RoadVitals

2011 Lincoln Navigator Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Jun 24, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Lincoln Navigator, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes222.2%
  • Electrical222.2%
  • Powertrain (other)222.2%
  • Driver assistance111.1%
  • Engine111.1%
  • Visibility111.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11746145 · filed Jun 24, 2026

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 ID 10959122 · filed Mar 7, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WON'T ALWAYS GO UP AFTER PUTTING IT DOWN. WORKED BETTER, THOUGH IN VERY SMALL INCREMENTS, WHEN IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID 11058407 · filed Jan 3, 2018

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 ID 10934386 · filed Dec 10, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11388755 · filed Jan 18, 2021

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 ID 10957797 · filed Mar 1, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 10373229 · filed Dec 29, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 10959122 · filed Mar 7, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ID 11082436 · filed Apr 2, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .