178 of the
1,812 complaints filed about the Lincoln Navigator
are about the transmission —
100% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2019.
178
Complaints
100%
Share of all complaints
14
Crashes
2
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
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. I am concerned about a possible braking-system failure, unintended vehicle movement, powertrain/transmission control malfunction, electrical/electronic control malfunction, or other vehicle-control defect. The vehicle is available for inspection. I have requested that the dealer preserve all electronic and diagnostic data before any repair, reset, software update, or reprogramming is performed.
NHTSA complaint #11762942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The dealership said the Cam Phasers were bad, and I saw that there was a NHTSA report on it. The manufacturer paid a percentage of the cost to fix, but not the entire thing. This is a vehicle that an elderly woman purchased before her husband passed and now runs her grand kids around in. Although the problem was fixed it was bothersome to not have this known issue addressed and risk stranding the occupants. NO warning lights no messages, just a rattling noise at start up. The vehicle had 59000 miles on it.
NHTSA complaint #11762156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting a serious intermittent transmission and loss-of-propulsion problem with my 2021 Lincoln Navigator, VIN 5LMJJ3LT6MEL05416. While driving, including at highway speeds, the transmission will unpredictably behave as though it has shifted into Neutral even though the vehicle remains in Drive. When I press the accelerator, the engine responds, but the vehicle temporarily has little or no propulsion. The transmission may then suddenly re-engage and slam or bang forcefully back into gear. This can also happen under very light throttle. I may gently press the accelerator expecting normal acceleration, but instead the vehicle acts as though it is in Neutral before suddenly engaging again. The condition is intermittent and cannot be reliably reproduced on demand, which makes it especially dangerous and unpredictable. I am concerned about losing propulsion while merging, passing, entering traffic, or attempting to accelerate away from another vehicle at highway speeds. The vehicle has previously had transmission adaptive learning/reset procedures performed, but the problem continues. I am aware that Ford/Lincoln has issued technical service information addressing momentary neutral-out, delayed engagement, harsh engagement, and other 10R80 transmission concerns on this generation of Navigator. I am also aware of Ford recall 26S48 / NHTSA recall 26V402 involving certain 2018–2021 Lincoln Navigators. I am not claiming that the recall is definitively the cause of my specific condition, but I believe this intermittent loss of propulsion presents a serious safety concern that should be investigated. I am requesting that NHTSA document and investigate this loss-of-propulsion / neutral-out condition because the vehicle can unexpectedly fail to accelerate and then violently re-engage the transmission while in motion.
NHTSA complaint #11760540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact's wife owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the gear shifter independently shifted to park and other gears while driving over a railroad track. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and operated as intended. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
NHTSA complaint #11758298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On August 20, 2026, while traveling about 45 MPH, I accelerated to merge onto a highway while passing a slow-moving semi, with traffic approaching from behind. The transmission unexpectedly disengaged and the vehicle completely lost propulsion. The gear indicator showed Neutral. The engine rapidly increased RPM/redlined but the vehicle would not accelerate. I pressed the Drive selector to re-engage the transmission. The vehicle lurched/slammed before Drive engaged and propulsion returned. This created a serious collision risk while merging into highway traffic. This is not an isolated incident. For approximately four years the vehicle has intermittently exhibited rough/abnormal shifting or slipping during acceleration, progressively worsening. During a previous loss-of-propulsion incident on a two-lane highway, the failure occurred while passing a semi with oncoming traffic, creating a risk of a head-on collision. We repeatedly discussed the transmission problem with dealership personnel. Because it was intermittent, the dealer said diagnosis required leaving our primary family vehicle for several weeks, without a loaner. The selling dealer, about six hours away, later offered to retrieve the vehicle and provide a loaner, but canceled because no loaner was available. The defect was therefore never successfully diagnosed or repaired. After the August 20 incident, dealer-provided connected-vehicle diagnostics recorded a Powertrain System Fault and TCM codes P27B5 (Transmission Gear Ratio Control Performance), P2796 and P07E6. The vehicle is parked and available for inspection because I consider it unsafe to drive. It is also subject to open NHTSA Recall 26V402/Ford 26S48 involving the transmission/parking system; no remedy is currently available.
NHTSA complaint #11758346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have experienced harsh shifting from gear 1 to 2 and as well from 2nd to 3rd gear. This results in delayed acceleration at expressway onramps and when turning into forward traffic. This is a known risk with unresolved recall 26S48 related to transmission parking system dammage and related transmission damage. As well, there is a TSB 22-2248 related to this year/make/model transmission problem.
