The Lemon Index
2017
20194th generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 17,839 in the U.S. in 2018 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 12 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
12 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2018 Cadillac Escalade 192018 Audi Q7 802018 Lincoln MKX 16
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2018 Lincoln Navigator
- Timing chain8 complaints
Specific parts named in the 52 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Lincoln Navigator (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 11 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V402000 (transmission & drivetrain), 26V344000 (seat belts) and 25V197000 (seat belts) done? It has 12 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Lincoln sent dealers 165 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Some 2017-2018 F-150 and 2018 Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost and built”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lincoln's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 12 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 6K to 36K miles (10K to 58K km) on the car (11 of all 12 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 165 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2017-2018 F-150 and 2018 Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost and built
- Some 2017-2018 F-150 and 2018 Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a 3.5L EcoBoost and…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 12
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
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.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2025
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.
Show all 12 recalls
- Brakes · recall issued 2025
The brake master cylinder may allow brake fluid to leak from the front wheel circuit into the brake booster.
- Equipment · recall issued 2024
The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2024
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.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2023
The rearview camera, or 360-degree view camera if equipped, may not display a rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- Equipment · recall issued 2023
The owner's manual does not include instructions for adjusting or removing certain head restraints.
- Seats · recall issued 2018
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.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2018 3.5L engines only
These vehicles have high pressure fuel pump assemblies with welds that can fracture, which may cause an oil or fuel leak.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2018
A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
- Visibility · recall issued 2018
The second row window control modules may intermittently stop the movement of the power window.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Lincoln Navigator recall, all years · All Lincoln recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedSeat belt retractor pretensioner inadvertent deployment2024–2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator EL Extended SUV 4x4 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator EL Extended SUV 4x2 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$3,350 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Lincoln Navigator year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2018 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-navigator/?y=2018" title="Lincoln Navigator reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lincoln-navigator/2018/">Lemon Index</a> (2018 Lincoln Navigator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2018 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
We can't score it: only 17,839 were sold in the U.S. in 2018 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2018 Lincoln Navigator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (25%), electrical (17%) and body structure (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Lincoln Navigator have?
12 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Lincoln Navigator get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 Lincoln Navigator safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2018 Lincoln Navigator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Lincoln Navigator cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Lincoln Navigator have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Lincoln Navigator year is better than the 2018?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2004 drew the fewest (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works