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 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Lincoln Navigator, and it carries 5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 4 | 13% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 13% |
| Back over prevention | 3 | 10% |
| Visibility | 3 | 10% |
| Air bags | 2 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 6% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
| Engine | 1 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owned a 2017 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while traveling at 40 MPH, the vehicle struck the front passenger side of another vehicle that made an illegal U-turn at a higher rate of speed. The veh
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that upon start of the vehicle, both the "Hill Start" and "Service AdvanceTrac" warning messages appeared on the instrument panel. The steering wheel had beco
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The vehicle has a severe brake fluid leak. There is a recall for the issue. I called the local Lincoln dealership Ford Mill Lincoln SC and they said there was nothing they could do. I explained to them that there was a s
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Navigator. The contact previously received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available, and the
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
problem is when you go to check the oil do you think you’re gonna find a low oil situation and what happens is the oil is actually overfilled however it’s not overfilled because you put too much oil in it. It’s overfille
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V572000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated
NHTSA complaint: Back over prevention
The throttle body went bad while driving 55mph and 35mph. Over 5 times I could not accelerate while stepping on the gas peddle and it would stall out trying to get it to ford on the same road for 5 miles. I had to quickl
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
The contact owns a 2017 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that there was an unknown fluid leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not ye
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2017 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 Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and 2016-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with 3.5L Ecoboost engines. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
Risk: A loss of brake fluid may result in a change in brake pedal travel, increased pedal effort and reduced front brake function, requiring greater effort and distance to stop the vehicle. These condition
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. An interim owner notification l
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front blower motor located behind the glove box may fail.
Risk: Front blower motor failure can increase the risk of a vehicle interior fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front blower motor assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to become available in the second quarter of 20
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The LED logo lights on the exterior mirrors may short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short circuit in the exterior mirror increases the risk of fire.
Fix: Dealers will disconnect the LED light wires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332. Ford's number for this
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
Risk: A brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were m
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 48 | below average |
| Depreciation | 36 | below average |
| Performance | 71 | good |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 4 of them (13%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (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 2017 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 65/100. 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.