Is the 2016 Lincoln NAVIGATOR reliable?

The 2016 Lincoln NAVIGATOR has 33 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Lincoln NAVIGATOR?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (8 complaints, avg repair $500); DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (7 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (6 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Lincoln NAVIGATOR?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR, VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Contact any Lincoln dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Lincoln NAVIGATOR?

The 2016 Lincoln NAVIGATOR gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Lincoln NAVIGATOR?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Lincoln NAVIGATOR is approximately $1,954/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Lincoln NAVIGATOR

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Lincoln NAVIGATOR has 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 31. The most common issue is visibility problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: while driving approximately 65 mph on highway 18 in yamhill county, oregon on a curved section of the road the sunroof spontaneously exploded. there were no vehicles near me and there was nothing overhead. we found no rocks in the vehicle and from the attached pictures it is clear that the glass b. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

VISIBILITY

8 complaints

24%

• WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY 18 IN YAMHILL COUNTY, OREGON ON A CURVED SECTION OF THE ROAD THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES NEAR ME AND THERE WAS NOTHING OVERHEAD. WE FOUND NO ROCKS IN THE VEHICLE AND FROM THE ATTACHED PICTURES IT IS CLEAR THAT THE GLASS B
• WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY 18 IN YAMHILL COUNTY, OREGON ON A CURVED SECTION OF THE ROAD THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES NEAR ME AND THERE WAS NOTHING OVERHEAD. WE FOUND NO ROCKS IN THE VEHICLE AND FROM THE ATTACHED PICTURES IT IS CLEAR THAT THE GLASS B
• The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH, there was smoke coming from the A/C vents and from the defroster. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and parked the vehicle. The contact stated that the smoke persis

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY 18 IN YAMHILL COUNTY, OREGON ON A CURVED SECTION OF THE ROAD THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES NEAR ME AND THERE WAS NOTHING OVERHEAD. WE FOUND NO ROCKS IN THE VEHICLE AND FROM THE ATTACHED PICTURES IT IS CLEAR THAT THE GLASS B”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Lincoln NAVIGATOR

Based on 18 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 80K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

Later than typicalmedian 98K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST11/03/2022

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 conditions can increase 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. An interim owner notification letter notifying customers of the safety defect were mailed on April 29, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed April 29, 2022. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 20V-332. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S11.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Lincoln NAVIGATOR

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Lincoln NAVIGATOR

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,954

Full coverage / month

$163

Liability only / year

$688

vs US avg

+17%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1954

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lincoln NAVIGATOR Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Complimentary maintenance for select models; check with your dealer for eligibility.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Lincoln New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Lincoln. If you're buying a used 2016 NAVIGATOR, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lincoln dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 33 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY 18 IN YAMHILL COUNTY, OREGON ON A CURVED SECTION OF THE ROAD THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. THERE WERE NO VEHICLES NEAR ME AND THERE WAS NOTHING OVERHEAD. WE FOUND NO ROCKS IN THE VEHICLE AND FROM THE ATTACHED PICTURES IT IS CLEAR THAT THE GLASS B
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: I was driving driving down the road at 45 MPH, and then the rear object sensor came on the dash. Then the Check engine light and about not reading a sensor. Then the vehicle locked up all 4 wheels squealed tires and came to complete stop, and then started moving forward again. Then I got scared and
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: WHILE DRIVING THE LOW BRAKE FLUID LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND CHECK BRAKE FLUID WARNING ALERTED ME, AS I WAS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO PULL OVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR BOARD AND NO BRAKES WERE PRESENT. I HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING I OPENED THE HOOD TO CHEC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER AND/OR AN ILLUMINATED POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION. VEHICLE STALLS DUE TO FAULTY THROTTLE BODY ACTUATOR. FORD/LINCOLN IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS ISSUED A FIELD SERVICE ACTION BULLETIN FOR THIS CONDITION (16B32). HTTPS://FORD.OEMDTC.COM/2593/INTERMITTENT-LOSS-
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Lincoln dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)