2012 Lincoln Navigator recalls and problems

The 2012 Lincoln Navigator has 3 safety recalls and 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Lincoln dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
12
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2012 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2012 Lincoln Navigator recalls

Recall 16V-248: Power Train

Reported Apr 27, 2016 · 153,581 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Recall 12V-190: Exterior Lighting, Power Train

Reported May 3, 2012 · 10,500 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect" and 108 â“lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment.┠these vehicles may have a transmission range sensor (Trs) that was calibrated out of specification for reverse gear.

Risk: If this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse â“r┠position and the vehicleâ’s transmission does go in reverse, the â“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 vehicleâ’s 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.

Recall 12V-034: Seats

Reported Feb 2, 2012 · 569 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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. 202, "head restraints." these vehicles may have inadequate welds on the head restraint support brackets for the second row, right-hand seat.

Risk: 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.

2012 Lincoln Navigator problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train5
Unknown or Other3
Suspension2
Seat Belts1
Electrical System1
Service Brakes1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Tires1

Most reported parts

  • Tires › Tread/Belt — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 30,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2012 Lincoln Navigator complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Tires · reported Aug 30, 2024
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
Unknown or Other · reported Aug 1, 2022
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…
Power Train · at 6 miles · reported Apr 2, 2021
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…
Power Train · at 103,000 miles · reported Jun 23, 2020
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.
Service Brakes · reported Jun 4, 2018
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

Other Lincoln Navigator years

Compare all Lincoln Navigator years · All Lincoln models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Lincoln Navigator have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator: 16V-248 (power train), 12V-190 (exterior lighting, power train), 12V-034 (seats). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Lincoln Navigator?

Owners report power train problems most often (5 reports), followed by unknown or other (3). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 30,000 miles.

Are Lincoln recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Lincoln dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.