FaultScore

FaultScore report

2003 Lincoln Navigator problems

Owners have filed 179 complaints about the 2003 Lincoln Navigator with NHTSA between 2002 and 2026. The largest single group is the suspension. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 27 worst.

F

FaultScore 88/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Lincoln Navigator.

How this is worked out

The numbers

179

Complaints

12

Crashes reported

5

Fires reported

13

Injuries reported

55,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

35%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 100 vs 50 Severity 87 vs 50 Early failure 59 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 100
Against the median year of the Lincoln Navigator. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 87
16.8% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 59
35% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2003 compares with every other Lincoln Navigator

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2003 Lincoln Navigator

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Suspension 39 21.8%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 76,000 mi

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 55,000 mi

Body & Structure 18 10.1%

Median failure at 40,000 miles

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 84,000 mi

Median failure at 6,982 miles

Airbags 14 7.8%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 119,600 mi

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 55,000 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 7 3.9%

2 crashes, 1 fires · median 65,500 mi

Brakes 7 3.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 30,000 mi

Equipment & Accessories 5 2.8%

Median failure at 1,750 miles

Other & Unspecified 4 2.2%

Median failure at 71,000 miles

Tires 3 1.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 17,550 mi

Lights 3 1.7%

Median failure at 143,500 miles

Steering 3 1.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 40,000 mi

Doors, Latches & Locks 2 1.1%

Median failure at 73,781 miles

Stability & Traction Control 2 1.1%

Median failure at 76,500 miles

Seats 2 1.1%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

Wheels 2 1.1%

Median failure at 6,100 miles

Seat Belts 1 0.6%

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Body 5 15.6%
Rear 5 15.6%
Door 5 15.6%
Engine 4 12.5%
Front 4 12.5%
Side/Window 3 9.4%
Exterior 3 9.4%
Sun/Moon Roof Assembly 3 9.4%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 15 11.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 7 5.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 13 9.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 25 18.4%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 18 13.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 21 15.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 25 18.4%
150,000+ miles 12 8.8%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Sep 2002 peak 9 Apr 2026

NHTSA investigations into the 2003 Lincoln Navigator

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

DP05005 Opened 22 Sep 2005 Closed 4 Jan 2006 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

SPARK PLUG EJECTION FROM CYLINDER HEAD

ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2005, ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ENGINE SPARK PLUG EJECTION IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2004 FORD VEHICLES WITH TRITON V-8 AND V-10 ENGINES.ODI RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 474 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WHERE THE COMPLAINANT, OR THE DEALER REPAIRING THE VEHICLE, REPORTED THAT A SPARK PLUG DETACHED FROM THE CYLINDER AND/OR EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE.AS OF DECEMBER 8, 2005, ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY ALLEGATIONS WHERE THE ALLEGED DEFECT RESULTED IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, A CRASH, AN INJURY, OR A FATALITY IN A...

Recalls on the 2003 Lincoln Navigator

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

06E064000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 120,196 miles Tuskegee, AL Fire

FIRERELATED

The contact owned a 2003 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that fifteen minutes after she parked and turned off the vehicle in the driveway, her brother alerted her that the driver's side front seat had caught fire. The air bags were deployed. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The fire department determined that the cause of the fire was an electrical system failure. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle remained in the driveway and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. Prior to the failure, the gear shifter and driver's side front seat made grinding noises, and the passenger's side front window made clicking noises while driving. The failure mileage was 120,196.

NHTSA complaint #11489796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Phil, PA Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARD. THE ENGINE WAS OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK. THE CONTACT RAN TO CATCH VEHICLE AND WAS INJURED FROM A FALL. DRIVER SUFFERED SPRAINED ANGLE, BODY BRUISING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10573745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 199,000 miles Whittier, CA Fire

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, LEAKED THROUGH TO CRUISE DEACTIVATION SWITCH INTO CRUISE SYSTEMS AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS CAUSING CORROSION WHICH CAUSED A SHORT. HAD TROUBLE WITH CRUISE CONTROL WORKING OVER TIME LEAD TO HIGHER FLOW OF CURRENT THAT OVERHEATED AND CAUSED FIRE AT SWITCH UNDER HOOD. FORD SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE AREA WHERE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS LOCATED (LEFT REAR CORNER OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE MASTER CYLINDER. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FAILURE PRIOR TO THE FIRE INCLUDING INOPERABLE SPEED CONTROL, REPEATED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING OUT OF PARK.

