2024 Navigator - Quality Control

[JamesBay]

I just purchased a "new" 2024 Navigator Reserve L because of the great incentives Lincoln was giving. After only 1000 miles, I am now seeing why Lincoln was having a tough time getting rid of these SUV's. The Quality Control at the Factory is non-existent. Is Lincoln making sure any of their cars are passing a quality check before being shipped to the dealers?

It is in the shop now with no end date of getting it back. Here are the problems after just 200 miles of driving it (had to wait 3 weeks to get it into the shop in order to get a loaner):

1. The trim under the roof rack rails was not installed. Open rivets that when it rains, the water will come in.
2. Suspension went out. I know it does not have "air suspension", but all the seats shake going down the road and you can feel every pebble.
3. Intermittent windshield wipers do not work.
3. Multiple plastic pieces are either falling off or coming out of its place and are razer sharp to the touch.
4. Multiple trim pieces on the outside are bowed or coming off.
5. Blue cruise lane change does not work.
6. Loose bolt rolling around in the HUD glass.
7. Alignment of tires off.
8. A couple of the speakers falling off.
9. Engine sputters in 1st gear.

I am sure there are more things. This is just off the top of my head.

For $120k you would think Lincoln would put these through the highest of Quality checks. But clearly these cars are not even looked at. I have had 7 Range Rovers since 1995 (latest in 2019) for the same amount of money. They are perfect when you first get them. Just like probably Cadillac, Mercedes, etc. What is going on with Lincoln?

 

[dlcorbett]

Sorry your going through so many issues. It seems the 4th gen in general needed more polish. I've lamented, no matter how luxurious my my20 nav presented itself, the build quality was very shoddy and lackluster.

For your awareness, 2024 navigators come with blue cruise 1.0, which does not have lane change capabilities with no way to update it to the newest versions.

For the ride issues, you may wanna ask the dealer how long that truck sat around. Flat spotting is common and most new owners have been cha ginger out their tires from the old (and cheap) tires that come from the factory, to differing results.

 

[JamesBay]

Sorry your going through so many issues. It seems the 4th gen in general needed more polish. I've lamented, no matter how luxurious my my20 nav presented itself, the build quality was very shoddy and lackluster.

For your awareness, 2024 navigators come with blue cruise 1.0, which does not have lane change capabilities with no way to update it to the newest versions.

For the ride issues, you may wanna ask the dealer how long that truck sat around. Flat spotting is common and most new owners have been cha ginger out their tires from the old (and cheap) tires that come from the factory, to differing results.

For the lane change assist, one of the reasons I went with the 2024 over a CPO 2023 was the 2024 had the "active glide" that had the lane change. The Lincoln website itself said it had it. Now that I go to the site, they completely removed the 2024 Nav. So no way now to prove it! Ugh.

On the ride, when I test drove the car, it seemed fine. No flat spots on the tires. The issue is the car is sensing every little pebble in the road. So it makes for a very rough ride to the point where the seats shake as well as the rear view mirror. On very flat roads, it seems fine.

Also, what I am finding out is that Lincoln decided to remove the butt massaging on this car. I had a Corsair which had supposedly the same seats and the butt massaging worked great. The 2024 just massages your back only... Unless the dealer is going to fix this?

 

[dlcorbett]

For the lane change assist, one of the reasons I went with the 2024 over a CPO 2023 was the 2024 had the "active glide" that had the lane change. The Lincoln website itself said it had it. Now that I go to the site, they completely removed the 2024 Nav. So no way now to prove it! Ugh.

On the ride, when I test drove the car, it seemed fine. No flat spots on the tires. The issue is the car is sensing every little pebble in the road. So it makes for a very rough ride to the point where the seats shake as well as the rear view mirror. On very flat roads, it seems fine.

Also, what I am finding out is that Lincoln decided to remove the butt massaging on this car. I had a Corsair which had supposedly the same seats and the butt massaging worked great. The 2024 just massages your back only... Unless the dealer is going to fix this?

Active glide/blue cruise 1.4 (directed lane changes) is available on the 2024 nautilus but not the 2024 navigator. A big thing on this forum was how when the 2022s were released, ford advertised heavily that navigators could upgrade their blue cruise version with ota updates, however, those updates never came.

I would definitely have your dealer look at your massage seats. I test drove a 2022 with the 30 ways seats and they had the massage function on both seat portions. Maybe they cut some functions due to supply issues?

