Total Complaints
178 filings
LINCOLN NAVIGATOR · model year
178 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003LINCOLNNAVIGATOR carries 178 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 12 crashes, 5 fires, 17 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 NAVIGATOR is suspension with 28 filings, followed by electrical system (19) and air bags (9). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2003 NAVIGATOR. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
178 filings
Crashes Reported
12 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SUSPENSION | 28 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 19 |
| AIR BAGS | 9 |
| STRUCTURE | 7 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 7 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 5 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 5 |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 5 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 4 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED
The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the rocker arms, and that the engine lacked adequate compression in cylinders #2 and #3, resulting in engine damage. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Mileage: 75,000
The contact owned a 2003 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that fifteen minutes after she parked and turned off the vehicle in the driveway, her brother alerted her that the driver's side front seat had caught fire. The air bags were deployed. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The fire department determined that the cause of the fire was an electrical system failure. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle remained in the driveway and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. Prior to the failure, the gear shifter and driver's side front seat made grinding noises, and the passenger's side front window made clicking noises while driving. The failure mileage was 120,196.
Mileage: 120,196
RAIN WATER LEAK NEXT TO PASSENGER SIDE BACK REAR POWER WINDOW WHILE PARKED
Mileage: 38,000
TAKATA RECALL !!! I HAVE A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR THAT HAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE REVERSE LIGHTS SAME RECALL ISSUE AS THE 2012 NAVIGATOR ALSO THE CAR WHEN IT'S IN PARK WON'T ENGAGE WHEN THE BREAK PEDAL IS APPLIED TO UNLOCK THE GEARING TO REVERSE NUTURAL DRIVE 1ST AND 2ED GEAR IT WON'T HUGE SAFETY WITH THE REVERSE LIGHTS I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OTHER DRIVERS ARE NOT AWARE I'M REVERSING ISSUE STARTED TWO MONTHS AGO AND I STOPPED DRIVING IT BECAUSE I ALMOST GET INTO ACCIDENTS WITH OUT THE REVERSE LIGHTS WONDER IF THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY CONSENT FOR A RECALL.
Mileage: 175,000
TAKATA RECALL !!! I HAVE A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR THAT HAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE REVERSE LIGHTS SAME RECALL ISSUE AS THE 2012 NAVIGATOR ALSO THE CAR WHEN IT'S IN PARK WON'T ENGAGE WHEN THE BREAK PEDAL IS APPLIED TO UNLOCK THE GEARING TO REVERSE NUTURAL DRIVE 1ST AND 2ED GEAR IT WON'T HUGE SAFETY WITH THE REVERSE LIGHTS I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OTHER DRIVERS ARE NOT AWARE I'M REVERSING ISSUE STARTED TWO MONTHS AGO AND I STOPPED DRIVING IT BECAUSE I ALMOST GET INTO ACCIDENTS WITH OUT THE REVERSE LIGHTS WONDER IF THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY CONSENT FOR A RECALL.
Mileage: 175,000
MY SUSPENSION HAS AIRBAGS THAT DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I KNOW OTHER NAVIGATOR OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT AND WORKED ON BUT NOTHING CHANGES.PROBLEM SOMEWHERE IN THE SYSTEM. THE AIRBAGS DO NOT RAISE THE CAR AND IT BOUNCES AROUND WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR IS HARD TO CONTROL
Mileage: 140,000
COMING HOME FROM A TRIP ENGINE STARTED TO MISFIRE. COME TO FIND OUT THE # 3 SPARK PLUS EXPLODED DESTROYING THE COIL AND AND THREADS HOLDING THE SPARK PLUG IN. CAUSING THE NEED TO RE TAP THE THREADS.
Mileage: 107,000
JUST DRIVING IN A 45 MPH, WHEN HEARD LOUD BANGING COMING FROM ENGINE. PULLED OVER AND HAD CAR TOWED IN FOR REPAIR. ENGINE BLEW OUT A SPARK PLUG.
