2020 Lincoln Navigator

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

Lincoln Navigator
Pictured: 2019 Lincoln Navigator 'Reserve', front 8.29.20. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV 4WD, L 4dr SUV 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl turbo
Horsepower
310 hp
Transmission
10-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Seats
7
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
19 combined · 16 city / 22 hwy
Length
209.8–222 in
Curb weight
5,856–6,056 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
13 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Seats up to 73 rows of seating.
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

  • Higher rollover riskNHTSA estimates a 20.8% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.
  • "Park outside" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 6 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2020 Lincoln Navigator is a standard SUV offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl turbo engine and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 210 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 122-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,856 lb (4dr SUV 4WD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 22 highway), 3% worse than the 2020 standard SUV average of 19.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 13 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2020

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 Navigator — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Navigator →

Trims, performance & features

Engine310 hp3.5L turbo 6-cyl
Transmission10-speed automatic
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating7 seats · 3 rows

Trims

ReserveBL

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Rear cross-traffic alertStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Parking assistStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamStandard
Keyless startStandard
LED headlightsYes

Built in: Jefferson County, Kentucky

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2020 Navigator configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV 4WD209.8 in79.9 in76.4 in122.4 in67.7 / 67.3 in5,856 lb50/50
L 4dr SUV 4WD222 in79.9 in76.4 in131.5 in67.7 / 67.3 in6,056 lb50/50

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Navigator 2WD3.5L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S10)Rear-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 19-3%$3,550478
Navigator L 2WD3.5L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S10)Rear-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18-8%$3,700501
Navigator 4WD3.5L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S10)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18-4%$3,700506
3/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
3/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.5 MPG2020 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2020 Lincoln Navigator SUV 4WD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★19.3%
2020 Lincoln Navigator SUV 2WD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★20.8%
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning

Similar 2020 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2020 Lincoln Navigator (this car)19 MPG★★★★★13
2020 Cadillac Escalade17 MPGNot rated2
2020 Lexus LX14 MPGNot rated0
2020 BMW X722 MPGNot rated12
2020 Infiniti QX8016 MPG★★★★★2
2020 Lincoln Aviator23 MPG★★★★★30
2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class21 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (13)

Safety advisory: 1 recall for this model year carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Jun 24, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V402000 · 741,195 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Risk
Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
Seat Belts › Pretensioner · May 27, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V344000 · 419,967 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Risk
Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 8, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S34. This recall replaces and expands previous NHTSA recalls 24V099 and 25V197. Vehicles previously inspected or repaired under the prior recalls will need the new repair completed.
Engine · Sep 19, 2025 Park outside

NHTSA campaign 25V628000 · 4,632 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. A short circuit within the battery junction box can cause an engine fire while driving or parked.
Risk
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix
Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles, until the remedy is performed. Dealers will inspect and replace the battery junction box, as necessary, and remove a ground wire. On models equipped with standard-duty radiator fan motors, dealers will also install an auxiliary electrical box with a wire jumper. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's numbers for this recall are 22S36 and 22S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 23, 2025.
Back Over Prevention › Software · Jun 27, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V442000 · 200,237 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Seat Belts › Pretensioner · May 23, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V197000 · 112,951 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Risk
Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S31. Some vehicles in this recall that were previously inspected under recall 24V-099 and did not have parts replaced will need to have this new recall remedy completed.
Electrical System › Body Control Module › Software · May 23, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V346000 · 556 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Expedition and Navigator vehicles that were repaired incorrectly under recall 20V262. The Pre-Collision Assist features, such as forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, are not functional due to a software error.
Risk
Inoperative pre-collision assist features that fail to perform as expected can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix
Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S56.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Nov 8, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V852000 · 27,678 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
Seat Belts › Pretensioner · Feb 9, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V099000 · 77,574 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently deploy and lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Risk
Seat belts that do not retract or extend may fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors, as necessary. Additionally, dealers will install an HVAC drain tube elbow if it is missing. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S06.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Aug 25, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V598000 · 177,402 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Lincoln Aviator, 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator, 2022-2023 Ford Transit, and 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles. The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
Risk
Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the rearview camera, and update the software and wiring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023 to Lincoln owners. Ford vehicle owners notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024. Ford remedy parts are anticipated 2nd Quarter 2024. Ford's number for this recall is 23S48.
Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual · Jun 9, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V420000 · 691,133 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with third-row seating; and 2019-2023 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 SuperCab vehicles. The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
Risk
Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Ford will mail the Owner's Manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C20.
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages · Apr 14, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V250000 · 652,996 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
Risk
Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 24, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S26.
Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly · Jun 23, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V366000 · 2,620 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The attachment bracket for the driver's side second-row seat headrest may not have been sufficiently welded to the seat frame. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "Head Restraints."
Risk
An improperly welded headrest bracket may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began July 8, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C12.
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking · May 8, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V262000 · 25,081 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with camera-only Pre-Collision Assist feature. Vehicles built with the optional radar-plus-camera Pre-Collision Assist system are not affected. Due to incorrect coding of interfacing modules, the Pre-Collision Assist feature is not enabled, and the driver cannot access the menu functions necessary to enable the Pre-Collision Assist feature.
Risk
If the driver is unaware that the Pre-Collision Assist feature is not enabled, they may rely on a system that is not functional, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram software for the Body Control Module, Antilock Braking System, Instrument Panel Cluster and Headlamp Control Modules, and reset the Tire Pressure Monitor System, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S20.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2020 Lincoln Navigator is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

32Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
55,884 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train18
Electrical System4
Engine3
Seat Belts3
Seats1
Visibility/Wiper1
Tires1
Unknown Or Other1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/01: 121/11: 122/05: 123/05: 123/07: 123/08: 123/12: 124/01: 424/05: 124/06: 124/07: 125/01: 125/06: 125/07: 225/08: 225/09: 126/02: 226/03: 126/04: 126/05: 326/07: 126/08: 226/09: 121/0123/0523/1224/0625/0625/0926/0426/08max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2020 Lincoln Navigator buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 13 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Power Train — 18 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  4. Electrical System — 4 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 55,884 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Lincoln Navigator. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Navigator years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Navigator18–Not rated10
2026 Navigator17209.8 inNot rated20
2025 Navigator17209.8 in★★★★★613
2024 Navigator18209.8 inNot rated716
2023 Navigator19209.8 inNot rated87
2022 Navigator19209.8 inNot rated1421
2021 Navigator18209.8 in★★★★★1233
2019 Navigator19209.8 in★★★★★1085
2018 Navigator19209.8 in★★★★★1252
2017 Navigator17207.5 in★★★★★532
2016 Navigator18207.5 inNot rated425
2015 Navigator18207.5 inNot rated421

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lincoln. How we calculate this →