2018 Lincoln NAVIGATOR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
52 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
57,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 20 of 52 complaints (38.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 28.8% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 13.5% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 11.5% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 5.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 20 |
| Engine | 12 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
Power Train: 20; Engine: 12; Electrical System: 7; Unknown Or Other: 6; Steering: 5; Back Over Prevention: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Seats: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 32 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 8 |
2018: 2; 2019: 3; 2020: 2; 2021: 5; 2022: 3; 2023: 8; 2024: 8; 2025: 13; 2026: 8
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 15 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11220142 · 2019-06-14 (June 14, 2019)
STARTING AT 20,000 MILES I STARTED ASKING THE DEALER TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION ON MY VEHICLE. VERY OFTEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD TO THE POINT YOU HEAR AND YOU FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HIT YOUR CAR ( USUALLY FROM 1ST TO 3RD GEAR ) AND ALSO WHEN YOU SHIFT IT TO REVERSE IT SLIPS. DEALER KEEPS SAYING THERES NO CODES COMING OUT ON THEIR COMPUTER. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11220142 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11353078 · 2020-09-03 (September 3, 2020)
THE BACK-UP CAMERA SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE. WHEN VEHICLE IS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, THE SCREEN THAT IS SUPPOSED TO DISPLAY AN IMAGE FROM THE BACK-UP CAMERA OF THE AREA BEHIND THE VEHICLE IS BLACKED OUT. I WAS INFORMED BY MY LOCAL LINCOLN DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE BACK-UP CAMERA IS DEFECTIVE AND THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, REPLACEMENT CAMERAS ARE ON AN INDEFINITE NATION-WIDE BACK ORDER WITH NO ETA IN SIGHT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11353078 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11420551 · 2021-06-11 (June 11, 2021)
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that there was a loud rattle, rough idle, and loss of power during acceleration after starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that there was a cold start rattle on the eco-boost engine related to the cam phaser. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The dealer where the vehicle was purchased and Crest Lincoln (36200 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights, MI 48312) were made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was a reca…
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11420551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11476187 · 2022-07-27 (July 27, 2022)
Vehicle serviced for cam shutter. They only flashed the computer. Did not fix the mechanical problem. Engine failure shortly afterwards at 100k. Loss of power, stalled after vehicle came to rest, could not restart. Towed to nearby dealership. Complete engine failure. Entire engine replaced by Ford Dealership near Corpus Christi -- 15k.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11476187 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11327611 · 2020-06-07 (June 7, 2020)
STARTED VEHICLE AND WENT TO ADJUST STEERING WHEEL I PUSHED THE DOWN BUTTON TO LOWER AND STEERING WHEEL DROPPED. STEERING WHEEL IS NO LONGER ABLE TO ADJUST UP OR DOWN ONLY FORWARD AND BACKWARD. WHEN PUSHING THE UP/DOWN BUTTON A GRINDING SOUND OCCURS. WHEN DRIVING STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE AND WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT.
Owner-reported narrative. 26,096 miles reported. Look up ODI 11327611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11610402 · 2024-08-23 (August 23, 2024)
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a clunking noise coming from the steering column while turning the steering wheel in either direction. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack was faulty and needed to be replaced. The steering rack was replaced the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11610402 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11453405 · 2022-02-22 (February 22, 2022)
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while the vehicle was in park and the key was not in the ignition while opening the front driver side door the vehicle started moving forward independently and down a hill. The contact jumped into the seat and depressed the brake pedal in order for the vehicle to come to a stop. After the incident, the vehicle was able to be driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was con…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11453405 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11548381 · 2023-10-05 (October 5, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a relative following behind in another vehicle became aware that the brake lights were inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with brake light failure. The contact was informed that the brake lights needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she was informed that the part was on backorder. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTS…
Owner-reported narrative. 64,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11548381 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11440563 · 2021-11-15 (November 15, 2021)
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered and made abnormal rattling and knocking sounds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was a design failure and was caused by oil not being pumped up to the timing chain properly. The contact stated that he received an unknown customer satisfaction program for the failure however, the dealer informed the contact that the parts for the repair were not yet available. The contact al…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,126 miles reported. Look up ODI 11440563 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11691109 · 2025-10-02 (October 2, 2025)
The moonroof drain hoses are not secured and is known problem with other Navigator and Expedition owners. I became aware while troubleshooting why the liftgate would not open. The procedure to access the Rear Gate Trunk Module (RGTM) requires the removal of the 3rd row seats, C & D pillars and several cabin panels. After the removal of these items I noticed the insulation under the carpet and behind the panels were drenched. The Reserve trim on my Navigator has very dense carpet and a backing that does not let the moisture evaporate over time. …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11691109 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11509678 · 2023-03-01 (March 1, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure nearly caused a collision. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer previously replaced the fuel pump; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made …
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11509678 at NHTSA ↗