What 68 owners told NHTSA about the 2019 Lincoln Navigator

I was driving my car about 30 miles an hour when my driver’s side seat belt suddenly locked down on me painfully. Also when that happened it sounded like a gunshot went off and it smelled like smoke. I did not hit anything or apply my brakes suddenly to cause the seat belt to engage.

NHTSA ODI 11748856

On Saturday, June 13th, 2026, while merging on to the I-10 freeway heading east, completly without warning, my transmission dropped completely out of gear cancelling acceleration and acted like I had put the transmission in neutral (I had NOT). This caused my vehicle to slow down abruptly with a large vehicle bearing down on me in my lane at freeway speeds (55+). The other vehicle was able to avoid me (just barely) so no accident occurred. I moved towards the side of the road but before I could bring my vehicle to a stop the transmission re-engaged with a violent "BANG" and I was able to accelerate once again. This is not the first time this has happened (transmission dropping out of gear). I have had the vehicle checked out by mechanics at a local Lincoln dealer who could not duplicate the occurrence. Until recently, I was not aware this problem was not unique to just my vehicle. I had thought it was a conflict with my speed control but at the time of this incident the speed control was not engaged. Apparently, this issue has been experienced by many 2019 Lincoln Navigator owners. It would appear a safety recall is in order so as to prevent an injury /deadly accident which could have easily happened to me and my family in this incident.

NHTSA ODI 11744182

Around mid XXX got into my vehicle I started it up my navigation screen was black and no music would play did not know why it was not working anymore so when I got home I reached out to Ford by email was texting back and forth they had me perform some steps said would bring the system back up that did not work so he wanted me to take it to dealer I did not because they want to charge around $200.00 to look at your vehicle I called Ford by phone as well as Lincoln inquired about recalls on 4-13-26 they also tried to troubleshoot the problem still nothing I spoke with Sandra, Tylor I even asked to speak with upper management about my issue Tylor said he would submit request but went on to say he do not think they would call me back and I also spoke with Dan from Lincoln Apps department they all directed me to the dealer no one offered to waive the for them to look at my vehicle to see what’s wrong and why the system just stopped working like that so have never had a vehicle where the radio just stopped working never happened and my navigation screen is black screen my husband did go and talk with a Ford dealer last week about my vehicle he did not have the vehicle with him put the person did say it what he was stating it seems that it may be a modular it it would run over $2,000 to fix it I’m not sure if my vehicle is involved in this recall 26C27 or 26V372 I feel I should not have to pay for the dealer to inspect my vehicle to see if it’s something wrong on their end thanks for the help in this matter [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11743645

The contact owns a 2019 Licoln Navigator. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the front driver and passengers seat belts retactators seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with failed front drivers and passenger seat belts retractor. The contact was informed that the front driver's and passenger's seat belt retractors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of an open recall assoicated with the contact's VIN, NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V344000 (Seat Belts) however the parts were unavailable. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately

NHTSA ODI 11741543

Our vehicle is part of a recall of the seatbelts and there is no remedy from the Ford motor company for this yet. Due to safety issues, I feel this needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

NHTSA ODI 11738060

The transmissions down shifts extremely hard, causing an abrupt wheel speed reduction. It starts doing this after you have driven the vehicle about 15 minutes....before that it operates correctly but once you hit 15 minutes of drive time, it is neck jolting! Driver and Passenger Mirrors have a mind of their own. They will be in position, you start backing out of a spot and they start moving until they get so out of place they start popping. This is dangerous due to possibility of running over someone or possibly hitting another vehicle. You have to put the vehicle in park, reset the mirrors, then start backing out again.

NHTSA ODI 11736388

Backup camera works intermittently. Only works ~20% of the time

NHTSA ODI 11734572

The vehicle is a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The component that failed is the transmission. The vehicle experienced a sudden transmission failure resulting in loss of normal drivability. The issue is currently available for inspection at the repair facility upon request. This failure created a safety concern due to loss of power, hesitation, and unreliable shifting, which can increase the risk of collision, particularly in traffic or during acceleration. The problem has been confirmed by the dealership and independent repair facilities. Multiple repair professionals indicated that this failure is consistent with a known issue addressed by a Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB), suggesting this is not an isolated incident. The vehicle has been inspected by the repair facility. The manufacturer has not directly inspected the vehicle to my knowledge. There were no significant prior warning indicators that would suggest imminent failure. Any symptoms prior to failure were minimal or not clearly indicative of a major transmission issue. Based on information from repair facilities, this appears to be a known defect pattern rather than normal wear or maintenance-related failure. The use of a TSB instead of a recall raises concerns that a broader safety-related defect may not be adequately addressed. This failure occurred after proper maintenance and outside any initial waiting period for warranty coverage. The issue appears systemic and warrants further investigation.