NHTSA complaint #10451552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 199,000 miles Whittier, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, LEAKED THROUGH TO CRUISE DEACTIVATION SWITCH INTO CRUISE SYSTEMS AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS CAUSING CORROSION WHICH CAUSED A SHORT. HAD TROUBLE WITH CRUISE CONTROL WORKING OVER TIME LEAD TO HIGHER FLOW OF CURRENT THAT OVERHEATED AND CAUSED FIRE AT SWITCH UNDER HOOD. FORD SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE AREA WHERE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS LOCATED (LEFT REAR CORNER OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE MASTER CYLINDER. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FAILURE PRIOR TO THE FIRE INCLUDING INOPERABLE SPEED CONTROL, REPEATED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING OUT OF PARK.

NHTSA complaint #10451552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 199,000 miles Whittier, CA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, LEAKED THROUGH TO CRUISE DEACTIVATION SWITCH INTO CRUISE SYSTEMS AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS CAUSING CORROSION WHICH CAUSED A SHORT. HAD TROUBLE WITH CRUISE CONTROL WORKING OVER TIME LEAD TO HIGHER FLOW OF CURRENT THAT OVERHEATED AND CAUSED FIRE AT SWITCH UNDER HOOD. FORD SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FIRE. THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE AREA WHERE THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IS LOCATED (LEFT REAR CORNER OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE MASTER CYLINDER. THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH FAILURE PRIOR TO THE FIRE INCLUDING INOPERABLE SPEED CONTROL, REPEATED DIFFICULTY SHIFTING OUT OF PARK.

NHTSA complaint #10451552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami, FL 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I WAS DRIVING INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN SPONTANEOUSLY BOTH SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED CAUSING ME FIRST DEGREE BURNS AND CONTUSIONS ON MY FOREARM, FACE AND CHEST. ALSO MY DAUGHTER HAD CONTUSIONS ON FOREARM AND HEAD.

NHTSA complaint #10427828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 247,000 miles Cornell, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

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. The contact reset the mileage, and the display showed 247,000. The contact had not contacted any other agencies. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint #11732915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Blue Jay, CA

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2003 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, prompting the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the rocker arms, and that the engine lacked adequate compression in cylinders #2 and #3, resulting in engine damage. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA complaint #11610921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,196 miles Tuskegee, AL Fire

FIRERELATED

The contact owned a 2003 Lincoln Navigator. The contact stated that fifteen minutes after she parked and turned off the vehicle in the driveway, her brother alerted her that the driver's side front seat had caught fire. The air bags were deployed. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The fire department determined that the cause of the fire was an electrical system failure. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle remained in the driveway and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. Prior to the failure, the gear shifter and driver's side front seat made grinding noises, and the passenger's side front window made clicking noises while driving. The failure mileage was 120,196.

NHTSA complaint #11489796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles Miami, FL

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

RAIN WATER LEAK NEXT TO PASSENGER SIDE BACK REAR POWER WINDOW WHILE PARKED

NHTSA complaint #11246739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,000 miles Fremont, WI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TAKATA RECALL !!! I HAVE A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR THAT HAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE REVERSE LIGHTS SAME RECALL ISSUE AS THE 2012 NAVIGATOR ALSO THE CAR WHEN IT'S IN PARK WON'T ENGAGE WHEN THE BREAK PEDAL IS APPLIED TO UNLOCK THE GEARING TO REVERSE NUTURAL DRIVE 1ST AND 2ED GEAR IT WON'T HUGE SAFETY WITH THE REVERSE LIGHTS I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OTHER DRIVERS ARE NOT AWARE I'M REVERSING ISSUE STARTED TWO MONTHS AGO AND I STOPPED DRIVING IT BECAUSE I ALMOST GET INTO ACCIDENTS WITH OUT THE REVERSE LIGHTS WONDER IF THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY CONSENT FOR A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11191091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,000 miles Fremont, WI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL !!! I HAVE A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR THAT HAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE REVERSE LIGHTS SAME RECALL ISSUE AS THE 2012 NAVIGATOR ALSO THE CAR WHEN IT'S IN PARK WON'T ENGAGE WHEN THE BREAK PEDAL IS APPLIED TO UNLOCK THE GEARING TO REVERSE NUTURAL DRIVE 1ST AND 2ED GEAR IT WON'T HUGE SAFETY WITH THE REVERSE LIGHTS I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OTHER DRIVERS ARE NOT AWARE I'M REVERSING ISSUE STARTED TWO MONTHS AGO AND I STOPPED DRIVING IT BECAUSE I ALMOST GET INTO ACCIDENTS WITH OUT THE REVERSE LIGHTS WONDER IF THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY CONSENT FOR A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11191091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Rohnert Park, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY SUSPENSION HAS AIRBAGS THAT DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I KNOW OTHER NAVIGATOR OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT AND WORKED ON BUT NOTHING CHANGES.PROBLEM SOMEWHERE IN THE SYSTEM. THE AIRBAGS DO NOT RAISE THE CAR AND IT BOUNCES AROUND WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR IS HARD TO CONTROL

