The Lemon Index
2005
20072nd generation
Not enough data. Only 14 complaints in its first 3 years: too few to score.
Better years to buy
14 owner complaints, first 3 years 13 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2006 Lincoln Navigator
- Engine stalling11 complaintsmostly at 12,000–96,000 miles (19,000–154,000 km)
- Engine failure10 complaintsmostly at 60,000–101,000 miles (97,000–163,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Lincoln Navigator (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 13 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 05V519000 (transmission & drivetrain), 05V520000 (visibility) and 05V310000 (tires) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Lincoln sent dealers 34 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “A clunk/thump noise from the rear when the transmission is engaged or shifted, during a change…”?
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 14 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 1K to 32K miles (3K to 51K km) on the car (13 of all 14 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 34 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- A clunk/thump noise from the rear when the transmission is engaged or shifted, during a change…
- Clunk/grind/thump noise from rear of vehicle when transmission is shifted - vehicles built…
- Oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
- Visibility · recall issued 2005
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.
- Tires · recall issued 2005
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.
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. 2006 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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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2006 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-navigator/?y=2006" 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/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Lincoln Navigator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
There isn't enough data to score it: owners filed only 14 complaints in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2006 Lincoln Navigator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (36%), brakes (21%) and tires (21%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Lincoln Navigator have?
3 safety recalls (latest: visibility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Lincoln Navigator get?
13 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2006 Lincoln Navigator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 36% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Lincoln Navigator cost in fuel a year?
About $5,800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Lincoln Navigator have?
5.4L 8-cyl.
What Lincoln Navigator year is better than the 2006?
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