2003 Lincoln Navigator: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 127 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (28% of complaints); the 2001 and 2002 and 2005 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 127 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2026
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2024
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“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”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Feb 2018
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2015
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2015
“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”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2014
“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”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2014
“Tl* the contact owns 2003 lincoln navigator. The contact stated that while standing outside of the vehicle, the vehicle started to roll backward. The engine was off and the transmission was in park. The contact ran to catch vehicle and was injured from a fall. Driver suffered sprained angle, body bruising. The vehicle crashed into another vehicle. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was not available.”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 lincoln navigator. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, a loud roaring noise was heard from the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact inspected under the hood and detected that the noise was coming from the air lift compressor. The noise could also be heard when the vehicle was stationary. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 65,319.”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 6 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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 EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Navigator by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
NHTSA has 127 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2003 Lincoln Navigator. The most complained-about area is suspension (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Lincoln Navigator problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 76,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Lincoln Navigator have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.