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.
Sell your 1998 Lincoln Navigator for cash
The 1998 Lincoln Navigator is a vehicle that came with a 5.4L 8-cyl engine. At 28 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
- Free offer for your 1998 Navigator in about 30 seconds
- Free towing, running or not
- Paid at pickup
LincolnNAVIGATOR1998
1998 Lincoln Navigator at a glance
| Body style | Special Purpose Vehicle 2WD, Special Purpose Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|
| Engines | 5.4L 8-cyl |
| Transmissions | Automatic 4-spd |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
| Fuel economy | 11–12 city / 15–16 highway / 12–13 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $5,150–$5,600 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 684–741 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 2 configurations: Navigator 2WD, Navigator 4WD |
| Age | 28 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
What affects its junk value
- Age: at 28 years old, most of a 1998 Navigator's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
- Weight: as a vehicle, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
- Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
- Recalls: NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 1998 Navigator. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
- Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the tires, typically around 100,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.
1998 Lincoln Navigator recalls
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls covering the 1998 Lincoln Navigator. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
Common 1998 Navigator problems
Owners have filed 192 complaints about the 1998 Lincoln Navigator with NHTSA. 14 reports involved a crash and 22 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 26 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Most-reported components
Typical mileage when problems were reported
- Tires100,000 mi
- Tires40,000 mi
- Electrical System118,000 mi
- Steering92,000 mi
- Engine and Engine Cooling135,000 mi
1998 Lincoln Navigator service bulletins
Manufacturers have filed 264 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 1998 Lincoln Navigator. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Most common bulletin topics
Recent bulletins
Some 1997-2008 vehicles equipped with a 4.6l 2v, 5.4l 2v, or 6.8l 2v engine--spark plug thread repair procedure--not covered under new vehicle limited warranty. *nj this
Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running. *tt
Rear axle noise repair. *tt
Use of stainless steel exhaust studs in service for 5.4l 2v engine. *tt
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA opened 4 defect investigations covering the 1998 Lincoln Navigator.
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 t
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 cert
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 passenge
Tie rod end failures
There is no summary currently available
Selling a 1998 Navigator: questions
How much is a 1998 Lincoln Navigator worth for junk?
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Can I junk a 1998 Navigator that doesn't run?
Yes. We buy 1998 Navigators that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Can I sell a 1998 Navigator with open recalls?
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 1998 Lincoln Navigator; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What paperwork do I need to sell my 1998 Navigator?
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Before you sell
Sources
- EPA fuel economy data (specs and MPG)fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA recallsnhtsa.gov
- NHTSA complaints, service bulletins and investigationsnhtsa.gov
Data retrieved October 2026.
Get cash for your 1998 Navigator today
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