2002 Lincoln Navigator problems & reliability
32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Lincoln Navigator, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
5 complaints report injuries (7 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2002 Lincoln Navigator vehicles were involved in 10 fatal crashes with 5 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 7 | 22% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 22% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 22% |
| Electrical System | 6 | 19% |
| Steering | 3 | 9% |
| Engine | 2 | 6% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 6% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 6% |
| Power Train | 2 | 6% |
| Structure | 2 | 6% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 90,000 miles (middle 50% between 80,000 and 126,000 miles), based on 22 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 lincoln navigator. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The check engine warning light illuminated. The fuel gauge did not indicate the accurate amount of fuel in the vehicle. In addition, the hazard lights failed to illuminate properly and the speed control…”
Vehicle Speed Control · filed Aug 8, 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 lincoln navigator. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 mph, the driver's side rear passenger's air bag deployed independently without warning. Also, the contact mentioned that there was an explosion underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The…”
Air Bags · filed Sep 25, 2014
“I had the spark plug blow out of the hole caused car to run on less compression and it is very costly to fix mechanic informed this vehicle is known for this. *tr”
Engine and Engine Cooling · filed Jan 25, 2012
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD
Defect Petition DP05005 · opened Sep 22, 2005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Engineering Analysis EA05005 · opened Mar 22, 2005 · closed Aug 2, 2006 · led to recall 08V025000
Technical service bulletins
87 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Lincoln Navigator. The 10 most recent:
This article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000 and newer Ford/Lincoln/Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled…
TSB 20-2233 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 13, 2020
Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel…
TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 7, 2019
Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel…
TSB 19-2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 7, 2019
Engine misfire with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) pewee, p0302, p0303, p0304, p0305, p0306, p0307, p0308, and p0316. *tt
06513 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2006
Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running. *tt
041601 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 14, 2005
Safety belt retraction speed. *tt
042421 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 7, 2005
Rear axle noise repair. *tt
05618 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2005
Rear axle noise repair. *sc
050618 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2005
Warning indicators-parking aid-reverse sensing system (rss) and forward sensing system (fss)-false activation of warning tone-service tips. *mj update. *tt
0471 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 31, 2004
Aluminum corrosion - service tip. *tt
04251 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 27, 2004
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2002 Lincoln Navigator has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2002 Lincoln Navigator?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 90,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.