Most common 2013 Lincoln Navigator problems
Share of the 14 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lincoln Navigator complaints by model year
Best Navigator years: 2011, 2013, 2012. Years to avoid: 2019, 2018, 2024, 2021, 2020. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2013 Lincoln Navigator:
Unexpected Transmission Downshift
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles.
What 2013 Lincoln Navigator owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
As per Ford Customer Satisfaction Programs 19B05 and 19N01 down shift and molded lead frame. My truck was brought into the dealership to verify the problem. Codes revealed that the molded lead frame and output sped sensor went bad. My 2013 Navigator has 62,000 miles. It was determined that my vehicle was 60 something days over the time limit for the repair and I would have to pay the $1500 to cover the repair! Now I see Ford is issuing a recall! I had the vehicle at the dealer waiting for weeks to get the part. I took the vehicle back as the service advisor told me they did not know when the parts would arrive. I was driving the vehicle several days after picking it up and the rear wheels locked up doing 45 mph. The vehicle behind me hit the back right of my vehicle causing $1900 worth of damage!
I have had this issue happen 3 times the last couple of months.this last time I was driving in traffic and all of a sudden, the motor started humming like it was in neutral. In just a second or two I thought maybe I hit the gear shift, but I had not. I pulled over and turned the car off. waited a couple of minutes, then started it again. As I pulled onto a busy street, I pushed the gas to go and it happened again. this time i am in traffic where I cannot pull over, pressed the gas again hoping it would go as traffic was coming behind me. The car then jumped and started to act like it was getting to much gas. so i let off the gas again, it then was rolling and i barely pressed on the gas and it seemed to be normal. I drove it to my mechanic and he kept it for a week drove everywhere, no problem. i pick it up and it did the same thing sounding like it was in neutral, then was ok.
Electrical system
My truck on a few occasions suddenly down shift hard and on its own without warning, it could very much have cause an accident and could have been deadly at highway speeds, at the same time the speedometer would go to 0 and quit working, as well as multiple warning messages would pop up on message display. IE out of fuel, air system failure, orange wrench, Etc. Then after some time everything would go back to normal operation until it randomly did it again. This is a major safety issue for drivers and passengers as well as other vehicles around. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Lincoln Navigator. When the front passenger seat belt was removed while the vehicle was in motion, the warning indicator did not illuminate. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was operating as designed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was operating as manufactured. The failure mileage was approximately 35.
2013 Lincoln Navigator engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Lincoln Navigator a good car?
Based on 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Navigator rates better than average: 69% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Navigator at the same age. It is one of the best Navigator years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Lincoln Navigator?
The transmission & drivetrain — 6 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (3) and body & structure (2).
How many recalls does the 2013 Lincoln Navigator have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2013 Lincoln Navigator. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lincoln Navigator?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2013 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2018, 2024, 2021 and 2020. See the full Lincoln Navigator years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Lincoln Navigator problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 20,000 miles; 71% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.