2003 Lincoln Navigator
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 127
- Recalls
- 1
- Investigations
- 1
- Top problem
- Suspension
Campaigns on file for 2003
Opened by NHTSA
31% of complaints
Complaints per year
2003: 127 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1997 | 0 |
| 1998 | 192 |
| 1999 | 132 |
| 2000 | 109 |
| 2001 | 81 |
| 2002 | 32 |
| 2003 | 127 |
| 2004 | 86 |
| 2005 | 48 |
| 2006 | 60 |
| 2007 | 45 |
| 2008 | 30 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 16 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 14 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2016 | 25 |
| 2017 | 32 |
| 2018 | 51 |
| 2019 | 82 |
| 2020 | 30 |
| 2021 | 32 |
| 2022 | 21 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 1 |
| 2027 | 0 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Suspension
31% · 39 reportsMost commonly citing rear and front.
Electrical system
18% · 23 reportsMost commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and wiring.
Show complaint excerpts
Loss of brake fluid, leaked through to cruise deactivation switch into cruise systems and electrical components causing corrosion which caused a short.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-13
Also filed under Engine and engine cooling and vehicle speed control
I was driving down driveway and hit the memory seat button my my naviagator and the seat started to move forward and kept going forward until it reached the very farthest it could go forward.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-09
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-04-22
Structure
14% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing door and body.
Air bags
11% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing side/window and frontal.
Visibility
11% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing sun/moon roof assembly and exterior.
Safety timeline
1 recall · 1 investigation · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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▮
2003Complaint volume 127 complaints filed for this model year.
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I
2005-09-22Defect petitionClosed 2006-01-04 Spark plug ejection from cylinder head
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R
Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Lincoln Navigator — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Suspension: 39 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 23 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 18 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2003 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Lincoln Navigator is rated "significantly worse".
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Lincoln Navigator?
- The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 Lincoln Navigator have?
- 1 recall on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.