96 of the
1,794 complaints filed about the Lincoln Navigator
are about the throttle and cruise control —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
96
Complaints
5%
Share of all complaints
12
Crashes
25
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
Was operating the vehicle around a slight bend at about 45mph. The brakes and steering then stopped working and was non responsive. The vehicle was sliding off the road toward a parked dump truck. After about 2 or 3 seconds the steering and brakes started working again and I regained control of the vehicle. I then fishtailed across 2 lanes of traffic and managed to keep the vehicle straight. Immediately after a warning popped on the dash stating "Drive control fault service required." Upon calling roadside and bringing the vehicle to the service center the following was identified. The Vehicle Dynamics Control Module (VDM) failed. This caused the vehicle to detect a rollover, which means the vehicle took control of the steering and brakes according to the service manager and would not allow the driver to intervene. This module was replaced. A cause for the module failure could not be found. The module was not allowed to be inspected and was sent to Lincoln corporate. The service tech was not allowed to open the module and identify the reason for failure. The risk for this part failing means that steering and braking are non operational. In my situation this was potentially a lethal accident with myself and family in the car. To slide off the road and hit a parked dump truck surely could have been life ending for myself and others. Vehicle diagnosed for DTC C1112:92 in the VDM The problem was not able to be reproduced. A cause of the problem has not been identified and is not known. The service center sounded concerned that they could not find the reason for failure and could not confirm it wont happen again. The vehicle was only inspected by the service center. There were no prior symptoms or warning lights or messages prior to the module failure.
NHTSA complaint #11742754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving, the vehicle repeatedly hesitated during gear changes, lost power, and then abruptly jerked back into gear. This occurred intermittently for over a month without any warning messages, creating unpredictable and unsafe driving conditions. As the issue worsened, the vehicle began losing power more frequently. The most serious event occurred at highway speed, where the vehicle suddenly lost propulsion in the middle of active traffic, nearly causing a stall. This created an immediate safety hazard for myself and surrounding drivers. After several seconds, the vehicle violently re-engaged into gear and surged forward. Only at this point did the vehicle display a warning: “Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power.” I scanned the vehicle and retrieved DTC P0734 – Gear 4 Incorrect Ratio, a code associated with internal transmission faults. A dealership inspected the vehicle and reported that the CDF drum had failed. They stated they could not guarantee that replacing the drum would resolve all issues and provided two estimates: $5,600 for a partial internal repair/$8,700 for full transmission replacement. The 10R80 transmission has a documented history of failures, including harsh shifting, slipping, unexpected gear disengagement, and internal component defects. These issues are addressed in multiple Ford Technical Service Bulletins involving P0734, harsh/failed shifts, and failures related to the CDF clutch cylinder/drum. Many vehicles of the same make and model are covered under related recalls or service actions for similar problems; however, my VIN is not included, and Lincoln declined to honor the existing recall. This defect presents a serious safety risk due to: Sudden loss of power while driving, including at highway speeds, Unpredictable re-engagement and violent surging, Loss of propulsion without warning, leading to near-stall conditions. This powertrain malfunction is a known, unsafe, repeat issue among these vehicles equipped w/this transmission.
NHTSA complaint #11716941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased this car used. The local lot did not disclose this well-documented history with the Navigator's transmission. I had recall work done a few months ago at an authorized Ford dealership. No warning. The vehicle stalls and pauses during acceleration (the engine does not die). This transmission issue is both dangerous and alarming, as I am unable to complete a pass. The car coasts in neutral (with traffic approaching/oncoming) during attempts to pass other vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11701074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pre collision pedestrian/cyclist warning automatic braking not working. Dealership tried 2x did all upgrades, checked another vehicle same results. Ford said both to technician and myself. This is normal. So pre collision does not activate in city traffic when they advertise and charge for this feature. Open to accidents and I jury.
