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ProblemsByVinFile / 2006-LINCOLN-NAVIGATORNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Lincoln
2006 Lincoln Navigator problems
The 2006 Lincoln Navigator has 60 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2006 Lincoln Navigator has 60 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 18 complaints, typically surfacing around 76,804 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2006 Navigator?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2006 Lincoln Navigator? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
engine — 18 owner reports
· tends to show around 76,804 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
suspension — 16 owner reports
· tends to show around 92,833 mi · ~$900 to fix
electrical — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 86,267 mi · ~$850 to fix
airbags — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 152,333 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 76,804 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2006 Navigator· engine
The Lincoln dealership broke 5 of my 8 spark plugs while trying to change them. I was told that I have to pay since this has happened. This is a known problem with Ford engines. Please reference the following link.…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Lincoln navigator. While driving approximately 65 MPH the "engine fail safe mode" warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. He applied pressure on the accelerator pedal, and received low vehicle power. He pulled to the side of the road…
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Lincoln navigator. The contact stated that while at a completed stop, another vehicle crashed into the rear end of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into the vehicle that was ahead. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained…
Had a problem with your 2006 Lincoln Navigator?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Certain passenger vehicles may have been built with an incorrectly manufactured automatic transmission parking pawl guide plate
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.
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
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.
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 Lincoln/mercury at 1-800-521-4140.
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
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 damaged tire. The recall began on july 13, 2005. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Common questions
Is the 2006 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Lincoln Navigator is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2006 Lincoln Navigator?
The 2006 Lincoln Navigator is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2006 Lincoln Navigator?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 18 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 76,804 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2006 Lincoln Navigator a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 60 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 76,804 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Lincoln Navigator?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 18 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 76,804 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 76,804 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Lincoln Navigator has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Lincoln Navigator?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 60 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Lincoln/Navigator.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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