Tl* the contact owns a 1998 lincoln navigator. While attempting to place the vehicle in park, the gear shifter failed to engage. The contact stated that the vehicle would roll forward or backwards, depending on if the vehicle was on an incline or a decline. The contact was concerned about the rollaway possibilities with the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 72,126.
The worst 1998 Lincoln Navigator problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Tires48
- Suspension25
- Steering22
- Electrical21
- Engine19
- Acceleration18
- Transmission16
- Wheels15
- Brakes9
- Body8
- Visibility8
- Airbags6
- Lights3
- Fuel system1
- Locks1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Lincoln Navigator
Tire blowout 25Fire or smoke 19Ball joint 13Check engine light 6Adaptive cruise 5Stalling 5
Recalls 5
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.
- Risk
- A fire at the switch could occur.
- Remedy
- By letter dated september 12, 2005, owners were instructed to return their vehicles to their dealers to have the speed control deactivation switch disconnected. Owners who have had their speed control deactivated are being notified that parts will be available and advised to make an appointment to reconnect the speed control beginning in february 2006. Owners who did not have their speed control deactivated are being notified to have their system remedied beginning in february 2006. Owners are urged to avail themselves of the free disconnect service as soon as possible because of the significant risk of fire. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673. (note: also see recalls 05v017 and 06v286)
Recall number 05V388000 · Recall details
Trailer hitches
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles. The trailer hitch assembly to the frame attaching bolts could lose the clamp load.
- Risk
- The trailer hitch could then separate from the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the trailer hitch mounting bolts and nut plates.
Recall number 00V073000 · Recall details
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles and light duty pickup trucks. The lug nuts on these vehicles may not create sufficient clamp load allowing wheel movement in relation to the hub/rotor mounting surface.
- Risk
- This can result in the loosening of lug nuts, stud fatigue failure, and the potential for a wheel separation from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Owners of these vehicles will be receiving two notifications. The first notification, which began in may 1998, will provide an interim repair procedure until parts become available. This interim procedure can be completed by owners or their dealers. It specifies that the lug nut torque must be verified to be 100 lbs. Then the lug nuts need to be tightened an additional 1/8 to 1/4 turn more. There will be a second owner notification, which is expected to begin july 20, 1998, under which dealers will inspect the wheel studs and replace the wheel lug nuts.
Recall number 98V095000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The text and/or graphics for the vehicle headlamp aiming instructions provided in the owner guides are not sufficiently clear. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- Risk
- If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may be confused by the aiming instructions provided in the owner guides causing the headlamps to be improperly aimed.
- Remedy
- Owner guides containing revised aiming instructions will be mailed to owners of these vehicles.
Recall number 98V028000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. If the automatic transmission shift cable assembly was not fully attached to the steering column bracket, the shift cable assembly can come out of the bracket. The vehicle operator would then not be able to shift the transmission from one of the drive gear positions into the park position even though the gear shift selector would indicate "park."
- Risk
- The condition would not allow a disengagement of the transmission from the park position or affect proper neutral start switch operation. Unintended vehicle movement could occur if the parking brake was not set.
- Remedy
- Dealers will make the proper attachment of the transmission shift control cable to the steering column bracket and add a tie strap to that connection.
