Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 2012 Lincoln Navigator with NHTSA between 2014 and 2024.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 27 of 27 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 11
Against the median year of the Lincoln Navigator. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 95
56% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2012 compares with every other Lincoln Navigator
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2012 Lincoln Navigator
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
533.3%
Median failure at 30,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
320.0%
Suspension
213.3%
Median failure at 56,018 miles
Seat Belts
16.7%
Median failure at 16,569 miles
Tires
16.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
16.7%
Median failure at 103,000 miles
Brakes
16.7%
Electrical System
16.7%
Median failure at 30,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
111.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
222.2%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
222.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
111.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
333.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2014peak 3Aug 2024
NHTSA investigations into the 2012 Lincoln Navigator
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
RQ17010Opened 25 Dec 2017Closed 22 Oct 2019POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Unexpected Transmission Downshift
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident cla...
Recalls on the 2012 Lincoln Navigator
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201618317,900 units in Canada
Powertrain
Certain vehicles equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission may experience an intermittent loss of the Transmission Output-shaft Speed Sensor (OSS) signal to the Power Control Module. This could potentially cause an unintended downshift into first gear, which depending on vehicle speed at the time of the downshift, may cause the rear tires to slide or lock up until the vehicle slows. This may result in a loss of vehicle control without warning, increasing the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the Powertrain Control Module with updated software.
Recall 20121491,125 units in Canada
Powertrain
Certain vehicles may have been equipped with an incorrectly manufactured Transmission Range Sensor. In some instances, when the shift lever is placed in the "R" position, signal may not be provided to the electronic transmission range indicator "PRNDL" for "R" illumination and/or for backup lamp activation. Should the backup lamps fail to illuminate, the driver's intentions to reverse may not be conveyed clearly to other motorists and/or pedestrians, which could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the Transmission Range Sensor.
Recall 20120289 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the second row right-hand seat may have been manufactured incorrectly. Improper weld penetration between the head restraint guide sleeve tube and the seat back frame could allow the headrest to fail during a rear-end vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the seat back frame for the second row right-hand seat.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Woodridge, IL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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
NHTSA complaint #11611789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Battle Creek, MI
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle randomly downshifts at speed causing sudden and jarring loss of speed. Vehicle will eventually and intermittently flash a service wrench error, speedometer stops working, and displays "000 Miles to Empty" message. Diagnosed at the dealer as a failing Molded Lead Frame. There was extended warranty coverage to 150,000 miles due to this being a know faulty part but my vehicle was over the mileage. I learned from the dealer servicing the vehicle that a software update--rather than replacement of the faulty part--under TSB 13-6-8 was performed by another dealership that I purchased the vehicle from. This "software update" was not disclosed to me nor did it show up on carfax or any service records for the vehicle. The software update merely masked the problem until the problem gets worse. Thankfully, I didn't experience violent downshifting at highway speeds that others have reported but have had the violent downshifting at 45mph and below, which still is a major safety issue. When I searched the VIN prior to purchasing the vehicle, no recalls were open because the software update closed it. I contacted Lincoln to report that violent downshifts occurred eventually even after the software update and the part should have been replaced in 2019. I was told by the Lincoln rep that there was nothing Lincoln would do because it was just a "Customer Satisfaction Program" rather than an all out recall and it was outside the extended coverage.
