2013 Lincoln Navigator problems

SERVICE BRAKES

I am submitting this complaint regarding a safety-related braking system issue with my 2013 Lincoln Navigator (VIN: [XXX]), which has fewer than 90,000 miles. The vehicle's brake control module, which is associated with critical safety functions including the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and traction/stability control system, required replacement. After a nationwide backorder and obtaining the replacement part through Gullo Ford in Conroe, Texas, an independent repair facility attempted replacement of the module on three separate occasions. The facility was unable to successfully program the replacement module and ultimately advised me to take the vehicle to an authorized Ford dealership. The vehicle was delivered to Gullo Ford on July 6, 2026, and remained there until July 20, 2026. Gullo Ford replaced the module for a fourth time but was also unable to successfully program the replacement module. The Gullo Ford repair invoice specifically states that they were "unable to complete programming due to Ford software issues with IDS" and that "Ford is aware of the issue and is working on a fix." I subsequently contacted Ford Motor Company and opened Customer Care Case [XXX]. At this time, I have not been provided with a repair solution or a definitive timeframe for when Ford will be able to correct the software/programming problem. The affected module is associated with the vehicle's anti-lock braking and traction/stability control safety systems. An authorized Ford dealership has been unable to restore these systems to proper operation because Ford's own diagnostic/programming software reportedly cannot complete the required programming. The vehicle was dropped off again on 8/10/2026 to Gullo Ford as it is unsafe to drive and no resolution has been provided. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11756151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED WHILE DRIVING. SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR UPON ACCELERATION. CLUSTER SHOWED WRENCH AND ENGINE LIGHT. TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF THEN RESTARTED AND THE CLUSTER CLEARED AND OPERATION RETURNED TO NORMAL. A WEEK LATER, THE SAME INCIDENT. SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM THAT EXPIRED IN THE 2023 CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF THAT WINDOW.

NHTSA complaint #11747126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

While operating my 2013 Lincoln Navigator under normal driving conditions, a spark plug ejected from the cylinder head, causing immediate and catastrophic engine failure. The engine lost power and began producing severe mechanical noise, creating a potential safety hazard due to sudden loss of propulsion. Inspection by both an independent mechanic and an authorized Ford dealership confirmed that the spark plug ejection allowed debris to enter the combustion chamber, destroying internal engine components. The vehicle was properly maintained and this failure occurred without warning. This issue appears consistent with known problems involving the Ford 5.4L Triton engine design. Ford Motor Company has refused to escalate or investigate the failure despite documentation. Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center P.O. Box 6248 Dearborn, MI 48126 Re: Goodwill Assistance Request & Notice of Latent Defect Vehicle: 2013 Lincoln Navigator – 5.4L Triton V8 VIN: [XXX] Case Number: To Whom It May Concern, I am the original purchaser and continuous owner of a 2013 Lincoln Navigator equipped with the 5.4L Triton engine. For more than three decades I have exclusively owned Ford and Lincoln vehicles, including multiple Lincoln Navigators, Ford Expeditions, and Ford trucks — all purchased new. I also still own a 1991 Ford Mustang 5.0 GT Convertible acquired new in 1992 and a 1999 Ford pickup currently exceeding 350,000 miles. My history reflects long-standing brand loyalty and confidence in Ford durability. This Navigator has been properly maintained throughout its life. Oil changes were performed approximately every 3,000 miles by both independent mechanics and authorized service facilities. The vehicle currently has approximately 140,000 miles and remains in exceptional cosmetic and interior condition. The vehicle has never been used for towing or severe duty. While operating under normal driving conditions, the check engine light illuminated and the engine imme INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO

NHTSA complaint #11737011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

While driving at approximately 65-70 mph on a major interstate, the engine experienced a sudden catastrophic failure without warning. This caused an immediate loss of power and power steering/braking assist, making the vehicle extremely difficult to control in high speed traffic. This sudden stall endangered my life and the lives of nearby motorists. A certified mechanic inspected the engine internals (via borescope) and identified that a valve seat had dropped in the #4 cylinder, causing it to impact and destroy the piston. This 'dropped valve seat' failure is a known defect in Ford/Lincoln 5.4L engines. It occurred despite my meticulous maintenance history and constitutes a latent manufacturing defect that creates an unreasonable safety risk on public highways.