NHTSA complaint #11699550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The lane keeping system on the Lincoln Navigator L is very heavily “right handed”and hugs the right line while cruise control is active. The lane centering over corrects and bounces off of the center line and right hand side lanes on two lane highways. This caused me to strike a mailbox and chase $7k worth damage to repair. The dealership and Lincoln customer service has been inattentive to my concerns despite the repeated professional complaints. I believe the radar and sensors are out of collaboration and require techinical support
NHTSA complaint #11629487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
No warning light on dash. Issues engaging in gears. Avoided a few accidents by throwing on hazards when car wouldn't accelerate on road. When turning into oncoming traffic it wouldn't engage in gear but thankfully they braked to avoid hitting me. After that I would only drive in the neighborhood to take kids to school. When reading Ford knows this issue but still put this 10 speed transmission in vehicles. Mechanic diagnosed and had to rebuild transmission.
NHTSA complaint #11623960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When driving, if the accelerator pedal is depressed to merge into the highway or overtake other vehicles, the vehicle abruptly stops accelerating, and the RPM reaches max revs. The vehicle quickly loses momentum until it abruptly slams back into gear, causing a loud bang and startling the driver. This vehicle had a TSB for similar issues that was repaired by our dealer 2 times previously. We have experienced this 2 times since the repair (A total of 4 times). One time, while attempting to accelerate onto a merge lane into traffic, the car stopped accelerating, causing a large 18 wheeler to slam on their brakes to avoid hitting us as we were running out of onramp space. The dealer performed a transmission rebuild after the 3rd time this occurred. The day after we got the car back from service, it happened again. We have video footage of the transmission slipping after the event. The dealer is unable to replicate the condition, and therefore, don't have anything they can fix without a code or system fault- apparently not even the over-revs triggered a fault. I don't trust this vehicle to be safe for my family or other motorists. I have asked for a completely new transmission and other components but am told that without their ability reproduce the issues, there is no repair. They are unable to guarantee the car's safety, but expect for me to take it back. This puts me in an impossible situation - I'm being forced to drive a car that I know is unpredictably unsafe, and am unable to ethically/morally dispose of the vehicle knowing it will be back on the road and driven by someone else. Lincoln needs to do the right thing for their customers, other motorists, and my family. Their solution was to give me an extended warranty - a nice gesture, but clearly not addressing the safety issue at hand. Note: I am unable to upload the email chain with Lincoln because the upload button below does not work. I'm happy to share any communication you need.
NHTSA complaint #11564489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fuel gauge says zero miles to empty and will not take any gas more than a few gallons before kicking pump off. Gauge shows it's over heating but if you turn ignition off and turn right back on it resets and is fine. Codes come back saying nothing about fuel or cooling, but only something about speed control in the hub. Sounds like an electrical issue but no where to be found.
NHTSA complaint #11482715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased a new 2022 Lincoln Navigator Reserve L and just took a 3000 mile road trip and used their Active Glide driver assistance extensively and have uncovered a MAJOR safety issue with their system. The issue I found is that when using the adaptive cruise control feature the system will sometimes read a car in the adjacent lane as moving in front of my vehicle and apply the brakes very hard causing my car to immediately and strongly slow down at highway speeds - with other cars behind me. This happens mostly on curves when the straight line of sight sees the car in either the right or left lane next to me at about a 20' distance. There is no warning of brake application and can make the driver lose control. I was almost rear ended multiple times. I know the driver assistance requires the driver to be attentive - and fortunately I heeded these warnings. It appears my vehicle is trying to very quickly acquire the distance between my vehicle and what it thinks is a vehicle in front on me. This is a major issue and will lead to accidents.
