2004 Lincoln Navigator problems
Owners have filed 119 complaints about the 2004 Lincoln Navigator with NHTSA. Suspension accounts for 21% of them — the clear leader, ahead of air bags at 10.9%.
Complaints119
Crashes4
Fires3
Injuries11
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Suspension 21.0% · 25
Air bags 10.9% · 13
Electrical system 9.2% · 11
Structure 8.4% · 10
Engine and engine cooling 6.7% · 8
Seats 5.0% · 6
Exterior lighting 5.0% · 6
Steering 4.2% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 4 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire, 11 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 6 model years of the Lincoln Navigator in this data, 2004 draws comparatively few complaints; 1998 is the outlier year.
Filings are rising — 24 in the last three years against 13 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 54,000 miles.
In owners' own words
When temperatures drop near or below freezing, the air suspension springs stop functioning at all. The valve that holds the air in the air bags gets frost on it and can't close anymore. This causes the suspension to ride on the rubber stops. The tires rub in the fender wells. The vehicle will eventually rub the tire to a tire failure. This will cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and possibly crash. Suspension · reported at 97,000 miles
While driving the vehicle would vibrate. A loud banging noise was also heard coming from the driver side wheel. The driver drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic placed the vehicle on a diagnostic machine but could not duplicate the problem. Suspension
Air suspension will not inflate on time when driving away. Front air. Bag suspension deflates completely every time vehicle is turned off. I now have to buy my front wheel well covers due to this problem....Car was in motion when this happened on a city street. Suspension
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…