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Lincoln NavigatorModel year report

2012 Lincoln Navigator Problems

Complaints
12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
30,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall, 4 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 5.4L 8-cyl · flex-fuel RWD · 14 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 5 complaints (42% of the total), followed by other or unknown (3) and suspension (2). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 57% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 30,000 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 58 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 18 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11330384, filed 2020-06, 103,000 miles

Other or unknown: “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”

NHTSA complaint #11074163, filed 2018-02

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. Claimed out of warranty issue and also this damage is out of scope of warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #10568367, filed 2014-03, 56,018 miles

Brakes: “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”

NHTSA complaint #11099583, filed 2018-06

Mileage when problems were reported

57% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 18,000 and 56,018 miles.

14%0–1029%10–2514%25–5014%50–750%75–10029%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (7 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 30,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

201420162017201832020202120222024
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Navigator · extended suv 4x2★★★★☆3 / 4523 · 21.2% risk
Navigator · SUV 4x2★★★★☆3 / 4523 · 21.2% risk
Navigator · extended suv 4x4★★★★☆3 / 4524 · 19.8% risk
Navigator · SUV 4x4★★★★☆3 / 4524 · 19.8% risk

Neighbouring years: 2013: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 Lincoln Navigator version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Navigator 2WD FFV5.4L 8-cyl · flex-fuel6-speed automatic142016$4,200
Navigator 4WD FFV5.4L 8-cyl · flex-fuel6-speed automatic131815$4,450

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 58 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 58 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lincoln Navigator

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2025132,5006517—Too new
20241612,3507—18—Too new
2023743,2008—19—Too new
20222157,00014—19—Rising
20213319,7001251882 · MoreRising
20203250,7421351950 · TypicalRising
20198570,0001051973 · MoreRising
20185257,5001251956 · TypicalRising
20173287,000551712 · FewerRising
20162579,50045181 · FewerRising
20152166,5004518—Rising
20141786,0000416—Falling
20131420,0000416—Not enough data
20121230,0003416—Not enough data
2011986,3000—16—Not enough data
20101677,0000—16—Stable
20091066,0571—16—Not enough data
20083060,0002—1417 · FewerStable
20074570,0002—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20066073,7503—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20054860,0000—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20048666,5000—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200312772,5000—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20023290,0001—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20018178,0003—12Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200010975,0004—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199913285,0605—13Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199819298,0605—13Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Lincoln Navigator model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Lincoln Navigator have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Lincoln Navigator is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 5 complaints (42% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 3.

Has the 2012 Lincoln Navigator been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2012 Lincoln Navigator do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2012 Lincoln Navigator 4 out of 5 stars overall, across 4 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Lincoln Navigator get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Lincoln Navigator (Navigator 2WD FFV, 5.4L 8-cyl · flex-fuel) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Lincoln Navigator reported?

Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 30,000 miles and the middle half falls between 18,000 and 56,018 miles; 57% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.