What kind of tires are you running? The 4th gens dont ride as nicely as they should compared to its contemporaries. The 2025s ride a lot better, but still not best in class.

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[JamesBay]

Active glide/blue cruise 1.4 (directed lane changes) is available on the 2024 nautilus but not the 2024 navigator. A big thing on this forum was how when the 2022s were released, ford advertised heavily that navigators could upgrade their blue cruise version with ota updates, however, those updates never came.

I would definitely have your dealer look at your massage seats. I test drove a 2022 with the 30 ways seats and they had the massage function on both seat portions. Maybe they cut some functions due to supply issues?

What kind of tires are you running? The 4th gens dont ride as nicely as they should compared to its contemporaries. The 2025s ride a lot better, but still not best in class.

I find it strange the Dealer doesn't already know what the car comes with and what it doesn't in terms of the cruise and seats.... See what they say with Service. It has been over a week now in the shop.

I have whatever tires come with the car. They are big though and I think the bigger the tire, the worse the ride. Maybe letting some pressure out of them? But regardless, it did not drive this bad before I bought it. And yes - the drive on ALL other luxury SUV's is far better. But I chose the Lincoln because it did not have the "air suspension". On previous SUV's, once the air suspension goes out you may as well throw the car away. The cost to replace 15 years ago with Land Rover was $18000. And I have to assume the prices have doubled or tripled since then.

 

[bbf2530]

For the lane change assist, one of the reasons I went with the 2024 over a CPO 2023 was the 2024 had the "active glide" that had the lane change. The Lincoln website itself said it had it. Now that I go to the site, they completely removed the 2024 Nav. So no way now to prove it! Ugh.

On the ride, when I test drove the car, it seemed fine. No flat spots on the tires. The issue is the car is sensing every little pebble in the road. So it makes for a very rough ride to the point where the seats shake as well as the rear view mirror. On very flat roads, it seems fine.

Also, what I am finding out is that Lincoln decided to remove the butt massaging on this car. I had a Corsair which had supposedly the same seats and the butt massaging worked great. The 2024 just massages your back only... Unless the dealer is going to fix this?

Hi JamesBay. Concerning the massage seat function:
The seat bottom massage and seat back massage functions (and intensity) are usually independently programmable. Have you gone into the seat settings to ensure the seat bottom massage function is enabled/turned on?

I’m assuming you already have, but thought it better to play it safe and ask.

Keep us updated and good luck.

 

[dlcorbett]

I dont think the salesmen wanna know. Theres too many cars on the lot for them to know everything about them. Every salesmen ive dealt with has stated how I know more about a product I'm looking at than they do lol.

Usually, the bigger the tires, the smoother the ride. The the ride isnt the best in class, keep in mind, the platform the truck is riding on is dated to 2014, theres only so much they could've done to improve it.

 

[JamesBay]

Hi JamesBay. Concerning the massage seat function:
The seat bottom massage and seat back massage functions (and intensity) are usually independently programmable. Have you gone into the seat settings to ensure the seat bottom massage function is enabled/turned on?

I’m assuming you already have, but thought it better to play it safe and ask.

Keep us updated and good luck.

There is no setting for separate "bottom or lumbar" on the massage screen. Do I need a software update?

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[JamesBay]

I dont think the salesmen wanna know. Theres too many cars on the lot for them to know everything about them. Every salesmen ive dealt with has stated how I know more about a product I'm looking at than they do lol.

Usually, the bigger the tires, the smoother the ride. The the ride isnt the best in class, keep in mind, the platform the truck is riding on is dated to 2014, theres only so much they could've done to improve it.

Well, it is clear the salespeople don't know anything. Nor do they care. This is what happens when you combine Ford with Lincoln personnel....

But, the Service people should know. Alas, all the ones I have dealt with don't know either.

Lincoln has given me the impression that they are on their way out of business. Sad too because Lincoln's were excellent luxury cars at one time. But this is the last car I am ever buying...so at least Ford will be around for a long time to service it.

 

[bbf2530]

Well, it is clear the salespeople don't know anything. Nor do they care. This is what happens when you combine Ford with Lincoln personnel....

But, the Service people should know. Alas, all the ones I have dealt with don't know either.

Lincoln has given me the impression that they are on their way out of business. Sad too because Lincoln's were excellent luxury cars at one time. But this is the last car I am ever buying...so at least Ford will be around for a long time to service it.

Hi JamesBay. I don’t have the 2024 Navigator Owners Manual handy. Have you checked the Owners Manual to acquaint yourself with the various controls?

