2020 Lincoln NAVIGATOR
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2020 Lincoln NAVIGATOR has 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 31. The most common issue is transmission problems (52% of all complaints), specifically: vehicle set on adaptive cruise control, car accelerated to get back up to set speed and had a hard "clunk" sound. driver turned off cruise control and attempted to accelerate vehicle. vehicle tachometer revved up, transmission didn't shift properly, still shifting hard or not shifting at all. once s. There are 13 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.
33
Total Complaints
13
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
1.1x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TRANSMISSION
17 complaints- • Vehicle set on adaptive cruise control, car accelerated to get back up to set speed and had a hard "clunk" sound. Driver turned off cruise control and attempted to accelerate vehicle. Vehicle tachometer revved up, transmission didn't shift properly, still shifting hard or not shifting at all. Once s
- • Driving vehicle for an approximately 70 miles highway trip, the vehicle was experiencing some hard shifts/poor shift quality prior to overheating. Temperature in vehicle for the transmission was reading 237 degree Fahrenheit when we stopped at a light after exiting the highway. We noted smoke and sa
- • Frequently while traveling at 35 mph to highway speeds, while needing to accelerate slightly to avoid traffic, change lanes, pass, etc. the Navigator needs to downshift. It drops out of gear and seems to fail to find a lower gear resulting in a neutral like gear, loss of power, engine revving someti
“Vehicle set on adaptive cruise control, car accelerated to get back up to set speed and had a hard "clunk" sound. Driver turned off cruise control and attempted to accelerate vehicle. Vehicle tachometer revved up, transmission didn't shift properly, still shifting hard or not shifting at all. Once s”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (13)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The attachment bracket for the driver's side second-row seat headrest may not have been sufficiently welded to the seat frame. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
Risk: An improperly welded headrest bracket may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began July 8, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C12.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Lincoln NAVIGATOR
Live EIA pricesBased 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 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Lincoln NAVIGATOR
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Lincoln NAVIGATOR Service Intervals
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
These are the terms for a new Lincoln. If you're buying a used 2020 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
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:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: Vehicle set on adaptive cruise control, car accelerated to get back up to set speed and had a hard "clunk" sound. Driver turned off cruise control and attempted to accelerate vehicle. Vehicle tachometer revved up, transmission didn't shift properly, still shifting hard or not shifting at all. Once s
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: WE'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR A LITTLE LESS THAN TWO MONTHS. THE APP STARTED SENDING NOTIFICATIONS ABOUT THE CAR GOING INTO DEEP SLEEP AND NEEDING TO CONSERVE BATTERY WITHIN A WEEK AFTER PURCHASE. WE WERE UNABLE TO USE REMOTE UNLOCK OR START. JAN 10, IT WAS DEAD AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT AND NEEDED TO BE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: Vehicle will abruptly lose power when accelerating to pass. Typically when travelling between 40 and 60 miles an hour and while accelerating to merge or pass. Vehicle basically stalls. Creates extremely dangerous situation.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SEATS/RESTRAINTS: The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the passenger’s side seat would move forward and backward without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and suggested that the
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 13 recalls have been completed — free at any Lincoln dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Lincoln NAVIGATOR — Year Comparison
How does 2020 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 33
- Recalls
- 13
- Fire reports
- 2
- Crash reports
- 2
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 31
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2020 Lincoln NAVIGATOR