NHTSA complaint #11073933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 107,000 miles Port Haywood, VA

ENGINE

COMING HOME FROM A TRIP ENGINE STARTED TO MISFIRE. COME TO FIND OUT THE # 3 SPARK PLUS EXPLODED DESTROYING THE COIL AND AND THREADS HOLDING THE SPARK PLUG IN. CAUSING THE NEED TO RE TAP THE THREADS.

NHTSA complaint #10874720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,000 miles Charlotte, NC

ENGINE

JUST DRIVING IN A 45 MPH, WHEN HEARD LOUD BANGING COMING FROM ENGINE. PULLED OVER AND HAD CAR TOWED IN FOR REPAIR. ENGINE BLEW OUT A SPARK PLUG.

NHTSA complaint #10760148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 158,000 miles Caster, WY

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

NHTSA complaint #10731207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. ALSO, A "CHECK THE SUSPENSION" MESSAGE ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE REAR SHOCKS FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE RUNNING BOARD SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA complaint #10681107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles LAS Vegas, NV

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. ALSO, A "CHECK THE SUSPENSION" MESSAGE ILLUMINATED INDICATING THAT THE REAR SHOCKS FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE RUNNING BOARD SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA complaint #10681107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 159,000 miles Millville, UT

ENGINE

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH, WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND CLANKING NOISE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT ENGINE AREA. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY WHOLE FAMILY IN THE SUV. WE WERE ABLE TO STILL DRIVE IT TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS A "BLOWN-OUT SPARK PLUG". HE SAID THE SPARK PLUG HAD COME OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. HE SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THAT ENGINE AND THERE WAS A SPARK PLUG KIT FOR IT. HE USED THE KIT, AND IT ONLY HELD FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. IT NOW HAS LOST POWER, SHAKES, AND POOR GAS MILEAGE. THE REPAIR KIT OBVIOUSLY IS NOT AMPLE FOR THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10668927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Gainesville, FL

STEERING

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. THESE ARE OF THE LINCOLN NAVIGATOR ONLY, NOT ITS EQUIVALENT FORD EXPEDITION, WHICH ALSO HAS HOSTS OF COMPLAINTS.) MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS STATE, MUCH LIKE MY EXPERIENCE, THAT THE DEALER CANNOT EVEN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE TO YOU THE DANGER INVOLVED WHEN THE SUSPENSION FAILS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR BOUNCES VIOLENTLY AND BECOMES TOTALLY UNCONTROLLABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10654505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Gainesville, FL

SUSPENSION

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. THESE ARE OF THE LINCOLN NAVIGATOR ONLY, NOT ITS EQUIVALENT FORD EXPEDITION, WHICH ALSO HAS HOSTS OF COMPLAINTS.) MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS STATE, MUCH LIKE MY EXPERIENCE, THAT THE DEALER CANNOT EVEN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE TO YOU THE DANGER INVOLVED WHEN THE SUSPENSION FAILS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR BOUNCES VIOLENTLY AND BECOMES TOTALLY UNCONTROLLABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10654505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Gainesville, FL