In your vehicle itself, are you able to find the screen that displays the buttons that control and display the massage intensity?

Good luck.

 

[driller]

There is/was no Bluecruise "lane change" for 2024 Navigators.

No disrespect, but I suspect the operator error with the intermittent wipers. Why? I had to train my wife on how the wipers worked.

If you have the 30 way seats, you should have full massage functions. As I recall, the 30 way seats were only available with the Black Label models and the optional Luxury Package on the Reserve models.

As far as the sales people being informed, it varies with dealer to dealer. My dealer's sales staff are well informed and if they don't know an answer to one of my questions, they will definitely find out.

As for the suspension, I have noted significant differences from normal to excite modes. I prefer the ride of the normal mode but the throttle response and transmission shifts of the excite mode.

Vibrations seem to be a recurring theme for the Navigator. I complained from the beginning with mine and was told the tires had flat spots from sitting before being purchased. At my first service appointment, I requested a Road Force balance which they declined to do even though I had 3,3xx miles and they were still claiming flat spots on the tires being the problem. There is a Special Service Message, SSM 53661, to address the issue which I plan to bring up at the next service.

There is a known issue with the center dash speaker not sitting flush all around and TSB 25-2417 addresses this with the installation of new clips.

Range Rover? Cadillac? Mercedes? Don't make me laugh. Range Rover and Cadillac has as of late been suffering from catastrophic engine issues. Don't know about Mercedes but I suspect they too are far from 'perfect'. There are good and bad across the board. While you may have an inordinate amount of problems with your Navigator, there are many others who have little to none.

 

[JamesBay]

Hi JamesBay. I don’t have the 2024 Navigator Owners Manual handy. Have you checked the Owners Manual to acquaint yourself with the various controls?

In your vehicle itself, are you able to find the screen that displays the buttons that control and display the massage intensity?

Good luck.

Yes. Of course. I had a Corsair before that worked wonderful on the butt and leg massage. The Navigator simply doesn’t show the butt massage on any of the options. Just the normal controls.

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[JamesBay]

There is/was no Bluecruise "lane change" for 2024 Navigators.

No disrespect, but I suspect the operator error with the intermittent wipers. Why? I had to train my wife on how the wipers worked.

If you have the 30 way seats, you should have full massage functions. As I recall, the 30 way seats were only available with the Black Label models and the optional Luxury Package on the Reserve models.

As far as the sales people being informed, it varies with dealer to dealer. My dealer's sales staff are well informed and if they don't know an answer to one of my questions, they will definitely find out.

As for the suspension, I have noted significant differences from normal to excite modes. I prefer the ride of the normal mode but the throttle response and transmission shifts of the excite mode.

Vibrations seem to be a recurring theme for the Navigator. I complained from the beginning with mine and was told the tires had flat spots from sitting before being purchased. At my first service appointment, I requested a Road Force balance which they declined to do even though I had 3,3xx miles and they were still claiming flat spots on the tires being the problem. There is a Special Service Message, SSM 53661, to address the issue which I plan to bring up at the next service.

There is a known issue with the center dash speaker not sitting flush all around and TSB 25-2417 addresses this with the installation of new clips.

Range Rover? Cadillac? Mercedes? Don't make me laugh. Range Rover and Cadillac has as of late been suffering from catastrophic engine issues. Don't know about Mercedes but I suspect they too are far from 'perfect'. There are good and bad across the board. While you may have an inordinate amount of problems with your Navigator, there are many others who have little to none.

Thanks for the lengthy response. On the last point, I have had 3 previous Lincolns (2 black label and 1 GT3) before this navigator. The Corsair sucked horrible with quality and Lincoln bought it back. The other two were near perfect. Just seems Lincoln’s from 2021 to present on manufacturing went downhill. ALL of my previous MB, Audi, LR, and various other luxury SUV’s had zero issues. I drive a lot and typically swap cars out before the warranty runs out.

The seats, they are supposed to be identical to the 30 way seats I had in the Corsair. Which worked wonderful. But the picture in the GUI doesn’t show massaging of the legs in any of the options. It’s like they took the option away.

And I think I know how to turn wipers on! Intermittent, rain sensing wipers have been around for decades. They just don’t work on the navigator.

On the suspension, I have driven all the current Lincoln models due to the cars being in service so much. All of them drive wonderful except this navigator. And it was driving nicely when I test drove it. But has been getting worse ever since to the point where the whole inside shakes going downhill the road. Even going over small speed bumps slowly hurts my neck. Hopefully it gets fixed.

