Does the 2012 Lincoln Navigator have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator, the most recent reported on April 27, 2016 (Power train: automatic transmission). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Lincoln Navigator?

Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (5 complaints), followed by unknown or other (3).

How many 2012 Lincoln Navigator complaints mention a crash or fire?

0 of 12 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2012 Lincoln Navigator recalls and problems

3 recalls and 12 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2012 Lincoln Navigator recalls

Power train: automatic transmission

NHTSA campaign 16V248000 · reported April 27, 2016 · Ford Motor Company · 153,581 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
The 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.

Exterior lighting: back up lights · Power train: automatic transmission, control module (tcm/PCM/tecm)

NHTSA campaign 12V190000 · reported May 3, 2012 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 10,500 vehicles potentially affected

The 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 lamps, reflective devices and associated equipment. these vehicles may have a transmission range sensor (trs) that was calibrated out of specification for reverse gear.
The risk: 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.
The 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.

Seats: mid/rear assembly

NHTSA campaign 12V034000 · reported February 2, 2012 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY · 569 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk: In the event of a crash, the seat head restraint may not provide the required strength, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Power train5
Unknown or other3
Suspension2
Electrical system1
Seat belts1
Service brakes1
Tires1
Vehicle speed control1

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 30, 2024 · Tires
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

Aug 1, 2022 · 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…

Apr 2, 2021 · Power train · 6 miles
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…

Jun 23, 2020 · Power train · 103,000 miles
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…

Jun 4, 2018 · 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

Navigator model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2009	1	10	0	0
2010	0	16	3	0
2011	0	9	1	0
2012	3	12	0	0
2013	0	14	2	0
2014	0	17	2	0
2015	4	21	2	1

Across all years, the 2003 Navigator has the most complaints (127). All Lincoln Navigator years →

Questions

Does the 2012 Lincoln Navigator have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator, the most recent reported on April 27, 2016 (Power train: automatic transmission). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Lincoln Navigator?: Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is power train (5 complaints), followed by unknown or other (3).
How many 2012 Lincoln Navigator complaints mention a crash or fire?: 0 of 12 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 30, 2024.