NHTSA complaint #11758071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
NHTSA complaint #11750065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased this 2021 Lincoln Navigator L Black Label used on March 22, 2024 with approximately 42,726mi. Beginning around Sept. 2025 (approximately 70,000-75,000 miles), the vehicle developed intermittent transmission failures that have progressively worsened. This is our primary family vehicle and routinely transports our three young children. The transmission hesitates, slips, skips gears, bangs into gear, and frequently delays engagement before suddenly surging forward. Engine RPM increases without corresponding acceleration. Occupants are abruptly thrown forward and backward during normal driving. Several times each month, a yellow wrench/powertrain warning appears instructing the driver to see the owner’s manual. When this occurs, the vehicle loses normal acceleration and throttle response becomes significantly delayed. The defect is intermittent and unpredictable. The condition creates dangerous situations when merging, entering intersections, accelerating from traffic lights, and in stop-and-go traffic. On one occasion, after stopping on an incline, the vehicle would not accelerate and effectively became disabled in traffic. We activated our hazard flashers while vehicles drove around us. The hesitation followed by sudden engagement also creates a rear-end collision risk. I first brought the vehicle to an independent repair shop, but the concern was dismissed. On 6/22/2026, Herb Chambers Lincoln of Norwood road tested the vehicle, confirmed the complaint, and documented that the “transmission is skipping and banging into gears” and recommended complete transmission replacement. The estimated repair cost was approximately $12,560. The vehicle remains unsafe to drive due to repeated loss of propulsion, delayed acceleration, violent shifting, and dealer-confirmed transmission failure. I respectfully request NHTSA investigate whether this represents a broader safety defect affecting Ford/Lincoln vehicles equipped with the 10-speed automatic transmission.
NHTSA complaint #11749445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the transmission seized, and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated during the failure. Additionally, the brake warning light was illuminated, and the message “Loss of Power” was displayed. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train). The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #11747391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
On Saturday, June 13th, 2026, while merging on to the I-10 freeway heading east, completly without warning, my transmission dropped completely out of gear cancelling acceleration and acted like I had put the transmission in neutral (I had NOT). This caused my vehicle to slow down abruptly with a large vehicle bearing down on me in my lane at freeway speeds (55+). The other vehicle was able to avoid me (just barely) so no accident occurred. I moved towards the side of the road but before I could bring my vehicle to a stop the transmission re-engaged with a violent "BANG" and I was able to accelerate once again. This is not the first time this has happened (transmission dropping out of gear). I have had the vehicle checked out by mechanics at a local Lincoln dealer who could not duplicate the occurrence. Until recently, I was not aware this problem was not unique to just my vehicle. I had thought it was a conflict with my speed control but at the time of this incident the speed control was not engaged. Apparently, this issue has been experienced by many 2019 Lincoln Navigator owners. It would appear a safety recall is in order so as to prevent an injury /deadly accident which could have easily happened to me and my family in this incident.
NHTSA complaint #11744182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CDF Drum Failure is a known issue to Ford. They have issued a technical service bulletin (TSB 22-2428) to replace poorly designed components that have since been redesigned. The failure mode can cause violent gear shifts (from gear 10 to gear 1) at high speeds, which is a significant safety concern. While driving on the highway, the transmission would not shift between gears and the car lurched. Check engine light came on and I exited the highway immediately. I took my vehicle to be looked at, and they diagnosed the problem as CDF Drum failure. Ford needs to take responsibility for their problematic design in these vehicles.
NHTSA complaint #11739013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The transmissions down shifts extremely hard, causing an abrupt wheel speed reduction. It starts doing this after you have driven the vehicle about 15 minutes....before that it operates correctly but once you hit 15 minutes of drive time, it is neck jolting! Driver and Passenger Mirrors have a mind of their own. They will be in position, you start backing out of a spot and they start moving until they get so out of place they start popping. This is dangerous due to possibility of running over someone or possibly hitting another vehicle. You have to put the vehicle in park, reset the mirrors, then start backing out again.
