Lincoln · Navigator · 2008
2
Recalls
30
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2008 Lincoln Navigator has 2 recalls and 30 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: electrical system (4 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
FORD IS RECALLING 158 MY 2008 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) AND THE LIMO BUILDERS PACKAGE FOR FAILING TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, Z"TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS." THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS INCREASED FROM 35 PSI TO 40 PSI WITHOUT A COMMENSURATE UPDATE TO THE TPMS CALIBRATIONS.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL RECONFIGURE THE TPMS THRESHOLDS TO THE APPROPRIATE PRESSURES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
FORD IS RECALLING 123,632 MY 2007-2008 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR VEHICLES. THE DOOR HANDLE HOUSING EMBOSSMENT RETAINING THE BOTTOM OF THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE SPRING ON ALL SIDE DOORS MAY FRACTURE DURING NORMAL CUSTOMER USAGE. THIS CAN RESULT IN INSUFFICIENT SPRING FORCE TO RETURN THE HANDLE TO THE FULLY CLOSED POSITION. THE HANDLE MAY BE LOOSE CAUSING A RATTLE OR NOISE AND THE HANDLE MAY NOT RETURN TO THE FULLY CLOSED POSITION. THIS CONDITION MAY ALSO PROVIDE A DELAYED RESISTANCE WHEN ACTUATING THE HANDLE PRIOR TO OPENING THE DOOR.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INTERIOR HANDLE SPRING ON ALL SIDE DOORS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
The brake booster vacuum hose attached to the intake manifold fitting swelled over time and was close to detaching from the intake manifold fitting. This condition could allow the hose to detach from the fitting during an engine backfire, resulting in loss of power brake assist and increased brake pedal effort. As a result, stopping distance may increase and potentially result in a crash.
Unknown, got towed, stolen
Turning signals don't work. I bought this used 2008 Lincoln Navigator with the written text on my phone that said the used car lot took the vehicle to their mechanic and he said he had fixed the problem. I called him (the mechanic) upset and said the used car lot said he fixed the problem. He said he didn't say that; the signals could not be fixed without certain parts (computer parts) that are not available from anywhere. The parts are not being made and the re-conditioned parts are not available from re-conditioned businesses. I did sign an "as is" bill of sale with the understanding they would fix the signals. I have saved those text on my cells phone. They initially took responsibility of the defected signals by asking the mechanic to replace the signal arm. That didn't fix the problem. If they did this to me, they would do it to others. Now I have an unsafe vehicle that I should not drive. I also took this vehicle to a Lincoln dealership who confirmed what their mechanic stated.
FACTORY CHROME PAINTED WHEELS PEELING CAUSED TIRE BLOWOUT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CHROME SEPARATES FROM THE ALUMINUM WHEEL AND THE TIRE STARTS TO LOSE AIR OR IN MY CASE BLOW OUT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK AND THERE'S NOT ANYTHING I'M ABLE TO DO. THIS IS HAPPENING WITH MANY OTHER LINCOLN VEHICLES THAT HAVE CHROME PAINTED WHEELS FROM 2007 TO 2014. LINCOLN HAS NO ANSWERS FOR ME AND SUGGEST I ORDER FACTORY WHEELS. NEW FACTORY WHEELS WILL JUST START PEELING AGAIN.
MY FRONT DRIVER SEAT WON'T GO BACK OR FORWARD. AND MY RUNNING BOARD IS NOT WORKING ANY MORE. ON THE DRIVER SIDE WON'T COME OUT ANY MORE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE STUCK OUT AND WON'T GO BACK IN. I TOOK IT TO MY MANICA AND HE SAID IT'S A RECALL ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL MORE THAN ONCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT RETURN TO CENTER, IT MUST BE BROUGHT BACK MANUALLY. SECOND, THE ROCKER PANELS FRONT AND BACK ARE RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AND I WORRY ABOUT INTEGRITY AND SAFETY OF THE FRAME.
VEHICLE HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE 5 TIMES DURING NORMAL OPERATIONS. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY FORD DEALERSHIP AND RECOMMENDED BRAKE REPAIRS AND/OR UNABLE TO REPRODUCE. UPON LAST TIME, TECHNICIAN FOUND A FORD SERVICE BULLETIN THAT COVERED OTHER SIMILAR MODELS AND YEARS HAVING EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE, BUT STATED THAT IT WAS A VOLUNTARY REPLACEMENT. LOSING BRAKES ON A 6,000 POUND CAR GOING 30MPH IS A RECIPE FOR SERIOUS DEATH OR INJURY. THIS COMPONENT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THE CAR HAS FULL PAPERWORK FROM PREVIOUS BRAKE REPAIRS, PREVIOUS REQUEST FOR BRAKE REPAIRS AND THE CURRENT REPLACEMENT OF THE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE BLACK BOX. THERE ARE OTHER CAR OWNERS ONLINE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE INCLUDING SEVERAL THAT WON LEMON LAW LAWSUITS. LINCOLN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAULTY COMPONENT AND STATES THAT THE REPLACEMENT WAS CUSTOMER REQUESTED AND VOLUNTARY WITH NO CONCERN THAT THEIR VEHICLE LOSES BRAKES. DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LINCOLN "CONCIERGE" CUSTOMER SERVICE ARE RECORDED. FAILURES HAPPENED WHEN CAR WAS TRAVELING 30MPH AND BRAKING ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE. TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED THAT DURING SUCH A BRAKE FAILURE TO TURN OFF THE TRACTION CONTROL WHICH IS AN UNREASONABLE REQUEST. THE COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM TO BE TAKING THE LOSS OF BRAKES THAT COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR INJURY SERIOUSLY.
