2018 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR Power Train Problems

15 complaints about Power Train

15
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Power Train Complaints (15)

Nov 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V598000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION) and 25E070000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair on the Power Train was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel vibrated, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact exited the freeway and when the vehicle stopped at a traffic light the vehicle stalled. After several attempts the vehicle failed to restart. The transmission warning light and the service indicator light were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission had failed. The transmission was replaced. After three weeks, the failure reoccurred. The transmission warning light and the service indicator light were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the spark plugs, and transmission had failed. The spark plugs were replaced and some unknown part on the transmission was repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure milage was approximately 72,000.

Mileage: 72,000

Oct 11, 2025

Transmission is having major issues with flaring and shifting. Vehicle has trouble engaging torque convertor, vehicle almost seems to stall out when accelerating with heavy traffic due to transmission engaging poorly.

Oct 11, 2025

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.

Sep 27, 2025

The back up camera will randomly black out. The steering wheel motor is broke and the steering wheel does not adjust. Needed a new air conditioner motor, timing chain, had a transmission leak, wheel axel leak. This is a safety hazard and caused a huge financial strain.

Mar 24, 2025

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. This graphic shows a stick-shift icon and also includes the words "Manual Shifting". However, the exact words cannot be verified since the graphic only stays visible for a split-second. Since I'm a bit shocked when this happens, my concentration is on safety and not on the specifics of a dashboard graphic. When I have taken the auto into service and mentioned these occurrences, the service persons have always stated that the computer system has been updated and the problem is marked solved. I have a warranty of 100,000

Feb 17, 2025

Dealership Responsible: Ted Britt Ford of Chantilly Dealership Address: 4175 Auto Park Cir, Chantilly, VA 20151 Complaint Details: I purchased a 2018 Lincoln Navigator L Black Label, and since then, I have experienced multiple serious mechanical failures due to an improperly performed cam phaser repair by Ted Britt Ford of Chantilly in 2020. The dealership’s service department performed a faulty installation, which resulted in: •Missing and broken screws in the cam phaser system •Jerking, rattling, and acceleration issues •Significant engine damage requiring a complete short block replacement As a result of this in negligent repair, In 2024 I had to replace the cam phaser again, along with replacing the short block of the engine due to the extensive damage caused by the dealership’s poor workmanship. In addition to this issue, I have faced multiple other failures, including: •Valve body replacement •Wastegate failure •Rear heat stopped working •Steering column failure These problems have caused frequent breakdowns and safety concerns, making the vehicle unreliable. The constant need for repairs raises serious questions about the quality of Lincoln’s engineering and service network. This issue is not an isolated incident, and I strongly urge NHTSA to investigate potential defects in the 2018 Lincoln Navigator and to hold dealerships accountable for performing unsafe and defective repairs. Requested Action: I request an investigation into the faulty cam phaser repair process and whether similar issues are being reported by other 2018 Lincoln Navigator owners. This could indicate a larger systemic defect or a trend of poor-quality repairs in Ford/Lincoln service centers

Feb 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle lunged forward. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was shifting roughly. The contact stated that the vehicle would redline. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that a transmission flush was needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

Mileage: 86,000

Jul 23, 2024

Vehicle experienced failed auto-start on road, resulting in vehicle inmobility from stop in traffic, causing safety hardzard to passengers other vehicles on the road. The cause is worn VCT unit, as described in TSB 23-2143. The issue is safety critical and should not be merely addressed with an already expired customer safety program, it should be a safety recall.

Jul 3, 2024

The transmission doesn't respond several times and could not picking up speed up hill. There were twice the transmission stopped working, the car could not move and stopped in intersection at traffic light. The problem was first reported to Lincoln during 6 years/70,000 miles powertrain warranty Lincoln did the reprogramming but didn't solve the problem and then refused to repair when the problem recur at 6 year and one month, even my car has extended warranty. Lincoln issued several TSBs and knows the CDF drum failure but reluctant to fix the issue. It is not safe to drive when the transmission could not work after a stop at red light or pickup speed at ramp.

Dec 28, 2023

The car has slip transmission issue, that can’t be fixed, the front of the car makes loud grinding noise from the front wheel area when riding on front wheel drive, with low RPM, this has been brought up multiple times with ford and linclon while they and car service provider represented by ford and Lincoln keeps denying.

Nov 15, 2023 Fire

Connector for cooling hoses blew out causing engine to overheat and stand my family on the highway. This appears to be a common problem that someone did a YouTube video on it. I have put the video link below. Please have them recall before someone gets hurt. Ford Lincoln does not respond. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Aug 23, 2023

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. I have previously had the vehicle inspected for two identical episodes at a Lincoln dealer. Unfortunately, they reported that the service techs were unable to duplicate the problem. If this were a standard transmission vehicle, I would say the clutch was slipping. In a vehicle with four wheel drive and automatic transmission, however, I am not well enough informed to make a diagnosis. There can be no doubt, however, that the action is potentially dangerous and could result in head on collision. I would also suspect that the engine transmission train is likely to have shortened lifespan if the problem continues. It is possible that there is already damage.

Jan 12, 2023

Transmission will randomly stop shifting or jolt. Poses a safety concern when you have to accelerate or slow down to merge, switch lanes, cross an intersection, etc. This is a common problem with this year and model that everyone is complaining about.

Feb 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 concerned that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V213000 ( power train) however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

Mileage: 51,000

Jun 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.

Mileage: 20,000