2006 Lincoln Navigator Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Lincoln Navigator has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Air suspension failure and bounce in cold weather.” Lincoln uses Ford's Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor: it tracks how the vehicle is actually driven and calls for oil service when needed — up to 10,000 miles or 12 months on normal duty, much sooner with towing or repeated short trips. EcoBoost-powered Aviators and Nautilus models are turbocharged: heat is their maintenance story, so oil quality and cooling-system health matter more than on the old naturally aspirated V8s. Traditional V8 Navigators and Town Cars are long-interval machines — 100,000-mile plugs — that mostly reward fluid discipline.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2006 Lincoln Navigator.

Reported to NHTSA

Air suspension failure and bounce in cold weather

SUSPENSION

11 NHTSA complaints · 2011-01 → 2020-06

“IN COLD WEATHER THE CARS AIR SUSPENSIONS STOPS WORKING AND THE CAR STARTS BOUNCING ALL OVER THE PLACE WHILE DRIVING. THIS TO ME IS DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY ON WHEN OCCURRING ON LONG TRIPS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT I AM SEEING ALL OVER THE INTERNET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11002075
“WE HAVE HAD OUR NAVIGATOR IN MANY OF TIMES WE HAVE HAD ALL OF THE PARTS IN THE SUSPENSION CHANGED. WE HAVE ALSO PUT IN A NEW COMPRESSOR. DROVE JUST FINE IN THE SUMMER SPRING AND FALL. ONCE WE GOT OUR 1 ST COLD DAY WE HAVE NO SUSPENSION AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10820117
“DROVE THE VEHICLE OFF ROAD, HIT A SEVERE POTHOLE, AIR RIDE SUSPENSION HAS CONSTANTLY FAILED AND FORD HAS NEVER REPAIRED IT. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10440317

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Running board and bracket corrosion failure

STRUCTURE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2010-07 → 2016-05

“THE MOTOR RUNNING BOARDS, THE ALUMINUM PIECE THAT SUPPOSE TO HOLD THE RUNNING BOARDS TO THE VEHICLE, BROKE OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10786913
“2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR WITH POWER DEPLOYING RUNNING BOARDS. BOTH SIDES HAVE FAILED DUE TO THE STRUCTURAL SUPPORT POST CORRODING TO THE POINT OF MECHANICAL FAILURE. WHEN THIS FAILS A PASSENGER STEPPING ON IT CAN BE HURT DUE TO A FALL SO IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10342031
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A PASSENGER STEPPED ON THE BRACKET TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND IT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE BRACKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10678384

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Wheel and tire separation

WHEELS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2007-10 → 2009-07

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. ON JULY 17, 2009, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 23 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE STEERING PULL TO THE RIGHT. SHE ATTEMPTED TO KEEP IT CENTERED AND THEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10278539
“2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR OWNED OR LEASED BY MY DAUGHTER/SON IN LAW ALMOST LOST LEFT REAR WHEEL ON JANUARY 27, 2008. UPON INSPECTION, LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS FOUND TO BE LOOSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10216627
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE VEHICLE HAS FALCON, SIZE P30540R23 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10205361

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine fail-safe mode shutdown while driving

ENGINE

18 NHTSA complaints · 2008-08 → 2020-02

“I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH ON A TWO LANE ROAD AND MY NAVIGATOR JUST SHUT OFF. I LOOKED AT THE INSTRUMENTS AND IT SAID ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE. I PULLED OVER AS BEST I COULD AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND TURNED IT BACK ON. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY ABOUT 3 MINUTES AWAY FROM HOME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10825847
“2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. FAIL SAFE MODE COMES ON WHILE DRIVING AND SHUTS VEHICLE DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE AND ALSO EXACT SAME INCIDENT TO FRIEND IN DIFFERENT STATE WITH SAME 2006 NAVIGATOR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10357309
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10491718

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Spark plug ejection and cylinder head damage

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2009-12 → 2011-07

“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. HTTP://WWW.FORDPROBLEMS.COM/SPARK-PLUG-EJECTED-FROM-ENGINE.SHTML”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10297713
“SPARK PLUG IN 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR POPPED OUT! SERVICED BY FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IGNITION SYSTEM. SPARK PLUG REPLACED AND CARS IS BARELY DRIVABLE. IT OFTEN STALLS AT IDLE RPM. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10335055
“2006 NAVIGATOR WOULD KEEP MISFIRING EVEN AFTER COILS WERE REPLACED. DEALER FIRST REPORTS IT WAS A VALVE. AFTER INSPECTION VALVE WAS NOT THE PROBLEM BUT A BURNT HEAD WAS THE CAUSE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10361771

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag deployment failure tied to clockspring

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2014-03 → 2017-08

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10944303
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10811072
“2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR WAS PARKED. ENTERED VEHICLE AND INSERTED KEY IN IGNITION. I CRANKED THE VEHICLE, SAT BACK TO HAVE THE CAR WARM UP. ABOUT 5 SECONDS AFTER CRANKING THE VEHICLE, AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT INCIDENT. CAR WAS FILLED WITH WHITE SMOKE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10569242

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel line and electrical fire risk

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-10 → 2018-03

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE CONTACT SMELLED BURNING RUBBER AND PLASTIC. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES EMERGING FROM BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11003307
“LINCOLN NAVIGATOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 5.4L ENGINES. THE FUEL RAIL CROSS-OVER HOSE MAY CONTAIN WEAK AREAS. AS A RESULT, THE HOSE MAY CRACK, WHICH COULD CAUSE A FUEL ODOR AND/OR FUEL LEAK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10917463
“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 ELECTRICAL SPARKS IN THE REAR FUSE PANEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11078666

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Oil-Life Monitor)

Every 10,000 mi

Change when the Oil-Life Monitor calls it — up to 10,000 miles or 12 months. EcoBoost engines (Aviator 3.0T): use the specified synthetic and don't stretch the monitor; turbos cook marginal oil.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles. Heavy Navigators shift a lot of weight — even wear is a ride-quality item, not just a tire-budget item.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake at every oil service. Town Car livery duty and Navigator towing both count as severe service for brakes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 150,000 mi

Ford schedules the 10-speed (10R80) and 6-speed automatics at 150,000 miles normal duty — but 60,000 miles with towing or livery use, which describes many Lincolns. Mercon ULV / the specified Mercon type only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

V8 Navigator and Town Car: 100,000-mile plugs. EcoBoost V6 (Aviator, Nautilus 2.7T): commonly around 60,000 miles — check your year's guide; turbo engines run shorter plug lives.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles per Ford's schedule; sooner in dusty climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Rear Differential Fluid (RWD/4WD)

Every 60,000 mi

Navigator, Aviator RWD, and Town Car: replace rear axle fluid around 60,000 miles with towing or livery duty (150,000 normal per Ford). Limited-slip axles need the friction modifier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Serpentine / Accessory Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect from 60,000 miles; replace on cracking. The 5.4L Navigator's belt also drives the cooling fan clutch on some years — a failure overheats fast.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped. (2004-era Town Cars predate cabin filters; modern Lincolns locate it behind the glovebox.)

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement

Every 100,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (OAT) on modern models: first change around 10 years / 200,000 miles per Ford, though shops commonly refresh by 100,000. Older green-coolant V8s: every 5 years. Never mix chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Feature-heavy Lincolns (air suspension compressors, power everything) expose weak batteries as electrical gremlins first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

27 crashes 1990–2024

How the 27 occupant deaths break down

14

driver deaths

13

passenger deaths

27

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

3

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2006 Lincoln Navigator reflects Lincoln's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.