The Lemon Index
2002
20042nd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: visibility
Better years to buy
55 owner complaints, first 3 years 13 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2003 Cadillac Escalade 762003 Volvo XC902003 BMW X5
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2003 Lincoln Navigator
- Engine stalling8 complaintsmostly at 3,500–25,000 miles (5,600–40,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 127 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Lincoln Navigator (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,000 and 30,000 miles (4,800–48,000 km) (the middle half of the 28 complaints, of all 55 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 06E064000 (lights) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Lincoln sent dealers 150 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Fluid leaks from the rear halfshaft seal”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lincoln's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 55 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 30K miles (5K to 48K km) on the car (28 of all 55 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
While driving 70 mph the vehicle would suddenly shut down. This problem has occurred four times.
2003 Lincoln Navigator owner · NHTSA complaint 10109614
More owner reports
Mirrors go out of adjustment and can impair side/rear view. Dt
NHTSA complaint 770409
While driving vehicle experienced computer electronic system shutdown.
NHTSA complaint 10103160
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 150 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Fluid leaks from the rear halfshaft seal
- Front door glass making a popping noise as it enters the header seal at the top of the door…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Lights · recall issued 2006
CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Lincoln Navigator recall, all years · All Lincoln recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedSpark plug ejection from cylinder head2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $5,800 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.4L 8-cyl.
Every Lincoln Navigator year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-navigator/?y=2003" title="Lincoln Navigator reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lincoln-navigator/2003/">Lemon Index</a> (2003 Lincoln Navigator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2003 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 174; 100 is average, lower is better). The Lincoln Navigator year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2004.
What are the most common 2003 Lincoln Navigator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (24%), electrical (24%) and body structure (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Lincoln Navigator have?
1 safety recall (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Lincoln Navigator get?
13 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Lincoln Navigator problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,000 and 30,000 miles (4,800–48,000 km) (the middle half of the 28 complaints, of all 55 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2003 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2003 Lincoln Navigator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Lincoln Navigator cost in fuel a year?
About $5,800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Lincoln Navigator have?
5.4L 8-cyl.
What Lincoln Navigator year is better than the 2003?
Nearby, the 2004 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works