2018 Lincoln Navigator problems & reliability
50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Lincoln Navigator, alongside 12 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2018 Lincoln Navigator vehicles were involved in 2 fatal crashes with 1 occupant death. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train → | 18 | 36% |
| Engine → | 12 | 24% |
| Electrical System | 8 | 16% |
| Unknown OR Other | 6 | 12% |
| Steering | 5 | 10% |
| Back Over Prevention | 3 | 6% |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 4% |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 4% |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 4% |
| Seats | 2 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“We purchased a 2018 Lincoln Navigator L in 2022 with 29,489 miles, and it has been great. We are at 64,351 miles, and it is making the cold-start rattling noise. We have called Lincoln for assistance, and they are refusing to help. They stated that there is no help. I took it to Duval Ford, and with other issues such…”
Engine · filed Jul 17, 2026
“The other weekend, we were unloading the back of the Lincoln when all of a sudden the liftgate came down on us. Fortunately, we were able to back away in time... Later that weekend, my son was unloading the back and it came down and hit him in the head to the point it made him cry (and he is a tough kid at 13)... I…”
Unknown OR Other · filed Jul 13, 2026
“The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the transmission seized, and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated during the failure. Additionally, the brake warning light was illuminated, and the message…”
Power Train · filed Jun 30, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Seat Belt Retractor Pretensioner Inadvertent Deployment
Recall Query RQ24015 · opened Nov 15, 2024 · closed Jul 23, 2025 · led to recall 25V197
Technical service bulletins
164 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The 10 most recent:
Some 2018-2024 Expedition and 2018-2027 Navigator vehicles equipped with a rear seat entertainment system/Lincoln Play may experience various system concerns. Rear seat entertainment systems are not on a controller area…
SSM 55037 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 24, 2026
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit a broken floor console armrest latch.
TSB 26-2001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 6, 2026
Some 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, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in…
SSM 54366 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 12, 2025
This 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 exhibit at least one of the following…
TSB 25-2476 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 30, 2025
Some 2018-2024 Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with 22 inch wheels, may exhibit an increased level of vibrations which can be felt while driving on a smooth road at speeds at or above 75 mph (120 km/h). Pinpoint…
SSM 53661 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 24, 2025
This bulletin supersedes TSB 25-2023. Reason for update: update the Part List and Service Procedure Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh…
TSB 25-2132 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 18, 2025
"Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: • Harsh engagement • Delayed engagement • Harsh shift • Delayed shift • Illuminated MIL with DTCs P0751…
TSB 25-2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 11, 2025
Some 2017-2025 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with a 10R60/10R80/10R80 MHT/10R100 transmission may exhibit a whine noise at idle and/or while driving.
SSM 53305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 17, 2025
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024…
SSM 53040 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 10, 2024
2018-2022 Expedition/Navigator "Park Brake Limited Function Service Required" Message In The IPC
SSM 52881 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 12, 2024
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator has 12 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2018 Lincoln Navigator?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.