NHTSA ODI 11734261

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 81,183. The contact was informed by the warranty company, and based on a Carfax Report, the mileage was 97,000.

NHTSA ODI 11733564

While driving on highway on several occasions, transmission jumps out to neutral causing sudden loss of power specially when accelerating. This was rarely happening since 2022 but it started to get worse recently happening more than four times in 2026

NHTSA ODI 11730722

After 3 failed diagnoses with various vehicle repair shops that could not fix our problem, we took our 2019 Lincoln Navigator to the Phil Long Ford/Lincoln dealership 26 days ago. After expressing my concerns about our vehicle jerking into gear and intermittently losing accelerator power during driving, the dealership diagnosed it as a problem with the cam phasers. Upon picking up the vehicle and asking the CSR if a test drive had been done multiple times beforehand, we arrived, paid our bill, and took the vehicle for less than 30 seconds before realizing the same issue was persisting. My wife and child are the primary occupants at most times, and losing power on the highway and on side roads is most concerning. As of two weeks ago today, I was called by the CSR at Phil Long Ford to let me know that calls and reports were made to Lincoln specifically and that the General Managers would be pooling money together to find a resolution and eventually fix my vehicle. The CSR also said that by the following day (Tues), I would know about a resolution. 2 weeks later (today), I called and requested a manager call me to discuss the situation. No call was made. I also reached out to the CSR and was told that my case was still in a holding pattern. We have now had to rent a vehicle 3 times to help us get around, with no assistance from the dealership except for 2 out of the 26 days we've been without a vehicle. After doing more digging, there is a large class action lawsuit in motion that covers exactly what we are going through. As of 8 days ago, Ford's request to dismiss the suit was denied. We believe at this time there is gross negligence by Ford & Lincoln and have first hand accounts of how scary these vehicles can become while on the road. To top it off during my visit to the dealership this evening, the service manager gave me two options when asking about a possible loaner or rental vehicle: approve the repairs needed on my own dime or continue driving the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11729560

Issues with the 10R80 transmission, specifically concerning the CDF Clutch Drum. TSBs 24-2254 and 25-2429 are related to this problem.

NHTSA ODI 11726098

I started the car and the electronic dashboard was blank, giving me no information on my speed, gas etc. Luckily, the heads up display was working. This blank dashboard on startup has occurred about 6 times since I bought the car on 12th January, 2026. I took it to West Point Lincoln, Sugar Land on 2nd February, 2026 but they said they couldn't fix it because the dashboard was working whilst at their workshop because it didn't act up, and the system gave no error codes on the diagnostic machine

NHTSA ODI 11717722

Well, the problem is with the transmission. The transmission will lurch, and it also will go into neutral while you are driving down the road, the other thing with the suspension I had repaired. But it said the drive modes were disabled and kept on throwing. Check engine lights. Not to mention, I had to have the cam. Phasers fixed last year, that was another $5000 repair.

NHTSA ODI 11707775

I purchased this car used. The local lot did not disclose this well-documented history with the Navigator's transmission. I had recall work done a few months ago at an authorized Ford dealership. No warning. The vehicle stalls and pauses during acceleration (the engine does not die). This transmission issue is both dangerous and alarming, as I am unable to complete a pass. The car coasts in neutral (with traffic approaching/oncoming) during attempts to pass other vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11701074

complete loss of steering control while driving , after a turn or without a turn. It feels like the steering wheel completely disconnected from the wheel control.

NHTSA ODI 11693893

To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint regarding a serious and costly transmission issue with my 2019 Lincoln Navigator. At approximately 114,000 miles, the vehicle’s transmission failed and required a full rebuild. The total repair cost was around $8,000, which I had to pay out of pocket. When I brought the vehicle to the dealership for diagnosis and repair, the technicians expressed surprise that no recall had been issued, noting that they have seen this same transmission issue in other 2019 Lincoln Navigators. They acknowledged that this appears to be a known and recurring problem among vehicles of this make and model. Before the transmission failed completely, I experienced slipping gears, hesitation, and delayed acceleration, which posed a serious safety risk while driving. These symptoms could have easily caused loss of power or unexpected shifting at highway speeds or during traffic maneuvers, putting myself, my passengers, and others on the road in danger. Sudden power loss or gear malfunction in such situations could lead to an accident or loss of control. The repair process also left me without a vehicle for over three weeks, creating significant inconvenience and hardship. Given the high repair cost, the time without transportation, and the well-documented pattern of similar failures among this model, I believe this issue points to a defect in the transmission’s design or manufacturing. I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate this matter further to determine whether a recall or manufacturer reimbursement should be issued for affected owners. A recall or refund program would help address the substantial financial burden and potential safety hazards caused by this widespread transmission problem. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

