OUT WHILE DRIVING ON NORMAL STREETS IN SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER 2019 THE SHOP I TOOK IT TO BE REPAIRED TOLD ME THAT HAPPENS ALOT WITH THIS VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Engine
FAULTY TRANSMISSION GEAR. THIS MAY BE AN OLDER MODEL, BUT WITH 156,000 MILES, THE GEARSHIFT EITHER PREVENTS THE TRUCK FROM STARTING, OR WILL START ROLLING ON ITS AFTER PUTTING TRUCK IN PARK AND REMOVNG KEY. I ALMOST LOST
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROOF LEAKED WATER ONTO THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW POST AND THEN TRAVELED TO THE DASHBOARD AREA. THE WATER CAUSED ELECTRICAL ISSUES. IN ADDITION, THE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS MY 255/ 75 17 CONTITRAC TIRES 5 OF THEM HAVE BLOWN OUT OR COME APART IN SOME MANNER! THE LAST TIME A FEW DAYS AGO WAS PRETTY CLOSE TO A HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT 65MPH THERE IS AN ABSOLUTE MAJOR PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
DURING REGULAR, CASUAL VEHICLE OPERATION, ONE OF THE SPARK PLUGS FLEW OUT OF ITS SEAT. CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND LOSE COMPRESSION. I THOUGHT THE ENGINE HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND THERE WAS NO
NHTSA complaint: Engine
WHILE DRIVING ....... WITHOUT WARNING THE AIR SUSPENSION LINE EXPLODED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME UNMANAGEABLE ... CAUSING ME TO GO OFF THE ROAD AND STRIKE VARIOUS STATIONARY OBJECTS ...... *TR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR EQUIPPED WITH NATIONAL A/S COMMANDO TIRES, SIZE: 245/75/16 (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM TH
NHTSA complaint: Tires
WE HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE ABOUT ONE MILE FROM THE BEACH TO A RESTAURANT, WHERE WE PARKED AS USUAL AND ENTERED TO DINE. WE HAD BEEN IN THE RESTAURANT APPROXIMATELY 15 - 20 MINUTES WHEN THE WAITER ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WAS
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 1999 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.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE
Risk: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
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.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 48 | below average |
| Depreciation | 36 | below average |
| Performance | 73 | good |
| Efficiency | 25 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 141 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and tires is the most reported area with 31 of them (22%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (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 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 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 61/100. 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.