Most common 2005 Lincoln Navigator problems
Share of the 48 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Lincoln Navigator complaints by model year
Best Navigator years: 2011, 2013, 2012. Years to avoid: 2019, 2018, 2024, 2021, 2020. Compare all years →
What 2005 Lincoln Navigator owners say
Suspension
Air suspension does not work / inflate when car is cold, there sometimes no warning that the shocks are down and could make driving dangerous . Making car uncontrollable when the car will roll over bumps or uneven terrain please issue a recall for all navigators since 2003 or older with air suspesion shock does not inflate when stationary / does not inflate when in motion tire rubs on fender wall making turns, there is completely no shock absorption when car is on freeway or on surface which makes cehicles very unstable and could cause major accidents if driven by inexperienced or experienced drivers
Air suspension does not work in cold weather below 45 degrees you loose control and bounces have owned car since 2006 lived in fl and had no problems moved to ny and have problem every time temp drops below 45 have spent thousands for repairs that didnt work ckecked internet and found out it a problem with 2003-2006 and nobody can fix including Ford
Engine & cooling
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. Over 65,000 2021-year model vehicles manufactured between December 2020 and April 2021 have been affected." "We've discovered a vehicle safety issue in some 2021 model-year Lincoln Navigator vehicles built from July 30, 2020 to August 31, 2021. Some of these vehicles have experienced an under-hood fire, even while parked and off."
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. There was a misfire on cylinder one and I replaced and tested all related components and then found out it was the cam phaser issue that plagues the triton engine. From reading other comments from both consumer and repair shop owners, it is simply a defective product from who else, the Ford corp. Of course they blame the owner for lack of maintenance.
Fuel & propulsion system
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...
A little complex for this little box. Driving in town. Car starter to run really rough, volumes of white smoke out of tail pipe. Check engine light on. Flatbedded car to dealer. Next day learned 2 fuel injectors had jammed on. Dealer repaired. Later in day, dealer explained 2 connecting rods had been bent attempting to compress fluid (gasoline). Ford supplied a short block under warranty. Six months later, volumes of white smoke, rough running, check engine light on. Dealer stated another injector had jammed partially open. Replaced. I asked if they had replaced all eight the initial time. No, Ford won't allow. Will Ford allow this time. No. Letter to Ford 6 weeks ago. Asked Ford to replace the remaining 5 fuel injectors. No answer. Also learned that Ford changed injector valve manufactures for the 2005 model year. …
2005 Lincoln Navigator engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 17 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Lincoln Navigator a good car?
Based on 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Navigator rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Navigator at the same age. It is one of the Navigator years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Lincoln Navigator?
The suspension — 12 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (10) and fuel & propulsion system (7).
How many recalls does the 2005 Lincoln Navigator have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2005 Lincoln Navigator. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Lincoln Navigator?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2013 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2018, 2024, 2021 and 2020. See the full Lincoln Navigator years comparison.
At what mileage do 2005 Lincoln Navigator problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 28% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.