Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2011 Lincoln Navigator with NHTSA between 2010 and 2026.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 25 of 27 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 8
Against the median year of the Lincoln Navigator. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 52
10% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 49
29% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2011 compares with every other Lincoln Navigator
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2011 Lincoln Navigator
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
220.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 88,600 mi
Electrical System
220.0%
Median failure at 6,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
220.0%
Median failure at 117,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
110.0%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
110.0%
Median failure at 112,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
110.0%
Median failure at 300 miles
Engine & Cooling
110.0%
Median failure at 88,600 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
114.3%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
114.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
342.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
114.3%
150,000+ miles
114.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2010peak 3Jun 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2011 Lincoln Navigator
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
RQ17010Opened 25 Dec 2017Closed 22 Oct 2019POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
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. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident cla...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Ballston Spa, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
On [XXX] during sunny, dry weather conditions I was travelling north bound on [XXX] at 25 mph, 4 to 5 car lengths behind the next driver. Driver ahead stopped for a crosswalk, I immediately braked and the anti-lock brake system erroneously engaged which did not allow the navigator to appropriately stop which caused a collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11746145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Ballston Spa, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
On [XXX] during sunny, dry weather conditions I was travelling north bound on [XXX] at 25 mph, 4 to 5 car lengths behind the next driver. Driver ahead stopped for a crosswalk, I immediately braked and the anti-lock brake system erroneously engaged which did not allow the navigator to appropriately stop which caused a collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11746145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesChester, VT
POWER TRAIN
JANUARY 4, 2021- WHILE CRUISING WITH MY FAMILY ON THE INTERSTATE AT A SPEED OF 75-80 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION RANDOMLY SHIFTED FROM 6TH GEAR TO 2ND OR FIRST GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID OUT OF CONTROL ACROSS BOTH LANES AND SPINNING THE MOTOR AT AN EXTREMELY HIGH RPM. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND I SHUT OFF THE KEY AND COASTED TO A STOP. WE WERE LUCKY THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN OUR VICINITY. I STARTED IT UP AND VERY CAUTIOUSLY DROVE HOME. THERE WERE NO ENGINE LIGHTS DURING THE INCIDENT. THE MOTOR WAS/AND STILL IS VERY LOUD IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE INCIDENT. WHEN WE GOT HOME WE LOOKED INTO RECALLS AND TSB'S AND FOUND THAT OUR VEHICLE IS WITHIN THE 2011 TO 2013 RECALL YEARS. WHEN CHECKED BY THE FORD DEALER JAN 1/11/21, NO CHECK ENGINE CODES WERE FOUND. THEY CHECKED THE SOFTWARE AND REPORTED THAT THE MOST RECENT UPDATES ARE ALREADY INSTALLED IN OUR VEHICLE, BUT WE HAVE NO PROOF OF THAT. WE HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE BRINGING IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IF MY WIFE OR KIDS WERE DRIVING WE WOULD ALL BE DEAD. THIS QUOTE IS FROM NHTSA WEBSITE. "THE MOST RECENT UPDATE FROM FEBRUARY 2, 2019 OFFICE OF DEFECTS AND INVESTIGATIONS (ODI) WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (19V-075000) TO REMEDY THE DOWNSHIFT FAILURES ON ALL 2011-2013, F-150'S, EXPEDITIONS, AND NAVIGATORS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE AN UNINTENDED LOSS OF TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SPEED CENSOR SIGNAL TO THE PCM POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A TEMPORARY UNINTENDED DOWNSHIFT TO FIRST GEAR. FORD WILL REPROGRAM THE PCM WITH SOFTWARE THAT WILL PREVENT AN UNINTENDED DOWNSHIFT TO FIRST GEAR AND ILLUMINATE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT IN THE EVENT OF AN INTERMITTENT OUTPUT SPEED CENSOR SIGNAL LOSS". WE CANNOT VERIFY THAT THESE UPDATES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN OUR VEHICLE (PUR AUG 2020) AS THE EVENT HAPPENED AND WE DID NOT GET ANY CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR CODES. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE!
NHTSA complaint #11388755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bensenville, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ODOMETER DISCREPANCY. 07/28/14. 86,987 09/12/18. 70,447 ACTUAL MILEAGE 73,220
NHTSA complaint #11143343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,000 milesFreeland, MD
VISIBILITY/WIPER
WHILE TRAVELING WITH A FULL LOAD AT 65 MPH ON I-95 SB IN MARYLAND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR VENT WINDOW EXPLODED INWARD INTO THE CABIN. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR, TEMP MID 40'S, NO DEFROSTERS WERE ON, NO TRAFFIC WAS PASSING US.
NHTSA complaint #11082436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wautoma, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WON'T ALWAYS GO UP AFTER PUTTING IT DOWN. WORKED BETTER, THOUGH IN VERY SMALL INCREMENTS, WHEN IN MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #11058407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,600 milesDale, IN
ENGINE
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT MY TRUCK IN GEAR, THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESENTED NO RESISTANCE, SUDDENLY THE E-BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, AND AN ERROR STATED LOW BRAKE FLUID. I ADDED BRAKE FLUID WHICH APPEARED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 20 MILES HOME, THE BRAKE ERROR RETURNED, AND THE FLUID WAS AGAIN LOW. I MADE AN APPT WITH THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY THEY WERE OPEN, AGAIN ADDED BRAKE FLUID, AND DROVE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER. THEY CALLED ME 2 HOURS LATER TO TELL ME THE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID HAD BEEN SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE WAS BEYOND REPAIR AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE SERVICE TECH STARTED IT TO MOVE IT A SERVICE BAY, A LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT THE EXHAUSTED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN THE COURSE OF 24 HOURS AND THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN LESS THAN 40 MILES FROM THE FIRST ERROR NOTIFICATION TO MY BEING INFORMED THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR DUE THE BRAKE FLUID LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #10959122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,600 milesDale, IN
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT MY TRUCK IN GEAR, THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESENTED NO RESISTANCE, SUDDENLY THE E-BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, AND AN ERROR STATED LOW BRAKE FLUID. I ADDED BRAKE FLUID WHICH APPEARED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 20 MILES HOME, THE BRAKE ERROR RETURNED, AND THE FLUID WAS AGAIN LOW. I MADE AN APPT WITH THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY THEY WERE OPEN, AGAIN ADDED BRAKE FLUID, AND DROVE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER. THEY CALLED ME 2 HOURS LATER TO TELL ME THE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID HAD BEEN SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE WAS BEYOND REPAIR AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE SERVICE TECH STARTED IT TO MOVE IT A SERVICE BAY, A LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT THE EXHAUSTED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN THE COURSE OF 24 HOURS AND THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN LESS THAN 40 MILES FROM THE FIRST ERROR NOTIFICATION TO MY BEING INFORMED THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR DUE THE BRAKE FLUID LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #10959122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesSaten Island, NY
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WHEELS WOULD SUDDENLY LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. ...UPDATED 05/11/17
NHTSA complaint #10957797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesHuntsville, AL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN THE HEATING/COOLING IS IN AUTOMATIC MODE, THE FAN STOPS WORKING IF IT CALLS FOR HIGH SPEED OF THE FAN. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES IT MAY WORK AGAIN. I HAVE FOUND THAT BY TAKING IT OFF AUTOMATIC AND CONTROLLING THE FAN SPEED MANUALLY, THE SYSTEM IS MORE RELIABLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE 2011.
NHTSA complaint #10934386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 300 milesBethpage, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2011 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 70 MPH AND WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, IT DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO STOP BY PLACING IT IN LOW GEAR AND REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO GIVE HIM ANY DETAILS AS IT WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE. THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300. UPDATED 2/17/11 *CN UPDATED 04/27/11
NHTSA complaint #10373229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.