The Lemon Index
201120133rd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 8,371 in the U.S. in 2012 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 1 complaint in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
1 owner complaint, first 3 years 15–16 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Cadillac Escalade 342012 Lincoln MKX 472012 BMW X5 81
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 16V248000 (transmission & drivetrain), 12V190000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 12V034000 (seats) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Lincoln sent dealers 58 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Intermittent ikt”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Lincoln's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 1 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
Problems Lincoln told dealers about
Lincoln sent dealers 58 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intermittent ikt
- There is a noise coming from the front hub integrated wheel end (iwe) areas and when shifted…
- Lincoln: on some vehicles, there are various related concerns about the sync features, such as…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2016
The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2012
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. …
- Seats · recall issued 2012
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 SAF…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Every Lincoln Navigator recall, all years · All Lincoln recalls
Government investigations
- ClosedUnexpected transmission downshift2017–2019
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Navigator EXTENDED SUV 4x4 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator EXTENDED SUV 4x2 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x4 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Lincoln Navigator SUV 4x2 | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,750–$4,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 5.4L 8-cyl.
Every Lincoln Navigator year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/lincoln-navigator/?y=2012" title="Lincoln Navigator reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/lincoln-navigator/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Lincoln Navigator reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Lincoln Navigator reliable?
We can't score it: only 8,371 were sold in the U.S. in 2012 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2012 Lincoln Navigator problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (100%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Lincoln Navigator have?
3 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Lincoln Navigator get?
15 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Lincoln Navigator safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2012 Lincoln Navigator have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Lincoln Navigator cost in fuel a year?
About $3,750 to $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Lincoln Navigator have?
5.4L 8-cyl.
What Lincoln Navigator year is better than the 2012?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2004 drew the fewest (somewhat fewer complaints than the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works