2021 Lincoln Navigator Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 18%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Lincoln Navigator, 18% of the 33 complaints for this model year. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased this 2021 Lincoln Navigator L Black Label used on March 22, 2024 with approximately 42,726mi. Beginning around Sept. 2025 (approximately 70,000-75,000 miles), the vehicle developed intermittent transmission failures that have progressively worsened. This is our primary family vehicle and routinely transports our three young children. The transmission hesitates, slips, skips gears, bangs into gear, and frequently delays engagement before suddenly surging forward. Engine RPM increases without corresponding acceleration. …”
NHTSA complaint #11749445, filed 2026-07“Navigator transmission goes into neutral when accelerating at speeds of 50+. Trans completely overhauled. Still does it. Almost had 2 accidents when changing lanes on the freeway, trying to accelerate and instead slowing down with cars behind fast approaching . When trying to pass on a 2-lane hwy, this would be deadly.”
NHTSA complaint #11700366, filed 2025-11“Within one week of delivery of this new vehicle, the transmission began slipping out of gear and the car loses power for 30-40 seconds in the middle of driving. Shift System Fault, Transmission failure, and PowerTrain Malfunction are the errors coming up on the screen- even after the vehicle was in Service for 2 weeks and they replaced the transmission valve system. Very dangerous to completely lose power on the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #11424748, filed 2021-07“Car stalls often. Was not able to go through intersection. Held up traffic. Another incident was I was almost rear ended when car lost power. This is dangerous and not just an inconvenience.”
NHTSA complaint #11686153, filed 2025-09Related 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
- 11031262Apr 2, 2026For 20212026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS)…
- 11025816Nov 20, 2025Some 2021-2025 F-150/Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost engine may exhibit diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0299 stored in the powertrain control module…
- 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…
- 11025526Nov 10, 2025Some 2021-2025 Expedition/Navigator/F-150/F-Super Duty/F-53 Motorhome/F59 Commercial Stripped Chassis/F-650/F-750/Transit vehicles equipped with a 2.7L/3.5L (non…
- 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…
- 11020044Jun 25, 2025Some 2021-2024 Edge/Nautilus, 2021-2025 Bronco/Bronco Sport/E-Series/Escape/Corsair/Expedition/Navigator/Explorer/Aviator/F-150/F-Super Duty/Mustang/Ranger, and 2022-2025…
- 11019494Jun 5, 2025Some 2021-2025 Expedition/Navigator and 2021-2025 F-150 non-Lightning/non-PowerBoost vehicles may exhibit a rattle/scraping noise from the bellhousing area on start-up. This 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…
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 2021 Lincoln Navigator
8 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 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