LincolnNavigator2003Overview/lincoln/navigator/2003/base/

2003 Lincoln Navigator

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Navigator.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2003 Lincoln Navigator is an SUV equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission and an EPA-rated fuel economy of 11/15/13 mpg. This model requires 6.0 quarts of 5W-20 API engine oil. With 127 owner complaints—focused primarily on the suspension—and one recall, this year falls between the 1998 high of 209 complaints and the 2023 low of 6 in a model history spanning 1997 to 2027.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque150 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy11/15/13 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 · 650 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 · 650 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP275-65HR18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Spark plugAGSF32PM4

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length208.3 in
Overall width79.9 in
Overall height76.8 in
Wheelbase119.3 in
Curb weight5774 lb
Track (front / rear)68.1 / 68.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined11 / 15 / 13 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Navigator of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.3–10.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.30 sec — 2003 Ultimate
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2003Ultimate 5.4L V89.30 sec17.10 sec300 hp4x4
2003Ultimate 5.4L V810.30 sec17.60 sec300 hp4x4
2004Ultimate 5.4L V89.50 sec16.80 sec300 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 150 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity4 pints

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts150 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub20 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)730 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)30 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.052-0.056 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityLess auxiliary A/C, 2.00. With auxiliary A/C, 3.38. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil CapacityLess auxiliary A/C, 9.00. With auxiliary A/C, 14.00. oz
Standard BCI Group Number65
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 cca
Optional BCI Group Number65

Service checks

Pressure Test13-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief13-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)35-45
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle148 ft-lbs / 140 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.059; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0003 in / 0.0004 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.06 in / 0.75 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.001 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 30,000 miExhaust System Heat Shield (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · PCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miTransfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2003 Lincoln Navigator marks the start of a new model cohort with 127 complaints, 1 recall, 1 investigation, and 150 TSBs. Complaints rebounded sharply from 2002's low of 32, yet recalls stayed well below the 6–7 per year recorded from 1998 through 2001, and then declined further to 86 complaints and zero recalls in 2004. Within the 2003–2006 arc, 2003 carries the highest complaint volume, followed by a general downward trend through 2005, suggesting this year represented a transient peak rather than a sustained defect pattern. Top 2003 complaint categories were suspension (27), structure (13), air bags (11), and electrical system (9), with 6 crash-related and 3 fire-related reports; the data does not specify root causes. Because recalls and investigations remained limited despite elevated complaints and TSBs, 2003 is a reasonable year to buy provided the individual vehicle passes a rigorous inspection focused on suspension, structure, air-bag, and electrical systems.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
150
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
127
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 127 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Suspension27
Structure13
Air Bags11
Electrical System9
Power Train8
Visibility7
Engine & Engine Cooling5
Engine4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

06E064000Exterior LightingReported 17/07/2006

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… 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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 150 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 24-21882024-07-24WheelsThis article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to…
SSM 515362023-04-04StructureFor 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis…
TSB 22-22192022-06-21Power TrainSome 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped…
TSB 20-23072020-10-16Electrical SystemSome 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with TOD…
TSB 20-22332020-07-13StructureThis article supersedes TSB 19-2026 to update the vehicle model years affected. Some 2000…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Navigator. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 Navigator take?

6.0 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 Navigator have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Navigator get?

EPA figures are 11 city / 15 highway / 13 combined mpg.