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 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Lincoln Navigator, and it carries 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 4 | 13% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 10% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 7% |
| Visibility | 2 | 7% |
| Power train | 2 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Wheels | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The brake booster vacuum hose attached to the intake manifold fitting swelled over time and was close to detaching from the intake manifold fitting. This condition could allow the hose to detach from the fitting during a
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Turning signals don't work. I bought this used 2008 Lincoln Navigator with the written text on my phone that said the used car lot took the vehicle to their mechanic and he said he had fixed the problem. I called him (
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
FACTORY CHROME PAINTED WHEELS PEELING CAUSED TIRE BLOWOUT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CHROME SEPARATES FROM THE ALUMINUM WHEEL AND THE TIRE STARTS TO LOSE AIR OR IN MY CASE BLOW OUT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK AND THERE'S NOT AN
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
MY FRONT DRIVER SEAT WON'T GO BACK OR FORWARD. AND MY RUNNING BOARD IS NOT WORKING ANY MORE. ON THE DRIVER SIDE WON'T COME OUT ANY MORE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE STUCK OUT AND WON'T GO BACK IN. I TOOK IT TO MY MANICA AND HE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL MORE THAN ONCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT RETURN TO CENTER, IT MUST BE BROUGHT BACK MANUALLY. SECOND, THE ROCKER PANELS FRONT AND BACK ARE RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AND I WORRY ABOUT INTEGRITY AND SAFETY
NHTSA complaint: Steering
A WRENCH APPEARS ON MY DASH BOARD, AND THE CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
THE BRAKES DO NOT ALWAYS FUNCTION. PEDAL GOES DOWN TO FLOOR. BROUGHT TO LINCOLNS ATTENTION LAST APRIL, JUNE AND JULY. WE HAVE NOTES AND LETTERS WITH HEATHER CARLYLE FROM LINCOLN MOTOR COMPANY
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2008 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.
FORD IS RECALLING 158 MY 2008 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) AND THE LIMO BUILDERS PACKAGE FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, Z"TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS." THE TIRE PRE
Risk: THE TPMS INDICATOR LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN A TIRE PRESSURE IS IS 25% BELOW THE 40 PSI VALUE STATED ON THE TIRE PLACARD LABEL OCCURS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL RECONFIGURE THE TPMS THRESHOLDS TO THE APPROPRIATE PRESSURES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
FORD IS RECALLING 123,632 MY 2007-2008 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR VEHICLES. THE DOOR HANDLE HOUSING EMBOSSMENT RETAINING THE BOTTOM OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SPRING ON ALL SIDE DOORS MAY FRACTURE DURING NORMAL CUSTOMER USAGE. THIS CAN RESULT IN INSUFFICIENT SPRING FORCE TO RETURN THE HANDL
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE MAY CAUSE THE DOOR LATCH TO OPEN INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INTERIOR HANDLE SPRING ON ALL SIDE DOORS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
| Reliability raw | 83 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 48 | below average |
| Depreciation | 36 | below average |
| Performance | 73 | good |
| Efficiency | 27 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 4 of them (13%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 83/100 (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 2008 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.