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1998 Lincoln Navigator

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Navigator.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Lincoln Navigator is a full-size SUV powered by an engine requiring 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 oil and paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA fuel economy of 12 city, 16 highway, and 13 combined mpg. In the model’s reliability history spanning 1997 through 2027, this first-year Navigator recorded the highest number of owner complaints at 209, with tires as the top problem area, and it also accumulated six recalls, marking it as the most problematic year in the lineup.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 1998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy12/16/13 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP255-70R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	204.7 in
Overall width	79.9 in
Overall height	76.8 in
Wheelbase	118.9 in
Curb weight	5584 lb
Track (front / rear)	65.4 / 65.4 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	12 / 16 / 13 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Navigator of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

10.2–10.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.20 sec — 1998 SUV

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1998	SUV 5.4L V8	10.20 sec	17.40 sec	230 hp	4x4
1998	SUV 5.4L V8	10.30 sec	17.70 sec	230 hp	4x4
1999	SUV 5.4L V8	8.50 sec	16.30 sec	300 hp	4x4
1999	SUV 5.4L V8	9.90 sec	17.40 sec	300 hp	4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	5.5 Pints Rear, 8.8 and 9.7
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	6.0 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Lower: 15.0; Upper: 15.0-
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	11.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	825 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	25 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Motorcraft
Spark Plug Gap	0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque	11.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	10, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	68
Oil Capacity	Less auxiliary A/C, 9.00. With auxiliary A/C, 13.00. oz
Standard BCI Group Number	65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	650 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	65
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	750 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188-195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	30-45
Engine Oil Pressure	20-45 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	1500 rpm
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in
Exhaust Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs / 21-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	70 ft-lbs / 136 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.4 in / 1.09 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts lightly with specified oil

1	30.0 ft. lbs.	30 ft. lbs
2	90 degrees	90 degrees
3	90 degrees	90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 5,000 mi	Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Shift Linkage (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (lubricate) · Suspension System (lubricate)
Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 mi	Driveshaft Slip Yoke (lubricate) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Shift Linkage (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (lubricate) · Suspension System (lubricate)
Every 12,000 mi	Battery (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Disc Brake Caliper Guide Pin (lubricate) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Transfer Case Shift Linkage (lubricate)
Every 20,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Locking Hub (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 50,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	PCV Valve (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1998 model year marks the apex of the initial federal-record surge, leaping from zero complaints in 1997 to 209 complaints—the highest level in the entire dataset—paired with 6 recalls, 4 investigations, and 269 technical service bulletins. Complaints then receded to 141 in 1999 and 136 in 2000 before falling steadily through 2001 and 2002, placing the 1998 model at the crest of an early arc that gradually settled. That year also generated 24 fire complaints and 14 crash complaints, with tires, suspension, steering, and vehicle speed control cited most frequently, though the data does not specify underlying causes. Because 1998 concentrates the greatest volume of owner complaints, recalls, and manufacturer service bulletins of any year shown, it represents the riskiest point in this vehicle’s documented timeline. Buyers should select a later model year rather than the 1998 example.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

269

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

209

Owner complaints

14 involved a crash · 24 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’97’98’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26 ’27

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 209 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Tires51

Suspension18

Steering18

Vehicle Speed Control17

Electrical System16

Engine & Engine Cooling13

Power Train12

Wheels12

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

05V388000Vehicle Speed ControlReported 07/09/2005

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL, THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH MAY OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN. 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 269 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
07212	2007-10-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	SOME 1997-2008 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L 2V, 5.4L 2V, OR 6.8L 2V ENGINE--SPARK PLUG…
041601	2005-11-14	Engine And Engine Cooling	WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR…
05618	2005-04-01	Power Train	REAR AXLE NOISE REPAIR. *TT
0554	2005-03-21	Engine And Engine Cooling	USE OF STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST STUDS IN SERVICE FOR 5.4L 2V ENGINE. *TT
05417	2005-03-07	Engine And Engine Cooling	INTERMITTENT ROUGH IDLE - NON-COMMANDED EGR (EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE) FLOW. *TT

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Navigator. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 65 battery Vehicles taking 6.0 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Navigator take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Navigator have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Navigator get?

EPA figures are 12 city / 16 highway / 13 combined mpg.