NHTSA complaint #11736388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2020 Lincoln Navigator, 10R80 transmission. Following two full transmission replacements, torque converter replacement, valve body replacement, and transmission pump repair, vehicle continues to exhibit hesitation under acceleration, harsh and delayed shifting, loss of power, shaking beginning at approximately 28-30 mph felt through the floorboard, and abnormal fuel consumption. Independent tire shop ruled out tires as cause. Safety Recall O1 for PCM reprogramming remains incomplete on this VIN despite multiple service visits. Vehicle has been at dealership since early-March with no confirmed repair date or Ford engineer visit scheduled
NHTSA complaint #11735680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle is a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The component that failed is the transmission. The vehicle experienced a sudden transmission failure resulting in loss of normal drivability. The issue is currently available for inspection at the repair facility upon request. This failure created a safety concern due to loss of power, hesitation, and unreliable shifting, which can increase the risk of collision, particularly in traffic or during acceleration. The problem has been confirmed by the dealership and independent repair facilities. Multiple repair professionals indicated that this failure is consistent with a known issue addressed by a Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB), suggesting this is not an isolated incident. The vehicle has been inspected by the repair facility. The manufacturer has not directly inspected the vehicle to my knowledge. There were no significant prior warning indicators that would suggest imminent failure. Any symptoms prior to failure were minimal or not clearly indicative of a major transmission issue. Based on information from repair facilities, this appears to be a known defect pattern rather than normal wear or maintenance-related failure. The use of a TSB instead of a recall raises concerns that a broader safety-related defect may not be adequately addressed. This failure occurred after proper maintenance and outside any initial waiting period for warranty coverage. The issue appears systemic and warrants further investigation.
NHTSA complaint #11734261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On [XXX] at or about [XXX]., I was traveling on the highway while going up hill to pass a slow moving vehicle, in the passing lane, suddenly lost total acceleration in which a wrench light appeared as if the transmission disengaged. I was able to coast to the into the driving lane, to get to the shoulder of the road in which the transmission engaged back at about 10mph. I was able to continue slowly, to my destination but at lower speeds the vehicle was shaking and shifting hard. I had just purchased this vehicle, used, only having same for about a month. I had to have the vehicle towed back to the place where I purchase same, due to transmission failure on 04/25/26. To A Better Way Wholesale Auto, 49 Raytkwich Road, Naugatuck CT 06770 I waiting for a service report in what needs to be repaired or replaced. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11733809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving on highway on several occasions, transmission jumps out to neutral causing sudden loss of power specially when accelerating. This was rarely happening since 2022 but it started to get worse recently happening more than four times in 2026
NHTSA complaint #11730722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. transmission shifts hard and/or seems to shift to neutral and losing forward propulsion 2. or loud clunk followed by shuddering and no control 3. no control means unsafe driving conditions particularly if closer to other vehicles 4. dealer quoted some mumbo/jumbo about jumping into park 5. dealer quoted $10,000 figure for new transmission 6. after clunk event and pulling over wrench light came up with reference to differential 7. super hard shifting or no shift life-threatening lunging and hesitation is unacceptable0
NHTSA complaint #11729987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
After 3 failed diagnoses with various vehicle repair shops that could not fix our problem, we took our 2019 Lincoln Navigator to the Phil Long Ford/Lincoln dealership 26 days ago. After expressing my concerns about our vehicle jerking into gear and intermittently losing accelerator power during driving, the dealership diagnosed it as a problem with the cam phasers. Upon picking up the vehicle and asking the CSR if a test drive had been done multiple times beforehand, we arrived, paid our bill, and took the vehicle for less than 30 seconds before realizing the same issue was persisting. My wife and child are the primary occupants at most times, and losing power on the highway and on side roads is most concerning. As of two weeks ago today, I was called by the CSR at Phil Long Ford to let me know that calls and reports were made to Lincoln specifically and that the General Managers would be pooling money together to find a resolution and eventually fix my vehicle. The CSR also said that by the following day (Tues), I would know about a resolution. 2 weeks later (today), I called and requested a manager call me to discuss the situation. No call was made. I also reached out to the CSR and was told that my case was still in a holding pattern. We have now had to rent a vehicle 3 times to help us get around, with no assistance from the dealership except for 2 out of the 26 days we've been without a vehicle. After doing more digging, there is a large class action lawsuit in motion that covers exactly what we are going through. As of 8 days ago, Ford's request to dismiss the suit was denied. We believe at this time there is gross negligence by Ford & Lincoln and have first hand accounts of how scary these vehicles can become while on the road. To top it off during my visit to the dealership this evening, the service manager gave me two options when asking about a possible loaner or rental vehicle: approve the repairs needed on my own dime or continue driving the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11729560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.