Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 6 of 9 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
9 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 2026
Service BrakesCrash
On [XXX] during sunny, dry weather conditions I was travelling north bound on [XXX] at 25 mph, 4 to 5 car lengths behind the next driver. Driver ahead stopped for a crosswalk, I immediately braked and the anti-lock brake system erroneously engaged which did not allow the navigator to appropriately stop which caused a collision.…
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On [XXX] during sunny, dry weather conditions I was travelling north bound on [XXX] at 25 mph, 4 to 5 car lengths behind the next driver. Driver ahead stopped for a crosswalk, I immediately braked and the anti-lock brake system erroneously engaged which did not allow the navigator to appropriately stop which caused a collision. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11746145
84,000 miles · Jan 18, 2021
Power Train
JANUARY 4, 2021- WHILE CRUISING WITH MY FAMILY ON THE INTERSTATE AT A SPEED OF 75-80 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION RANDOMLY SHIFTED FROM 6TH GEAR TO 2ND OR FIRST GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID OUT OF CONTROL ACROSS BOTH LANES AND SPINNING THE MOTOR AT AN EXTREMELY HIGH RPM. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND I SHUT OFF THE KEY AND COASTED TO A …
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JANUARY 4, 2021- WHILE CRUISING WITH MY FAMILY ON THE INTERSTATE AT A SPEED OF 75-80 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION RANDOMLY SHIFTED FROM 6TH GEAR TO 2ND OR FIRST GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SKID OUT OF CONTROL ACROSS BOTH LANES AND SPINNING THE MOTOR AT AN EXTREMELY HIGH RPM. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND I SHUT OFF THE KEY AND COASTED TO A STOP. WE WERE LUCKY THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES IN OUR VICINITY. I STARTED IT UP AND VERY CAUTIOUSLY DROVE HOME. THERE WERE NO ENGINE LIGHTS DURING THE INCIDENT. THE MOTOR WAS/AND STILL IS VERY LOUD IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE INCIDENT. WHEN WE GOT HOME WE LOOKED INTO RECALLS AND TSB'S AND FOUND THAT OUR VEHICLE IS WITHIN THE 2011 TO 2013 RECALL YEARS. WHEN CHECKED BY THE FORD DEALER JAN 1/11/21, NO CHECK ENGINE CODES WERE FOUND. THEY CHECKED THE SOFTWARE AND REPORTED THAT THE MOST RECENT UPDATES ARE ALREADY INSTALLED IN OUR VEHICLE, BUT WE HAVE NO PROOF OF THAT. WE HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE BRINGING IT HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP. IF MY WIFE OR KIDS WERE DRIVING WE WOULD ALL BE DEAD. THIS QUOTE IS FROM NHTSA WEBSITE. "THE MOST RECENT UPDATE FROM FEBRUARY 2, 2019 OFFICE OF DEFECTS AND INVESTIGATIONS (ODI) WOULD CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (19V-075000) TO REMEDY THE DOWNSHIFT FAILURES ON ALL 2011-2013, F-150'S, EXPEDITIONS, AND NAVIGATORS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE VEHICLE MAY EXPERIENCE AN UNINTENDED LOSS OF TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SPEED CENSOR SIGNAL TO THE PCM POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN A TEMPORARY UNINTENDED DOWNSHIFT TO FIRST GEAR. FORD WILL REPROGRAM THE PCM WITH SOFTWARE THAT WILL PREVENT AN UNINTENDED DOWNSHIFT TO FIRST GEAR AND ILLUMINATE THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT IN THE EVENT OF AN INTERMITTENT OUTPUT SPEED CENSOR SIGNAL LOSS". WE CANNOT VERIFY THAT THESE UPDATES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN OUR VEHICLE (PUR AUG 2020) AS THE EVENT HAPPENED AND WE DID NOT GET ANY CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR CODES. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE!
NHTSA ODI #11388755
Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2018
Unknown Or Other
ODOMETER DISCREPANCY. 07/28/14. 86,987 09/12/18. 70,447 ACTUAL MILEAGE 73,220
NHTSA ODI #11143343
112,000 miles · Apr 2, 2018
Visibility/wiper
WHILE TRAVELING WITH A FULL LOAD AT 65 MPH ON I-95 SB IN MARYLAND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR VENT WINDOW EXPLODED INWARD INTO THE CABIN. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR, TEMP MID 40'S, NO DEFROSTERS WERE ON, NO TRAFFIC WAS PASSING US.
NHTSA ODI #11082436
Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2018
Electrical System
DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WON'T ALWAYS GO UP AFTER PUTTING IT DOWN. WORKED BETTER, THOUGH IN VERY SMALL INCREMENTS, WHEN IN MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #11058407
88,600 miles · Mar 7, 2017
EngineService Brakes
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT MY TRUCK IN GEAR, THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESENTED NO RESISTANCE, SUDDENLY THE E-BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, AND AN ERROR STATED LOW BRAKE FLUID. I ADDED BRAKE FLUID WHICH APPEARED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 20 MILES HOME, THE BRAKE ERROR RETURNED, AND THE FLUID WAS AGAIN LOW. I MADE AN APPT WITH THE…
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WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PUT MY TRUCK IN GEAR, THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESENTED NO RESISTANCE, SUDDENLY THE E-BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, AND AN ERROR STATED LOW BRAKE FLUID. I ADDED BRAKE FLUID WHICH APPEARED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 20 MILES HOME, THE BRAKE ERROR RETURNED, AND THE FLUID WAS AGAIN LOW. I MADE AN APPT WITH THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY THEY WERE OPEN, AGAIN ADDED BRAKE FLUID, AND DROVE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER. THEY CALLED ME 2 HOURS LATER TO TELL ME THE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID HAD BEEN SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE WAS BEYOND REPAIR AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE SERVICE TECH STARTED IT TO MOVE IT A SERVICE BAY, A LARGE AMOUNT OF WHITE SMOKE CAME OUT THE EXHAUSTED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN THE COURSE OF 24 HOURS AND THE TRUCK WAS DRIVEN LESS THAN 40 MILES FROM THE FIRST ERROR NOTIFICATION TO MY BEING INFORMED THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR DUE THE BRAKE FLUID LEAK.