Recall number 97V171000 · Recall details
See all 5 recalls for the 1998 Lincoln Navigator
Defect investigations
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On september 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or ejected from the engine.as of december 8, 2005, odi is not aware of any allegations where the alleged defect resulted in a loss of vehicle control, a crash, an injury, or a fatality in any of the 10,319,810 subject vehicles.in addition, odi is aware of only two incidents where the vehicle stalled without restart.information contained in the odi consumer complaints and obtained from 72 telephone interviews with complainants showed the following:(1) 99% of the complaints were on my 1997 to 2002 subject vehicles.(2) most the complainants reported hearing a loud pop while driving or upon starting up the vehicle followed by a loud, repetitive clicking or popping sound.(3) many of the complainants reported that the popping sound was accompanied by some loss of vehicle power; however, in 99% of the incidents reported, the vehicle did not stall.in the very few incidents where the vehicle did stall, most vehicles could be restarted.(4) only a small percentage of the complainants cited that they smelled gas or a slight burning smell when the incident occurred.(5) in all but a very few incidents, vehicle damage was limited to the engine.in one incident, the complaint reported that the fuel rail was damaged and replaced after one of the spark plugs ejected from the engine; however, the complainant reported that the damage did not result in any type of fuel leak or fire.in another incident, the only incident where a fire was alleged, the complainant reported that no fluid leak was observed, but that a fire resulted after the spark plug had ejected from the engine and he had restarted the vehicle and driven to another location.none of the complainants reported any damage to the vehicle hood.(6) only two complainants reported that they observed what appeared to be some drops of fuel coming from the cylinder where the spark plug had failed or on the spark plug itself; however, each of these complainants reported that there was no smoke or flames as a result of his incident.as the petitioner noted, and odi?s analysis showed, it is possible for a spark plug to detach from the engine cylinder threads in the subject vehicles.however, odi?s analysis of 474 complaints describing such incidents found only a very few alleged any safety-related consequences.none of these showed any evidence of a serious safety consequence.given the large population and relatively long exposure time of the subject vehicles, the complaint analysis indicates that the risk to motor vehicle safety from the alleged defect is very low.in view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that the federal safety agency would issue an order for the notification and remedy of the alleged defect at the conclusion of the investigation requested in the petition.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency?s limited resources to best accomplish the agency?s safety mission, the petition is denied.
DP05005
Engine compartment fires
Ea05-005 is closed with ford?s actions in recalls 05v‑017, 05v‑388, and 06v‑286, recalling approximately 6.7 million vehicles equipped with texas instruments speed control deactivation switches (scds).the brake systems in these recalled vehicles generate a vacuum that can potentially cause the scds to fail and, in certain switch installation orientations, catch fire.ford is also including the entire population of 1998 explorers.ford has informed odi that testing to determine the cause of failures in the 1998 explorers will continue after this investigation is closed.odi believes that the vehicles exhibiting the factors causing scds failure described in this report correlate well with the observed failure rates on these vehicles by model and model year.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist in the non-recalled vehicles manufactured with scds that are not included in ford?s recalls.odi will continue to monitor the non-recalled population for incidence of engine compartment fires.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see attached closing report for details.
EA05005
Factory installed towing hitch separatio
This investigation was opened on september 27, 1999 based on five consumer reports alleging that some of the eight hitch mounting bolts either became loose or came completely out of its retaining plate.one of the complaints indicated that while towig a trailer the hitch actually separated from the frame on the passenger's side of the vehicle when the four mounting bolts on that side came completely out. This allowed the hitch and trailer to contact the road surface.in its response to the agency, ford provided information regarding nine additional reports of loose or missing bolts, two of those alleging separation of the hitch on one side.there were no reports of vehicle crshes, injuries, or a complete separation of a hitch assembly.scope:1997 throurgh 2000 model year expeditions and 1998 through 2000 model year navigators built at michigan truch assemblly plant from july 22,1 996 through december 9, 1999.defect: loss of clamping load of hitch attachment bolts.remedy:the hitch mounting bolts and nut plates will be replace with higher strength bolts and plates.additionally , the torque value for the mounting bolts will be increased and an adhesive will be added to the bolts.
PE99060
Tie rod end failures
There is no summary currently available
PE98024
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Lincoln Navigator 264
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, or 6.8L 2V engine--spark plug thread repair...
- Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (COP) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running
- Rear axle noise repair
- Use of stainless steel exhaust studs in service for 5.4L 2V engine
- Intermittent rough idle - non-commanded EGR (exhaust gas recirculation valve) flow
- Rear axle noise repair
- General (PCM) power train control module programming procedures
- General power train control module (PCM) programming procedures
- Customer maintenance reminder - literature program 04L19 - tie rod inspection procedure
- Engine misfire or running - coil on plug (COP) ignition systems - wds cop kit diagnostic tips
1998 Lincoln Navigator fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4L 8‑cyl | RWD | 12 | 16 | 13 |
| 5.4L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 11 | 15 | 12 |
What 1998 Lincoln Navigator owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 lincoln navigator. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the rear of the vehicle independently swayed from side to side without warning. In addition, the contact mentioned that the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond and the rear of the vehicle began to scrape across the ground. The contact mentioned that the vehicle stopped independently. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the lug nuts on the rear passenger side wheel fractured and caused the wheel to disengage from the vehicle. The entire rear of the vehicle was fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame, the drive shaft, the trans axle, the transfer case, the rear axle, the bearing, and the rear lug nuts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 1998 lincoln navigator. While driving 40 MPH, the contact crashed into the front of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt failed to restrain the contact in place. A police report was filed. The contact suffered a mild concussion and a whiplash, but did not require medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
I was driving about 40 MPH on a rode a drove everyday something broke on my 98 lincoln navigator . The guys who flipped it back over said the suspension broke I scraped a guardrail then straight across the road head on with a tree I flipped up on my headlights spun like that then rolled 50 more feet down the road it knocked me out on impact but a friend was in front of me and seen the whole thing I had a severe concussion and broke my back n four places none of the airbags deployed I would not recommend this type of vehicle for anyone there are so many complaints about the suspension and air shocks not working my sons almost lost their mom bc the suspension broke it was a very well maintained vehicle one owner be fore me who took very good care of it I only drove it for 5 months about 20 miles aday to work in back it was not lack of maintenance or anything like that
Wheels are not safe and very dangerous and randomly breaking off all screws while driving and ruined the frame and drive shaft transmission suspension etc... Highway 10 west and vehicle became unstoppable as brakes also new but failed without 4th wheel this occurred 1st on morning after st patricks day 2016 and the tires were good and wheels were bolted with lugnut impact drill and mechanic said thers a recall and the original owner was unaware but lincoln claims they tried to fix before in 1999 but anaheim was fraudulently claiming repairs that were never completed because the owner always only went to the dealer where purchased new and the warranty was in effect 69,863 miles .
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 lincoln navigator. The contact stated that the gear indicator on the instrument cluster failed to display the desired gear selection. In addition, the gear lever would not shift into the park position properly. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 97v171000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 lincoln navigator. The contact stated that the gear shift failed to go into the park position. In addition, the contact stated that the ignition key failed to disengage from the ignition. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 187,000.
Started with the light in vehicle staying on for hours at a time causing a loud noise under hood. While driving and picking up my girlfriend, we were scared by the sudden acceleration of my vehicle. We hit another car causing our heads to hit the dash board. The car wouldn't stop so after we hit a car while on breaks, I through car in park and that just made car engine roar even louder causing engine to go into danger mood. Turned car off and started back up it was still roaring but then calm down to normal.
Car was parked in the driveway. Had not been running or started in over a week. Spontaneously caught fire and burned up. Vehicle is totaled and our garage and front fascia received fire and water damage.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 lincoln navigator. The contact stated that after adding fuel to the vehicle smoke emitted from the engine compartment followed by a thermal event. The failure was not diagnosed nor was it repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. ..updated 07-17-13 *bf the consumer stated after pumping gas a strange clicking noise was heard on the driver's side. The drivere turned the vehicle on and off with the same result. Smoke then emerged from the hood. A fire started on the passenger's side. A thump was heard and the vehicle began to leak fluids.. The fire went out. The vehicle was towed to dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. Updated 07/24/2013
Compare the 1998 Lincoln Navigator
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Questions about the 1998 Lincoln Navigator
Is the 1998 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
Owners have filed 192 complaints about the 1998 Lincoln Navigator, 6.0 times a typical Navigator model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Lincoln Navigator?
Tires, with 48 complaints, typically around 54,000 miles. Next is suspension (25).
How many recalls does the 1998 Lincoln Navigator have?
5 recalls, covering vehicle speed control, trailer hitches and wheels.
What year does the Lincoln Navigator have bad tires?
The Lincoln Navigator model years with the most tires complaints are 1998 (48 complaints), 2000 (42 complaints) and 1999 (29 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Lincoln Navigator get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Lincoln Navigator range from 12 to 13 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.4L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 12 city and 16 highway.
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