NHTSA complaint #11708469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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. At the dealer they gave me a print out from 2019 that states it was a safty recall 19S07 but the dealership said it was only a technical bullet not a safty recall and dealers not responsible for the cost but will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with updated calibration -Requires using IDS software release 113.06A or newer (internet connection needed) -No replacement parts needed—this is a software fix But in truth, this dose not fix the problem. Online research show that in most cases the dealership has to remove main control and replace LEAD FRAME. (Located internally in the transmission) like they did on my SUV as well. The cost is over $1,500 and Ford and Lincoln are down playing the danger and by making customers pay out of pocket since it is not an official safety recall from the nhtsa. This out of pocket cost may lead to people not repairing the faulty system. This could have and could be causing accidents or maybe even deaths..This is crazy not to be a full safty recall... Sudden downshift at highway speeds could be extremely dangerous for everyone. Ford/Lincoln should be held responsible for the faulty part and repair for safty purposes.

NHTSA complaint #11669073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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. At the dealer they gave me a print out from 2019 that states it was a safty recall 19S07 but the dealership said it was only a technical bullet not a safty recall and dealers not responsible for the cost but will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with updated calibration -Requires using IDS software release 113.06A or newer (internet connection needed) -No replacement parts needed—this is a software fix But in truth, this dose not fix the problem. Online research show that in most cases the dealership has to remove main control and replace LEAD FRAME. (Located internally in the transmission) like they did on my SUV as well. The cost is over $1,500 and Ford and Lincoln are down playing the danger and by making customers pay out of pocket since it is not an official safety recall from the nhtsa. This out of pocket cost may lead to people not repairing the faulty system. This could have and could be causing accidents or maybe even deaths..This is crazy not to be a full safty recall... Sudden downshift at highway speeds could be extremely dangerous for everyone. Ford/Lincoln should be held responsible for the faulty part and repair for safty purposes.

NHTSA complaint #11669073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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. At the dealer they gave me a print out from 2019 that states it was a safty recall 19S07 but the dealership said it was only a technical bullet not a safty recall and dealers not responsible for the cost but will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) with updated calibration -Requires using IDS software release 113.06A or newer (internet connection needed) -No replacement parts needed—this is a software fix But in truth, this dose not fix the problem. Online research show that in most cases the dealership has to remove main control and replace LEAD FRAME. (Located internally in the transmission) like they did on my SUV as well. The cost is over $1,500 and Ford and Lincoln are down playing the danger and by making customers pay out of pocket since it is not an official safety recall from the nhtsa. This out of pocket cost may lead to people not repairing the faulty system. This could have and could be causing accidents or maybe even deaths..This is crazy not to be a full safty recall... Sudden downshift at highway speeds could be extremely dangerous for everyone. Ford/Lincoln should be held responsible for the faulty part and repair for safty purposes.

NHTSA complaint #11669073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11570071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The contact owns a 2013 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the rear wheels seized and the vehicle made a screeching sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with wheel speed sensor failure. The contact was informed that the wheel speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the defect and directed the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #11454837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING ON ACCESS ROAD ABOUT 45 MPH THE CAR JOLTED VERY HARD CAUSING ME TO NEARLY LOSE CONTROL COMPLETELY. THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO AND IT SEEMED LIKED THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO 1ST GEAR THEN IT WOULDN'T MOVE. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED UNDER AND ALL AROUND CAR AND TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT. IT SEEMED FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MILES THEN DID SAME THING. I TURNED CAR OFF AND CALLED TOW GUY TO TAKE IT HOME.

