2003 Lincoln NAVIGATOR problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
127 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
72,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 91 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 127 complaints (22.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 12.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 13 | 10.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 5.5% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 28 |
| Electrical System | 19 |
| Air Bags | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Structure | 7 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 5 |
| Suspension:Rear | 5 |
Suspension: 28; Electrical System: 19; Air Bags: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Structure: 7; Structure:Body: 5; Structure:Body:Door: 5; Suspension:Rear: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 20 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 17 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 20 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 17; 100,000 to 149,999: 20; 150,000 and above: 8
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 36 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 22 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 22 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2002: 3; 2003: 16; 2004: 22; 2005: 9; 2006: 5; 2007: 1; 2008: 4; 2009: 11; 2010: 22; 2011: 13; 2012: 4; 2013: 1; 2014: 6; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2022: 1; 2024: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 13 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10044144 · 2004-10-27 (October 27, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE ELECTRONIC SHUTDOWN CAUSING THE STEERING TO BECOME INOPERATIVE AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE HAD COME TO A ROLLING HALT. THE LINCOLN DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO ASSURE REPAIRS OR EXPLAIN THE CAUSE AND EFFECT OF THE MALFUNCTION. *AK *SCC *TC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10044144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050274 · 2004-01-06 (January 6, 2004)
WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. *AK WHEN IDLING THE VEHICLE MADE A PRESSURE LIKE NOISE THAT WOULD GET LOUDER, THE LOW OIL INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD COME ON, THE VALVES HAD A TAPPING SOUND THAT WAS ABNORMAL, THERE WAS A METAL SCRAPING SOUND WHICH AS IF THE BOTTOM WAS GOING TO DROP OUT, THERE WERE EXHAUST NOISES ALONG WITH A POPPING SOUND, AND THERE WAS CONTINUOUS STALLING. *SC THE CONSUME…
Owner-reported narrative. 17,562 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050274 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033816 · 2003-08-11 (August 11, 2003)
THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *MR *CB
Owner-reported narrative. 3 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037522 · 2003-09-09 (September 9, 2003)
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. THE LIGHTS INSIDE WERE GOING CRAZY AND THE OUTSIDE MIRRORS KEPT GOING UP AND DOWN AND ACTING CRAZY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN ON 8/20 AND THEY FOUND 7 ELECTRICAL FAULTS WITH THE VEHICLE. ON AUGUST 25, 2003, FOUND OUT I HAD BEEN CARRYING TRIPLETS BUT LOST TWO AND AM NOW PREGNANT WITH ONE. DO NOT KNOW IF THAT WAS RELATED OR NOT. ON AUGUST 30TH THE BACK LIFT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10037522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10117138 · 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)
WHILE SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD DOWN SHIFT ON ITS OWN. DRIVER HEARD A CLANKING SOUND. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10117138 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140305 · 2005-10-20 (October 20, 2005)
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. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140305 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070774 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
ON 7/31 I HAD A TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM FAULT ERROR AND TOOK IN FOR PROBLEM TO BE FIXED. ON 8/17 WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE I WAS SHOVED INTO STEERING WHEEL AS FAR UP AS IT WOULD GO AND MIRRORS WERE GOING CRAZY ON OUTSIDE. I 'M THREE MONTHS PREGNANT AND I ALREADY LOST 2 OF THE 3 TRIPLETS I FOUND OUT ON 8/25. NOT SURE IF THIS IS WHY OR NOT. ON TOP OF THAT HAD ANOTHER TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM FAULT ERROR. THEY PUT ON MACHINE AND FOUND 7 ERROR CODES AND SAID THEY FIXED, IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO BRING IT BACK. ON 8/30 THE LIGHTS WENT NUTS, THE BACK LIFTGA…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,982 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070774 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073057 · 2004-05-24 (May 24, 2004)
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. THE POWER RUNNING BOARDS HAVE NEVER WORKED PROPERLY AND THE DEALER CAN…
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073057 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10340514 · 2010-06-28 (June 28, 2010)
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 SE…
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10340514 at NHTSA ↗