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Lincoln NavigatorModel year report

2003 Lincoln Navigator Problems

Complaints
127filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
72,500miles, 91 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
13 mpgcombined, 5.4L 8-cyl RWD · 11 city / 15 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Lincoln Navigator (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this Navigator most often describe problems with the four-corner air suspension, which can drop a corner or the whole truck and leave it bouncing or hard to control; these reports appear from low mileage up through well past 100,000 miles. Electrical gremlins (power running boards, windows, liftgate, cluster) and a handful of spark plugs blowing out of the 5.4L V8 are the other recurring themes, plus a group of airbag complaints describing deployment without a crash, all at high mileage.

  1. Suspension

    Air suspension dropping, sagging or not leveling

    • 27 complaints (21%)
    • median 76,000 mi at 6.7 yrs old (25 state mileage)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $599 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 2003–2018

    Complaints describe one corner or the whole vehicle sinking, an air suspension warning buzzer, and a harsh bouncy ride that owners say makes the truck hard to control. Some report the front dropping far enough that the tires contact the fenders. Owners describe repeated repairs, compressors rebuilt or replaced, sensors that will not stay attached, and dealers quoting full replacement of the air spring or system. Reported anywhere from a few hundred miles to about 150,000 miles, with several owners noting cold weather makes a weak corner slow to air up.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Start the truck cold and watch whether it rises evenly and quickly at all four corners; check ride height after it sits overnight. Ask whether the air springs, compressor or height sensors have been replaced, and whether the height sensor linkage arms are attached.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “2003 Lincoln Navigator traveling 65 miles an hour and suspension went out rear one this time truck bounced so hard hit my head and truck was uncontrollable we need to sue Lincoln. Bought mine in staten island dana motors was in shop 21 times for the suspension they fixed and 3 months later out again last time october cost me 1100 dollars . Very bad truck stuck with payment of a death trap!”

    NHTSA complaint #10295700, filed 2009-12, 60,000 miles

    “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”

    NHTSA complaint #11073933, filed 2018-02, 140,000 miles
  2. Electrical system

    Electrical faults: running boards, windows, liftgate

    • 33 complaints (26%)
    • median 43,900 mi at 4.0 yrs old (23 state mileage)
    • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2002–2026

    Owners describe power running boards that fail to deploy when a door opens, windows that go the wrong direction or stick, an electronic liftgate and rear seats that work intermittently, and a fuel gauge or odometer display reading wrong. Some reports mention smoke or a burning smell traced to the instrument cluster, and one describes a seat fire attributed to an electrical failure. Spread widely, from a few thousand miles to past 200,000; many reports came in at 30,000-60,000 miles.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Cycle every door and the liftgate to see that the running boards move, and test each window, seat and mirror switch. Ask whether the instrument cluster or running board motors have been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “After purchasing a 2003 Navigator with power running boards, I noticed that the running boards do not always deploy (ie; move out) when a door is opened. I have worked with my local dealer to get the matter resolved and the manufacturer continues to extend the date that they promise there will be a fix. I have been waiting for more than a year. The first fix date was oct'03, then nov'03,then dec '03 and now dec '04. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10078988, filed 2004-06, 10,000 miles

    “I purchased my vehicle brand new in january of 2003. I have had numerous problems with the vehicle since day 1.the entire computer had to be changed. The truck stalled on me at highway speed. It took over 2 1/2 weeks to get my vehicle back.here is a list of the other problems I have had. The rear vent motors have been changed . I had my windows stuck open with half of my electical system out for over four days due to the problem. The side view mirror motor had to be changed. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10073057, filed 2004-05, 1 miles
  3. Air bags

    Airbags deploying without a crash

    • 8 complaints (6%)
    • median 122,303 mi at 7.8 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2003–2011

    Several complaints describe the driver and passenger front airbags, or the side curtain airbags, deploying with no impact and no warning while driving at ordinary speeds. Owners report the bags hitting occupants, and some say the manufacturer referred them to a dealer or declined to cover the repair because the warranty had expired. Reports cluster between roughly 100,000 and 160,000 miles.

    What to check: Check whether the airbag warning lamp behaves normally at startup and ask for any history of airbag module or sensor service; a scan tool can show stored airbag fault codes.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “On sunday june 27th 2010 at approx. 4:30 pm. My wife and 2 children were traveling to palm springs on the east bound 10 fwy in banning when, for no reason the side curtain airbags went off hitting myself and my 7 year old. I was able to remain in control of our 2003 Lincoln Navigator, and pull to the center median as I though maybe we were hit by something. As I looked around the Navigator, there was absolutely no sign of damage or being hit by any kind of debris. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10340968, filed 2010-07, 129,153 miles

    “I was driving my 2003 Lincoln ford Navigator on july 3rd at approximately 3pm down us highway 52 near springfield south dakota on a flat stretch of dry road going approximately 55 miles per hour. For no apparent reason our airbags from the passenger and drivers side roof deployed with an explosion. In addition to almost wrecking the vehicle my son and niece and myself all received impact burns on our faces (not sure if it was from the explosion or the bags themselves) and hearing problems that have carried over to today (july 4th). …”

    NHTSA complaint #10341384, filed 2010-07, 119,600 miles
  4. Suspension

    Spark plug blown out of the cylinder head

    • 8 complaints (6%)
    • median 91,500 mi at 7.7 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2006–2016

    Complaints describe a loud bang or popping from the engine bay, followed by a misfire, loss of power and shaking, with the spark plug found ejected from the aluminum head. Owners report ignition coil damage and, in some cases, mechanics describing thread repair kits or head replacement; some say dealers offered trade-in value or a costly engine repair instead. Mostly described between about 80,000 and 160,000 miles, often while cruising at highway speed.

