Lincoln Navigator Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Yes. 100 of the 423 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 Lincoln Navigator (23.6%) name the transmission, 1.9× the median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Transmission complaints
100
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
23.6%
of 423 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
5
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Lincoln Navigator transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 | 6.7% | 0 | — | 4 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 5 |
| 2010 | 2 | 12.5% | 1 | — | 6 |
| 2011 | 2 | 22.2% | 0 | — | 6 |
| 2012 | 5 | 41.7% | 0 | 16V24800012V190000 | 18 |
| 2013 | 6 | 46.2% | 1 | — | 16 |
| 2014 | 7 | 41.2% | 0 | — | 9 |
| 2015 | 5 | 23.8% | 0 | — | 12 |
| 2016 | 2 | 8% | 0 | — | 12 |
| 2017 | 1 | 3.3% | 0 | — | 13 |
| 2018WORST | 20 | 40% | 1 | 26V40200018V213000 | 46 |
| 2019WORST | 19 | 27.9% | 0 | 26V402000 | 45 |
| 2020WORST | 18 | 56.3% | 2 | 26V402000 | 44 |
| 2021 | 6 | 18.8% | 0 | 26V402000 | 42 |
| 2022 | 1 | 4.8% | 0 | — | 33 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0% | 0 | 23V128000 | 32 |
| 2024 | 4 | 25% | 1 | — | 22 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 17 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Lincoln Navigator transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 100 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Lincoln Navigator years to avoid for the transmission
2018 Lincoln Navigator
20 transmission complaints (40% of the year's 50). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recalls 26V402000, 18V213000.
2019 Lincoln Navigator
19 transmission complaints (27.9% of the year's 68). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recall 26V402000.
2020 Lincoln Navigator
18 transmission complaints (56.3% of the year's 32). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recall 26V402000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Lincoln Navigator years to avoid.
Lincoln Navigator transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Lincoln Navigator model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 26V402000 · 2026-06-24 · 2018–2021 models
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
- 23V128000 · 2023-02-24 · 2023 models
The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.
- 18V213000 · 2018-04-04 · 2018 models
A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
- 16V248000 · 2016-04-27 · 2012 models
The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
- 12V190000 · 2012-05-03 · 2012 models
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER…
Which transmission does the Lincoln Navigator use?
- Ford 6R80 — 2012–2013
- Ford 10R80 — 2018–2022
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Lincoln Navigator have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 20 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Lincoln Navigator, 40% of all 50 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (6 complaints). 2 transmission-related recalls cover it: 26V402000, 18V213000. 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2019 Lincoln Navigator have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 19 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2019 Lincoln Navigator, 27.9% of all 68 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (6 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 26V402000.
Does the 2020 Lincoln Navigator have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 18 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2020 Lincoln Navigator, 56.3% of all 32 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (12 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 26V402000. 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Lincoln Navigator years have the most transmission complaints?
2018 (20), 2019 (19) and 2020 (18), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Lincoln Navigator transmission problems?
In the 100 transmission complaints, owners most often describe jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (29%), loss of power or limp mode (18%) and transmission repaired or replaced (15%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Lincoln Navigator model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration