RoadVitals

2005 Lincoln Navigator Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
48
Latest Apr 20, 2024
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Lincoln Navigator, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Suspension1218.2%
  • Engine1015.2%
  • Fuel system710.6%
  • Body & structure710.6%
  • Airbags69.1%
  • Driver assistance69.1%
  • Electrical57.6%
  • Transmission46.1%
  • Brakes34.5%
  • Tires & wheels34.5%
  • Visibility11.5%
  • Interior & seats11.5%
  • Powertrain (other)11.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE SPARK PLUGS ARE RECALL, MY LINCOLN HAS ONLY 68,000 MILES I PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 2005, NOW AIR SUSPENSION HAS PROBLEMS TOO HOW CAN I RECEIVE A REFUND ON THE RECALLS AFTER I PAID $1,800.00 IN REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID 10966267 · filed Mar 16, 2017

AIR SUSPENSION DOES NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER BELOW 45 DEGREES YOU LOOSE CONTROL AND BOUNCES HAVE OWNED CAR SINCE 2006 LIVED IN FL AND HAD NO PROBLEMS MOVED TO NY AND HAVE PROBLEM EVERY TIME TEMP DROPS BELOW 45 HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS FOR REPAIRS THAT DIDNT WORK CKECKED INTERNET AND FOUND OUT IT A PROBLEM WITH 2003-2006 AND NOBODY CAN FIX INCLUDING FORD

NHTSA ID 10948653 · filed Jan 31, 2017
All 12 reports naming suspension

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Fire inside of the motor, behind the engine computer. Upon researching recalls for Lincoln Navigators I found these other recalls online for possibly the same fire issue: "Ford has issued a recall for some of its 2021 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs due to a potential engine fire risk. Over 65,000 2021-year model vehicles manufactured between December 2020 and April 2021 have been affected." "We've discovered a vehicle safety issue in some 2021 model-year Lincoln Navigator® vehicles built from July 30, 2020 to August 31, 2021. Some of these vehicles have experienced an under-hood fire, even while parked and off."

NHTSA ID 11584238 · filed Apr 20, 2024

AS I WAS MERGING ON FREEWAY, I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FATALITIES SINCE IT WAS AT RUSH HOUR. AS I PULLED OVER, THE ENGINE WAS BUCKING BUT REGAINED POWER WITH SPORADIC BOUTS OF LOSS DURING MY DRIVE HOME. THERE WAS A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER ONE AND I REPLACED AND TESTED ALL RELATED COMPONENTS AND THEN FOUND OUT IT WAS THE CAM PHASER ISSUE THAT PLAGUES THE TRITON ENGINE. FROM READING OTHER COMMENTS FROM BOTH CONSUMER AND REPAIR SHOP OWNERS, IT IS SIMPLY A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT FROM WHO ELSE, THE FORD CORP. OF COURSE THEY BLAME THE OWNER FOR LACK OF MAINTENANCE.

NHTSA ID 11128843 · filed Sep 12, 2018
All 10 reports naming engine

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ENGINE STARTS TO KNOCK AN SHAKE VERY LOUDLY WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP FROM SIMPLY DRIVING 45MPH OR IT COMPLETELY LLOSES ALL POWER AS I'M DRIVING AN A LOUD POPPIG EXPLOSIONS COMING FROM THE EXHUAST AN THEY ARE LOUD ENOUGH WERE PEOPLE HEHHAVE PULLED UP NEXT TO ME TO LET ME KNOW AN AFRAID THE CAR MAY BLOW UP. AIR SUSPENSION DOSE NOT COME ON WHEN IT'S COLD AN DRIVES VERY POORLY AN MISLEADING TO OTHER DRIVERS AN LAW ENFORCEMENT SINCE I'VE BEEN PULLED OVER FOR POSSIBLE DUI BECAUSE THE CAR IS ALL OVER THE PLACE AN JUMPY. THE RADIO CUTS IN AN OUT AS I DRIVE, THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK. I'VE TAKEN IT TO 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS THEY ALL SAY THE SAME THING TAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE IT OUT. SO I TOOK IT TO GALPIN LINCOLN IN VAN NUYS, CA ON ROSCOE BLVD AN SEPULVEDA AN THEY JUST FOUND ONE FUEL INJECTOR NEEDING REPLACED AN WANTED ME TO $2,500 FOR LABOR ALONE TO COMPLETELY OPEN UP MY ENGINE AN SEE IF IT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE TIMING CHAIN AN REALINE THE CAMSHAFTS BUT THEY ARE NOT CERTAIN THAT'S ACTUALLY THE PROBLEM WITH MY NAVIGATOR BECAUSE THEY CAN COMPLETELY DO ALL THAT AN COME UP TO BE FINE AN BE SOMETHING ELSE BUT UNLESS I PAY $2,500 FOR LABOR TO JUST SEE IF IT IS AN HAVE THE CHANCE IT COULD NOT BE I STILL LOSE THOSE $2,500 BECAUSE IT'S A NON REFUNDABLE. WHERE AM I GOING TO COME UP WITH THAT KIND OF MONEY NOT ALONE WHY AM I HAVING TO PAY THAT FIRST TO SEE IF IT'S A MAYBE THE REASON OF ALL MY CAR PROBLEMS. HONESTLY THAT IS RIDICULOUS AN NOT GOING TO PAY THAT KIND OF MONEY ON A MAYBE ANSWER NOT A 100 PERCENT WE ARE SURE THAT'S THE PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO GIVE AN HEAVEN FORBID MY CAR DOES BLOW UP WITH MY SON'S IN THE CAR DRIVING IT JUST BECAUSE I NEEDED TO PAY THAT AMOUNT ON A MAYBE ANSWER IS UN CALLED FOR.

NHTSA ID 10808625 · filed Dec 6, 2015

HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES RECENTLY TWICE IN ONE WEEK.DRIVING AND MY TRUCK SHUTS OFF,STEERING LOCKS UP AND NO POWER.THE WARNING INDICATOR TELLS ME. "CHECK THROTTLE COMPUTER SYSTEM,I SHUT OFF TRUCK AND AFTER A COUPLE TIMES IT STARTS BACK UP... *TR

NHTSA ID 10693190 · filed Mar 10, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The drivers side door does not latch in the cold temperatures.

NHTSA ID 11448555 · filed Jan 23, 2022

THERE WASNT A RECALL ON MY AIRBAGS PER MY VIN NUMBER HOWEVER JUST YESTERDAYMY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE WHICH UPON IMPACT ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE DRIVER SIDE DIDNT. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER...

NHTSA ID 11190349 · filed Mar 20, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THERE WASNT A RECALL ON MY AIRBAGS PER MY VIN NUMBER HOWEVER JUST YESTERDAYMY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE WHICH UPON IMPACT ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE DRIVER SIDE DIDNT. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER...

NHTSA ID 11190349 · filed Mar 20, 2019

WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH IN THE LINCOLN, ANOTHER DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN ILLEGAL LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF THE NAVIGATOR RESULTING IN IMMEDIATE SEVERE COLLISION. THE FRONT IMPACT DESTROYED THE FRONT END OF THE LINCOLN, AND ALSO CAUSED IT TO SPIN 180 DEGRESS RESULTING IN A SECOND COLLISION WITH THE AT FAULT DRIVER. THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURY TO THE DRIVER.

NHTSA ID 11093345 · filed May 11, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES RECENTLY TWICE IN ONE WEEK.DRIVING AND MY TRUCK SHUTS OFF,STEERING LOCKS UP AND NO POWER.THE WARNING INDICATOR TELLS ME. "CHECK THROTTLE COMPUTER SYSTEM,I SHUT OFF TRUCK AND AFTER A COUPLE TIMES IT STARTS BACK UP... *TR

NHTSA ID 10693190 · filed Mar 10, 2015

I STARTED MY LINCOLN NAVIGATOR PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AS I PROCEEDED DRIVE 1/4 WAY,HAD TO STOP,BUT COULD NOT PUT THE VEHICLE IN ANY POSITION AFTER THAT,IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD,COULD NOT MOVE THE TRUCK FROM THAT POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10586708 · filed May 5, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Fire inside of the motor, behind the engine computer. Upon researching recalls for Lincoln Navigators I found these other recalls online for possibly the same fire issue: "Ford has issued a recall for some of its 2021 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs due to a potential engine fire risk. Over 65,000 2021-year model vehicles manufactured between December 2020 and April 2021 have been affected." "We've discovered a vehicle safety issue in some 2021 model-year Lincoln Navigator® vehicles built from July 30, 2020 to August 31, 2021. Some of these vehicles have experienced an under-hood fire, even while parked and off."

