Is the 2018 Lincoln NAVIGATOR reliable?

The 2018 Lincoln NAVIGATOR has 64 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Lincoln NAVIGATOR?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (17 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (11 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (8 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Lincoln NAVIGATOR?

Yes, there are 12 recall(s): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER, SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. Contact any Lincoln dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Lincoln NAVIGATOR?

The 2018 Lincoln NAVIGATOR gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Lincoln NAVIGATOR?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Lincoln NAVIGATOR is approximately $2,124/year (suv-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Lincoln NAVIGATOR

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Lincoln NAVIGATOR has 64 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.1x the segment average of 31. The most common issue is transmission problems (27% of all complaints), specifically: starting at 20,000 miles i started asking the dealer to check the transmission on my vehicle. very often the transmission shifts very hard to the point you hear and you feel like someone hit your car ( usually from 1st to 3rd gear ) and also when you shift it to reverse it slips. dealer keeps saying. There are 12 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

2.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

17 complaints

27%

• STARTING AT 20,000 MILES I STARTED ASKING THE DEALER TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION ON MY VEHICLE. VERY OFTEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD TO THE POINT YOU HEAR AND YOU FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HIT YOUR CAR ( USUALLY FROM 1ST TO 3RD GEAR ) AND ALSO WHEN YOU SHIFT IT TO REVERSE IT SLIPS. DEALER KEEPS SAYING
• The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while the vehicle was in park and the key was not in the ignition while opening the front driver side door the vehicle started moving forward independently and down a hill. The contact jumped into the seat and depressed the brake pedal in
• Transmission will randomly stop shifting or jolt. Poses a safety concern when you have to accelerate or slow down to merge, switch lanes, cross an intersection, etc. This is a common problem with this year and model that everyone is complaining about.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“STARTING AT 20,000 MILES I STARTED ASKING THE DEALER TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION ON MY VEHICLE. VERY OFTEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD TO THE POINT YOU HEAR AND YOU FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HIT YOUR CAR ( USUALLY FROM 1ST TO 3RD GEAR ) AND ALSO WHEN YOU SHIFT IT TO REVERSE IT SLIPS. DEALER KEEPS SAYING”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Lincoln NAVIGATOR

Based on 22 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 44K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

High-mileage issuemedian 72K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (12)

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP12/06/2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Expedition, F-150, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI V6 engines. These vehicles have high pressure fuel pump assemblies with welds that can fracture, which may cause an oil or fuel leak.

Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire.

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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S17.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Lincoln NAVIGATOR

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,087/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Lincoln NAVIGATOR

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,124

Full coverage / month

$177

Liability only / year

$688

vs US avg

+27%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-luxury)1.35x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2124

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Lincoln NAVIGATOR Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Complimentary maintenance for select models; check with your dealer for eligibility.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Lincoln New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

6 yr / 70K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

6 yr / 70K mi

These are the terms for a new Lincoln. If you're buying a used 2018 NAVIGATOR, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lincoln dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 64 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: STARTING AT 20,000 MILES I STARTED ASKING THE DEALER TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION ON MY VEHICLE. VERY OFTEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY HARD TO THE POINT YOU HEAR AND YOU FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HIT YOUR CAR ( USUALLY FROM 1ST TO 3RD GEAR ) AND ALSO WHEN YOU SHIFT IT TO REVERSE IT SLIPS. DEALER KEEPS SAYING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that there was a loud rattle, rough idle, and loss of power during acceleration after starting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that there was a cold start rattle on the eco-boost engine related to the cam ph
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 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 STAT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I OWN A 2018 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE AC STOPPED WORKING. I BROUGHT IT IN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT LINCOLN HAD A DRIED OF VEHICLES WHICH HAD THE WRONG REFRIGERANT PUT IN FROM THE FACTORY. TODAY IS THE 22ND STRAIGHT DAY WITHOUT MY TRUCK BECAUSE THERE ARE SUPPOSEDLY NO P
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 12 recalls have been completed — free at any Lincoln dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)