NHTSA ODI 11692611

this recall is taking a long time to get fix and i don’t think this company is going anything to hurry up , and to be honest im not even feel safe to drive this car. the recall is been done for over 6 months allrdy

NHTSA ODI 11687096

I was driving the car at approximately 10 miles/hr (slowly accelerating after stopping at a traffic light), when I heard a loud bang / explosion. This was accompanied by a feeling like I had been struck in the chest. However, there was no collision to the car. I then realized that my seatbelt was tightly cinched and locked around my body, and it had caused the blow to my chest. I was able to pull off the road and stop the car, and I worked my way out of the seatbelt with difficulty by unclasping it. There was a smell of gunpowder in the air, but I confirmed that no collision or accident to my car had occurred. The skin on my chest and left neck were badly bruised by the seatbelt pretensioning. It is clear that the seatbelt pretensioning system inappropriately triggered while I was driving this vehicle. There is a known recall for this car's seat belt pretensioning system, and prior to this incident the restraint system error light was turning on and off since September 2024. I paid for a "repair" of this error, though it continued to occur. When I contacted the Lincoln dealership again, they stated that the part for this recall is not yet available. After this incident occurred, I had my vehicle towed to the Lincoln dealership and contacted Lincoln Customer Service. They again stated that they could not repair the seatbelt as the part is still not available. When this incident occurred, I was driving my 2 year-old daughter to preschool. I feel lucky that the seatbelt malfunction did not cause a car crash--the inappropriate triggering was shocking, caused bodily harm, and I was barely able to keep control of the car to pull aside safely.

NHTSA ODI 11682077

while driving in raid the wipers slowed drastically, like it wasn't connected well to the motor, then ultimately stopped. This made it difficult to see while driving and we can no longer drive in the rain until we can get it repaired. Dealer was unwilling to come remotely to inspect and repair.

NHTSA ODI 11681801

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that the passenger’s side seat belt had seized. The contact stated that the seat belt was inoperable and could not be used safely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and declined to provide a goodwill repair. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

NHTSA ODI 11680919

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V099000 (SEAT BELTS); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and allowing the engine to warm up, the contact attempted to buckle the seat belt and heard a loud pop and the seat belt started to retract with the contacts left arm in the seat belt harness. The contact stated that the Air Bags/SRS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the seat belt retractor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ODI 11671128

My husband (age [XXX] ) and I (age [XXX] ) were traveling on, he was driving, [XXX] in Atoka, OK on the evening of [XXX], when all of a sudden we heard a loud pop. It sounded like a gun shot. The sound was followed by a smoke smell. He held his composure and was able to pull over, and we learned that it was the seatbelt that was affected, and he had cinch marks on his shirt left by the seatbelt. We then realized the driver’s side seatbelt was “floppy” and wouldn’t retract back. I then called our local Ford dealership in Durant, OK to get it in asap and was informed to bring it in Monday, June 23, 2025. We drove the car home to Durant, OK which is approximately 30 minutes away on a very dangerous stretch of highway after the call. On Monday, I carefully drove it to the dealership to be repaired. I was informed later that day that they were able to repair one recall, the back up camera, but the seatbelt couldn’t be repaired due to a back order on the part (told by Kyle the service tech). I emailed Red River Ford service manager immediately after that and was sent an email back that had his phone number. I then called him, Rick Riley, and he told me that he’s showing that the part is actually not even available to get and couldn’t give me an estimated time. I asked if it was possible to get a loaner, this is my personal car and the only car that can hold my family of 6. We were leaving for vacation June 25 and had no way to get to the airport. I called Lincoln concierge to see if they could do anything to get me a loaner, and the representative was no help. She told me she was going to contact Red River Ford but never did; I had sent a message asking Rick Riley if he had been contacted, and he said no. We ended up paying for a driver to safely get us to DFW airport which cost $360. I’ve called Lincoln 2 more times now and keep getting told the part is on back order but no advice on getting a loaner or them buying back the car. I don’t know what else to do. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11671066

Purchased a 2019 Lincoln navigator in 2024 used at a dealership in Orange Park Florida. The vehicle was taken to the same dealership for an oil change, which is a Volkswagen dealership. I started to hear a loud shaking noise after starting it up. I took it to O’Reilly‘s auto parts and had to put on a machine and I also took it to Paul, Clark Ford and Yulee Florida. I was told by both that it was the cam phaser. The vehicle was also leaking coolant, and now the engine has completely blown in the vehicle. It has been sitting at a Lincoln dealership for three weeks with a blown engine due to the cam phaser Echt that was never addressed or corrected by Ford. The vehicle is just sitting. It’s now a boat anchor.

NHTSA ODI 11668674

All four of my windows open without prompting numerous times...

NHTSA ODI 11667238