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2023 Lincoln Navigator Reserve — shudder at light throttle around 40 mph

NorthMechanicish33Community StarterApr 7, 20262023 Lincoln Navigator ReserveNew York
2023 Lincoln Navigator Reserve, about 78,000 miles. I get a light shudder at steady throttle around 35–45 mph. If I accelerate harder or lift off, it goes away. Trying to figure out whether this sounds more like torque-converter behavior, engine misfire, or tires. I'm in New York. Trying to diagnose before I book a shop.
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17 replies

SmoothWeekend20Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 7, 2026permalink
I wouldn't throw parts yet. If a shop can't duplicate it on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator, bring a video plus freeze-frame data, not just a story. That's the branch I'd chase this week. Write the result down so the next test isn't a repeat of the last one. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
PistonTunerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 7, 2026permalink
Log the conditions before you spend. Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2023 Lincoln Navigator does it — then decide on parts. That's the branch I'd chase this week. On “shudder at light throttle around 40 mph,” that was the fork that mattered for me. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. Heat soak after errands is the other window.
TireDriverCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 7, 2026permalink
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. Get a real battery/charging test on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator, not just resting voltage, before blaming a module. Save the big job until that test fails. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. I'd rather pay for diagnosis than a second guess-repair.
TrackMom50Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 7, 2026permalink
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2023 Lincoln Navigator does it — then decide on parts. That's the branch I'd chase this week. Do that first. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
PistonTunerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 7, 2026permalink
Start with the test that can prove you wrong. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is losing coolant with no puddle. That's the branch I'd chase this week. This is from a 2023 Lincoln Navigator in New York with 78,000 miles. Post the numbers (or the code) and people can get more specific. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
TireDriverCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 8, 2026permalink
Yes, with one caveat: A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is losing coolant with no puddle. That's the branch I'd chase this week. On “shudder at light throttle around 40 mph,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Learned this the expensive way on a previous car. Climate here is different, so treat that as a local data point. Parking it somewhere I can hear it better next time.
TrackMom50Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 9, 2026permalink
Same neighborhood, different next step: Write temp, speed, and in-gear vs coast when the 2023 Lincoln Navigator does it — then decide on parts. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. This is from a 2023 Lincoln Navigator in New York with 78,000 miles. Stop there until you know. I keep a notes app thread for this now.
SmoothWeekend20Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 7, 2026permalink
This is usually cheaper to test than to guess. Swap the cheap/easy piece first on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator and see if the fault moves. You'll know quickly if you're on the wrong tree. Keep sale price, fees, and rate as three different conversations. Next check is the cheap one I can do in a driveway.
NorthMechanicish33Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 7, 2026permalink
I went back under the 2023 Lincoln Navigator and it only happens after a heat soak, not on a cold start. I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.
SmoothWeekend20Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 7, 2026permalink
If it were in my driveway, move a coil or plug on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator if it's cylinder-specific and see whether the code follows. Save the big job until that test fails. Write the result down so the next test isn't a repeat of the last one. I'd sleep better after that step, even if it finds nothing. Cold start is when I can actually reproduce it.
PistonTunerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 8, 2026permalink
Ask what changed right before it started. Loaded-suspension checks on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator catch play that a wheels-hanging inspection misses. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. That's coming from doing this as an owner, not a shop. Heat soak after errands is the other window.
NorthMechanicish33Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 8, 2026permalink
OP here — recorded a short video and noted speed, temp, and whether it was in gear. This is the version I'd tell a friend.
PistonTunerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 8, 2026permalink
Ask what changed right before it started. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is losing coolant with no puddle. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. I'd rather look cautious in this thread than stuck later.
TrackMom50Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 8, 2026permalink
I'd want a measurement, not a hunch. Capture voltage while the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is actually failing — after it restarts you've lost the clue. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. Do that first. I'll poke at it this weekend.
TireDriverCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 8, 2026permalink
Intermittent stuff lies if you only catch it once. A pressure test beats staring at a dry driveway if the 2023 Lincoln Navigator is losing coolant with no puddle. That's the branch I'd chase this week. On “shudder at light throttle around 40 mph,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Had a similar mess a couple years ago and that's what finally sorted it. Next check is the cheap one I can do in a driveway.
PistonTunerCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 8, 2026permalink
Start with the test that can prove you wrong. Two 2023 Lincoln Navigators can feel identical and have different causes, so measure before you copy someone else's repair. If the cheap test changes it, stop and reassess. If you share a photo of the worksheet, easier to sanity-check. If that fails I'll eat the diagnostic fee.
TrackMom50Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 8, 2026permalink
This is usually cheaper to test than to guess. Loaded-suspension checks on the 2023 Lincoln Navigator catch play that a wheels-hanging inspection misses. Don't erase codes until someone who can help has seen them. That's the whole play. Make the next action something you can finish this week. No warning lights, which is why I'm documenting it.
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