The 2018 Lincoln Navigator is associated with 52 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 12 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 13 reports (25% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 3 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3.5l 6-cyl powertrain configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 18 to 19 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 52 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 12 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Powertrain (13 / 25%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 0 crash / 3 fire / 1 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 18–19 MPG (3 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Navigator L 2WD | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 MPG | 22 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
| Navigator 2WD | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 MPG | 23 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $3,250 / yr |
| Navigator 4WD | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S10) | 16 MPG | 21 MPG | 18 MPG | — | $3,400 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV 4x4 | | | | | 19.3% |
| SUV 4x2 | | | | | 20.8% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 Lincoln Navigator models.
View complete 2018 Lincoln Navigator crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2018 Lincoln Navigator problems & component breakdown (24 categories) →
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed June 8, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in August 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S34. This recall replaces and expands previous NHTSA recalls 24V099 and 25V197. Vehicles previously inspected or repaired under the prior recalls will need the new repair completed.
Affected Component: SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER
Defect Summary: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat may inadvertently lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S31. Some vehicles in this recall that were previously inspected under recall 24V-099 and did not have parts replaced will need to have this new recall remedy completed.
View all 2018 Lincoln Navigator recalls & campaign history (12 campaigns) →