NHTSA ID 11584238 · filed Apr 20, 2024

MY 2005 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR HAS SUDDENLY STOPPED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT ONLY HAS 43K MILES. THE COMPUTER STATED TO CHECK ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO REPLACE THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. THEY WANTED $500+!! THE TRUCK HAS STOPPED WORKING SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY REFUSED TO PAY! THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS ON THE FREEWAY IN THE FAST LANE!! *TR

NHTSA ID 10267491 · filed May 1, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD NOT MOVE FROM THE PARK POSITION. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,126 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ID 10346161 · filed Jul 29, 2010

MY VEHICLE IS A 2005 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STALL WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THE MOTOR WAS RUNNING BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THIS IS VERY FRIGHTENING AS VEHICLES FOLLOWING CLOSELY ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN MY VEHICLE IS SLOWING DOWN BECAUSE THE BRAKES ARE NOT APPLIED. THE VEHICLE SLOWS RAPIDLY AND THERE IS NO WAY TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE PLACE OUT OF TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ID 10323279 · filed Apr 1, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THERE WASNT A RECALL ON MY AIRBAGS PER MY VIN NUMBER HOWEVER JUST YESTERDAYMY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE WHICH UPON IMPACT ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE DRIVER SIDE DIDNT. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER...

NHTSA ID 11190349 · filed Mar 20, 2019

2005 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR BRAKES SEEM TO GRAB WHEN DEPRESSING THE PEDAL. *TS THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. EACH TIM THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER THE ROTORS WERE MACHINED. IN ADDITION TO THE ROTOR PROBLEM THE BRAKES GRAB WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NM

NHTSA ID 10149783 · filed Feb 1, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN TIRES, LINE SIZE 255/70/R18. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRES CONTINUOUSLY FLATTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE TIRES HAD BEEN DISCONTINUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE TIRES WERE NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ID 10472826 · filed Aug 28, 2012

LTR FROM SENATOR HUTCHISON ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, RE PROBLEMS WITH HER 2005 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FRONT END VIBRATED CONSTANTLY. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRACK BAR AND CAD MOUNT BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE VIBRATING. THE SUNROOF LEAKED, THE CD CHANGER SCRATCHED THE CD'S, THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS REPAIRED 3 TIMES, THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR DIDN'T WORK, THE REMOTE START DID NOT WORK, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING, THE REAR WINDOWS WERE GRINDING, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, THE MIRROR WOULD NOT ADJUST AND THE WIPERS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER TWO YEARS OF BEING TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, IT FINALLY BROKE DOWN AND THE DEALER HAD TO PERFORM MAJOR ENGINE WORK. AFTER THE ENGINE WORK WAS COMPLETED THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO MAKE NOISE AND THERE WAS ALSO HESITATION PROBLEMS. *JB UPDATED 03/01/10.

NHTSA ID 10256728 · filed Jan 23, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

LTR FROM SENATOR HUTCHISON ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, RE PROBLEMS WITH HER 2005 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FRONT END VIBRATED CONSTANTLY. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRACK BAR AND CAD MOUNT BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE VIBRATING. THE SUNROOF LEAKED, THE CD CHANGER SCRATCHED THE CD'S, THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS REPAIRED 3 TIMES, THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR DIDN'T WORK, THE REMOTE START DID NOT WORK, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING, THE REAR WINDOWS WERE GRINDING, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, THE MIRROR WOULD NOT ADJUST AND THE WIPERS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER TWO YEARS OF BEING TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, IT FINALLY BROKE DOWN AND THE DEALER HAD TO PERFORM MAJOR ENGINE WORK. AFTER THE ENGINE WORK WAS COMPLETED THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO MAKE NOISE AND THERE WAS ALSO HESITATION PROBLEMS. *JB UPDATED 03/01/10.

NHTSA ID 10256728 · filed Jan 23, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

LTR FROM SENATOR HUTCHISON ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, RE PROBLEMS WITH HER 2005 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FRONT END VIBRATED CONSTANTLY. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRACK BAR AND CAD MOUNT BUSHINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO CORRECT THE VIBRATING. THE SUNROOF LEAKED, THE CD CHANGER SCRATCHED THE CD'S, THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS REPAIRED 3 TIMES, THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR DIDN'T WORK, THE REMOTE START DID NOT WORK, THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING, THE REAR WINDOWS WERE GRINDING, THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN, THE MIRROR WOULD NOT ADJUST AND THE WIPERS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER TWO YEARS OF BEING TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, IT FINALLY BROKE DOWN AND THE DEALER HAD TO PERFORM MAJOR ENGINE WORK. AFTER THE ENGINE WORK WAS COMPLETED THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO MAKE NOISE AND THERE WAS ALSO HESITATION PROBLEMS. *JB UPDATED 03/01/10.

NHTSA ID 10256728 · filed Jan 23, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I STARTED MY LINCOLN NAVIGATOR PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AS I PROCEEDED DRIVE 1/4 WAY,HAD TO STOP,BUT COULD NOT PUT THE VEHICLE IN ANY POSITION AFTER THAT,IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD,COULD NOT MOVE THE TRUCK FROM THAT POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10586708 · filed May 5, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .