Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Lincoln Navigator, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 8 | 17% |
| Structure | 5 | 10% |
| Air bags | 4 | 8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 6% |
| Engine | 2 | 4% |
| Tires | 2 | 4% |
| Power train | 2 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The drivers side door does not latch in the cold temperatures.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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 P
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
2005 NAVIGATOR HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES, SPARK PLUGS DEFECTED, DEALER WANTS $1,500 TO $2,500 TO REPLACE THEM, WHICH IS DEFECT FROM MANUFACTURE. THESE SPARK PLUGS SHOULD BE REPLACED DUE TO DEFECTS FROM MANUFACTURE, AND THE R
NHTSA complaint: Engine
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 48 | below average |
| Depreciation | 36 | below average |
| Performance | 73 | good |
| Efficiency | 23 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 8 of them (17%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 61/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.