NHTSA complaint #11476163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH and depressing on the accelerator pedal, the RPM rose to 6,500 however, the vehicle began to decelerate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and was able to continue to drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the vehicle was included in the unknown NHTSA Campaign Number however, the vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated he had experience the failure on three different occasion. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
NHTSA complaint #11443035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
THE VEHICLE ENGAGED IN INVOLUNTARY ACCELERATION (IN REVERSE) FROM STATIONARY POSITION RIGHT AFTER SHIFTING GEARS FROM PARKING 'P' TO REVERSE 'R' AND DISENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE. THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED DURING THIS GEAR CHANGE. THE CAR STARTED MOVING IN REVERSE AS SOON AS THE DRIVER LET OFF THE BRAKES. THE DRIVER THEN REAPPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INSTEAD OF BREAKING. MORE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES BUT THAT INCREASED THE SPEED INSTEAD OF REDUCING IT. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM 0 MPH TO APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND TRAVELED ABOUT 100 FEET IN REVERSE. THE DRIVER WAS MANEUVERING THE VEHICLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BREAKS. THE DRIVER MANAGED TO STEER THE VEHICLE UP A SMALL GRASSY HILL OF ABOUT 15 DEGREES IN SLOPE UNTIL THE VEHICLE HIT A RESIDENTIAL CONCRETE WALL WITH THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. AT THE MOMENT OF IMPACT, THE VEHICLE BOUNCED BACK AND THE ACCELERATION DISAPPEARED WITH THE ENGINE STILL ON. THE VEHICLE THEN SLOWLY ROLLED DOWN THE HILL UNTIL IT HIT A PARKED CAR. AT THAT MOMENT, THE CAR STOPPED AND REMAINED STATIONARY. THE ENGINE WAS THEN TURNED OFF. THE IMPACT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND TO THE RESIDENTIAL CONCRETE WALL. THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS ALSO DAMAGED. IT BECAME LOOSE WITH THE IMPACT AND WAS EJECTED BACKWARDS TOWARDS THE BACK SEAT WITH THE DRIVER STILL ON IT. THERE WERE NO PHYSICAL INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANTS OTHER THAN WHIPLASH. A FIRMWARE DEFECT OF THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE SYSTEM IS SUSPECTED.
NHTSA complaint #11338807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2012 NAVIGATOR STARTED TO ACT WEIRD THE WRENCH SIGNAL APPEARED,MY SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING,THE RPM WENT VERY HIGH,NO POWER ON MY SUV,MAYBE 5MPH THE MOST,AND THE INFORMATION SCREEN SHOWS NO GAS,WHILE I HAVE 1/2 TANK,CHECKED AMD RECALLS AND SHOWS NOTHING,BUT A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE IS A TBS RECALL FOR THIS TRANSMISSION MODELS,HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #11330384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING AT ABOUT 25-30 MPH ON SIDE STREET AND MY CAR SURGED OUT OF CONTROL.. I ATTEMPTED TO CONTROL THE SPEED WITH THE BRAKE. I WAS ABOUT 100-150 FEET FROM A BUSY INTERSECTION (40 HIGHWAY -THE CAR SURGING REALLY FAST. I NEEDED TO MAKE SOME QUICK DECISIONS TO PROTECT A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM BEING BADLY INJURED OR KILLED. I HAD TO LEAVE THE KEY ON SO THAT I COULD CONTROL THE CAR AWAY FROM 40 HIGHWAY- SO I TURNED INTO A LITTLE PATH TO MY RIGHT WHICH LED ME INTO BIG TREES OR A THICKET. I CHOSE THE THICKET NOT KNOWING THERE WAS A TERRAIN IN THE MIDDLE. ACTUALLY , THE CAR WAS GOING SO FAST - I HAD VERY LITTLE CONTROL AT THIS TIME. MY CAR ATTEMPTED TO GO UP ON ONE SIDE FLEW ABOUT 20 FEET THROUGH THE AIR WHEN IT LANDED A SMALL TREE KEPT IT FROM ROLLING OVER AND CAME OUT ON A HILL AGAIN HEADING FOR THE BUSY 40 HIGHWAY. AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT ,THE HILL WAS WET AND MUDDY FROM RAIN AND I PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD TO MY RIGHT TURNING THE CAR UP THE HILL - AWAY FROM THE TRAFFIC. THE SOFT GROUND HELPED TO