    What to check: Ask whether any spark plug thread repair or head work has been done, and have a mechanic check for signs of a repaired or stripped plug hole and for misfire codes before buying.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I bought a used 2003 Lincoln Navigator with a big 5.4-liter v-8 engine from wittmeier ford in chico, ca. In 2004. The Navigator looked like a great deal. The price was $43,000. The Navigator had only 23,000 miles on the odometer. But the great deal blew up in my face when the used Lincoln Navigator spit a spark plug at 81,000 miles. The check engine light came on as the truck began to lose power. As we drove the car it continued to back fire. The ignition pack for that plug was shredded. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10229013, filed 2008-05, 81,000 miles

    “We have a 2003 Lincoln Navigator. On june 17, 2010 while driving on the 605 freeway, we heard a loud noise and the car started to shake tremendously then loose power. The car is still running but could not pick up speed. A huge mack truck behind us was braking hard to avoid hitting our car. We pulled to the side with the car shaking and rattling. Luckily, it had enough power to make an exit. A private auto mechanic at auto shop artesia found that the spark plugs had blown and completely damaged the cylinders head. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10340514, filed 2010-06, 72,000 miles
  5. Body and structure

    Door and body wind noise, rattles

    • 10 complaints (8%)
    • median 1,650 mi at 1.2 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2003–2010

    Owners describe excessive wind noise and rattles from the doors and cabin at highway speed, and some report a sunroof whose drain tracks overflow so water reaches the headliner and interior. Several say dealers called the noise a normal characteristic of the vehicle or said the sunroof design could not be corrected. Often reported very early, within the first few thousand miles, though sunroof water leaks came in around 30,000 miles.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Drive at highway speed and listen at the door seals and sunroof, and pour a little water into the sunroof drains to confirm they flow out under the truck rather than into the headliner.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The sunroof of my 2003 Lincoln Navigator has a defect in that in heavy rain the tracks of the sun roof fill with water and overflow into the headliner (interior) and leak into the car from various locations such as the dvd player. This has happened 2 times since ownership. Was told by the Lincoln dealer that it was a defect in design and they could not fix it. They said they would repair any damage caused by the problem, but only if the car was still in warranty . …”

    NHTSA complaint #10108127, filed 2005-01, 30,000 miles

    “Excessive wind noise in cab. Reported at least three times to dealer. On third complaint, told by dealer that this is a characteristic of this truck .”

    NHTSA complaint #10062258, filed 2004-03, 300 miles

Buying note. Have a mechanic inspect the air suspension carefully and budget for repairs if it has not been serviced, since owners report repeated fixes. Also ask for service records on the spark plugs and electrical accessories, and confirm the airbag system shows no stored faults.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 127 consumer complaints for the 2003 Lincoln Navigator. 91 of the complaints include a mileage, and 36% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 72,500 miles. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 15 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 57 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Engine (4), Equipment (4), Exterior lighting (3), Steering (3), Tires (3), Electronic stability control (2), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Seats (2), Wheels (2), Seat belts (1).

Example complaints

Suspension: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10654505, filed 2014-11, 45,000 miles

Electrical system: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11191091, filed 2019-03, 175,000 miles

Body and structure: “Hi I was wondering the inside pass. Door handle we went to open it and the handle broke in half, well for 1 cant believe it was made of cheap plastic for the price you pay for the truck and 2 what would happen if there was an accident and the handle broke etc.”

NHTSA complaint #10264762, filed 2009-04, 130,000 miles

Air bags: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10427948, filed 2011-09, 76,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

36% of the 91 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 30,000 and 107,000 miles.

13%0–109%10–2514%25–5014%50–7519%75–10022%100–1509%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (91 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 72,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’0322’06’0922’12’15’19’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Lincoln Navigator. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Navigator · sedan not rated5 / 5———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Lincoln Navigator version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Navigator 2WD5.4L 8-cyl4-speed automatic111513$6,300

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Lincoln Navigator in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 57 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 57 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lincoln Navigator

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2025132,5006517—Too new
20241612,3507—18—Too new
2023743,2008—19—Too new
20222157,00014—19—Rising
20213319,7001251882 · MoreRising
20203250,7421351950 · TypicalRising
20198570,0001051973 · MoreRising
20185257,5001251956 · TypicalRising
20173287,000551712 · FewerRising
20162579,50045181 · FewerRising
20152166,5004518—Rising
20141786,0000416—Falling
20131420,0000416—Not enough data
20121230,0003416—Not enough data
2011986,3000—16—Not enough data
20101677,0000—16—Stable
20091066,0571—16—Not enough data
20083060,0002—1417 · FewerStable
20074570,0002—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20066073,7503—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20054860,0000—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20048666,5000—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200312772,5000—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20023290,0001—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20018178,0003—12Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200010975,0004—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199913285,0605—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199819298,0605—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Lincoln Navigator model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Lincoln Navigator?

Owners of this Navigator most often describe problems with the four-corner air suspension, which can drop a corner or the whole truck and leave it bouncing or hard to control; these reports appear from low mileage up through well past 100,000 miles. The issues reported most often: Air suspension dropping, sagging or not leveling; Electrical faults: running boards, windows, liftgate; Airbags deploying without a crash.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Lincoln Navigator have?

NHTSA recorded 127 consumer complaints for the 2003 Lincoln Navigator as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Lincoln Navigator is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 38 complaints (30% of the total), followed by electrical system with 22.

Has the 2003 Lincoln Navigator been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Lincoln Navigator get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Lincoln Navigator (Navigator 2WD, 5.4L 8-cyl) at 13 mpg combined, 11 city and 15 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $6,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Lincoln Navigator reported?

Among the 91 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 72,500 miles and the middle half falls between 30,000 and 107,000 miles; 36% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.