2006 Lincoln Navigator: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 60 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (21% of complaints); the 2008 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Fuel gauge says zero miles to empty and will not take any gas more than a few gallons before kicking pump off. Gauge shows it's over heating but if you turn ignition off and turn right back on it resets and is fine. Codes come back saying nothing about fuel or cooling, but only something about speed control in the hub. Sounds like an electrical issue but no where to be found.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2022
“Takata inflators do not work in cold weather. Below a certain temperature the car begins to bounce uncontrollably. Makes for a dangerous situation when driving and this begins to ocurr.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 lincoln navigator. While driving various speeds, the air suspensions malfunctioned. The contact stated that the air suspensions were lowered to the point where the contact could not steer the vehicle or make sharp turns. Allen visual ford in monroe, georgia was made aware of the failure and replaced the air suspensions, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 lincoln navigator. While the vehicle was stopped, the contact smelled burning rubber and plastic. The contact noticed smoke and flames emerging from both the front driver and passenger sides. The fire department was not called and the contact extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to bayway lincoln (12333 gulf fwy, houston, tx 77034) where it was diagnosed that the fuel and brake lines had overheated and caught fire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 lincoln navigator. While the vehicle was stopped, the air bags inadvertently deployed without warning or impact. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2016
“In cold weather the cars air suspensions stops working and the car starts bouncing all over the place while driving. This to me is dangerous especially on when occurring on long trips. This is a common problem that I am seeing all over the internet.”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 lincoln navigator. While driving approximately 35 mph and attempting to change lanes, the left lane suddenly stopped and the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The passenger air bag deployed, but the driver side air bag did not deploy. There were no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the ann collision repair center who repaired the front end, radiator support, and the hood of the vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 177,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2016
“"clock spring recall" my air bag exploded when I started the vehicle and put it in drive. Vehicle filled with smoke, received gashes to my left arm and watch was blown off my wirst. Had car towed to ford dealer. They determined crack in wire on clock spring caused the air bag to explode . Ford recalled f150's and lincoln mark lt for the clock spring and paid for damages on a lincoln navigator that had the air bag explode just like my experience due to the clock spring. Refer to NHTSA id 10569242. Ford motor co has denied any help for damages.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
“Lincoln navigator vehicles equipped with 5.4l engines. The fuel rail cross-over hose may contain weak areas. As a result, the hose may crack, which could cause a fuel odor and/or fuel leak”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2016
“Suspension is making noises, and the running board is rusty and bolts came out or broke off, and there is a crack in it, had I not been holding on when I got out of car I would have falling. I had it check and the other side is rusty also and about to come off.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR AND REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GUIDE PLATE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LINCOLN AT 1-800-248-0186.
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT AND REAR TIRES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED AT THE CENTER TREAD DURING PRODUCTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT ALL FOUR TIRES (TO ENSURE INSPECTION OF THE LEFT HAND SIDE TIRES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN ROTATED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE) FOR TIRE TREAD DAMAGE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE DAMAGED TIRE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 13, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Navigator by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
NHTSA has 60 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Lincoln Navigator. The most complained-about area is suspension (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Lincoln Navigator problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 79,500 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Lincoln Navigator have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.