Does the 2001 Lincoln Navigator have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2001 Lincoln Navigator, the most recent reported on September 7, 2005 (Vehicle speed control). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Lincoln Navigator?

Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is tires (23 complaints), followed by electrical system (16).

How many 2001 Lincoln Navigator complaints mention a crash or fire?

6 of 81 complaints report a crash and 11 a fire; 7 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2001 Lincoln Navigator recalls and problems

3 recalls and 81 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2001 Lincoln Navigator.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2001 Lincoln Navigator recalls

Vehicle speed control

NHTSA campaign 05V388000 · reported September 7, 2005 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 4,500,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control, the speed control deactivation switch may overheat, smoke, or burn.
The risk: A fire at the switch could occur.
The fix: 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)

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer, motor

NHTSA campaign 01V258000 · reported August 8, 2001 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 1,083,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Vehicle description: passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, or ignition of the plastic cover material. Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield. These vehicles were built at the following assembly plants: atlanta plant from 2/11/00 through 7/31/00; chicago plant from 2/14/00 through 8/4/00; kansas city plant from 2/26/00 to 9/4/00; kentucky truck plant from 2/18/00 to 8/31/00; michigan truck plant from 2/23/00 through 8/3/00; norfolk plant from 2/21/00 through 7/27/00; wayne stamping and assembly plant from 2/25/00 through 8/15/00; and wixom plant from 2/15/00 through 8/8/00.
The risk: Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the date code on the wiper motor. Motors built with the suspect time frame will have the wiper motor gear case cover replaced. Owner notification began august 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Seat belts: front, buckle assembly

NHTSA campaign 01V227001 · reported July 16, 2001 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 1,400,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans. Equipped with seat belts supplied by trw. It is possible that the driver's and/or front passenger's outboard seat belt buckle may not fully latch. Ford crown victoria built at st. Thomas assembly plant from 4/17/00 - 5/29/01 mercury grand marquis built at st. Thomas assembly plant from 4/17/00 - 5/29/01. Lincoln town cars built at wixom assembly plant from 3/27/00 - 5/30/01. Lincoln navigators built at michigan truck plant from 4/11/00 - 5/31/01. Ford windstars built at oakville assembly plant from 3/23/00 - 5/30/01. Ford rangers built at twin cities plant from 3/28/00 - 5/30/01, and also at the edison plant from 3/13/00 - 5/25/01. Ford f-150 truck built at norfolk plant from 4/18/00 - 5/25/00; at ontario plant from 5/10/00 - 5/28/01; at kansas city plant from 9/11/99 - 5/25/01; and at cuautitlan plant from 5/16/00 - 6/9/01. Ford super duty f-250, f-350, f-450, and f-550 trucks built at kentucky plant from 4/17/00 - 5/27/01; and at cuautitlan plant from 5/16/00 - 6/19/01. Ford excursions built at kentucky plant from 4/17/00 - 10/2/00. Ford expeditions built at michigan truck plant from 4/11/00 - 5/31/01.
The risk: In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide adequate occupant protection, increasing the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the front outboard seat belt buckles and if the buckle fails the inspection process, it will be replaced. Owner notification began july 25, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Tires23
Electrical system16
Vehicle speed control12
Suspension9
Power train7
Fuel system, gasoline5
Air bags4
Engine4
Engine and engine cooling4
Service brakes, hydraulic4

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

May 24, 2025 · Electrical system
I had been driving for about 15 minutes and then I noticed a burning plastic smell. It was dark so my headlights were on. I felt heat coming from under the dash by the pedals. I started to watch my dash to see if the truck was over heating or the check engine light would come on but neither of those happened. The next…

Apr 12, 2018 · Unknown or other
BOUGHT CAR IN OCTOBER 2017 HAVE HADE TO PURCHES HAD PROBLEMS WITH TIRES FOUR TIME NOW TODAY MAKES FIVE TIMES HAVE TO GO PURCHASE ANOTHER TIRE HAVE TO HAVE IT TOWED IN THE MORNING

Apr 19, 2017 · Vehicle speed control · 174,000 miles
THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL JUST WILL NOT ENGAGE ANY LONGER. HAS WORKED FINE UP UNTIL ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO.

Feb 8, 2016 · Electrical system · 135,000 miles · fire reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RAINY WEATHER, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR AND AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AS IF IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO START INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS…

Nov 24, 2015 · Electrical system
IT MAKES A LOUD NOISE AND NO 1 KNOW WHAT IT IS

Navigator model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	4	109	9	17
2001	3	81	6	11
2002	1	32	2	5
2003	0	127	6	3
2004	0	86	4	2

Across all years, the 2003 Navigator has the most complaints (127). All Lincoln Navigator years →

Questions

Does the 2001 Lincoln Navigator have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2001 Lincoln Navigator, the most recent reported on September 7, 2005 (Vehicle speed control). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Lincoln Navigator?: Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is tires (23 complaints), followed by electrical system (16).
How many 2001 Lincoln Navigator complaints mention a crash or fire?: 6 of 81 complaints report a crash and 11 a fire; 7 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received May 24, 2025.