Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 25% | 2,000 miles |
| 2022 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2021 | 6 | 18% | — |
| 2020 | 18 | 56% | 100,000 miles |
| 2019 | 24 | 28% | 54,000 miles |
| 2018 | 20 | 38% | 86,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2016 | 2 | 8% | 69,000 miles |
| 2015 | 5 | 24% | 68,000 miles |
| 2014 | 7 | 41% | 90,000 miles |
| 2013 | 6 | 43% | 102,000 miles |
| 2012 | 5 | 42% | 30,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 22% | 150,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 13% | 108,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 7% | 78,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% | 32,000 miles |
| 2006 | 6 | 10% | 12,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 10% | 3,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 5% | 163,000 miles |
| 2003 | 13 | 10% | 55,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 6% | 90,000 miles |
| 2001 | 7 | 9% | 76,000 miles |
| 2000 | 10 | 9% | 86,000 miles |
| 1999 | 8 | 6% | 67,000 miles |
| 1998 | 16 | 8% | 113,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
On August 31, 2026, at approximately 11:07 a.m., the vehicle had been parked and was stationary with the engine running. After remaining stationary for a short period of time, the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly moved backward rapidly on its own. I did not intentionally command the vehicle to move backward and I did not press the accelerator. While the vehicle was moving backward, I pressed the brake pedal twice in an attempt to stop the vehicle. The brake pedal felt soft, as though there was little or no braking resistance, and the vehicle did not respond to my braking attempts. Immediately afterward, the vehicle unexpectedly moved forward and struck a vehicle in front of it. That vehicle was then pushed into another vehicle. The cause of this incident is currently unknown. …
The contact owns a 2024 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH on several occasions, the transmission independently shifted into neutral(N). The contact stated that during each failure, the drive(D) button was pressed without depressing the brake pedal first. The contact stated that an undisclosed message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on three occasions; however, the dealers were unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,700.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving 50-55 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the transmission shifted into neutral(N). The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the transmission fluid was 2-quarts low after driving 100 miles. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring more increasingly. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine revved, but the vehicle failed to respond and jerked. The contact stated that the vehicle also experienced hard shifts while attempting to shift into gear. …
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while at a complete stop, the vehicle shut off inadvertently. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted upon pressing the Push to Start button. The contact stated upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked, was sluggish, and made an abnormal crackling sound. The vehicle then responded as needed and the contact continued driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal to come to a stop, the vehicle shut off inadvertently. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. …
The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while making a left turn, the vehicle started to stall and seized. The contact stated that an unknown power train warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving to her destination. The contact stated she continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the battery to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was taken back to dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the power control module to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was taken back for a third time to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing another control module to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. Additionally, while slowing down and driving under 40 MPH, the transmission experienced a rough downshift, causing the passengers inside the vehicle to lunge forward from their seats. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who flushed the transmission, but the failure persisted. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
Related recalls (6)
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge.
Power train › Axle assembly
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set. If there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission to make sure it has the roll pin, installing one if it is missing, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Certain passenger vehicles May have been built with an incorrectly manufactured automatic transmission parking pawl guide plate.
Remedy: Dealers will repair and replace the automatic transmission guide plate. The recall began on November 18, 2005. Owners May contact Lincoln at 1-800-248-0186.
Show 1 more recall
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. If the automatic transmission shift cable assembly was not fully attached to the steering column bracket, the shift cable assembly can come out of the bracket.
Remedy: Dealers will make the proper attachment of the transmission shift control cable to the steering column bracket and add a tie strap to that connection.
NHTSA investigations
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln Navigator years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (24), 2018 (20), 2020 (18), 1998 (16) and 2003 (13) model years. Transmission complaints make up 28% of all complaints for the 2019.
Is there a recall for Lincoln Navigator transmission problems?
Yes — 6 recalls, including 26V-402 (automatic transmission, Jun 24, 2026); 23V-128 (axle assembly, Feb 24, 2023); 18V-213 (automatic transmission, Apr 4, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Lincoln Navigator transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 33% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (34 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › gear position indication (prndl) (4).
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.