2018 Lincoln Navigator Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 38%of 52 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Lincoln Navigator, 38% of the 52 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11220142, filed 2019-06, 20,000 miles“Front differential - entire system needs to be rebuilt due to bearings going bad. While the vehicle has not ceased up due to the differential bearing, it is a Safety issue and known to Ford. Note this is the second time I’ve personally had to have the front end rebuilt in this vehicle. First time at 79,000 miles and now again at 149,000. Giving me a 70,000 mile service life. How is that possible that a differential only last 70,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11692806, filed 2025-10“The same problem that is currently being reported by the NHTSA for the Ford F-150 has been happening to my Lincoln Navigator for the past few years. During higher-speeds (50 mpg and over) the auto will lurch forward as if trying to shift gears and has, on more than one occasion, actually downshifted into a lower gear while driving on expressways, forcing me to pull-over, stop the engine and restart in order to get the auto back into normal operation. When this downshifting occurs, a graphic appears on the dashboard. …”
NHTSA complaint #11650309, filed 2025-03“While driving at a speed of 55-60mph, I tried to pass slower vehicles on three different occasions during the same trip on a two lane road. I pushed the accelerator to the floor and pulled the car into the lane to my left. I felt and heard a very loud clunk, revving up of the engine, and total loss of power at the wheels. I quickly moved backinto my original lane and let up on the accelerator. After a 5-10 seconds, power returned to the wheels and I was able to reaccelerate. I was able to pass the aforementioned vehicles, albeit using a more gradual acceleration. …”
NHTSA complaint #11540387, filed 2023-08“I have experienced harsh shifting from gear 1 to 2 and as well from 2nd to 3rd gear. This results in delayed acceleration at expressway onramps and when turning into forward traffic. This is a known risk with unresolved recall 26S48 related to transmission parking system dammage and related transmission damage. As well, there is a TSB 22-2248 related to this year/make/model transmission problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11758071, filed 2026-08Related recalls
- 26V402000Jun 24, 2026Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission…Covers: Lincoln Navigator 2018–2021, Ford Expedition 2018–2021, Explorer 2020–2021 +2 more
- 18V213000Apr 4, 2018Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed…Covers: Lincoln Navigator 2018, Ford F-150 2017–2018, Mustang 2018 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 11025611Nov 12, 2025Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022…
- 11024877Oct 30, 2025This bulletin supersedes TSB 25-2132. Reason for update: update the Part List Description and Labor Times Description Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may…
- 11000297May 18, 2024Various vehicles equiped with 10R80/10R80 MHT/10R100/10R140 transmissions may require replacement of the seal kits (7153) when internal repairs are being performed. These kits…
- 10252674Mar 29, 2024This article supersedes TSB 24-2046 to update the Service Procedure LTIS statement. Some 2017-2020 F-150, 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang, 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles…
- 10251934Mar 1, 2024During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical…
- 10251469Feb 23, 2024This article supersedes TSB 23-2350 to update the Issue statement and the Service Procedure. Some 2017-2020 F-150, 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang, 2019-2023 Ranger…
- 10246142Nov 23, 2023This article supersedes 22-2475 to update the Issue Statement and Service Procedure. Some 2018-2021 Navigator vehicles may exhibit a grinding, growling, or clicking noise or…
- 10245418Nov 14, 2023Some 2017-2020 F-150, 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator/Mustang, 2019-2023 Ranger vehicles equipped with a 10R80 transmission may exhibit a harsh/delayed engagement and/or…
- 10245354Nov 7, 2023This article supersedes TSB 23-2120 to exclude Police Interceptor vehicles with column shift. Some 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator and 2020-2021 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped…
- 10243648Sep 21, 2023Some 2017-2023 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a 10R60/10R80/10R80 MHT/10R100 transmission may exhibit a whine noise at idle and/or while driving. This may be identified…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 25% |
| 2022 | 1 | 5% |
| 2021 | 6 | 18% |
| 2020 | 18 | 56% |
| 2019 | 24 | 28% |
| 2018 | 20 | 38% |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 2 | 8% |
| 2015 | 5 | 24% |
| 2014 | 7 | 41% |
| 2013 | 6 | 43% |
| 2012 | 5 | 42% |
| 2011 | 2 | 22% |
| 2010 | 2 | 13% |
| 2008 | 2 | 7% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 6 | 10% |
| 2005 | 5 | 10% |
| 2004 | 4 | 5% |
| 2003 | 13 | 10% |
| 2002 | 2 | 6% |
| 2001 | 7 | 9% |
| 2000 | 10 | 9% |
| 1999 | 8 | 6% |
| 1998 | 16 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2018 Lincoln Navigator
12 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsLane departure
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Lincoln Navigator
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology