Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-LINCOLN-NAVIGATORNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Lincoln
2012 Lincoln Navigator problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 12 owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2012 Lincoln Navigator has 12 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 5 complaints, typically surfacing around 66,250 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Navigator?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
3 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2012 Lincoln Navigator EXTENDED SUV 4x4. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2012 Lincoln Navigator? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 66,250 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2012 Navigator· powertrain
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 rear suspension issued a warning to check rear suspension. The car bottomed out multiple times, coming to barely a few inches from the rear tires. I took this to the dealer in 2015, while it was under extended warranty, not sure of what was found at that time, have…
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…
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…
Had a problem with your 2012 Lincoln Navigator?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles
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.
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
If this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse r position and the vehicles transmission does go in reverse, the r may not illuminate on the dashboard of the f-150, expedition, or navigator models and/or the backup lamp on the rear of the f-150, expedition, navigator, or mustang vehicles may not illuminate. These conditions increase the risk of a crash or a pedestrian being struck due to the vehicles not signaling it is in reverse.
Fix: 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
In the event of a crash, the seat head restraint may not provide the required strength, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Lincoln Navigator is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2012 Lincoln Navigator?
The 2012 Lincoln Navigator is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Lincoln Navigator?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 5 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 66,250 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Lincoln Navigator a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 12 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 66,250 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Lincoln Navigator?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 5 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 66,250 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 66,250 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Lincoln Navigator has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Lincoln Navigator?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 12 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Lincoln/Navigator.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
We are not affiliated with Lincoln. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we
may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
