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2003 Lincoln NavigatorProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 127 owner complaints about the 2003 Lincoln Navigator, most often about the suspension. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

2003 Lincoln Navigator
29
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.5× the Navigator median · #4 of 25 years by complaints
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints12720 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage76kSuspension, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 22, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Lincoln Navigator has problems

127 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension384
Electrical system224
Structure182
Air bags146
Visibility131
Power train132
Engine and engine cooling101
Vehicle speed control73
Service brakes, hydraulic71
11 other systems274

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2003 Lincoln Navigator recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Mileage at failure

When do suspension problems start?

76kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 30 suspension complaints. 73% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
4under 30k miles22under 100k miles8100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Navigator year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Navigator median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Lincoln Navigator safety ratings

2003 Lincoln Navigator 4 DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Lincoln Navigator, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEADDP05005 · closed Jan 4, 2006
    No recall
In owners' words

What Navigator owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. ALSO, A "CHECK THE SUSPENSION" MESSAGE ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE REAR SHOCKS FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE RUNNING BOARD…
Complaint 10681107 · Feb 4, 2015 · 55,000 miles
THIS IS THE FIFTH (5TH) TIME IN 6 YEARS I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR REPAIR OF THE AIR SUSPENSION (COMPRESSOR, RIDE HEIGHT), ALL BUT ONE OF THOSE TIMES WAS TO THE FORD LINCOLN DEALERSHIP. IT IS CLEAR THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS THERE ARE 10 SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE 2003 AIR SUSPENSION…
Complaint 10654505 · Nov 12, 2014 · 45,000 miles
MY ROOF-MOUNTED DVD PLAYER HAS NEVER WORKED BUT STILL MAKES NOISES WHEN CAR IS CRUNK UP OR SWITCHED OFF, MY BATTERY ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT DEAD (CAR WOULD NOT CRANK), HEADLIGHTS HAVE SHORTS IN THEM...AFTER REPLACING $100 BULBS, I FOUND OUT IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON, THE BULB WILL COME BACK…
Complaint 10654284 · Nov 11, 2014

Own a 2003 Navigator?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.