Navigator (2nd)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
5.4-V8-Gas
5.4L 8-cyl / 300 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Lincoln Navigator Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Lincoln Navigator, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2003-2006 Lincoln Navigator
On a used 2003-2006 Lincoln Navigator, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the suspension (90), the engine (56) and the electrical system (48). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 90 owner complaints on the 2003-2006 Lincoln Navigator about the suspension.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 56 owner complaints on the 2003-2006 Lincoln Navigator about the engine.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 48 owner complaints on the 2003-2006 Lincoln Navigator about the electrical system.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 39 owner complaints on the 2003-2006 Lincoln Navigator about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 39 owner complaints on the 2003-2006 Lincoln Navigator about the body and structure.
Recalls (4)
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING PAWL GUIDE PLATE.
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.
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2003-2006 Lincoln Navigator complaints?
Owners have filed 318 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2006 Lincoln Navigator. The systems they name most often are the suspension, the engine and the electrical system.
Is the 2003-2006 Lincoln Navigator a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 318 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2006 Lincoln Navigator. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003-2006 Lincoln Navigator have?
NHTSA has 318 owner complaints on file for the 2003-2006 Lincoln Navigator as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2003-2006 Lincoln Navigator?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls covering some 2003-2006 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Lincoln Navigator?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the suspension, the engine and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Navigator?
The 2006 Lincoln Navigator received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (19.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 318 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.