Most common 2003 Lincoln Navigator problems
Share of the 127 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 →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2003 Lincoln Navigator:
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
On September 6, 2005, odi received a petition requesting that the agency investigate allegations of engine spark plug ejection in certain model year 1997 through 2004 Ford vehicles with triton v-8 and v-10 engines.odi received a total of 474 non-duplicative complaints on the subject vehicles where the complainant, or the dealer repairing the vehicle, reported that a spark plug detached from the cylinder and/or…
What 2003 Lincoln Navigator owners say
Suspension all 38 →
While driving in a parking lot a car pulled out in front of my 2003 Navigator as I hit the brakes I felt my SUV drop from the front. The tire skidded and I hit the car that was pulling out. After the accident my truck was never the same .it was taken to the dealership but they said the warranty would not cover it.I have a 40000 dollar truck just parked in the driveway for the past 6 months I know mechanics that can convert it to to springs suspension for about 400 dollars but that's not the point I paid top dollar for a piece of you know what.I drive a 2000 Nissan with 170000 miles on it and haven't spend a dime on it besides tires
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.
Electrical system all 22 →
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Lincoln Navigator. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 160,000. The contact reset the mileage, and the display showed 247,000. The contact had not contacted any other agencies. The VIN was not available.
Loss of brake fluid, leaked through to cruise deactivation switch into cruise systems and electrical components causing corrosion which caused a short. Had trouble with cruise control working over time lead to higher flow of current that overheated and caused fire at switch under hood. Ford speed control deactivation switch fire. The fire originated in the area where the speed control deactivation switch is located (left rear corner of the engine compartment at the master cylinder. There was evidence of speed control deactivation switch failure prior to the fire including inoperable speed control, repeated difficulty shifting out of park.
Body & structure
Dealership replaced the motor and the computer of driver's seat that was too loose and moved back and forth while driving, causing a distraction to the consumer. 6 months later, consumer experienced the same problem. The vehicles brakes squeaked, the door panel was loose, the side mirror motor failed. There was a rattling noise coming from the rear center console and there was a loud humming noise from the passenger dash in cold weather. The gear shifter broke while driving. The original windshield wiper left a black smear on the window when it rained which made it difficult to see. The front door molding warped. The consumer no longer wasn't the vehicle and has requested a refund.
Power deployable running board on the passenger side did not extend out (deploy) when the door was opened to exit the vehicle. The passenger stepped out of the vehicle and fell to the ground. The board has not deployed since this incident. Taken the vehicle in for repair and parts (motor) are not covered by extended warranty. Same problem happened around 40K miles. Dealership replaced both running board assemblies.
2003 Lincoln Navigator engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 11 / 15 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Lincoln Navigator a good car?
Based on 127 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Navigator rates avoid: 4.2× 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 2003 Lincoln Navigator?
The suspension — 38 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about rear. Next are the electrical system (22) and body & structure (18).
How many recalls does the 2003 Lincoln Navigator have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 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 2003 Lincoln Navigator problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 73,000 miles; 36% 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.