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 86 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Lincoln Navigator, and it carries no 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 17 | 20% |
| Air bags | 8 | 9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 6% |
| Structure | 4 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 3% |
| Seats | 2 | 2% |
| Suspension | 2 | 2% |
| Steering | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
REAR WINDOW EXPLODED SHATTERING THE GLASS COMPLETELY. OCCURRED ONCE THE ENGINE WAS OFF WHILE PARKED.
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
AIRBAGS FOR NOW COMPLETELY SO DOES THE AIR COMPRESSOR CARS WITHOUT AIRBAGS WENT OUT BRAKES WENT OUT RADIATOR WENT OUT COMPLETELY THE CAR IS FALLING APART
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
[XXX]. AIR SUSPENSION AIR TRACK RADIATION ELECTRICIAN AND AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
THE VEHICLE ENGAGED IN INVOLUNTARY ACCELERATION (IN REVERSE) FROM STATIONARY POSITION RIGHT AFTER SHIFTING GEARS FROM PARKING 'P' TO REVERSE 'R' AND DISENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE. THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED DURING THI
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION HAD FAILED CAUSING THE REAR END TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN AND WHILE DRIVING A CLANKING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT DR
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THE BACK AIR BAGS ARE NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS I PIT IN THE FRONT.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TIRES KEP GOING CUZ OF THE ALLL BECAUSE THIS IS BENCHING IS OUT IN THE BACK AND TIRES KEEP GOING
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
I LET MY DRIVER GLASS UP IN DOWN MY GLASS HAVE CRACKED BADLY SOMETHING GONE ON
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 48 | below average |
| Depreciation | 36 | below average |
| Performance | 73 | good |
| Efficiency | 23 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 86 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 17 of them (20%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (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 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2004 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 58/100. 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.