2012 Lincoln NAVIGATOR
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Lincoln NAVIGATOR has 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 31. The most common issue is transmission problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: 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 cam. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.
15
Total Complaints
3
Recalls Issued
4/5
Safety Stars
0.5x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TRANSMISSION
5 complaints- • 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 CAM
- • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED FROM SECOND TO FIRST GEAR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROBERT HUDSON FORD LINCOLN MERCURY (2316 1ST AVE SE, MOULTRIE, GA 31788, (229) 985-6603) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM NEEDED RECALIB
- • RECALL# 16V248000 POWERTRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. MY 2012 LINCOLN NAVIGATOR WAS TAKEN TO CHAMPION FORD IN KATY, TX FOR SERVICE DUE TO INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION ISSUE WHERE WE EXPERIENCED A DOWNSHIFT AT SPEED, SPEEDOMETER FAILURE, ODOMETER AND MPG ERROR AND TIRE PRESSURE WARNING. THE SYMPTOMS CO
“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 CAM”
— NHTSA complaint filing
Recalls (3)
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.
Risk: An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Charging Cost Calculator for 2012 Lincoln NAVIGATOR
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Lincoln NAVIGATOR
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Lincoln NAVIGATOR Service Intervals
Complimentary maintenance for select models; check with your dealer for eligibility.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Lincoln New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Lincoln. If you're buying a used 2012 NAVIGATOR, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Lincoln dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
EV Incentives for 2012 Lincoln NAVIGATOR
Updated 2026-07Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30
Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.
State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)
Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 15 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: 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 CAM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SUSPENSION: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SEATS/RESTRAINTS: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Lincoln dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Lincoln NAVIGATOR — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 15
- Recalls
- 3
- Fire reports
- 0
- Crash reports
- 0
- Injury reports
- 0
- Segment avg
- 31
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Lincoln NAVIGATOR