no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
NewRisk. Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
2018 Lincoln NavigatorProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 52 owner complaints about the 2018 Lincoln Navigator, most often about the power train. It is covered by 12 safety recalls, and for recall 25V-197 the manufacturer reports only 27% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 20, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2018 Lincoln Navigator has problems
52 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
20Power train1 crash/fire/injury
12Engine1 crash/fire/injury
8Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
5Steering
3Back over prevention
2Seat belts
2Exterior lighting
2Lane departure
2Seats
77 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 20 | 1 |
| Engine | 12 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 1 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 |
| Back over prevention | 3 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 1 |
| 7 other systems | 7 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
12 recalls
2018 Lincoln Navigator recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Seat belts: pretensioner
NewRisk. Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Seat belts: pretensioner
Risk. Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q3
Foundation components: master cylinder
Risk. A brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Show 8 more recalls
repaired · 2026 Q3
Other: labels
Risk. Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Seat belts: pretensioner
Risk. Seat belts that do not retract or extend may fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q3
Sensing system: camera
Risk. Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q3
Other: owners/service/other manual
Risk. Without instructions, the head restraints may be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
repaired · 2020 Q2
Seats: mid/rear assembly
Risk. In the event of a crash, a seat that moves may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire.
repaired · 2019 Q3
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'Park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'Park,' the vehicle may roll away after it has been…
repaired · 2019 Q2
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Risk. If the window does not automatically reverse when an obstruction is found, it can increase the risk of injury.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lincoln.
Best & worst years
2018 vs. every other Navigator year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Navigator median. How we score
'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2018 Lincoln Navigator safety ratings
2018 Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4 in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (19.3% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: Optional
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2018 Lincoln Navigator, and the recalls they led to.
- Seat Belt Retractor Pretensioner Inadvertent DeploymentLed to recall 25V-197
In owners' words
What Navigator owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact's wife owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the gear shifter independently shifted to park and other gears while driving over a railroad track. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and operated as intended. A dealer was contacted.…
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…
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…
Own a 2018 Navigator?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.