general problems of the 2018 Lincoln Navigator

The vehicle has experienced repeated mechanical failures involving the engine, cooling system, drivetrain, and electronic systems. Documented failures include the navigation/apim module, transmission jerking and drivability issues, transmission valve body concerns, cam phaser failure, driveshaft repair, front wheel bearing/iwe failure, coolant leaks from heater core hoses, and engine vibration requiring extensive diagnostic work including a short block engine repair. The vehicle has also experienced multiple overheating incidents despite prior repairs. Overheating occurred in may 2025, December 2025, and February 2026. During these events the engine temperature rose abnormally and coolant had to be added to the reservoir. Drivetrain problems including transmission jerking, vibration, and driveshaft repair also created drivability concerns while operating the vehicle at highway speeds. These issues have been inspected and confirmed by an authorized Lincoln dealership service department. Numerous repairs and diagnostics have been performed including apim replacement, cam phaser repair, heater hose replacement, wheel bearing/iwe replacement, driveshaft repair, and engine diagnostic work approved through warranty processes. Symptoms prior to failures included overheating, vibration, excessive fan noise, whining while driving, and transmission jerking. The vehicle and components are available for inspection upon request. The repeated overheating events combined with drivetrain and engine failures raise concern that this vehicle may have an underlying safety-related defect that could result in sudden loss of power or engine failure while operating in traffic.

The back up camera will randomly black out. The steering wheel motor is broke and the steering wheel does not adjust. Needed a new air conditioner motor, timing chain, had a transmission leak, wheel axel leak. This is a safety hazard and caused a huge financial strain.

The moonroof drain hoses are not secured and is known problem with other Navigator and expedition owners. I became aware while troubleshooting why the liftgate would not open. The procedure to access the rear gate trunk module (rgtm) requires the removal of the 3rd row seats, c & d pillars and several cabin panels. After the removal of these items I noticed the insulation under the carpet and behind the panels were drenched. The reserve trim on my Navigator has very dense carpet and a backing that does not let the moisture evaporate over time. Rather, it retains water almost indefinitely. Upon removing these items and the front row kick panels, I discovered the water was 3” deep. Because of this leak, the water submerges numerous wiring harnesses throughout the cabin that affects nearly all computer modules. It is also the root cause of my liftgate not opening issue. Per the 2018 Lincoln Navigator/Ford expedition electrical manual, there is a splice of the vbatt always hot wire under the front drivers kick panels. Despite the factory shrink wrap, water penetrated this splice and corroded the copper wire resulting in an open circuit. I repaired the wiring and solved the liftgate issue. I also went thru the painstaking process of remediating the water damage. Of bigger concern, is the amount of corrosion on other wiring connectors and splices that is unknown at this time. I believe this defect is a safety hazard of unknown proportion given the various modules dependent on the submerged wiring. There is also a health concern of mold growing due to the carpet backing not permitting moisture to evaporate. On the cosmetic side, there visual water stains on all four sides of the headliner. When I reconnected the right rear failed drain hose, I secured it with a tie wrap. I believe Ford should take ownership if this defect and use tie wraps to secure all 4 drain hoses at no charge to mitigate the damage and health impact.

Today while driving with heated seats I felt a burn on my seat and had to pull over. The seat has some burn marks. As a former fire investigator this is a major safety issue and fire is imminent. Wont let me upload photo. Seat started to get to the point uf burning but stopped when I turned it and car off.

The camera with the water cleaner spray device, leaked water inside the led taillight, this is a hazard that can make a shortcut and damaged the tail light leds.

The side mirrors, which are power adjusted, either will not properly adjust to the same setting when they first fold out when you start the car, or they will start moving when you start driving. This happens nearly every time the car is started. I have talked to fellow Ford f-150 owners who have the same problem. This causes a serious safety concern, especially when they start adjusting as you start driving because then you cannot safely see any obstacles beside the car and the warning light if someone is beside you does not work effectively. If I start my car and go to back out of a parking spot or driveway and the mirror start adjusting so suddenly I'm looking at the pavement instead of what is beside me, you can see why that would pose a safety concern to myself and anybody who may be passing by.

The rear backup camera is not working when you put the vehicle in reverse. I was told it was an issue with the camera, they replaced the camera - which I paid for - and its still not working! then they said its not the camera - again, I paid for a new camera, and they still have not been able to fix my vehicle. Today is sept 22, they have had my car since sept 1!!!! they've had it 3 weeks and have not been able to fix it! I did some research and found that the 2020 and 2021 Lincoln aviators have this problem and have been recalled. Someone also needs to recall the Navigator cause its also having this problem! here is the recall info for the aviator: vehicles recalled: 2020 and 2021 Lincoln aviator the problem: the video feed from the backup camera might not display when the SUV is in reverse. The fix: dealerships will update the image processing module software, free of charge. How to contact the manufacturer: owners may contact Ford at 800-392-3673. Nhtsa campaign number: not available yet. The Ford reference number for this recall is 21c09.

Back liftgate opens randomenly. Dealer has replaced two parts involved and happened again yesterday. Seems to be when you shut one of the front doors firmly and lock the car w keyfob twice. I suspect the air pressure from shutting door and keyfob action cause this. But problem persists. Car was stationary every time.