2012 Lincoln Navigator: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 12 owner complaints on record; most reports concern power train.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Tires · Jul 2024
“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 tank,checked amd recalls and shows nothing,but a mechanic told me that the is a tbs recall for this transmission models,hope to hear from you thanks. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2020
“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 and highway, in motion and while parked”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2018
Show 4 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 lincoln navigator. The contact stated that the rear middle row center seat belt independently unlatched intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 16,569.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2016
“Since purchase of car I have feeling nauseous, tired, headaches, and on some occasions dizziness always when I'm in car and the car is on. Also my daughter always throws up when she is in car longer than 15 mins”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 lincoln navigator. The contact stated that the vehicle jolted while driving 55 mph. The failure occurred intermittently on five different occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be diagnosed. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v248000 (power train); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2014
“The rear air suspension failed and the car bottomed out multiple times after even the smallest of bumps. Tires and the structure around tire wheel wheel may also have been damaged due to the bottoming out. Dealer replaced pump for $1,267.53, but would not recognize or inspect for residual damage. Claimed out of warranty issue and also this damage is out of scope of warranty.”Owner report · Suspension · Mar 2014
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
Check your exact Navigator by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
NHTSA has 12 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator. The most complained-about area is power train.
Does the 2012 Lincoln Navigator have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.