2021 Lincoln Navigator problems

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Transmission · CA

The transmission control assembly and park valve circuit failed, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly lose drive power and experience a momentary neutral-out condition while moving in traffic, which almost caused a rear-end collision. The vehicle also exhibits harsh gear engagement and severe transmission fluid leaks. The authorized Lincoln dealership inspected the vehicle and stated that the transmission cannot be repaired and must be completely replaced due to the severity of the internal hardware failure (CDF cylinder and park system defect). However, because the dealership refused to accept any responsibility for this defect—even failing to address the active fluid leak—I had to take the vehicle back from them so I can show it to independent transmission shops for secondary inspections. Furthermore, I previously took the vehicle to the dealership back in January for this exact same transmission issue. At that time, before the official safety recall was issued, the dealership performed a repair. However, that repair completely failed, the exact same symptoms and codes have returned, and now the dealer is telling me the entire transmission must be replaced. Both Lincoln Corporate and the dealership refuse to help, stating they only check the vehicle strictly by its VIN. This defect completely matches Ford/Lincoln Safety Recall 26S48 (the federal safety agency Campaign 26V402) and codes DTC P07E6 and P2237, but the manufacturer omitted my VIN despite it having the exact same failure and requiring a total transmission replacement.

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · CA

My husband secured our infant into the car seat and attached the seat to the base installed in the car. He then drove our child. When he removed the car seat it was discovered the right side of the seat (when facing) was not clicked in and could be lifted up. When he removed the seat he noticed the clip on the inside of the shell, that connects to the base, was completely missing meaning he had been driving our child only partially secured. When we turned the car seat to take a picture the retractable clip on the outside of the same portion fell out. We just got this car seat in XXX (new) and have only used it since our son was born at XXX. He is [XXX] old and well below the weight limits. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 29, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · IL

I am reporting a serious intermittent transmission and loss-of-propulsion problem with my 2021 Lincoln Navigator, VIN 5LMJJ3LT6MEL05416. While driving, including at highway speeds, the transmission will unpredictably behave as though it has shifted into Neutral even though the vehicle remains in Drive. When I press the accelerator, the engine responds, but the vehicle temporarily has little or no propulsion. The transmission may then suddenly re-engage and slam or bang forcefully back into gear. This can also happen under very light throttle. I may gently press the accelerator expecting normal acceleration, but instead the vehicle acts as though it is in Neutral before suddenly engaging again. The condition is intermittent and cannot be reliably reproduced on demand, which makes it especially dangerous and unpredictable. I am concerned about losing propulsion while merging, passing, entering traffic, or attempting to accelerate away from another vehicle at highway speeds. The vehicle has previously had transmission adaptive learning/reset procedures performed, but the problem continues. I am aware that Ford/Lincoln has issued technical service information addressing momentary neutral-out, delayed engagement, harsh engagement, and other 10R80 transmission concerns on this generation of Navigator. I am also aware of Ford recall 26S48 / the federal safety agency recall 26V402 involving certain 2018–2021 Lincoln Navigators. I am not claiming that the recall is definitively the cause of my specific condition, but I believe this intermittent loss of propulsion presents a serious safety concern that should be investigated. I am requesting that the federal safety agency document and investigate this loss-of-propulsion / neutral-out condition because the vehicle can unexpectedly fail to accelerate and then violently re-engage the transmission while in motion.

Filed Aug 2, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · IL · crash

My screen intermittently goes black, I have had it repaired/ updated once prior and it still does this..as a result I backed into a mailbox. It was very dark and I couldn’t see out of my windows.

Filed Jul 9, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · MA

I purchased this 2021 Lincoln Navigator L Black Label used on March 22, 2024 with approximately 42,726mi. Beginning around Sept. 2025 (approximately 70,000-75,000 miles), the vehicle developed intermittent transmission failures that have progressively worsened. This is our primary family vehicle and routinely transports our three young children. The transmission hesitates, slips, skips gears, bangs into gear, and frequently delays engagement before suddenly surging forward. Engine RPM increases without corresponding acceleration. Occupants are abruptly thrown forward and backward during normal driving. Several times each month, a yellow wrench/powertrain warning appears instructing the driver to see the owner’s manual. When this occurs, the vehicle loses normal acceleration and throttle response becomes significantly delayed. The defect is intermittent and unpredictable. The condition creates dangerous situations when merging, entering intersections, accelerating from traffic lights, and in stop-and-go traffic. On one occasion, after stopping on an incline, the vehicle would not accelerate and effectively became disabled in traffic. We activated our hazard flashers while vehicles drove around us. The hesitation followed by sudden engagement also creates a rear-end collision risk. I first brought the vehicle to an independent repair shop, but the concern was dismissed. On 6/22/2026, Herb Chambers Lincoln of Norwood road tested the vehicle, confirmed the complaint, and documented that the “transmission is skipping and banging into gears” and recommended complete transmission replacement. The estimated repair cost was approximately $12,560. The vehicle remains unsafe to drive due to repeated loss of propulsion, delayed acceleration, violent shifting, and dealer-confirmed transmission failure. I respectfully request the federal safety agency investigate whether this represents a broader safety defect affecting Ford/Lincoln vehicles equipped with the 10-speed automatic transmission.

Filed Jul 2, 2026 · Fuel system · 70,300 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that vehicle failed to accelerate as needed due to a lack of fuel going to the engine. The contact stated that that the engine seized with the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure mileage was approximately 70,300.

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Fuel system · FL

The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Jun 30, 2026 · Fuel system · IL

The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the recall was initiated for more than a year; however, the part to do the recall repair was still unavailable. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Filed Mar 13, 2026 · Lights · IL

The rear light bar develops leaks and can make the rear lighing go out. Dealer was made aware and states it's no longer a covered item.

Filed Feb 10, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · TX

While driving, the vehicle repeatedly hesitated during gear changes, lost power, and then abruptly jerked back into gear. This occurred intermittently for over a month without any warning messages, creating unpredictable and unsafe driving conditions. As the issue worsened, the vehicle began losing power more frequently. The most serious event occurred at highway speed, where the vehicle suddenly lost propulsion in the middle of active traffic, nearly causing a stall. This created an immediate safety hazard for myself and surrounding drivers. After several seconds, the vehicle violently re-engaged into gear and surged forward. Only at this point did the vehicle display a warning: “Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power.” I scanned the vehicle and retrieved DTC P0734 – Gear 4 Incorrect Ratio, a code associated with internal transmission faults. A dealership inspected the vehicle and reported that the CDF drum had failed. They stated they could not guarantee that replacing the drum would resolve all issues and provided two estimates: $5,600 for a partial internal repair/$8,700 for full transmission replacement. The 10R80 transmission has a documented history of failures, including harsh shifting, slipping, unexpected gear disengagement, and internal component defects. These issues are addressed in multiple Ford Technical Service Bulletins involving P0734, harsh/failed shifts, and failures related to the CDF clutch cylinder/drum. Many vehicles of the same make and model are covered under related recalls or service actions for similar problems; however, my VIN is not included, and Lincoln declined to honor the existing recall. This defect presents a serious safety risk due to: Sudden loss of power while driving, including at highway speeds, Unpredictable re-engagement and violent surging, Loss of propulsion without warning, leading to near-stall conditions. This powertrain malfunction is a known, unsafe, repeat issue among these vehicles equipped w/this transmission.