PUT THE CAR IN A SKID AND FLIPPED THE BACK END AROUND. AS IT WAS HEADING UP THE HILL I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE KEY AND GOT THE CAR STOPPED. WHEN THE TOWING COMPANY CAME TO PICK UP THE CAR -UNSAFE STILL SURGING. TOOK CAR TO BOB SIGHTS FORD . ( PREVIOUSLY,THEY REPAIRED THE POPPING NOICE DESCRIBED IN ANOTHER 'NATHSA' COMPLAINT. ) CAR WAS TOTALED. I TRIED TO GET THEM TO HOOK THE CAR UP TO THE MECHICANICAL MODULE SCANNER FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. INSTEAD THEY PUT IT ON THE BODY SCANNER THEY USE TO LOCATE ALL COMPONENTS WHEN REPAIRING A WRECKED CAR (WHICH I PAID FOR) WOULD NOT PUT THE CAR ON THE MECHNICAL SCANNER EVEN THOUGH IT WAS STILL SURGING WHEN I FINALLY RELEASED IT TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. I EVEN TALKED TO ONE OF THE OWNERS OF THE DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #11310855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD INTERMEDIATELY STOP WORKING. WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING IT WOULD HAVE A LOSS IN POWER OR BEGIN TO MISFIRE. WE HAVE NOW STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT DOWN SHIFTED EXTREMELY HARD AT ROAD SPEED WHILE ALONG SIDE ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE WIFE WAS EXTREMELY SCARED AND I AM AFRAID IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #11245854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL. AT A SLOW SPEED, WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE, VEHICLE ACCELERATES. SPEED IS GENERALLY UNDER 10 MPH AND HAS HAPPENED DURING TURNING...EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. SPECIFICALLY: IT HAPPENED ONCE TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING SPOT; IT HAPPENED MAKING A SLOW RIGHT HAND TURN ON A STREET; IT HAPPENED AGAIN DURING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A PARKING GARAGE. WE TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THE MECHANIC DROVE IT. IT HAPPENED TO HIM AS WELL, BUT I DON'T HAVE THE SPECIFICS FOR THE ONE INCIDENT, BUT HE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE BRAKES NOT ENGAGING NORMALLY TO THE POINT WHERE HE HAD TO PUSH EXTREMELY HARD ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS STILL WITH THE MECHANIC. I'M NOT SURE IF HE'S FINDING THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACE SO FAR, BUT 3 OF THE 5 OR 6 INCIDENTS OCCURRED AFTERWARDS. WE DID CONTACT THE LOCAL LINCOLN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD US THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A SIMILAR INCIDENT. WE JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE SECOND HAND AND HAVE ONLY OWNED IT FOR 2 WEEKS. IT STARTED THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE. IT'S DANGEROUS AND WE DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE "AS IS". WILL FOLLOW UP WITH THE MECHANIC TOMORROW, 05/13/2019.
NHTSA complaint #11207137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD BECOME STUCK. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL MORE THAN ONCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
NHTSA complaint #11206093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON OCTOBER 4, 2017 AT APPROXIMATELY 3:45 PM, I DEPARTED FROM THE SACRAMENTO CHILDREN'S HOME THROUGH AN ADJACENT ALLEY TRAVELING THROUGH THE SOUTH BOUND ENTRANCE. AS I MADE THE LEFT TURN INTO THE ALLEY AS I GRADUALLY GOT UP TO SPEED MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. I WAS STARTLED BY THE SUDDEN INCREASE OF SPEED AND IMMEDIATE MADE AN ATTEMPT TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN AND APPLY THE BRAKES. BEFORE I COULD MAKE THE CORRECTIONS THE VEHICLE HAD VEERED OFF TO THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE ALLEY AND STRUCK AN OAK TREE. TO MY GUESS THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT A RATE OF SPEED OF ABOUT 25-30 MPH. ON IMPACT I SLAMMED INTO MY MOTOROLA SPEAKER THAT WAS ATTACHED TO MY SUN VISOR AND SPLIT MY HEAD OPEN WHICH REQUIRED 8 STAPLES TO CLOSE.
NHTSA complaint #11032090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.