2020 Lincoln Navigator Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 56%of 32 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Lincoln Navigator, 56% of the 32 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When driving, if the accelerator pedal is depressed to merge into the highway or overtake other vehicles, the vehicle abruptly stops accelerating, and the RPM reaches max revs. The vehicle quickly loses momentum until it abruptly slams back into gear, causing a loud bang and startling the driver. This vehicle had a TSB for similar issues that was repaired by our dealer 2 times previously. We have experienced this 2 times since the repair (A total of 4 times). …”
NHTSA complaint #11564489, filed 2024-01“Had transmission problems before this final issue. With that said the dealership ended up replacing the transmission as it was under warranty. Not even 2000 miles later we are coming back from vacation and I lost total power of the vehicle but since I was going around 70 mph we made it to the shoulder of the highway. Once there the vehicle was already smoking so we all got out of the vehicle and that’s when I saw the fire, and not even 3 minutes later it was totally in gulfed in flames.”
NHTSA complaint #11676812, filed 2025-07“CDF Drum Failure is a known issue to Ford. They have issued a technical service bulletin (TSB 22-2428) to replace poorly designed components that have since been redesigned. The failure mode can cause violent gear shifts (from gear 10 to gear 1) at high speeds, which is a significant safety concern. While driving on the highway, the transmission would not shift between gears and the car lurched. Check engine light came on and I exited the highway immediately. I took my vehicle to be looked at, and they diagnosed the problem as CDF Drum failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11739013, filed 2026-05“Transmission hard shifting when shifting down 3-1 and up 1-3 I see there is a recall for 2020-2024 navigator but mine doesnt show recalls when i looked for it”
NHTSA complaint #11592758, filed 2024-06“Was on Interstate when there was a loud bang, the transmission shifted harshly and I lost power where the vehicle would not go faster when i hit the pedal. I was basically pumping the gas for about 3-5 seconds before transmission re engaged. It was a dangerous situation in that I was at highways speeds about 65-70mph and i had no throttle control for several seconds. There was no warning when it happened and it re engaged and I was able to drive the vehicle home. Ford did replace the CDF drum under warranty but there should be a recall on this transmission. …”
NHTSA complaint #11638554, filed 2025-01Related 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
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 2020 Lincoln Navigator
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsLane departure
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 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