The Lemon Index
200420062nd generation
Not enough data. Only 16 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
Better years to buy
16 owner complaints, first 3 years 13 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Cadillac Escalade2005 Volvo XC90 1202005 BMW X5
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
Only 12 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Lincoln sent dealers 84 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Air suspension performance - height sensor linkage arm disengaging”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lincoln's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 16 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 55K miles (6K to 90K km) on the car (12 of all 16 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 84 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Air suspension performance - height sensor linkage arm disengaging
- Axle seal leaks
- Grinding noise from front axle wheel hubs on acceleration in 2wd - service tip
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Lincoln Navigator recall, all years · All Lincoln recalls
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $5,800 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.4L 8-cyl.
Every Lincoln Navigator year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-navigator/?y=2005" title="Lincoln Navigator reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lincoln-navigator/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Lincoln Navigator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 16 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2005 Lincoln Navigator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (19%), fuel system, gasoline (19%) and airbags (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Lincoln Navigator have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Lincoln Navigator get?
13 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2005 Lincoln Navigator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Lincoln Navigator cost in fuel a year?
About $5,800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Lincoln Navigator have?
5.4L 8-cyl.
What Lincoln Navigator year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2004 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works