VehicleVerdict

2006 Lincoln Navigator problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 90 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.7 times the median Navigator year — the 2006 model ranks #8 of 31 Navigator years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (22), suspension (16), and electrical system (10), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

90

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

7

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

8

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Navigator years?

Navigator NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted240 complaints1997: 0 complaints1998: 240 complaints1999: 155 complaints2000: 137 complaints2001: 116 complaints2002: 48 complaints2003: 179 complaints2004: 119 complaints2005: 71 complaints2006: 90 complaints2007: 56 complaints2008: 40 complaints2009: 10 complaints2010: 22 complaints2011: 10 complaints2012: 15 complaints2013: 19 complaints2014: 25 complaints2015: 31 complaints2016: 33 complaints2017: 45 complaints2018: 64 complaints2019: 92 complaints2020: 33 complaints2021: 33 complaints2022: 33 complaints2023: 9 complaints2024: 28 complaints2025: 21 complaints2026: 0 complaints2027: 0 complaints
Navigator NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Navigator years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Lincoln Navigator problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2224%
Suspension1618%
Electrical System1011%
Transmission78%
Airbags67%
Fuel System67%
Tires & Wheels67%
Brakes56%
Speed Control44%
Steering33%
Body & Structure33%
Other22%

Does the 2006 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

05V519000TransmissionNovember 9, 2005 · 289 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE PARKING LOCK SYSTEM NOT TO ENGAGE, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION IS PLACED IN THE PARK ("P") POSITION. IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS NOT ENGAGED, THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ROLLAWAY CONDITION.

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.

05V520000Visibility & WipersNovember 9, 2005 · 199,942 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

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.

05V310000Tires & WheelsJuly 6, 2005 · 10,061 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

OVER TIME, THE DAMAGE MAY BE SUFFICIENT TO ALLOW BELT CORROSION ULTIMATELY LEADING TO A TREAD SEPARATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND FLAMES WERE NOTICED UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE EXPLODED FIVE TIMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 23, 2007 · crash · fire

“THE SUSPENSION ON THIS SUV IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS I HAVE REPLACED THE SUSPENSION AIRBAGS OH RINGS COMPRESSORS MULTIPLE TIMES AND EACH TIME IT TURNS COLD AND I LIVE IN ARIZONA THE CAR DROPS AND ON ABLE TO DRIVE IT DUE TO EXTREME VIOLENT SHAKING TO WEAR THE CAR SEEMS LIKE IT'S GOING TO ROLL OVER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · January 4, 2008

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START THE VEHICLE. AAA WAS CONTACTED FOR ASSISTANCE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE, THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR NOTICED ELECTRICAL SPARKS IN THE REAR FUSE PANEL. THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 9, 2018 · fire

“OUR 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR (WITH 14,500 MILES) THAT WE JUST BOUGHT TODAY WAS PARKED IN OUR SLOPING DRIVEWAY. MY HUSBAND AND I ALONG WITH OUR TWO KIDS - 4 YR OLD SON AND 22 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER JUST GOT INTO THE TRUCK TO GO SOMEWHERE AND I JUST TURNED ON THE CAR, PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 29, 2008 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. ON JULY 17, 2009, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 23 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE STEERING PULL TO THE RIGHT. SHE ATTEMPTED TO KEEP IT CENTERED AND THEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE INSTANTLY COLLAPSED AND SHE CRASHED INTO A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 17, 2009 · crash

2006 Lincoln Navigator — common questions

Is the 2006 Lincoln Navigator reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 90 complaints put the 2006 model at #8 of 31 Navigator years. It is one of the Navigator years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Navigator problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (22 complaints), suspension (16 complaints), electrical system (10 complaints).

Does the 2006 Lincoln Navigator have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Lincoln Navigator. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lincoln Navigator years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Navigator years to avoid are 1998, 2003, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2001, 2019, 2006, 2005, 2018, 2007. The cleanest record among Navigator years belongs to 2027.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.