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2006 Lincoln Navigator

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Lincoln Navigator do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 30.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

55 reports with mileage · 5 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Suspension. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports3 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

60 reports
60,000 miles · Sep 24, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

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 AS…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10476835

20,000 miles · Dec 18, 2011
Suspension

DROVE THE VEHICLE OFF ROAD, HIT A SEVERE POTHOLE, AIR RIDE SUSPENSION HAS CONSTANTLY FAILED AND FORD HAS NEVER REPAIRED IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440317

115,000 miles · Jul 6, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE WAS MISSING WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE OR PASS VEHICLES. DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN TRYING TO PASS ON HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATES. TOOK 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR IN FOR NEW SPARK PLUGS. DEALER SAID ALL 8 PLUGS BROKE OFF AND ONE DAMAGED THE HEAD AND NOW NEED NEW HEAD DUE TO BROKEN SPARK PLUG. COST WILL EXCEED $3,000. SPOKE WITH 6 L…

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ENGINE WAS MISSING WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE OR PASS VEHICLES. DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN TRYING TO PASS ON HIGHWAYS AND INTERSTATES. TOOK 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR IN FOR NEW SPARK PLUGS. DEALER SAID ALL 8 PLUGS BROKE OFF AND ONE DAMAGED THE HEAD AND NOW NEED NEW HEAD DUE TO BROKEN SPARK PLUG. COST WILL EXCEED $3,000. SPOKE WITH 6 LOCAL MECHANICS AND ALL AGREED THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR FORD'S FAULTY DESIGN? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10410692

60,000 miles · Mar 8, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, 60,000 MILES ON CAR. CAR SHUT DOWN AFTER GIVING AN ENGINE FAILED SAFETY MODE ERROR ON DASH WHILE ON FOUR LANE BUSY HIGHWAY TRAVELING 40-45 MPH. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD (NO BERM AVAILABLE). .. WAITED 5 MINUTES. RESTARTED CAR AND LIMPED INTO GARY YEOMAN FORD DEALER. I WAS TOLD THE THROTTLE CONTROL BODY & MO…

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2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, 60,000 MILES ON CAR. CAR SHUT DOWN AFTER GIVING AN ENGINE FAILED SAFETY MODE ERROR ON DASH WHILE ON FOUR LANE BUSY HIGHWAY TRAVELING 40-45 MPH. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD (NO BERM AVAILABLE). .. WAITED 5 MINUTES. RESTARTED CAR AND LIMPED INTO GARY YEOMAN FORD DEALER. I WAS TOLD THE THROTTLE CONTROL BODY & MOTOR ASY #3L3Z*9E926*A WAS BAD AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED ON THE CAR IN 2009. REPAIR BILL WAS $900 OUT OF POCKET. CHECKED ONLINE AND THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR FORD EXPEDITIONS & LINCOLN NAVIGATOR ENGINES AND YET FORD DOES NOTHING TO FIX. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE TO GET FORD TO REPAIR THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS? NOTHING MORE DANGEROUS THAN A CAR THAT SHUTS DOWN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386935

36,000 miles · Mar 2, 2011
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL CRANKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AND WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL CRANKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AND WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #10386177

79,000 miles · Feb 9, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE SHUT DOWN AT 45 MILES AN HOUR. FAIL-SAFE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. COASTED CAR TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AND TURNED KEY TO OFF POSITION. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED WITH NO OTHER PROBLEMS. THIS CAR HAS 79,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE NEW. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE THE CAR WAS NE…

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ENGINE SHUT DOWN AT 45 MILES AN HOUR. FAIL-SAFE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. COASTED CAR TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AND TURNED KEY TO OFF POSITION. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED WITH NO OTHER PROBLEMS. THIS CAR HAS 79,000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE NEW. THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. THE DEALER TOOK THE PROBLEM SERIOUSLY, BUT CAN NEVER FIND A PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMPUTER PROBLEM WITH THE FAIL-SAFE MODE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10381252

