2003 Ford Navigator problems
The Lincoln Navigator is a full-size luxury SUV marketed and sold by the Lincoln Motor Company brand of Ford Motor Company since the 1998 model year. Sold primarily in North America, the Navigator is the Lincoln counterpart of the Ford Expedition. It is the heaviest production Lincoln ever built, and is also the Lincoln with the greatest cargo capacity and the first non-limousine Lincoln to offer seating for more than six people.
Lincoln Navigator production was sourced from 1997 to 2009 at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan. Since 2009, production has also been sourced from the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky.
Background
At the end of the 1980s, in the United States, sport-utility vehicles gradually began to transition from dedicated off-road vehicles towards dedicated family vehicles, similar to station wagons. In 1991, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer (SJ) ended its almost unchanged 28-year production run. The vehicle had gained a famous reputation for its high content, featuring the same content as a luxury sedan. A smaller, unibody Grand Cherokee (ZJ) was induced during 1992 that offered new luxury equipment and class-exclusive features. General Motors introduced the Oldsmobile Bravada in 1990 and Ford later introduced the Mercury Mountaineer in 1996, convincing several other manufacturers to introduce mid-size luxury SUVs. As full-size SUVs such as the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition are highly profitable vehicles, the Lincoln Navigator was positioned by Ford as a full-sized, luxury SUV.
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Common 2003 Ford Navigator problems
The Ford Navigator 2003, a full-size luxury SUV, has been reported to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. While the vehicle is known for its posh cabin, superb handling, and excellent fuel economy, its reliability ratings are not as impressive. RepairPal gives the Lincoln Navigator an average reliability score of 2.5 out of 5, ranking it 5th out of 19 vehicles in the luxury vehicle category.
One of the most common issues with the 2003 Ford Navigator is related to the fuse panel design, which has been known to take in water and burn out the fuses. This can lead to various electrical problems, including issues with the air conditioning, power windows, and other electrical components.
Another problem reported by owners of the 2003 Ford Navigator is rust damage on the running boards. This can cause the support structure to become unstable, requiring replacement of the brackets or the entire running board, which can cost up to $1,500 in parts and labor.
The Lincoln Navigator's air suspension system is also a common source of problems. According to reports, issues may arise when drivers forget to switch off the air suspension when using a jack to lift the vehicle. If the air bags fail to self-adjust when the vehicle is lowered, it can cause further damage to the suspension system.
Corroded battery cable ends can also be a problem in the 2003 Ford Navigator. This can cause intermittent electrical issues, including problems starting the vehicle, and can lead to more serious electrical problems if not addressed promptly.
Additionally, some 2003 Ford Navigator units have been reported to have issues with the exhaust system, including leaks and other damage that can lead to reduced performance and increased emissions.
While the 2003 Ford Navigator has its share of common problems, it is still a reliable vehicle overall, with a predicted reliability score of 84 out of 100 from J.D. Power. However, it is important for owners to be aware of these common issues and to address them promptly to ensure the longevity and reliability of their vehicle.
Is Lincoln Navigator a reliable car?
The Lincoln Navigator, particularly the 2020 model, ranks high in reliability. Although it only earns a 2.5 out of five-star rating from RepairPal, the model ranks fifth out of 19 luxury full-size SUVs. This model visits the repair shop 0.4 times annually and costs just over $1,000 yearly to maintain.
Are Lincoln Navigators expensive to fix?
The average annual repair cost is $1,089 which means it has poor ownership costs.
How long can a Lincoln Navigator engine last?
Another user with a 2020 model has reached about 90,000 miles without major issues, noting the vehicle's power and comfort. The responses suggest that a Navigator can easily surpass 130,000 to 140,000 miles with proper maintenance.
How many miles can a Lincoln Navigator get?
With standard RWD, the New Lincoln Navigator delivers around 377.6 miles of city driving or 519.2 miles of highway driving per each 23.6 gallon tank of gas.
Is the Navigator reliable?
The Lincoln Navigator has a 2.5 out of 5 reliability rating from RepairPal, ranking it 5th out of 19 vehicles in the luxury vehicle category.
Are Lincoln Navigators expensive to fix?
The average annual repair cost is $1,089 which means it has poor ownership costs.
What engine is in the Navigator?
"The Navigator is propelled by a 440-horsepower turbocharged V6. That's a lot of muscle for the class. Acceleration is swift (standstill to 60 mph in just over five seconds), yet happens in a suitably hushed manner." "The Navigator is propelled by a 440-horsepower turbocharged V6.
Why is my Navigator not starting?
Correcting most no-start problems usually involves replacing the alternator, starter or battery, cleaning connections, ignition system repairs, or fuel system repairs.