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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. THESE ARE OF THE LINCOLN NAVIGATOR ONLY, NOT ITS EQUIVALENT FORD EXPEDITION, WHICH ALSO HAS HOSTS OF COMPLAINTS.) MANY OF THE COMPLAINTS STATE, MUCH LIKE MY EXPERIENCE, THAT THE DEALER CANNOT EVEN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DESCRIBE TO YOU THE DANGER INVOLVED WHEN THE SUSPENSION FAILS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE CAR BOUNCES VIOLENTLY AND BECOMES TOTALLY UNCONTROLLABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10654505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pearson, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY ROOF-MOUNTED DVD PLAYER HAS NEVER WORKED BUT STILL MAKES NOISES WHEN CAR IS CRUNK UP OR SWITCHED OFF, MY BATTERY ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT DEAD (CAR WOULD NOT CRANK), HEADLIGHTS HAVE SHORTS IN THEM...AFTER REPLACING $100 BULBS, I FOUND OUT IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON, THE BULB WILL COME BACK ON, CHECK PARK ASSIST LIGHT AND ALARMS COME ON EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE, AND MY SUSPENSION WILL NOT LET THE VEHICLE UP WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD.

NHTSA complaint #10654284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pearson, GA

SUSPENSION

MY ROOF-MOUNTED DVD PLAYER HAS NEVER WORKED BUT STILL MAKES NOISES WHEN CAR IS CRUNK UP OR SWITCHED OFF, MY BATTERY ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT DEAD (CAR WOULD NOT CRANK), HEADLIGHTS HAVE SHORTS IN THEM...AFTER REPLACING $100 BULBS, I FOUND OUT IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON, THE BULB WILL COME BACK ON, CHECK PARK ASSIST LIGHT AND ALARMS COME ON EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE, AND MY SUSPENSION WILL NOT LET THE VEHICLE UP WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD.

NHTSA complaint #10654284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pearson, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY ROOF-MOUNTED DVD PLAYER HAS NEVER WORKED BUT STILL MAKES NOISES WHEN CAR IS CRUNK UP OR SWITCHED OFF, MY BATTERY ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT DEAD (CAR WOULD NOT CRANK), HEADLIGHTS HAVE SHORTS IN THEM...AFTER REPLACING $100 BULBS, I FOUND OUT IF I TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND BACK ON, THE BULB WILL COME BACK ON, CHECK PARK ASSIST LIGHT AND ALARMS COME ON EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN REVERSE, AND MY SUSPENSION WILL NOT LET THE VEHICLE UP WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD.

NHTSA complaint #10654284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Bakersfield, CA

SUSPENSION

I BOUGHT MY USED 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR IN 2008. A YEAR LATER, AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. BOTH IN CITY AND ON HIGHWAY - VARIOUS SPEEDS - BUT THE SCARIEST AND MOST DANGEROUS WAS WHEN IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAYS. CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL SUSPENSION AND DROP EXTREMELY LOW. THE NAVI BOUNCED DANGEROUSLY AND VIOLENTLY EVEN AT VERY REDUCED SPEEDS. IT ALSO CAUSED THE NAVI TO SCRAPE THE GROUND ON A FEW OCCASIONS. HAD IT REPAIRED THREE TIMES @ $500+ AND WAS FINALLY TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL FOUR @ APPX $2000+!! I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NAVI'S. IN ORDER TO SAVE MY TIME, MONEY AND SANITY, I OPTED FOR SPRING-SUSPENSIONS AT A THIRD OF THE COST AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THOSE IN OVER 4 YEARS! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE SPRING-SUSPENSIONS AND STOP THE INSANITY.

NHTSA complaint #10604257 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,812 miles Bear, DE

SUSPENSION

TOTAL AIR SUSPENSION FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10592969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Phil, PA Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARD. THE ENGINE WAS OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK. THE CONTACT RAN TO CATCH VEHICLE AND WAS INJURED FROM A FALL. DRIVER SUFFERED SPRAINED ANGLE, BODY BRUISING. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10573745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,319 miles Pleasanton, CA

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A LOUD ROARING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND DETECTED THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE AIR LIFT COMPRESSOR. THE NOISE COULD ALSO BE HEARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,319.

NHTSA complaint #10545137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Valhalla, NY

SEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED TO ADJUST AND COULD NOT BE MOVED FORWARD. THE METAL BAR FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT FRACTURED AND THE SEAT BECAME LOCKED IN PLACE, WHICH WAS ABNORMALLY FAR FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE STEERING WHEEL OR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE METAL BAR ADJUSTER FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

NHTSA complaint #10486580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Candor, NC

SUSPENSION

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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.