THE SUV GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH SYMBOL(POWER TRAIN) AND BEGAN TO JERK AFTER STOPS AT RED LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS WHILE HEADING TO THE EXPRESSWAY. IT LOST POWER COMPLETELY,WHILE IN MOTION AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT ON THE BELT PKWY. I HAD THE GAS PEDAL FULLY PRESSED DOWN AND COULDN'T ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. I HAD TO DRIVE WITH ON FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE OTHER ON THE GAS TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE SUV AND WAS AFRAID IF BE REAR ENDED OR WORST AT HIGH SPEED. I GOT OFF AT THE NEAREST EXIT ON THE WAY HOME AND SHUT IT OFF. I LET IT REST A FEW MINUTES AND CUT BACK ON AND IT DROVE LIKE NORMAL WITH LOW RPM'S AND A CONSTANT SHUTTERING OR PINGING FEELING AND SOUND. I BROUGHT THE SUV TO JAMAICA NY LINCOLN/FORD SERVICE CENTER WHO TOOK THE SUV FOR CLOSE TO 1 MONTH AND GAVE IT BACK STATING "IT NEEDS A THROTTLE BODY". NOTHING ELSE IS WRONG WITH IT. IT'S NOT A TRANSMISSION ISSUE, OR ELECTRONICAL ISSUE ITS THE ENGINE. THEY ALSO SAID ALOT OF FORD VEHICLES HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUES AND IT WAS A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY. I'VE CHANGED THIS SUV'S ENGINE, TRANNY, CONVERTERS, SPARK PLUGS, COILS, ETC ETC ETC. THE SERVICE RECORDS FROM PURCHASE DATE, YEAR TO DATE ARE SO LONG IT'S STUNNING! EVERY 90 DAYS IT HAS HAD TO BE SERVICED FOR SOME REASON OR ANOTHER. I FOUND MY SELF OUT OF IT FOR 1 MONTH EVERY QUARTER OF A YEAR. THAT'S RIDICULOUS!!! LINCOLN/FORD HASN'T DONE MUCH TO HELP ME AND I'VE PURCHASED SEVERAL VEHICLES FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP. SMH. I'VE WENT TO PRIVATE MECHANICS WHO BELIEVE IT'S THE TRANNY AGAIN, AND SOME LEAN YEARS THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT. NOBODY CAN EVEN GIVE ME AN EXACT ANSWER AS TO WHAT IT IS AND A SOLUTION TO MY SUV NIGHTMARE! I'VE ALREADY WASTED $500.00. ANYWAY YOU CAN ASSIST ME OR HELP ME WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS FOR LISTENING.
A WRENCH APPEARS ON MY DASH BOARD, AND THE CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN IN TRAFFIC.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND PEDAL SHUDDER WAS FELT. BRAKE POWER DIMINISHED, AND THE ANTI-SKID LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ONCE OFF THE PEDAL, THE CAR COASTED FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, AND THE SYSTEM WENT BACK TO NORMAL. FORD IS UNABLE TO FIND AN ISSUE WITH THE SYSTEM OR DUPLICATE THE EVENT. ABS WAS NOT ENGAGED IN THIS SITUATION. GRADUAL BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, NOT COME TO ABRUPT STOP. HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION.
THE BRAKES DO NOT ALWAYS FUNCTION. PEDAL GOES DOWN TO FLOOR. BROUGHT TO LINCOLNS ATTENTION LAST APRIL, JUNE AND JULY. WE HAVE NOTES AND LETTERS WITH HEATHER CARLYLE FROM LINCOLN MOTOR COMPANY
BROKEN SPARK PLUGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO RESPOND. IN ADDITION, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND THE MAINTENANCE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE BRAKE PEDAL FUNCTIONED NORMALLY AND AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING AT 37 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER IN THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
RUNNING BOARD MOTOR FAILURE BILATERALLY, JUST LIKE 2004 MODEL. REAR WINDOW LEAKS FROM TOP MOULDING., JUST LIKE 2004 MODEL. REAR LIFT DOOR RUST RIGHT UNDER THE WINDOW, JUST LIKE 2004 MODEL. *TR
MOTORS IN SIDE STEP BOARDS STOP WORKING. BUTTON TO CONTROL TRUNK DON'T WORK. BACK REAR GATE KEEPS CLOSING HAS HIT THE KIDS AND MYSELF MANY TIMES TRYING TO GET THINGS OUT OF BACK. CASING AROUND DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING! I SEE OTHER NAVIGATORS WITH THE RUNNING BOARDS OUT! THESE ITEMS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE PANEL LIGHTING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE IT WAS STATED THE FUSE BOX IN THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR
STEERING WHEEL - FELT LOOSE UNATTACHED PARTS RATTLING AGAINST EACH OTHER IN STEERING ASSEMBLY WHEN CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT. *TR
SIDE STEP BOARDS DON'T WORK. WINDOWS STOP WORKING DUE TO THE DESIGN OF VEHICLE AND WATER GETTING IN. POWER HEATING AND COOLING SEATS DON'T WORK. BACK REAR GATE KEEPS CLOSING HAS HIT THE KIDS AND MYSELF MANY TIMES TRYING TO GET ITEMS OUT OF BACK. CASING AROUND DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE THESE COMPLAINT ARE MADE BY NUMEROUS PEOPLE OWNING THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2008 Lincoln Navigator has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 30 owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Lincoln Navigator.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2008 Lincoln Navigator.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2008 Lincoln Navigator are electrical system (4 reports), service brakes (3 reports), unknown or other (2 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2008 Lincoln Navigator. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.