NHTSA complaint #11476847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6 milesGreenland, NH
POWER TRAIN
GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 2012 NAVIGATOR AUTOMATICALLY DOWN SHIFTED TO 1ST GEAR. I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I TRIED TO START IT THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. AFTER I SHUT THE CAT DOWN AGAIN I TRIED RESTARTING THE CAR AND IT STARTED NORMAL BUT IT WOULD NOT GO OUT OF 1ST GEAR. I DROVE HOME AND CALLED PORTSMOUTH FORD IN PORTSMOUTH NH TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE MALFUNCTION EVALUATED WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE ON 4/1/2021 TO TAKE IT TO THE GARAGE THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO HAVE RESET ITSELF AND THE TRANSMISSION WORKED CORRECTLY. ONCE AT THE GARAGE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A MOLDED LEAD IN THE TRANSMISSION COVERED BY RECALL 19N01 (RECALL# 16V248000 POWERTRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AND WOULD BE FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY. ONCE I GOT HOME I GOT A CALL FROM THE GARAGE THAT LINCOLN WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR BECAUSE THERE WAS NO CODE. I CALLED LINCOLN MYSELF AND THEY TOLD ME IN SO MANY WORDS 'NO CODE NO FIX" I STATED TO THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE WASN'T A CODE AND WHY DID THE VEHICLE RESET ITSELF AND THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE CALLED THE GARAGE IF THERE WASN'T A PROBLEM. I ALSO MENTIONED THAT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THINGS HAPPENED THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A COMPUTER MALFUNCTION FOR THE REASON FOR THE CODE NOT SHOWING UP BUT THE TECHNICIAN FROM PORTSMOUTH FORD, WITH 35 YRS EXP., DOES THINK THE PROBLEM IS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THEY SAID THAT DOESN'T MATTER NO CODE NO FIX . IT IS CLEAR THAT FORD IS INTENTIONALLY LIMITING THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL TO MITIGATE THEIR LOSSES AT THE EXPENSE OF MY FAMILY'S SAFETY
NHTSA complaint #11406138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesThornton, CO
POWER TRAIN
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesThornton, CO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomfield, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomfield, NJ
SERVICE 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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hicksville, NY
UNKNOWN OR 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
NHTSA complaint #11074163 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesBrookshire, TX
POWER TRAIN
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 CORRECT UPON RESTART. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO OUTPUT SHAFT SPEED SENSOR FAILURE THAT WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF LEAD FRAME UNIT AT A COST OF $1,366. I ASKED TO HAVE THE REPLACEMENT COMPLETED UNDER RECALL 16V248000 BECAUSE THE REPAIR INVOLVES THE SAME SYMPTOMS, REPAIR PROCEDURE, AND IS THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, AND TRANSMISSION OUTLINED IN THE RECALL BUT WAS DECLINED BECAUSE MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL BECAUSE THE BUILD DATE DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL DATES. FORD NEEDS TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF RECALL 16V248000 TO INCLUDE ALL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THAT TRANSMISSION AS MY VEHICLE IS EVIDENCE THAT THE PROBLEM IS EFFECTING VEHICLES OUTSIDE THEIR SPECIFIED BUILD DATES. IT IS CLEAR THAT FORD IS INTENTIONALLY LIMITING THE SCOPE OF THE RECALL TO MITIGATE THEIR LOSSES AT THE EXPENSE OF MY FAMILY'S SAFETY.
NHTSA complaint #11061421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesMoultrie, GA
POWER TRAIN
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 RECALIBARATION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE SOFTWARE UPDATE FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO THE DRIVE GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AGAIN FOR BOTH FAILURES. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, INTERIOR LIGHTING, AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS-13124389. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #11023956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesMoultrie, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 RECALIBARATION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE SOFTWARE UPDATE FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO THE DRIVE GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AGAIN FOR BOTH FAILURES. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, INTERIOR LIGHTING, AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS-13124389. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #11023956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bluefield, WV
SUSPENSION
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 REQUESTED A REPAIR TICKET FROM THE DEALER. NOW AUG/SEPT 2017 HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER AND THEY PUT IT ON DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, MACHINE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. BUT DEALER SAID THE CAR HAD A CODE STORES IN IT SHOWING A LEFT READ LEVELER PROBLEM, WHICH THEY REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM STILL IS NOT FIXED. CURRENTLY IT IS SITTING AT THE DEALER'S SHOP. THE VEHICLE DOES THIS WHEN SETTING STILL AND ALSO WHEN IN MOTION. I CONSIDER THIS VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #11022328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,000 milesKentfield, CA
POWER TRAIN
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.
NHTSA complaint #10876482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,569 milesBellaire, TX
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10865626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,018 milesDublin, OH
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.