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 60 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Lincoln Navigator, and it carries 3 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 | 10 | 17% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 17% |
| Engine | 6 | 10% |
| Air bags | 3 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
| Structure | 2 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 3% |
| Tires | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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. Code
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
IT STARTS SHAKING THEN IT SAYS ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE AND THEN TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 WAR
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 E
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
A NOTIFICATION APPEARED ON THE SCREEN TO CHECK SUSPENSION WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT LEAST 65 MILES PER HOUR.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TAKATA INFLATORS DO NOT WORK IN COLD WEATHER. BELOW A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE THE CAR BEGINS TO BOUNCE UNCONTROLLABLY. MAKES FOR A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN DRIVING AND THIS BEGINS TO OCURR.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR SUSPENSIONS MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR SUSPENSIONS WERE LOWERED TO THE POINT WHERE THE CONTACT COULD NOT STEER THE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2006 Lincoln Navigator. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
Risk: 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, TH
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: 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. I
Fix: 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 LIN
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.
Risk: OVER TIME, THE DAMAGE MAY BE SUFFICIENT TO ALLOW BELT CORROSION ULTIMATELY LEADING TO A TREAD SEPARATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: 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
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | 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 60 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 10 of them (17%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) 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 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 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 58/100. 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.