On the dash, everything seems to be ok with the speaker. Never really looked at it in detail though. But someone from the factory didn’t put the HUD in correctly because there is a bolt rolling around on the glass of the unit and the digital display on the windshield is barely visible (blurry). Again, no quality inspection.

See what happens at the shop. The guys have seen me there 7 previous times in the last 4 months with the Corsair…..

 

[Ell4]

The seat massage was taken away in an update. I went on to FDRS and updated the firmware and it returned.

 

[JamesBay]

The seat massage was taken away in an update. I went on to FDRS and updated the firmware and it returned.

Wait. So the function is there? Just have to "update the firmware"? I checked for updates in the GUI and it showed up to date. Something different?

 

[BigLeagueChoo]

I'm not trying to be a type of way, but how does a firmware affect massage seats? It is a physically operated feature on the doors to control by zone. I have absolutely zero of the listed issues with my 2024 Nav Reserve L, and I bought mine as a service loaner that had 6k miles on it to begin with. Keep detailed notes and you may have a lemon on your hands.

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[driller]

The seats, they are supposed to be identical to the 30 way seats I had in the Corsair. Which worked wonderful. But the picture in the GUI doesn’t show massaging of the legs in any of the options. It’s like they took the option away.

Does your 2024 Navigator Reserve L have the optional Equipment Group 201A (Luxury Package)? The "Perfect Position Seats (30 Way) with Active Motion (massage)" were exclusive to the Luxury Package.

 

[JamesBay]

Does your 2024 Navigator Reserve L have the optional Equipment Group 201A (Luxury Package)? The "Perfect Position Seats (30 Way) with Active Motion (massage)" were exclusive to the Luxury Package.

Yes.

I would not have bought it without those options. FYI - the 201A is separate from the Luxury package. But I have both.

 

[driller]

FYI - the 201A is separate from the Luxury package.

According to my notes from when I was shopping for my 2024 Reserve, the Luxury Package was included in the 201A exclusively. As I understood it, the only way to get the "Perfect Position Seats (30 Way) with Active Motion (massage)" was with the Reserve Equipment Group 201A.

(The "standard" Navigator Reserve was known as Equipment Group 200A which came with the 24 way seats.)

Luxury Package
• Ambient Lighting with LED – Illuminated First and Second Row Seat Belts
• Lincoln Lit Star in Grille
• Perfect Position Seats (30-Way) with Active Motion®, Power Thigh Extender and
Head Restraints, Auto Heated/Ventilated with Memory
• Revel® Ultima 3D Audio System with 28-Speakers, including Subwoofer
(featuring QuantumLogic™ 3D Surround technology)

Unlike the Luxury Package, virtually all other packages/options were available with either the 200A or the 201A, such as the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package, the Monochromatic Package, Chrome Roof Rack with Black Cross Bars, different second row seat choices and various exterior paint color choices.

My entire point was to simply clarify if you indeed had the Luxury Package which was the only was to have the massaging seats. If you have the 30 way seats and only have the seat back massage option(s) on the center screen menu, I would surmise it is a software issue as @Ell4 alluded to. Hopefully the dealer can address this issue by updating the appropriate module firmware/software.

 

[JamesBay]

According to my notes from when I was shopping for my 2024 Reserve, the Luxury Package was included in the 201A exclusively. As I understood it, the only way to get the "Perfect Position Seats (30 Way) with Active Motion (massage)" was with the Reserve Equipment Group 201A.

(The "standard" Navigator Reserve was known as Equipment Group 200A which came with the 24 way seats.)



Unlike the Luxury Package, virtually all other packages/options were available with either the 200A or the 201A, such as the Heavy-Duty Trailer Tow Package, the Monochromatic Package, Chrome Roof Rack with Black Cross Bars, different second row seat choices and various exterior paint color choices.

My entire point was to simply clarify if you indeed had the Luxury Package which was the only was to have the massaging seats. If you have the 30 way seats and only have the seat back massage option(s) on the center screen menu, I would surmise it is a software issue as @Ell4 alluded to. Hopefully the dealer can address this issue by updating the appropriate module firmware/software.

Yes. I checked all of that too before buying. I have the 201A and luxury package. The option that I do not have is the 2nd row massage/middle console. Regardless, the butt/thigh massage “should” be there, but on the GUI none of the options for what type of massage you want shows the butt in the animation. So I hope the dealer figures this out. On the Corsair and the loaners I had, I use the butt massage on every single trip.