Lincoln being a division of Ford motor company has been able to channel the reliability that its parent brand holds. The Lincoln Navigator has always been known to be the ideal fullsize SUV for large families. Apart from the massive passenger holding capability, the Navigator is known to be easier to maintain as there are service centers available in every corner with easy access to replacements and parts. J.D.Power's rating for the reliability of this SUV stands at 84 and the reliability is further supported by the limited 3 complaints and 3 recalls registered on NHTSA. The brand sold over 15,000 units of the SUV but its major contender, the Cadillac Escalade managed to sell more units in 2020. Other vehicles that pose as rivals to the Navigator are the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class and the Infiniti QX80. Despite the lower sales figure and numerous running board problems faced by the owners, Lincoln has been able to keep a close track of these issues and even provided solutions within a shorter time frame.
Electrical Problems
- Battery – Users started to receive notifications on the connected app stating that the car would enter deep sleep mode to conserve battery at random times. This meant that the users were not able to remote start or turn the ignition on. When the dealers were contacted, it was found that the ground connectors on the driver-side kick panel were loose and needed a replacement.
- Running boards – Users complained that the running boards would either fail to retract or fail to deploy. This was found to be one of the most common issues with the Navigator and although the dealers were clueless about the source initially, it was said to have happened due to a faulty motor. The dealers replaced the faulty motors under warranty to resolve the issue.
Interior Problems
- Seats – After approximately putting 500 miles on the odo, owners started to notice the rear passenger seats moving backward and forward almost like it was not bolted well. This was an unknown issue for the dealers as well but a recall was later rolled out which was regarding a faulty seat structure. The affected vehicle owners were notified about the recall and were asked to bring the vehicle to an authorized dealership for repair.
- Air conditioning – Numerous users complained that the car would have excessive condensation on the windshield, resulting in improper visibility which can increase the chances of an accident. The users had to drive with the rear section of the sunroof open to reduce the condensation. Upon further investigation, the mechanics found the recirculating vent in the AC system to have been stuck, failing to eliminate the condensation. Dealers had to replace the affected part which solved the problem.
2020 Lincoln Navigator recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
14th April 2022 |
22V250000 |
Windshield Wipers May Fail |
In some driving situations, malfunctioning windshield wipers due to breakage of its arm can make it harder to see, which raises the possibility of a collision. |
Free of charge, dealers will swap out both front wiper arms. On May 24, 2022, interim owner notice letters warning owners of the safety hazard were mailed. |
|
2. |
23rd June 2020 |
20V366000 |
Middle Row Seat Headrest May Be Improperly Welded |
It's possible that one of the second-row headrest attachment brackets wasn't correctly welded to the seat frame. This might not restrain a passenger in a collision, posing a higher risk of injury. |
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will examine the seat construction and replace it for free if necessary. |
|
3. |
8th May 2020 |
20V262000 |
Pre-Collision Assist can't be Enabled |
The danger of an accident or injury rises if the driver relies on a system that is not working because they are ignorant that the Pre-Collision Assist feature is not turned on. |
Owners will be notified by Ford, and dealers will reset the TPMS and reprogram the software for the Body Control Module, Antilock Braking System, Instrument Panel Cluster, and Headlamp Control Modules at no additional cost. |
Should you buy the 2020 Lincoln Navigator?
The lower complaints and recalls are a result of the low sales volume. However, this does not mean the car is unreliable as users drifted to the rivals due to the higher pricing of the Lincoln. Considering the fact that the brand was able to resolve most of the complaints that came its way and with a basic warranty of 4 years or 50,000 miles backs its used car buyers. The powertrain also carries a 6-year or 70,000 miles warranty and such validation from the brand makes it easier for the buyers to progress towards making a deal. A few key aspects to look for when purchasing a used 2020 Lincoln Navigator would be to inspect if the running boards operate as they should and also check the middle-row passenger seats for any flimsy movements and if there are any, that particular vehicle is eligible for a free repair as per the recall notice. Rivals from Mercedes-Benz and Infiniti do not quite offer the space and reliability that Lincoln offers but the Cadillac stays on par with the Navigator. However, we still vouch for Lincoln as it feels more sturdy and like a vehicle that would last longer.
