AI Damage2005 Lincoln Navigator: common problems
Owners of the 2005 Lincoln Navigator filed 48 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension and structure. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 48
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 25% of all complaints
- 2 Structure 15% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 10% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 10% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 10% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 10% of all complaints
- Suspension: 12 complaints (25% of all).
- Structure: 7 complaints (15% of all).
- Air bags: 6 complaints (13% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 5 complaints (10% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (10% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 5.4 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 48 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I started my lincoln navigator put the car in drive as I proceeded drive 1/4 way,had to stop,but could not put the vehicle in any position after that,in the middle of the road,could not move the truck from that position.
Air bags didn't deploy on impact. Moments after impact, as a precaution I pulled parking brake, but vehicle rolled back and caused a 2nd impact. As a result, I was hospitalized for chest/head/ankle/knee related injuries. Manufacturer took no responsibility, when my lawyer inquired on this matter.
Fire inside of the motor, behind the engine computer. Upon researching recalls for Lincoln Navigators I found these other recalls online for possibly the same fire issue: "Ford has issued a recall for some of its 2021 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs due to a potential engine fire risk.
There wasnt a recall on my airbags per my vin number however just yesterdaymy vehicle was totaled due to brake failure which upon impact only the passenger side airbag deployed while the driver side didnt. There was no passenger...
As I was merging on freeway, I experienced sudden loss of power and it could have resulted in fatalities since it was at rush hour. As I pulled over, the engine was bucking but regained power with sporadic bouts of loss during my drive home.
2005 navigator has only 60,000 miles, spark plugs defected, dealer wants $1,500 to $2,500 to replace them, which is defect from manufacture. These spark plugs should be replaced due to defects from manufacture, and the recall only wants to pay $1,040 for the replacement of the spark plugs, why should I pay up front if…
Engine starts to knock an shake very loudly while coming to a complete stop from simply driving 45mph or it completely lloses all power as I'm driving an a loud poppig explosions coming from the exhuast an they are loud enough were people hehhave pulled up next to me to let me know an afraid the car may blow up.
Has happened a few times recently twice in one week.driving and my truck shuts off,steering locks up and no power.the warning indicator tells me. "check throttle computer system,I shut off truck and after a couple times it starts back up...
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,450 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 15% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Navigator has 44 complaints (31 years in the data). This year has 48, about average.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Other years of this model
- Navigator 1998192 sources
- Navigator 1999132 sources
- Navigator 2000109 sources
- Navigator 200181 sources
- Navigator 200232 sources
- Navigator 2003127 sources
- Navigator 200486 sources
- Navigator 200660 sources
- Navigator 200745 sources
- Navigator 200830 sources
- Navigator 200910 sources
- Navigator 201016 sources
- Navigator 20119 sources
- Navigator 201212 sources
- Navigator 201314 sources
- Navigator 201417 sources
- Navigator 201521 sources
- Navigator 2016105 sources
- Navigator 201799 sources
- Navigator 2018194 sources
- Navigator 2019224 sources
- Navigator 2020225 sources
- Navigator 2021180 sources
- Navigator 2022207 sources
- Navigator 2023156 sources
- Navigator 2024113 sources
- Navigator 2025183 sources
- Navigator 202669 sources
- Navigator 202711 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Lincoln Navigator?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: suspension, structure, air bags. Total complaints: 48. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (10%), knocking, grinding or other noise (8%), stalls while driving (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2005 Lincoln Navigator?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2005 Lincoln Navigator from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2005 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.