Mileage: 79,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
Mileage: 158,000
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 SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Mileage: 55,000
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 SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
Mileage: 55,000
WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND CLANKING NOISE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT ENGINE AREA. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY WHOLE FAMILY IN THE SUV. WE WERE ABLE TO STILL DRIVE IT TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS A "BLOWN-OUT SPARK PLUG". HE SAID THE SPARK PLUG HAD COME OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. HE SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THAT ENGINE AND THERE WAS A SPARK PLUG KIT FOR IT. HE USED THE KIT, AND IT ONLY HELD FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. IT NOW HAS LOST POWER, SHAKES, AND POOR GAS MILEAGE. THE REPAIR KIT OBVIOUSLY IS NOT AMPLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 159,000
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 ALONE, AS WELL AS HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET (SEE COMPLAINTS ON EDMUNDS, EVEN FORDS WEBSITE AND SEVERAL CAR FORUMS. THESE ARE OF THE LINCOLN NAVIGATOR ONLY, NOT ITS EQUIVALENT FORD EXPEDITION, WHICH ALSO HAS HOSTS OF COMPLAINTS.) MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS STATE, MUCH LIKE MY EXPERIENCE, THAT THE DEALER CANNOT EVEN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE TO YOU THE DANGER INVOLVED WHEN THE SUSPENSION FAILS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR BOUNCES VIOLENTLY AND BECOMES TOTALLY UNCONTROLLABLE. *TR
Mileage: 45,000
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 ALONE, AS WELL AS HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET (SEE COMPLAINTS ON EDMUNDS, EVEN FORDS WEBSITE AND SEVERAL CAR FORUMS. THESE ARE OF THE LINCOLN NAVIGATOR ONLY, NOT ITS EQUIVALENT FORD EXPEDITION, WHICH ALSO HAS HOSTS OF COMPLAINTS.) MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS STATE, MUCH LIKE MY EXPERIENCE, THAT THE DEALER CANNOT EVEN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE TO YOU THE DANGER INVOLVED WHEN THE SUSPENSION FAILS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR BOUNCES VIOLENTLY AND BECOMES TOTALLY UNCONTROLLABLE. *TR
Mileage: 45,000
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 ALONE, AS WELL AS HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET (SEE COMPLAINTS ON EDMUNDS, EVEN FORDS WEBSITE AND SEVERAL CAR FORUMS. THESE ARE OF THE LINCOLN NAVIGATOR ONLY, NOT ITS EQUIVALENT FORD EXPEDITION, WHICH ALSO HAS HOSTS OF COMPLAINTS.) MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS STATE, MUCH LIKE MY EXPERIENCE, THAT THE DEALER CANNOT EVEN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE TO YOU THE DANGER INVOLVED WHEN THE SUSPENSION FAILS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR BOUNCES VIOLENTLY AND BECOMES TOTALLY UNCONTROLLABLE. *TR
Mileage: 45,000
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 ON, CHECK PARK ASSIST LIGHT AND ALARMS COME ON EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE, AND MY SUSPENSION WILL NOT LET THE VEHICLE UP WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. *TR
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 ON, CHECK PARK ASSIST LIGHT AND ALARMS COME ON EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE, AND MY SUSPENSION WILL NOT LET THE VEHICLE UP WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. *TR
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 ON, CHECK PARK ASSIST LIGHT AND ALARMS COME ON EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE, AND MY SUSPENSION WILL NOT LET THE VEHICLE UP WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. *TR
I BOUGHT MY USED 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR IN 2008. A YEAR LATER, AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. BOTH IN CITY AND ON HIGHWAY - VARIOUS SPEEDS - BUT THE SCARIEST AND MOST DANGEROUS WAS WHEN IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAYS. CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL SUSPENSION AND DROP EXTREMELY LOW. THE NAVI BOUNCED DANGEROUSLY AND VIOLENTLY EVEN AT VERY REDUCED SPEEDS. IT ALSO CAUSED THE NAVI TO SCRAPE THE GROUND ON A FEW OCCASIONS. HAD IT REPAIRED THREE TIMES @ $500+ AND WAS FINALLY TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL FOUR @ APPX $2000+!! I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NAVI'S. IN ORDER TO SAVE MY TIME, MONEY AND SANITY, I OPTED FOR SPRING-SUSPENSIONS AT A THIRD OF THE COST AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THOSE IN OVER 4 YEARS! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE SPRING-SUSPENSIONS AND STOP THE INSANITY. *TR
Mileage: 80,000
TOTAL AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE. *TR
Mileage: 102,812
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.