AIR SUSPENSION PERFORMANCE - HEIGHT SENSOR LINKAGE ARM DISENGAGING.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Lincoln Navigator suspension problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 16 suspension complaints filed for the 2006 Lincoln Navigator, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Suspension accounts for 27% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Navigator's air suspension system is the core complaint across these 16 reports. Owners describe the suspension repeatedly dropping out, losing pressure, and bottoming the vehicle—sometimes mid-drive, sometimes stranding them. One owner was in the shop 7–10 times over two years for the same issue despite replacing the control module three times, ride height sensors, and an air compressor. Another replaced the compressor for $900 and got one week of function before the problem returned.
Cold weather triggers a separate but related failure: violent bouncing that makes the vehicle unsafe on highways. Owners in Arizona and Michigan report this seasonal pattern; several mention it's a known internet issue and suspect faulty O-rings. Dealers have replaced airbags, O-rings, and compressors without stopping the bounces when temperatures drop.
Diagnostically, dealers and Ford field reps report computer systems show nothing wrong—a recurring dead-end. One owner alleges a dealer claimed Ford weighed recall costs against injury risk and declined action.
Two owners also report motorized running board hardware separating mid-drive—bolts breaking, rust, brackets failing—creating road-hazard risk.
One report notes an abnormal cranking noise from the front end at low speeds that a dealer couldn't diagnose, and another flags a suspension warning on the instrument cluster during highway driving.
Same Lincoln Navigator suspension reports on nearby years: 2005
Failure modes owners describe
Air suspension collapse and loss of ride height
The air suspension system loses pressure and drops the vehicle to the ground or near-ground level, making the vehicle undrivable or extremely difficult to steer and control.
When: Chronic issue occurring repeatedly; reported as early as 2010 for some owners; triggered or worsened in cold weather for several owners
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle bottoms out or drops suddenly; Unable to steer or make sharp turns; Vehicle breaks down while driving; Loss of suspension height detected
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report repeated replacement of suspension airbags, compressors, control modules, and ride height sensors; costs cited include $900 for air compressor replacement, $700 temporary repair, and cumulative bills exceeding $4,000; repairs failed to resolve the issue—failures recurred within days to months
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford field representative inspected vehicles and found no fault; dealers reported computer diagnostics showed nothing wrong; no recall issued despite multiple shop visits (7–10 times for some owners); one dealer banned a customer from returning for further service
Cold-weather air suspension malfunction (bouncing)
The air suspension system fails to function in cold temperatures, causing the vehicle to bounce or oscillate violently, making it unsafe to drive, especially on highways.
When: Occurs specifically when temperatures drop below a certain threshold; reported as consistent seasonal pattern during winter or cold-weather trips
Symptoms owners cite: Uncontrollable bouncing while driving; Violent shaking; Suspension bottoms out in cold weather; Traction control fails when suspension is out
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite replacement of O-rings, airbags, and compressors without lasting effect; one owner had all suspension parts changed but bouncing resumed on first cold day; another owner replaced compressor for $900 with temporary success
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall; dealers unable to diagnose under cold-weather conditions; one owner reports being told that Ford weighed the cost of admitting the issue against the cost of recalls
Abnormal cranking noise from front end at low speeds
The front end produces abnormal cranking or popping noises when accelerating or braking at low speeds.
When: At approximately 36,000 miles; occurs during acceleration or braking at low speeds (around 10 mph)
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal cranking noise from front end; Noise occurs with accelerator pressure; Noise occurs with brake application; Occurs at low speeds
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to diagnose; vehicle not repaired
Running board hardware failure and rust
The aluminum mounting brackets or bolts securing the motorized running boards fail or break without warning, causing the running boards to detach or hang away from the vehicle. Rust develops on running board bolts and components.
When: No specific mileage cited; occurs during normal driving (at traffic light, low-speed turn)
Symptoms owners cite: Running board detaches or hangs completely away from vehicle; Bolts break off or come loose; Rust visible on running board and bolts; Running board is cracked
Repairs/costs cited: Owner had to manually push the running board back in place and drive slowly to prevent it from falling and striking another vehicle
Suspension check warning notification
Dashboard notification alerts driver to check suspension system while driving at highway speeds.
When: While driving on freeway at approximately 65 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Check suspension notification appears on screen
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Drove the vehicle off road, hit a severe pothole, air ride suspension has constantly failed and Ford has never repaired it. *tr
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 extreme violent shaking to wear the car seems like it's going to roll over something needs to be done with the suspension on this vehicle Lincoln needs to own up to this mistake
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 vehicle or make sharp turns. Allen visual Ford in monroe, georgia was made aware of the failure and replaced the air suspensions, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was…
The motor running boards, the aluminum piece that suppose to hold the running boards to the vehicle, broke off without any warning. How does this happen? I am driving, stop at the light and make a left turn, and all of a sudden I hear these sound like my running board are sliding out. I pull over and the entire running board is hanging out completely away for the vehicle. Luckily there was…
Had suspension trouble with your 2006 Lincoln Navigator?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2006 Lincoln Navigator?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 45,000 and 133,000 miles, with the median around 100,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 133,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Lincoln/Navigator.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.