2003 Ford Navigator car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Navigator problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Steering problems
- Seat belts problems
- Suspension problems
- Air bags problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2003 Ford Navigator vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2003 Ford Navigator complaints
The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2003 Ford Navigator.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-09-02
- VIN: 5LMFU28R73L
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 03 NAVIGATOR BEGAN "STUTTERING" WHEN DRIVING, FELT LIKE A TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THREE OF THE EIGHT CYLINDERS WERE NOT AT FULL COMPRESSION. HE ADVISED NEW HEADS WERE NEEDED. COST: $7000. SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON THE PROBLEM, INDEPENDENT (FORMER FORD TECH) MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM. HE ADVISED THIS IS VERY COMMON ON THE TRITAN MOTOR AND THERE IS A CASTING PROBLEM WITH THE HEADS. *TR
STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-01-11
- VIN: 5LMFU28R91L
- Components: STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE SPARK PLUGS EXPLODED, AND SHE HAS HAD TO REPLACE THE SPARK PLUGS AND COILS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE SPARK PLUGS EXPLODED THEY SENT SENDS THE FRAGMENTS FROM THE SPARK PLUGS INTO THE ENGINE. EACH TIME THIS HAPPENED THE NUMBER 3 AND NUMBER 4 SPARKS WERETHE ONES THAT EXPLODED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON JANUARY 11, 2007 IT WAS THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT. SHE HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WITH THE MECHANIC SINCE 01/11/2007. *AK THE BRAKES SQUEAKED, THE SEAT BELT BUTTON WAS REPLACED, THE IDLER ARM WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALWAYS RUN ROUGH AND LOOSE POWER. UPDATD 02/27/07. *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-11-04
- VIN: 1FMFU16L53L
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: 2003 FORD EXPEDITION XLT WITH 5.4 LITER TRITON V8 ENGINE WITH 59,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND NOT ABUSED. THE #3 SPARK PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT OF THE ALUMINUM CYLINDER HEAD DURING DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. THIS EVENT WAS PRECEDED BY A TAPPING NOISE WHICH OCCURRED OVER THE PRECEDING TWO WEEKS. THE NOISE WAS SIMILAR TO A NOISY VALVE LIFTER. THE ENGINE HAD THE ORIGINAL FACTORY INSTALLED SPARK PLUGS THAT WERE NEVER REMOVED, REPLACED OR SERVICED. THE FACTORY CHANGE INTERVAL ON THE PLUGS IS 100,000 MILES. SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT RESULTED IN THE THE NEED TO REPLACE THE CYLINDER HEAD AND COIL PACK. INSPECTION OF THE OLD PART REVEALED THAT ONLY 4 TO 5 THREADS WERE PROVIDED TO RETAIN THE SPARK PLUG. INSPECTION OF THE NEW REPLACEMENT HEAD REVEALED THAT 9 THREADS ARE PROVIDED TO RETAIN THE SPARK PLUG. FORD KEPT THE OLD PARTS. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT HAS BEEN CORRECTED BY AN IMPROVED NEW HEAD. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OR POSSIBLY MILLIONS OF VEHICLES ON THE ROAD WITH THIS DEFECT. THE TRITON ENGINES WITH CYLINDER HEADS HAVING THIS DEFECT WERE USED IN FORD AND LINCOLN SUV'S AND TRUCKS FROM APPROXIMATELY 1998 TO 2003, INCLUDING HE POPULAR F150 PICKUP. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH, MAKING A LOUD NOISE AND COULD NOT BE SAFELY DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE STALLED. *NM
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-02-25
- VIN: 5LMFU27R93L
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: ON FEBRUARY 25, 2005, I TOOK MY 2003 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR A MAJOR FRONT AIR SUSPENSION PROBLEM; THE FRONT HALF OF MY CAR WAS SO LOW TO THE GROUND WHILE THE BACK HALF WAS SET HIGH. THE RIDE WAS VERY BUMPY, ROUGH,AND UNWIELDY . THE DEALERSHIPS SERVICE PERSONNEL DETERMINED THE VEHICLE'S AIR SUSPENSION COMPRESSOR WAS INOPERABLE AND THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE OF THE CAR'S FRONT PNEUMATIC SYSTEM. DEALER INSTALLED NEW COMPRESSOR AND PERFORMED RECALIBRATING TESTS OF THE PNEUMATIC SYSTEM BUT LESS THAN A MONTH LATER ON MARCH 22ND, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AND I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER REPAIR. THIS TIME THE "RIDE HEIGHT CALIBRATION" WAS INACCURATE AND WAS SUPPOSEDLY RE-MEASURED AND RECALCULATED. THE FOLLOWING DAY I NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT OF MY CAR LOW TO THE GROUND. ON MARCH 25TH, I CONTACTED THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. ON MARCH 28TH, THE CAR IS IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR THE SAME SUSPENSION PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED THAT THE CAR WILL BE TESTED AND KEPT OVERNIGHT TO MAKE SURE THE PROBLEM DOES NOT CONTINUE. THE TECHNICIANS AT THIS POINT DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS SUSPENSION PROBLEM KEEPS HAPPENING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS THE CAR IS VERY UNWIELDY WHEN IT IS DRIVEN. I'M AFRAID THAT THE CAR HAS AN EVEN GREATER TENDENCY TO ROLLOVER IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT SOLVED.*JB
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-09-15
- VIN: PLEASE FILL
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE'S FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS SENSOR STAYS ON. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2003 Ford Navigator problems:
2003 Lincoln Navigator Problems and Complaints - 17 Issues
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