Recall 25V831 affects 1,195 2025 Lincoln Navigator SUVs for a lightbar defect that can affect reverse lights. Repair is free at any franchised Lincoln dealer.
Lincoln is recalling 1,195 2025 Navigator SUVs under recall 25V831 because cracks in the rear lightbar outer lens or weld track can let moisture accumulate and leave the reverse lights flickering or inoperative. That failure gives nearby drivers less warning when the vehicle is backing up, increasing the risk of injury or a crash; the Lincoln dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The rear liftgate lightbar on the 2025 Lincoln Navigator is the lamp assembly built into the back of the liftgate. It includes the reverse lights, also called backup lamps, that tell people behind the SUV when it is backing up. The outer lens seals the lamp, and the weld track is the bonded joint that helps keep water out of the housing.
On affected Navigators, certain lightbar assemblies were damaged before they were installed. Ford traced the problem to cardboard shipping packaging that deformed during transit, letting the outer lens or weld track crack. Those cracks create leak paths, so moisture can collect inside the lightbar and damage the internal electronics over time. When that happens, the reverse lights can flicker or stop working.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner sees is an inoperative or flickering reverse light, or water visible inside the rear lightbar.
Who's affected?
VINs became searchable on December 3, 2025.
| 2025 Lincoln Navigator | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1,195 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific SUV.
What's the safety risk?
When reverse lights stop working or flicker, other drivers behind the Navigator get less warning that it is backing up, which increases the risk of injury or a crash. Schedule the recall repair when available. Repair will be free at any franchised Lincoln dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2025 Lincoln Navigator is included in this recall.
- Check your mail for Ford's January 14, 2026 owner letter before scheduling the repair.
- Ask a franchised Lincoln dealer whether the free rear lightbar replacement is open for your VIN; the repair fixes cracks that let moisture make the reverse lights fail or flicker.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 25V831 and Ford recall 25C66 when you call.
- Call Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions about repair timing for your VIN.
- Use extra care when backing up until the repair is complete, since the reverse lights can fail or flicker.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Lincoln technician will replace the rear lightbar. Because the remedy status is not listed as open in this record, the final dealer repair is free once available. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. The replacement addresses cracks in the rear lightbar lens or weld track that let moisture collect and lead to reverse lights that flicker or stop working. The manufacturer used its standard reimbursement plan, so owners who already paid for a related rear lightbar repair can ask customer service how to submit documentation for review.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| December 1, 2025 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| December 3, 2025 | Dealer notification began |
| December 3, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
| December 3, 2025 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| January 8, 2026 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 14, 2026 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 25V831?
Recall 25V831 covers 1,195 2025 Lincoln Navigator vehicles with rear lightbars that can crack and let moisture in, leading to inoperative or flickering reverse lights. That failure can keep other drivers from seeing that the vehicle is reversing, increasing injury or crash risk.
What should I do if my 2025 Lincoln Navigator is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Navigator is included in recall 25V831. If it is, contact a franchised Lincoln dealer to schedule the rear lightbar replacement. Reference Ford recall number 25C66 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford says dealers will replace the rear lightbar free of charge. Use a franchised Lincoln dealer for the recall repair, regardless of where you bought the vehicle.
Is it safe to drive my 2025 Lincoln Navigator before the lightbar repair?
Ford has not issued a stop-driving instruction for recall 25V831. The risk is behind the vehicle: inoperative or flickering reverse lights can fail to alert other drivers that the Navigator is backing up. Schedule the free lightbar replacement and use extra care when reversing until the repair is complete.
When were owners notified about this Lincoln Navigator recall?
Ford mailed owner notification letters on January 14, 2026. If you bought the Navigator used or never received the letter, check your VIN anyway. Recall eligibility follows the vehicle, not the mailbox, and the free repair still applies if your VIN is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/25V831000 |
|---|---|
| Lincoln customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 25V831 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 25V831000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 19, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →