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Lincoln Exterior Lighting Recalls Explain Headlight and Rear Light Failures
Navigator appears repeatedly in these lighting notices, with software-related side-marker and daytime-running-light failures on certain 2022 vehicles and moisture-related reverse-light problems on certain 2025 vehicles. The 2025 Navigator lightbar may have cracks that allow moisture to accumulate. Other Lincoln models have distinct defects: certain 2025 Nautilus vehicles have LED Driver Modules with a potentially burnt diode, affecting specified front and rear lights. Certain 2025 Aviators may fail to illuminate trailer tail lights because of an improperly manufactured body control module. Certain 2024-2025 Corsairs may lose rear lighting functions when water enters the rear combination lights. Reduced visibility is the recurring consequence.
Warning signs to watch for
- 25C39 Nautilus recall: failure of specified headlights, front lights, or rear lights.
- 22C14 and 25C28 Navigator recalls: side-marker and daytime running lights may fail.
- August 2025 Aviator trailer-light recall: trailer tail lights may not illuminate when towing.
- 25C53 Corsair recall: loss of reverse, tail, brake, or rear turn-signal functions.
- 25C66 Navigator recall: reverse lights may flicker or fail.
Can you keep driving? What the notices say
None of these lighting notices carries a stop-driving or park-outside instruction. This applies to the Nautilus LED Driver Module notice, both 2022 Navigator headlight-software notices, the Aviator trailer-light notice, the Corsair rear combination-light notice, and the 2025 Navigator reverse-light notice. They describe reduced visibility or failures to signal braking, turning, or reversing, depending on the recall. The notices do not tell owners to stop driving, and they do not provide a statement that an affected vehicle is safe to drive.
What the free repair involves
Free remedies vary: 25C39 inspects/replaces LED modules as necessary; 22C14 updates software and recalibrates headlights; 25C28 updates software. Aviator dealers replace module C below 9,000 miles; above 9,000, they check it and replace as necessary. 25C53 inspects/replaces rear combination lights as necessary; 25C66 replaces the lightbar.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 1 |
| medium | 5 |
Models affected most
Where owners report exterior lighting problems most
NHTSA owner complaints filed under exterior lighting for the Lincoln models and years in this guide. Complaints are unverified reports and are not limited to the recalled defects.
| Vehicle | Exterior lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2024 Lincoln Corsair | 2 |
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 1, 2025 | Lincoln Navigator reverse lights may flicker or fail | medium |
| Oct 10, 2025 | Lincoln Corsair Rear Lights May Fail From Water | medium |
| Aug 22, 2025 | Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator Trailer Lights May Fail | medium |
| Aug 8, 2025 | Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus Headlights May Fail | high |
| Jun 13, 2025 | Lincoln Navigator Headlight Software May Cause Lights To Fail | medium |
| Jun 24, 2022 | Lincoln Navigator Exterior Lights May Fail | medium |
Common questions
Why is my 2022 Navigator listed after an earlier headlight software repair?
Recall 25C28 explicitly covers certain 2022 Navigators previously repaired under 22V455, also identified as 22C14. It describes possible side-marker and daytime-running-light failure. Its remedy is a free headlight control module software update.
Which lights can fail on a recalled 2025 Nautilus?
Recall 25C39 names low-beam and high-beam headlights, daytime running lights, front position lights, and front turn signals in the affected headlight. On Nautilus vehicles, the condition may also affect the rear tail light, rear turn signal, and rear position light.
What causes the recalled Navigator reverse lights to flicker?
Recall 25C66 describes cracks in the outer lens or weld track of the rear lightbar on certain 2025 Navigators. These can allow moisture to accumulate, causing inoperative or flickering reverse lights. Dealers replace the rear lightbar free of charge.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.