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2016 Lincoln Navigator problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

NO ELEVATED SIGNAL
13%
3 of 25 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2016 Lincoln Navigator. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 13% of relevant complaints.

Better than 96% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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Does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 3 of 25 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Lincoln Navigator concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (13%). For comparison, the 2017 scores 15%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
3
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
25
this model year
Fires reported
1
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
4
0 crashes · 0 injuries

Complaints by component

VISIBILITY7 · 28%
SERVICE BRAKES6 · 24%
BACK OVER PREVENTION5 · 20%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3 · 12%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3 · 12%
POWER TRAIN2 · 8%

The years either side

2010
too few complaints
2011
too few complaints
2012
too few complaints
2013
too few complaints
2014
too few complaints
2015
too few complaints
2016
13%
3 of 25
2017
15%
4 of 31
2018
56%
27 of 52
2019
55%
32 of 80
2020
75%
21 of 32
2021
41%
13 of 33
2022
too few complaints
2023
too few complaints

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

What owners reported

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM09/25/2023
While going approximately 55 mph, the speedometer dropped out to zero. After a moment, the transmission dropped into first gear (it felt like) and the rear tires made loud screeching noises as if they locked up for about one second. The speedometer remained at zero and the whole thing happened again in a few seconds.…
POWER TRAIN03/03/2023
The contact owns a 2016 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds, the transmission inadvertently down shifted and nearly caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle. Additionally, the speedometer gauges went to zero and the service wrench warning light was displayed. The vehicle …
ENGINE12/27/2022
UNDER HARD ACCELERATION, THE CAR SPUTTERS AND CHUGS HARD AND SUFFICIENT PASSING SPEED MAY NOT BE MET. ON 2 OCCASIONS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED AND ON 1 OCCASION IT REMAINED SOLID FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. BOTH TIMES THE LIGHTS CLEARED OUT EVENTUALLY. LOCAL FORD DEALER SAID THEY CLAIM IT IS CONDENSATION IN THE 3.5L …

Three of 3 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on the 2016 Lincoln Navigator (4)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
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 …
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front blower motor located behind the glove box may fail.
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The LED logo lights on the exterior mirrors may short circuit.

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2016 Lincoln Navigator

Questions people ask about the 2016 Lincoln Navigator

Does the 2016 Lincoln Navigator have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 3 of 25 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Lincoln Navigator concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (13%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2016 Lincoln Navigator?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns on the 2016 Lincoln Navigator. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Lincoln Navigator years are better?

The 2016 has the lowest engine and transmission complaint share of the Lincoln Navigator years we track (13%). The other years run higher.

Should I buy a 2016 Lincoln Navigator?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2016 Lincoln Navigator shows no elevated engine or transmission pattern in owner complaints, which is a good starting point. It is still one car with its own history, so get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you commit.

Have the VIN?Paste it and get the full report for that car. First report free, then a 30-day pass covers a whole car search.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.