Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
2005 Lincoln NavigatorRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 48 owner complaints for the 2005 Lincoln Navigator. Most complaints involve suspension (12) and structure (7). The EPA rates it 13 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
13mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
48
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$5,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2005 Lincoln Navigator as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
48 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2005 – Apr 2024
- Suspension12
- Structure7
- Air bags6
- Engine5
- Vehicle speed control5
- Power train5
- Fuel system, gasoline5
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Electrical system4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Navigator model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 201 |
| 1999 | 138 |
| 2000 | 133 |
| 2001 | 92 |
| 2002 | 32 |
| 2003 | 127 |
| 2004 | 86 |
| 2005 | 48 |
| 2006 | 60 |
| 2007 | 45 |
| 2008 | 30 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2016 | 25 |
| 2017 | 32 |
| 2018 | 52 |
| 2019 | 85 |
| 2020 | 32 |
| 2021 | 34 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 0 |
| 2027 | 0 |
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 2
- Injuries reported
- 4
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Suspension
12 reports
“THE SPARK PLUGS ARE RECALL, MY LINCOLN HAS ONLY 68,000 MILES I PURCHASED NEW IN JULY 2005, NOW AIR SUSPENSION HAS PROBLEMS TOO HOW CAN I RECEIVE A REFUND ON THE RECALLS AFTER I PAID $1,800.00 IN REPAIRS.”
Structure
7 reports
“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...”
Air bags
6 reports3 crashes1 fire
“WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH IN THE LINCOLN, ANOTHER DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO MAKE AN ILLEGAL LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF THE NAVIGATOR RESULTING IN IMMEDIATE SEVERE COLLISION. THE FRONT IMPACT DESTROYED THE FRONT END OF THE LINCOLN, AND ALSO CAUSED IT TO SPIN 180 DEGRESS RESULTING IN A SECOND COLLISION WITH THE AT FAULT DRIVER. THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND RESULTED IN SEVERE INJURY TO THE DRIVER.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
1 version rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Engines
- 5.4L 8-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 6-spd
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navigator 2WD Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 5.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 11 | 17 | 13 | $5,950 | 684 |
- 13mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Lincoln Navigator as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 1618
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2005 Navigator questions
How many recalls does the 2005 Lincoln Navigator have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 7, 2026.
What are the most common 2005 Lincoln Navigator problems?
Owners filed 48 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (12), structure (7), air bags (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2005 Lincoln Navigator get?
The EPA rates the 2005 Lincoln Navigator at 13 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026