2003 Lincoln Navigator Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 10%of 127 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Lincoln Navigator, 10% of the 127 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Gear shift knob came loose. Causing the vehicle to be locked into the drive position. Could not use reverse, neutral or park. I could not shift the vehicle out of the drive. Dealership tells me that the whole assembly needs to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10375034, filed 2011-01, 61,400 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. Mechanic stated that he had seen this many times on ford vehicles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10340514, filed 2010-06, 72,000 miles“Dt: the contact stated that vehicle was difficult to shift from park. The transmission was making a clanking sound. When starting up the engine it made a strange noise. After the engine was running for a while the noise went away. The vehicle has been to dealership about six times for the same problem. The dealership was unable to make a diagnosis.”
NHTSA complaint #10140305, filed 2005-10, 13,000 miles“The transmission shift interlock has failed - effectively leaving the vehicle stuck in park while maneuvering the vehicle from a stopped position and attempting to move forward. This is the second time this has happened. Luckily, it was not in an emergency situation where we needed to move right away as indicated by a previous poster. For some reason, the transistor in the transmission shift interlock fails, effectively leaving the vehicle in park. …”
NHTSA complaint #10224465, filed 2008-04, 98,000 miles“Vehicle was purchased at marshall bros in new orleans, vehicle was sold as a certified vehicle. Vehicle had to have a new transmission installed 2 months after vehicle purchased. Vehicle was sold with the problem known to dealership. Worker at location stated they knew it and when we purchased vehicle, they insisted on us buying an extended warranty since it was used. Insisted to the point of giving policy at cost, this was due to known problem, transmission case and unit was so badly damaged that it could not have been missed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10308848, filed 2010-02, 55,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10214754Jun 21, 2022Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may…
- 10028736May 1, 2009Ford: some vehicles may exhibit oil separation from the internal lube found in the unitized cartridge seal. Oil separation appears to be and is often misdiagnosed, as an axle…
- 10014100Jan 1, 2006Limited slip axle chatter, shudder, binding sensation, or vibration during low speed turning maneuvers.
- 10018069Sep 1, 2005A tiny crack, or cracks, around the transfer case drain plug hole.
- 10014668May 1, 2005Axle seal leaks.
- 10017892Apr 1, 2005Rear axle noise repair.
- 10014659Mar 1, 2005Axle whine howl. This includes 1997-05 ford vehicles.
- 10012977Feb 1, 2005Tiny crack or cracks around the transfer case drain plug.
- 10012959Feb 1, 2005Axle whine howl service with individual parts instead of an axle assembly.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 | 25% |
| 2022 | 1 | 5% |
| 2021 | 6 | 18% |
| 2020 | 18 | 56% |
| 2019 | 24 | 28% |
| 2018 | 20 | 38% |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 2 | 8% |
| 2015 | 5 | 24% |
| 2014 | 7 | 41% |
| 2013 | 6 | 43% |
| 2012 | 5 | 42% |
| 2011 | 2 | 22% |
| 2010 | 2 | 13% |
| 2008 | 2 | 7% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 6 | 10% |
| 2005 | 5 | 10% |
| 2004 | 4 | 5% |
| 2003 | 13 | 10% |
| 2002 | 2 | 6% |
| 2001 | 7 | 9% |
| 2000 | 10 | 9% |
| 1999 | 8 | 6% |
| 1998 | 16 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2003 Lincoln Navigator
38 complaintsElectrical system
22 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsAir bags
14 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 Oct 31, 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