Lincoln Recalls 37,000 Navigators Over Unexpected Seat Movement

Lincoln is recalling 36,994 Navigators because the front passenger seat may move without warning. This safety recall affects 2025–2027 model year SUVs equipped with the “Chauffeur Seat Feature.”

The issue involves a touchscreen located in the center console that allows second-row passengers to adjust the front seat. According to Kelley Blue Book, residue on this touch-activated display can trigger the seat to slide forward or backward or recline unexpectedly.

While a moving seat might seem like a minor inconvenience, the physical risks are significant. If the seat moves while someone is sitting in it, it could cause an injury, or the movement could strike a passenger seated in the second row. Ford Motor Co. has already identified three warranty reports and one field report related to this defect, though no crashes or injuries have been reported to date.

36,994 Lincoln Navigators Recalled Seats May Move on Their Own While Driving — AutoLens USA

Software glitches trigger seat movement

The technical failure stems from how the multimedia control module handles user input. Car and Driver reported that if a user presses the home screen button at the same time as a seat adjustment button, the system may malfunction. In these instances, the seat might continue moving all the way to the end of its track even after the buttons are no longer being pressed.

The recall is specifically tied to the “Chauffeur Seat Feature,” a luxury amenity designed to give rear passengers control over their environment. However, the unintended activation of these power adjustments turns a convenience into a safety hazard. The recall documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirm that the movement can occur in multiple directions, including reclining up or down.

Webimage lincoln navigator reserve exterior front quarter angle driver — Photo: kbb.com

To resolve the problem, Lincoln is asking owners to bring their vehicles to an authorized dealer. Technicians will perform a free software update to the vehicle’s front and rear multimedia control modules. This update will effectively deactivate the Chauffeur Seat Feature to prevent any further accidental movements.

How owners can check their vehicles

Lincoln and Ford expect to notify all affected owners by mail. If you have not received a notification and want to verify if your SUV is included in this recall, you can use this feature on the NHTSA website to search by your vehicle identification number (VIN), make, or model.

🔧 RECALL RADAR: Ford recalls 36,994 Lincoln Navigators (2025–27) — the front passenger seat can move on its own. Letters out this month; check your VIN. https://t.co/XWA27sCrcK #Ford #Recall

— Post by @BrianLe72959768 on X

While the software fix ensures safety, it comes with a functional trade-off. Because the remedy involves disabling the specific feature that caused the malfunction, the Chauffeur Seat functionality will likely no longer work on these vehicles. This leaves owners of these high-end luxury SUVs with a diminished set of rear-seat controls in exchange for a safer driving environment.

Whether the software update can eventually restore the feature without the risk of accidental activation remains an open question for Lincoln engineers.

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