LincolnNavigator2018Overview/lincoln/navigator/2018/base/

2018 Lincoln Navigator

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Navigator.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S10)

The 2018 Lincoln Navigator is a full‑size SUV that employs a 6.0‑quart oil capacity and 5W‑30 viscosity for its power train. It is paired with an Automatic (S10) transmission and achieves EPA‑rated 16 city/23 highway/19 combined miles per gallon. In its model‑year history the 2018 version records 49 owner complaints and ten recalls, a figure that falls well below the 209 complaints logged in 1998 and is close to the six complaints recorded in 2023. Consequently, the 2018 model year reflects lower complaint counts than earlier model years.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque150 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 750 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 750 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnPWMOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S10)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length209.8 in
Overall width79.9 in
Overall height76.4 in
Wheelbase122.4 in
Curb weight5855 lb
Track (front / rear)67.7 / 67.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Navigator of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.4–6.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 2018 Reserve
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018Reserve 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.40 sec14.00 sec450 hp4x4
2018L Black Label 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.50 sec14.20 sec450 hp4x4
2018Black Label 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.50 sec450 hp4x4
2018Reserve 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.50 sec450 hp4x4
2018Black Label 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.80 sec15.20 sec450 hp4x4
2020Black Label 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.50 sec450 hp4x4
2020Black Label 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.50 sec450 hp4x4
2021Black Label 3.5L Twin-Turbo V65.20 sec13.80 sec450 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, Synthetic · 75W-85 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 150 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13.1
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · 75W-85
Engine Coolant Capacity18.0-18.5
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Power Steering FluidEPS
Transfer Case FluidSAE 75W

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)Stage 1: 30 lb.ft
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)14.75 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts59.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts150 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub20.0
Rear Wheel Hub184.0
Rear Wheel Hub184.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.030 in
Spark Plug Torque11 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity2.31 lbs
Oil TypeYN-35
Oil Capacity6.00-6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance750 cca
Standard BCI Group Number49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance850 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum44.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum73.0 psi
RPM44.0-73.0 rpm

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 27; Rear: 26
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 184; Rear: 258
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.260; Rear: .886
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
171.0 inch lbs.71 in
245.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
117.0 ft. lbs.17 ft. lbs
232.0 ft. lbs.32 ft. lbs
390.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: 6037 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Cap bolts

124.0 ft. lbs.24 ft. lbs
2135.0 degrees; Side bolts135 degrees
133.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
290.0

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 model year represents a sharp inflection point in the Navigator's federal record, with complaint volume jumping to 50 from 30 in 2017 and recalls doubling from 5 to 10, while 2019 would see complaints climb further to 69. This year marks the beginning of an escalation trend that peaked in 2019-2022 with sustained high recall activity (8-14 annually) and elevated complaints compared to the 2015-2017 baseline. The 2018 data shows 3 fire-related complaints and 0 crash complaints, with Power Train issues cited most frequently (11), though the specific root causes remain unspecified in the federal record. Relative to the generation's later years, 2018 sits at the onset of heightened regulatory activity but before the peak recall volumes seen in 2020-2022. While not the worst year in the generation, the significant year-over-year increases in both complaints and recalls suggest 2018 carries elevated risk compared to 2015-2017 models, making it a cautious buy that requires thorough pre-purchase verification of recall completion status.

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
163
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
49
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 49 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train11
Unknown Or Other6
Engine5
Steering3
Back Over Prevention3
Seat Belts2
Power Train,Engine2
Seats1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V392000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 12/06/2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Expedition, F-150, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI V6 engines. These vehicles have high pressure fuel pump assemblies with welds that can… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump and associated components, free of charge. The recall began July 17, 2018. Owners may contact Ford…

18V805000Seats:Mid/Rear AssemblyReported 14/11/2018

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Expedition vehicles. The second row center seat track assemblies may be missing one or both of the J-Channel reinforcement brackets… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the second row center seat for any missing J-channel reinforcement brackets, replacing the center seat frame assembly as…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 163 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 26-20012026-02-06Unknown Or OtherSome of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit a broken floor…
SSM 543662025-11-11Power TrainSome 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic…
TSB 25-24762025-10-30Power TrainThis bulletin supersedes TSB 25-2132. Reason for update: update the Part List Description…
SSM 536612025-04-23Unknown Or OtherSome 2018-2024 Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with 22 inch wheels, may exhibit an…
TSB 25-21322025-04-17Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin supersedes TSB 25-2023. Reason for update: update the Part List and Service…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Navigator. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2018 Navigator take?

6.0 qt of 5W-30 Meeting Ford specification WSS-M2C946-A or equivalent., per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 Navigator have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Navigator get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.