Reliable Auto DB

2012 Lincoln Navigator reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Lincoln Navigator over 15 years — 0 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Navigator years here — under the median of the other years, which is 2. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Automatic transmission, Transmission control module, and Middle or rear assembly.

2012 Lincoln Navigator
Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

12

Per year

0

Recalls

3

Years on the road

15

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (5 of 12), then Suspension (2) and Electrical system (1).

Next to 2013

The 2013 Navigator has 14 complaints, 1 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Lincoln Navigator. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (3)

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2016-04-27 · NHTSA campaign 16V248000
Summary Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.
Recall powertrain, automatic transmission, transmission control module 2012-05-03 · NHTSA campaign 12V190000
Summary FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER SEQUENCE, STARTER INTERLOCK, AND TRANSMISSION BRAKING EFFECT" AND 108 “LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.” THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR (TRS) THAT WAS CALIBRATED OUT OF SPECIFICATION FOR REVERSE GEAR.
Remedy FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE TRS AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Recall seats, middle or rear assembly 2012-02-02 · NHTSA campaign 12V034000
Summary FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 19, 2011, THROUGH DECEMBER 2, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 202, "HEAD RESTRAINTS." THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE INADEQUATE WELDS ON THE HEAD RESTRAINT SUPPORT BRACKETS FOR THE SECOND ROW, RIGHT-HAND SEAT.
Remedy FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HEAD RESTRAINTS AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 21, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Complaints by component (12 total)

Powertrain
5
Suspension
2
Electrical system
1
Seat belts
1
Service brakes
1
Speed control
1
Tires
1
Crash-flagged

0

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

1201422016220173201812020120211202212024
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Belts dislodged on all tires. Tires have 70% tread left. My mechanic said it is manufacturing defect of Tires. SUV started shaking badly on highway"
    Tires · filed 2024-08-30
  • "Vehicle randomly downshifts at speed causing sudden and jarring loss of speed. Vehicle will eventually and intermittently flash a service wrench error, speedometer stops working, and displays "000 Miles to Empty"…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2022-08-01
  • "GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 2012 NAVIGATOR AUTOMATICALLY DOWN SHIFTED TO 1ST GEAR. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I TRIED TO START IT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. AFTER…"
    Powertrain · filed 2021-04-02
  • "MY 2012 NAVIGATOR STARTED TO ACT WEIRD THE WRENCH SIGNAL APPEARED,MY SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING,THE RPM WENT VERY HIGH,NO POWER ON MY SUV,MAYBE 5MPH THE MOST,AND THE INFORMATION SCREEN SHOWS NO GAS,WHILE I HAVE 1/2…"
    Powertrain, Speed control · filed 2020-06-23
  • "BRAKE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER NO GOOD. BRAKE FLUID COSTENTLY DISAPPEARING, NO LEAKS UNDER TRUCK BUT ONCE EMPTY OR CLOSE TO LOW LINE HAVE TO PRESS BREAKS TO THE FLOOR JUST TO TRY AND SLOW DOWN TO STOP... BOTH IN CITY…"
    Unknown or other, Service brakes · filed 2018-06-04

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2012 Lincoln Navigator EXTENDED SUV 4x2 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 3 stars
2012 Lincoln Navigator EXTENDED SUV 4x4 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2012 Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 3 stars
2012 Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Navigator two-wheel drive flex-fuel 5.4L, 8-cyl Automatic 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 14 20 16 MPG $4050
Navigator four-wheel drive flex-fuel 5.4L, 8-cyl Automatic 6-speed Part-time four-wheel drive 13 18 15 MPG $4300

Compare

Next year 2013 Lincoln Navigator See every Lincoln Navigator model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Lincoln Navigator reliable?

Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Lincoln Navigator over 15 years — 0 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Navigator years here — under the median of the other years, which is 2. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Automatic transmission, Transmission control module, and Middle or rear assembly.

What are common problems with a 2012 Lincoln Navigator?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (5 of 12), then Suspension (2) and Electrical system (1).

Is the 2012 Lincoln Navigator more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 Navigator has 14 complaints, 1 per year. The 2012 has fewer complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Lincoln Navigator been recalled?

The 2012 Lincoln Navigator has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Lincoln Navigator?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2012 Lincoln Navigator with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Lincoln Navigator get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator is 15.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Lincoln Navigator take?

U554 Navigators with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 use 0W-20 full synthetic; capacity is about 4.5 quarts with filter.

What does recall 22V-250 cover on the Navigator?

Certain 2020-2021 Navigators (with other Ford trucks/SUVs): windshield wiper arms may break. Dealers inspect and replace them if needed.

What tire size is common on Black Label Navigators?

285/45R22 is a common Black Label fitment; confirm the door placard for your trim.