The car rattles very loudly upon starting every time it is started. I have lost acceleration power while driving through intersections. I took to dealership and it is confirmed it is the cam phasers. No lights have come on in dash.
2018 Lincoln Navigator engine problems
moderate 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 6 engine complaints filed for the 2018 Lincoln Navigator, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Among the 9 model years of Lincoln Navigator in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact received notification of Manufacturer Recall Number: 21B10 (CAM Phaser PCM Reprogram). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer performed the recall repair. After the recall repair, the engine was rattling during start-up. The contact then received notification of Manufacturer Recall Number: 21N03 (CAM Phaser…
The contact owns a 2018 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered and made abnormal rattling and knocking sounds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was a design failure and was caused by oil not being pumped up to the timing chain properly. The contact stated that he received an unknown…
Had engine trouble with your 2018 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 engine problem on the 2018 Lincoln Navigator?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 43,729 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2018/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.