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 92 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 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 | 20 | 22% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 11% |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 10% |
| Suspension | 7 | 8% |
| Air bags | 6 | 7% |
| Power train | 4 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I had been driving for about 15 minutes and then I noticed a burning plastic smell. It was dark so my headlights were on. I felt heat coming from under the dash by the pedals. I started to watch my dash to see if the tru
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
BOUGHT CAR IN OCTOBER 2017 HAVE HADE TO PURCHES HAD PROBLEMS WITH TIRES FOUR TIME NOW TODAY MAKES FIVE TIMES HAVE TO GO PURCHASE ANOTHER TIRE HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED IN THE MORNING
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL JUST WILL NOT ENGAGE ANY LONGER. HAS WORKED FINE UP UNTIL ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO.
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RAINY WEATHER, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR AND AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AS IF IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO START INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITI
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SEATED AND THE ENGINE HAD NOT BEEN STARTED, THE DRIVER SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSIVE NOISE AND JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND EXHIBITED NUMEROUS OTHER MECHANICAL ISSUES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE BALD, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLU
NHTSA complaint: Tires
WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 NORTHBOUND AROUND WOOLBRIGHT ROAD, I RAN OVER TIRE DEBRIS AND CAUSED PART OF MY TIRE TO COME OFF. THE TIRE DID NOT GO FLAT AMAZINGLY, BUT I WILL DEFINITELY NEED A NEW TIRE. I HAVE A NAVIGATOR, SO LU
NHTSA complaint: Tires
SECOND TIME THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE TRITON 54 HEAD.. TRAINED TEC PERFORMED IT THE FIRST TIME SERT INSTALL AND WORKED FINE. HE DIDN'T TOUCH THE FACTORY PLUGS ON THE OTHER CYLINDERS. BUT THOSE BLEW OUT THIS IS A FOR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2001 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.
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
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
| Reliability raw | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 48 | below average |
| Depreciation | 36 | below average |
| Performance | 78 | good |
| Efficiency | 21 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 92 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and tires is the most reported area with 20 of them (22%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (good) 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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 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.