2018 Lincoln Navigator: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Lincoln Navigator: 12 recalls, 52 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
12 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #18V058000 · 2018 · 361 vehicles
What's wrong: The second row window control modules May intermittently stop the movement of the power window. If something, such as a finger, is pinched by the window glass, the stopped window control module May prevent the window from automatically reversing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 118, "power-operated window systems."
Why it matters: If the window does not automatically reverse when an obstruction is found, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the second row window electronic control modules, and replace them as necessary based on their build date codes, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2018.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #18V213000 · 2018 · 142 vehicles
What's wrong: A roll pin May not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "park" function.
Why it matters: Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'park,' the vehicle May roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission to make sure it has the roll pin, installing one if it is missing, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #18V392000 · 2018 · 5,645 vehicles
What's wrong: 5l gtdi v6 engines. These vehicles have high pressure fuel pump assemblies with welds that can fracture, which May cause an oil or fuel leak.
Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source May increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump and associated components, free of charge. The recall began July 17, 2018.
Seats Vehicle recall #18V805000 · 2018 · 34,946 vehicles
What's wrong: The second row center seat track assemblies May be missing one or both of the j-channel reinforcement brackets, possibly allowing the seat to move in the event of a crash.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, a seat that moves May not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the second row center seat for any missing j-channel reinforcement brackets, replacing the center seat frame assembly as necessary, free of charge. An interim owner notification was sent on December 21, 2018. A second letter will be mailed once the…
Equipment Vehicle recall #23V420000 · 2023 · 691,133 vehicles
What's wrong: The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202, "head restraints."
Why it matters: Without instructions, the head restraints May be improperly adjusted, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will mail the owner's manual addendums that describe how to adjust and remove the head restraints for the center seating positions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2023.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #23V598000 · 2023 · 177,402 vehicles
What's wrong: The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, May not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
Why it matters: Loss of the rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rearview camera, and update the software and wiring as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023 to Lincoln owners. Ford vehicle owners notification letters were mailed March 4, 2024. Ford remedy parts are anticipated 2nd quarter…
Seat belts Vehicle recall #24V099000 · 2024 · 77,574 vehicles
What's wrong: The seat belt pretensioner in the driver and/or front passenger seat May inadvertently deploy and lock the seat belt, which will not allow the belt to retract or extend.
Why it matters: Seat belts that do not retract or extend May fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors, as necessary. Additionally, dealers will install an HVAC drain tube elbow if it is missing. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 8, 2024.
Equipment Vehicle recall #24V852000 · 2024 · 27,678 vehicles
What's wrong: The air bag warning label May be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants May have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners May call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24c39.
Brakes (hydraulic), Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #25V236000 · 2025 · 123,611 vehicles
What's wrong: The brake master cylinder May allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
Why it matters: A brake fluid leak can cause reduced brake function and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder is leaking, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #25V197000 · 2025 · 112,951 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2025.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #26V344000 · 2026 · 419,967 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Seat belts that do not retract or extend can fail to restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #26V402000 · 2026 · 741,195 vehicles
What's wrong: The transmission park pawl May engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Why it matters: Park system damage May result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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,…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (20): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (12), stalls / loses power (6), noise or vibration (6).
- Engine (12): the most common themes are noise or vibration (9), stalls / loses power (5).
- Electrical (8): the most common themes are leaks (4), electrical failure (3), warning light on (2).
- Other / unknown (6): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2018 Lincoln Navigator has 52 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 31 Navigator model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 44). Complaints peaked in 2025 (13 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 57,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (32 complaints, 5 recalls), 2019 (84 complaints, 10 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S10) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Lincoln Navigator.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Lincoln Navigator have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 12 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Lincoln Navigator. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Lincoln Navigator problems?
Owners have filed 52 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (20), engine (12), electrical (8).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Lincoln Navigator get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic (S10)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Lincoln Navigator repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.