Lincoln Navigator problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 12 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average
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.
Top trouble spots 1 category with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2012 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.8 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?
On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Lincoln Navigator does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
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.