NHTSA ODI #10959122
150,000 miles · Mar 1, 2017
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WHEELS WOULD SUDDENLY LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE WHEELS WOULD SUDDENLY LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE. ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. ...UPDATED 05/11/17 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10957797
6,000 miles · Dec 10, 2016
Electrical System
WHEN THE HEATING/COOLING IS IN AUTOMATIC MODE, THE FAN STOPS WORKING IF IT CALLS FOR HIGH SPEED OF THE FAN. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES IT MAY WORK AGAIN. I HAVE FOUND THAT BY TAKING IT OFF AUTOMATIC AND CONTROLLING THE FAN SPEED MANUALLY, THE SYSTEM IS MORE RELIABLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE 2011.
NHTSA ODI #10934386
300 miles · Dec 29, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2011 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 70 MPH AND WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, IT DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO STOP BY PLACING IT IN LOW GEAR AND REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TO…
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TL*THE CONTACT RENTED A 2011 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 70 MPH AND WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN, IT DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO STOP BY PLACING IT IN LOW GEAR AND REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO GIVE HIM ANY DETAILS AS IT WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE. THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 300. UPDATED 2/17/11 *CN UPDATED 04/27/11
NHTSA ODI #10373229
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
RQ17010 · Unexpected Transmission Downshift
Opened Dec 25, 2017 · Closed Oct 22, 2019
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident claims with no injuries. There are many instances where drivers report leaving their lane or the road because of this issue.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter, Ford Motor Company (Ford) responded with 783 unique reports related to the alleged problem. There were 6 accident claims with 3 injuries. Ford also submitted 1206 warranty claims related to transmission downshifting failures. The failure can occur at any time, but typically at higher speed, and include symptoms such as sudden transmission downshifting, loss of speedometer, erratic shifting of transmission, and transmission stuck in one gear. The failures typically occur without warning and may result in the rear wheels momentarily locking up. The driver often had to fully stop the vehicle and restart it to get the vehicle to shift properly.On February 2nd, 2019 Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (19V-075) to remedy transmission downshifting failures on all 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles. Ford will also offer extended warranties to 2011-2013 Expedition and Navigator vehicles with the same issue. Per Ford, some vehicles may experience an intermittent loss of Transmission Output Speed Sensor (OSS) signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), potentially resulting in a temporary unintended downshift into first gear. Ford will reprogram the PCM with software that will prevent an unintended downshift into first gear and illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Light in the event of an intermittent OSS signal loss.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident claims with no injuries. There are many instances where drivers report leaving their lane or the road because of this issue.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter, Ford Motor Company (Ford) responded with 783 unique reports related to the alleged problem. There were 6 accident claims with 3 injuries. Ford also submitted 1206 warranty claims related to transmission downshifting failures. The failure can occur at any time, but typically at higher speed, and include symptoms such as sudden transmission downshifting, loss of speedometer, erratic shifting of transmission, and transmission stuck in one gear. The failures typically occur without warning and may result in the rear wheels momentarily locking up. The driver often had to fully stop the vehicle and restart it to get the vehicle to shift properly.On February 2nd, 2019 Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (19V-075) to remedy transmission downshifting failures on all 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles. Ford will also offer extended warranties to 2011-2013 Expedition and Navigator vehicles with the same issue. Per Ford, some vehicles may experience an intermittent loss of Transmission Output Speed Sensor (OSS) signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), potentially resulting in a temporary unintended downshift into first gear. Ford will reprogram the PCM with software that will prevent an unintended downshift into first gear and illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Light in the event of an intermittent OSS signal loss.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident claims with no injuries. There are many instances where drivers report leaving their lane or the road because of this issue.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter, Ford Motor Company (Ford) responded with 783 unique reports related to the alleged problem. There were 6 accident claims with 3 injuries. Ford also submitted 1206 warranty claims related to transmission downshifting failures. The failure can occur at any time, but typically at higher speed, and include symptoms such as sudden transmission downshifting, loss of speedometer, erratic shifting of transmission, and transmission stuck in one gear. The failures typically occur without warning and may result in the rear wheels momentarily locking up. The driver often had to fully stop the vehicle and restart it to get the vehicle to shift properly.On February 2nd, 2019 Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (19V-075) to remedy transmission downshifting failures on all 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles. Ford will also offer extended warranties to 2011-2013 Expedition and Navigator vehicles with the same issue. Per Ford, some vehicles may experience an intermittent loss of Transmission Output Speed Sensor (OSS) signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), potentially resulting in a temporary unintended downshift into first gear. Ford will reprogram the PCM with software that will prevent an unintended downshift into first gear and illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Light in the event of an intermittent OSS signal loss.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.
2011 Lincoln Navigator Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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