Mileage unknown · Jan 18, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 40-45 MPH WHEN THE SAFE ENGINE MODE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STALLED. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES REGARDING THE SIMILAR FAILURE. THE TECHNICI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 40-45 MPH WHEN THE SAFE ENGINE MODE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THEN THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STALLED. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES REGARDING THE SIMILAR FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM SOFTWARE AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AT A DIFFERENT TIME. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS. ALSO, MOST RECENT THE TEMPERATURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED DURING THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND A TROUBLE CODE WAS NOT DETECTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED IN WHICH THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10377058

132,000 miles · Jan 11, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel System, GasolineSuspension

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 AGA…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10376322

44,102 miles · Oct 22, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2006 NAVIGATOR WOULD KEEP MISFIRING EVEN AFTER COILS WERE REPLACED. DEALER FIRST REPORTS IT WAS A VALVE. AFTER INSPECTION VALVE WAS NOT THE PROBLEM BUT A BURNT HEAD WAS THE CAUSE. HEAD WENT TO OUTSIDE SHOP FOR REPAIR BUT THE SHOP SAYS NOW THAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE LOWER IN THE ENGINE. A NEW ENGINE IS BEING SUGGESTED BY THE DEALE…

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2006 NAVIGATOR WOULD KEEP MISFIRING EVEN AFTER COILS WERE REPLACED. DEALER FIRST REPORTS IT WAS A VALVE. AFTER INSPECTION VALVE WAS NOT THE PROBLEM BUT A BURNT HEAD WAS THE CAUSE. HEAD WENT TO OUTSIDE SHOP FOR REPAIR BUT THE SHOP SAYS NOW THAT THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE LOWER IN THE ENGINE. A NEW ENGINE IS BEING SUGGESTED BY THE DEALER BUT THE WARRANTY COMPANY MAY NOT PAY. CAR HAS 44000 MILES CURRENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361771

73,500 miles · Sep 24, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. FAIL SAFE MODE COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND SHUTS VEHICLE DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE AND ALSO EXACT SAME INCIDENT TO FRIEND IN DIFFERENT STATE WITH SAME 2006 NAVIGATOR. DECIDED TO REPORT AFTER I CALLED LINCOLN AND THEY HAD RECORD OF MY CALL IN DECEMBER 2009 AND JANUARY 2010 BUT NO RECORD OF THE WORK P…

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2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. FAIL SAFE MODE COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND SHUTS VEHICLE DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE AND ALSO EXACT SAME INCIDENT TO FRIEND IN DIFFERENT STATE WITH SAME 2006 NAVIGATOR. DECIDED TO REPORT AFTER I CALLED LINCOLN AND THEY HAD RECORD OF MY CALL IN DECEMBER 2009 AND JANUARY 2010 BUT NO RECORD OF THE WORK PERFORMED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM OR THE DANGEROUS INCIDENT. IT HAPPENED AGAIN SEPTEMBER 23, 2010 AFTER IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED BY CHANGING A SENSOR. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!! CAR SHUTS DOWN AND MY WIFE WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ON GOOGLE SEARCH OF "LINCOLN NAVIGATOR FAIL SAFE MODE PROBLEMS" THERE ARE 1380 RESULTS. GOES TO OVER 2500 WHEN 2006 IS REMOVED. DURING FIRST "FIX" FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED A SENSOR BUT THE DETAILS ARE NOT DOCUMENTED IN MY FILE ON THE FORD/LINCOLN COMPUTER SYSTEM. THIS COULD BE HOW FORD/LINCOLN IS AVOIDING A MAJOR RECALL FOR A EXTRAORDINARILY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10357309

Official recalls

3

05V519000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Nov 9, 2005

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

Consequence & remedy

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.

05V520000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Nov 9, 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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

05V310000 · Tires:tread/belt

Jul 6, 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.

Consequence & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.