Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Lincoln Navigator powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Lincoln Navigator have filed 5 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Navigator | 5 |
| 2013 Navigator | 6 |
| 2014 Navigator | 7 |
| 2015 Navigator (this page) | 5 |
| 2018 Navigator | 16 |
| 2019 Navigator | 19 |
When does it fail?
Of the 5 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 Lincoln Navigator, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper, achieving proper torque of the crankshaft pulley bolt is critical. Incorrect torque may allow the bolt to loosen resulting in the timing gear breaking and engine damage. Replacement of the bolt is critical to the repair and accurately following the installation procedure in the Workshop Manual (WSM) Section, 303-01 is extremely important. The bolt torque procedure can be found in the crankshaft front seal removal and installation procedure or in the engine assembly procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (IWE). To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure to remove and cap the vacuum supply line or to reprogram the transfer case control module (TCCM) and replace any worn vacuum and/or IWE components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2020 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. This may be due to small debris causing the VCT solenoid to stick. Before attempting any component diagnosis or replacement of the VCT solenoid, refer to Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) pinpoint test HK11 to cycle the affected VCT solenoid 10 times to attempt to clear the debris. For claiming, use causal part 6M280 and applicable labor operations in Section 10 of the Service Labor Time Standards (SLTS) Manual.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2013-2018 F-150/Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with four wheel drive (4WD) may exhibit an intermittent grinding noise while driving in two wheel drive (2WD) mode most commonly on acceleration. This may be due to a loss of vacuum to the integrated wheel end (IWE) actuators and/or wear of the IWE components. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the worn vacuum and/or IWE components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Our 2015 Lincoln Navigator suddenly down shifts when driving which is a significant safety issue. Ford knows of the defects with the transmission in this model. They have issued recalls for the same transmission in other models, just not yet in the Navigator. They do not want to damage reputation to there Lincoln/Navigator line. Long Lewis Ford Dealership in Muscle Shoals, AL, has inspected it…
A few months ago, around 65,000 miles, I was driving on the highway when I noticed a loss of power as I was trying to accelerate. At that same time, the check engine icon started flashing. I was unable to accelerate until the check engine icon stopped flashing. Everything went back to normal and I didn't experience this problem again for a couple of months. This would occasionally happen whenever…
MY 2015 Lincoln Navigator suddenly down shifts when driving. I was on the highway driving 65 MPH when I had to pull off onto the edge of the highway at night in CHICAGO. This is very scary and a significant safety issue. Ford knows of the defects with the transmission in this model. They have issued recalls for the same transmission in other models, just not the Navigator yet. This needs a…
While driving on a busy road the vehicle lost all power. There were 3 children in car seats at the time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic test and repair. A few days later the vehicle lost power again, while driving on a very busy road. This was a very dangerous situation. It was returned to dealer, this time they replaced the throttle body. This happened on may 10th, and may…
When in park, vehicle fails to stay parked in some instances. For example, SUV has rolled forward (while in park): when parking on an incline or while unloading items from trunk, resting against bumper caused it to roll ahead and hit closed garage door in the garage, or when leaning on the SUV body outside vehicle it can disengage from park and start moving while shifter stays in P position.…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 Lincoln Navigator?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2015 Lincoln Navigator?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 66,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Lincoln/Navigator.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.