NHTSA complaint #11361431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE DRIVING ON ACCESS ROAD ABOUT 45 MPH THE CAR JOLTED VERY HARD CAUSING ME TO NEARLY LOSE CONTROL COMPLETELY. THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO AND IT SEEMED LIKED THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO 1ST GEAR THEN IT WOULDN'T MOVE. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED UNDER AND ALL AROUND CAR AND TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT. IT SEEMED FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MILES THEN DID SAME THING. I TURNED CAR OFF AND CALLED TOW GUY TO TAKE IT HOME.

NHTSA complaint #11361431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING ON ACCESS ROAD ABOUT 45 MPH THE CAR JOLTED VERY HARD CAUSING ME TO NEARLY LOSE CONTROL COMPLETELY. THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO AND IT SEEMED LIKED THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO 1ST GEAR THEN IT WOULDN'T MOVE. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED UNDER AND ALL AROUND CAR AND TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT. IT SEEMED FINE FOR ABOUT 2 MILES THEN DID SAME THING. I TURNED CAR OFF AND CALLED TOW GUY TO TAKE IT HOME.

NHTSA complaint #11361431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEAT BELTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10899206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #10899206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE PARKED AND ATTEMPTING TO ENTER, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS KNOCKED BY THE VEHICLE AS IT CONTINUED TO ROLL AWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED ADJUSTED THE TIMING IN THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10786849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

I HAVE A 2013 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR THAT HAS SOME SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH IT'S RAIN SENSING WIPERS. THEY WILL STOP COMPLETELY DURING A RAIN OR RAIN/SNOW STORM. OTHER TIMES THEY WON'T COME ON BY THEMSELVES. THEY INSTEAD HAVE TO BE TURNED ON MANUALLY. THEY HAVE COME ON AND STAYED ON FOR AT LEAST TWO MINUTES WHEN THERE HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY NO RAIN OR MOISTURE IN THE AIR. I AM SURE YOU WILL AGREE WITH ME THAT THIS CAN PROVE TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WE ALSO HAVE DOCUMENTATION ON THE DEALER'S WORK ORDERS SHOWING THE TIMES WE HAD BROUGHT OUR VEHICLE IN FOR THE PROBLEMS. WE HAVE PICTURES PROVING OUR PROBLEM BUT THESE PICTURES HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY IGNORED BY BOTH THE LINCOLN REPS THEMSELVES AND THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT WE PURCHASED OUR VEHICLE FROM NEW LAST MAY' WILLIAMS AUTO GROUP IN SAYRE, PA. FROM THEIR TESTS THE WIPERS 'WORK AS THEY WERE DESIGNED TO'. I AM GOING THROUGH THE PA LEMON LAW NOW BUT I WAS JUST CURIOUS IF THERE HAD BEEN OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS, FORD OR LINCOLN, THAT HAVE REPORTED THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEM. WHAT MAKES THIS VERY TROUBLESOME IS BOTH THE COMPANY'S AND THE WILLIAMS GROUP IGNORING OUR PROOF -- THE PICTURES. PREVIOUSLY WE WERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OUR TAILGATE OPENING WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, OUTSIDE MIRRORS MOVING ON THEIR OWN, DRIVERS SEAT ADJUSTING ON ITS OWN AND THE KEY LOCK NOT OPERATING AS IT SHOULD. EVEN THOUGH NONE OF THESE WERE ABLE TO BE RECONSTRUCTED AT THE DEALERSHIP, THERE WERE 3 INSTANCES WHERE THESE WERE WITNESSED BY THE DEALER'S SERVICE EMPLOYEES. SO THEY DID GO AHEAD AND REPLACE MANY OF THE MODULES BUT HAVE DONE NOTHING WITH THE WIPERS.

NHTSA complaint #10605893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, A PASSENGER'S FOOT BECAME TRAPPED IN THE RETRACTABLE RUNNING BOARD. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5500.

NHTSA complaint #10585260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.