2003 Lincoln Navigator Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 30%of 127 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Lincoln Navigator, 30% of the 127 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“I have a 2003 Lincoln Navigator .I bought it in staten island ny dana motors 2 years ago I have had it in there shop for suspension censors and bags over 10 times my warranty expired 30 days ago and guess what my rear suspension went out .I contacted ford over 10 times and I want to say that this has to be the worst truck and company I have ever had to deal with ford found on road dead go GM.”
NHTSA complaint #10288789, filed 2009-10, 40,000 miles“My air suspension went out the first time in march of 2008, it just quit working. I then paid $500 to get it replaced. Then again in 2011 it went out 2 different time, in which this time I had the compressor rebuilt. And again it went out of may of 2012. This time I have not had it replaced, I only drive the SUV when I have to. There are so many problems with the air suspensions on the 2003 Lincoln Navigator that ford should make the part good.”
NHTSA complaint #10482515, filed 2012-10, 80,000 miles“Within two weeks, a squeak and a clunk developed in the rear-end of my new vehicle. The dealer told me that the rear differential was missing two of the four bolts that should have been there and that the two bolts that were installed were loose. They said that they had seen a lot of that, because the plants had to manufacture a lot of navigators in a hurry.”
NHTSA complaint #10047530, filed 2003-11, 700 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10021072Feb 27, 2007Air suspension performance - height sensor linkage arm disengaging.
- 10012963Feb 1, 2005Four corner load leveling air suspension may exhibit leveling concerns, such as one front corner dropping. Individual air springs available for service.
- 10016789Jan 1, 2005Rear axle noise repair.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 31% |
| 2022 | 1 | 5% |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 2% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 2 | 6% |
| 2014 | 1 | 6% |
| 2012 | 2 | 17% |
| 2006 | 16 | 27% |
| 2005 | 12 | 25% |
| 2004 | 24 | 28% |
| 2003 | 38 | 30% |
| 2002 | 1 | 3% |
| 2001 | 9 | 11% |
| 2000 | 9 | 8% |
| 1999 | 12 | 9% |
| 1998 | 25 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2003 Lincoln Navigator
22 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Lincoln Navigator
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology