There are 5 owner-reported body & structure complaints for the 2005 Lincoln Navigatorin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The drivers side door does not latch in the cold temperatures.
OUR 05 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR WE JUST PURCHASED ABOUT 7-8 MONTHS AGO. THE RETRACTABLE RUNNING BOARDS BROKE ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR IN THE SWIVELING BUSHING AREA. THE STRUCTURE CRACKED AND WOULD NOT HOLD IT UP. I GOT TOLD THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THIS AND ITS $3,000.00 FOR A NEW RUNNING BOARD. I AM SUPER UPSET, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR MY WIFE'S DAYCARE, AND WHILE ONE OF THE CHILDREN STEPPED UP ON IT, IT BROKE; THEREFORE THEY FELL ON THE GROUND TWISTING THEIR ANKLE. I CAN'T AFFORD TO SPEND $3K ON A NEW RUNNING BOARD. I THINK ITS INSANE THAT THERE IS NOT REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THIS. I CANT GET THE KIDS IN AND OUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE NOW. I AM SO UPSET. WHY HASN'T SOMEONE FIXED THIS. SOUNDS LIKE IT HAPPENS TO ALL OF THEM IN THIS YEAR RANGE. NO ONE CAN AFFORD TO FIX THEM. *TR
2005 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR CURRENTLY WITH 97000 MILES. MAJOR FRAME RUST IN FRONT END,RADIATOR SUPPORTS ARE ALMOST COMPLETELY ROTTED THROUGH. HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT RADIATORS DROPPING DUE TO FRAME ROTTING. MAIN SECTION OF TRUCK FRAME HAS A HOLE IN IT DUE TO RUST AS WELL. FRAME INTEGRITY IS COMPROMISED AND COULD CAUSE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH RUNNING BOARDS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE COVERED WITH RUST AND CORRODED. THE RUNNING BOARDS RETRACT IN AND OUT IN ORDER TO CLIMB INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REMOVED THE RUNNING BOARDS BUT DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE REPAIR COST WHICH WAS OVER $2000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THE REASON FOR THE RUST AND CORROSION WAS DUE TO THE CONTACT LIVING IN A SALT STATE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000. THE CONSUMER STATED IT LOOKED AS IF THE METAL USED WAS A MILD STEEL PLATE ON 1/8 INCH THICK AND THE RUNNING BOARDS HAVE RUSTED AWAY COMPLETELY. THE METAL USED TO MAKE THE RUNNING BOARDS WAS NOT SUFFICIENTLY STRONG FOR NORMAL USE NOR HAD IT BEEN PROTECTED FROM CORROSION. UPDATED 09/27/11 UPDATED 9/19/11 *CN UPDATED 2/23/12 *CN
2005 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR RUST AT DOOR AND TAILGATE SEAMS LINCOLN REQUIRES PERFORATION AND WILL NOT HONOR RUST. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026