2006 Lincoln Navigator Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 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
- Engine2225.6%
- Suspension1618.6%
- Electrical78.1%
- Airbags67.0%
- Driver assistance67.0%
- Fuel system67.0%
- Transmission55.8%
- Brakes55.8%
- Steering33.5%
- Body & structure33.5%
- Tires & wheels33.5%
- Powertrain (other)22.3%
- Other / unspecified22.3%
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FORWARD, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE VEHICLE STALLED. ADDITIONALLY, ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. (NORTH PARK LINCOLN LOCATED AT 9207 SAN PEDRO AVENUE, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78216) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,400.
I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH ON A TWO LANE ROAD AND MY NAVIGATOR JUST SHUT OFF. I LOOKED AT THE INSTRUMENTS AND IT SAID ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE. I PULLED OVER AS BEST I COULD AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED IT BACK ON. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY ABOUT 3 MINUTES AWAY FROM HOME. I READ THE MANUAL AND IT MENTIONED COOLANT. I CHECKED THE COOLANT BUT IT IS COMPLETELY FULL. I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND IT SEEMS AS IF THERE'S A FLAW. I'VE READ ABOUT HOW PEOPLE TAKE THEIR CARS IN AND HAVE DIFFERENT DIAGNOSIS AND THE ISSUE DOES NOT GET FIXED. I WILL BE TAKING MY VEHICLE IN TO FORD BUT I'M WORRIED THAT I'M GOING TO BE CHARGED A LOT OF MONEY AND IT MAY NOT EVEN REPAIR THE ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE WITH VEHICLES SHUTTING OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR EVEN AFTER I TAKE IT IN TO FORD. IF I'M ABLE TO I WILL UPLOAD MY BILL ONCE I SEE FORD.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAGS SHOCKS. *TR
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 SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE WITH THE SUSPENSION ON THIS VEHICLE LINCOLN NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS MISTAKE
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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 CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUSE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE WIRES WERE MELTED. THE FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAGS SHOCKS. *TR
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.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE CAR GAVE IN RAPID SUCCESSION A NUMBER OF WARNINGS AND THE CAR BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND SHIFT ERRATICALLY. ONE RELATED TO THE STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE OTHER WAS A "ETC ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE". AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR THE STABILITY CONTROL ERROR PERSISTED. THE DEALER REPLACED SENSOR ASSEMBLY 6L2Z*3C187*AA FOR ~ $1000 FOR THE PART AND LABOR + THE BATTERY AND INDICATED NO OTHER CODES WERE STORED RELATING TO THE FAIL SAFE WARNING. THE FAIL SAFE WARNING RETURNED A FEW WEEKS LATER AND THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE OR CAPTURE ANY CODES OVER A 2 DAY PERIOD. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT THE DEALER COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS. ANOTHER DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING, TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AS THE STEERING ALSO MALFUNCTIONED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
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 CHANGED THE GEAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE. AND THE NEXT THING I KNOW, THE TRUCK WAS ROLLING DOWN OUR SLOPING DRIVEWAY AND ROAD IN REVERSE AND I JUST DIDN'T KNOW WHY THAT WAS HAPPENING BECAUSE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I JUST KEPT PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND NOTHING WAS HAPPENING. SINCE IT WAS DOWNHILL, IT JUST KEPT GOING REALLY FAST AND EVEN PUTTING THE AUTO SHIFT BACK INTO PARK DIDN'T SLOW IT DOWN UNTIL IT SWERVED AND RAMMED IN REVERSE INTO A CITY FENCE WHICH IS WHAT HALTED THE VEHICLE. MY ENTIRE FAMILY IS COMPLETELY SHAKEN BY THIS. WE JUST CALLED THE POLICE, CALLED OUR INSURANCE, ETC. TRUCK HAS BEEN REMOVED BY CUTTING THE FENCE, ETC AND HAS BEEN TOWED. FURTHER INTERNET SEARCH HAS REVEALED (ON EDMUNDS) 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR BRAKE FAILURE. MY ENTIRE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THIS INCIDENT. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. ALSO, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT THE DEALER COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS. ANOTHER DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER STEERING, TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AS THE STEERING ALSO MALFUNCTIONED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 12,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PASSENGER STEPPED ON THE BRACKET TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND IT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE BRACKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
I AM HAVING CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. FOR A VEHICLE OF THIS QUALITY, I NEVER DREAM OF SO MANY PROBLEM. I HAD MY SUSPENSION SYSTEM FIX LAST YEAR AT THE DEALER. 1 YEAR HAS PASS NOW IT IS GONE OUT AGAIN. I HAD MY CATALYST CONVERTER FIX AT THE DEALER ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. 1 YEAR LATER THEY ARE GONE OUT AGAIN. NOW I AM RIDING AROUND WITH A BOUNCING NAVIGATOR AND A SLUGGIST RUNNING NAVIGATOR WITH PLENTY OF FUMES. I JUST DON'T HAVE THE FUNDS FOR CONTINUOUS REPAIRS FOR THE SAME SERVICE. DO THE MECHANICS KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING? I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE I HAVE RECEIVED. BOUNCING AROUND IN A 40,000 + VEHICLE IS EMBARRASSING. PLEASE HELP. I HAVE TO BUM A RIDE AT TIME. I HAVE TO TRAVEL , A LOT AND RENT A CAR. THIS IS GETTING OLD AND EXPENSIVE. THE DEALER WANT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY SAY IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY, EVENTHOUGH I HAVE PAID TO HAVE IT FIXED BEFORE. THIS IS NOT COSTUMER SERVICE. HELP! *TR
THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE VALVE CORE WAS COMING OUT (ALMOST COMPLETELY). IT WAS STICKING OUT SO FAR THAT I WAS UNABLE TO SCREW TIRE VALVE CAP ON COMPLETELY. BY SCREWING THE VALVE CAP TIGHTLY WOULD ACTUALLY CAUSE THE VALVE CORE TO BE PUSHED IN WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE AIR TO ESCAPE FROM THE TIRE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE TIRE VALVES WHICH HAVE THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR ATTACHED TO THEM. *TR
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAGS SHOCKS. *TR
2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR THE TRANSMISSION IS GOT PROBLEMS AND I FELL OF A RUNNING BOARD THAT WAS DEFECTIVE WAS HOSPITALIZED I ASKED DOWNY FORD IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TRANS THEY SAID NO AND REFUSED TO CHECK THE TRANS WHEN LAST SERVICED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL WAS BROKEN IN THE CENTER AND THE TIRE WAS DETACHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT INJURED HER RIGHT KNEE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR OWNED OR LEASED BY MY DAUGHTER/SON IN LAW ALMOST LOST LEFT REAR WHEEL ON JANUARY 27, 2008. UPON INSPECTION, LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS FOUND TO BE LOOSE. WHEN HUB CAP WAS REMOVED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT TWO OF THE THREADED WHEEL LUGS HAD BROKEN OFF WITH THE LUG NUTS STILL ON THE BROKEN PART OF THE STUDS. THE OTHER FOUR LUG NUTS WHERE LOOSE. THIS VEHICLE WAS CARRYING THREE BABY GIRLS (TRIPLETS) AND THEIR MOTHER AND FATHER WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS WITHIN A MINUTE OR SO OF LOOSING THE WHEEL. WITH POTENTIALLY DISASTROUS RESULTS. THE WHEEL STUDS SHOULD NEVER HAVE SEPARATED EVEN IF THEY WERE OVERTIGHTENED. THE THREADS SHOULD HAVE STRIPPED FIRST. WHEEL STUDS MAY HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE AND THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. *TR
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .