2012 Lincoln Navigator
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD /Ultimate, L 4dr SUV 4WD
- Engines
- 5.4L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- FFV
- MPG (best)
- 16 combined · 14 city / 20 hwy
- Length
- 208.3–223.2 in
- Curb weight
- 6,005–6,246 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 16 MPG combined, 23% below the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 7 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Lincoln Navigator is a SUV - offered with a 5.4L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 208 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 119-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 6,005 lb (4dr SUV 4WD /Ultimate).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 20 highway), 23% worse than the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $4,200 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 11 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2012
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Navigator — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Navigator →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD /Ultimate | 208.3 in | 78.7 in | 74.4 in | 118.9 in | 66.5 / 66.5 in | 6,005 lb | 51/49 |
| L 4dr SUV 4WD | 223.2 in | 78.7 in | 78 in | 131.1 in | 66.5 / 66.5 in | 6,246 lb | 51/49 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navigator 2WD FFV FFV | 5.4L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -23% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Navigator 4WD FFV FFV | 5.4L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -21% | $4,450 | 592 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator.
Similar 2012 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Lincoln Navigator (this car) | 16 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Cadillac Escalade | 21 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Audi Q7 | 20 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class | 15 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2012 Lincoln MKT | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Infiniti QX56 | 16 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class | 20 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (3)
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Apr 27, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V248000 · 153,581 vehicles
- 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.
Exterior Lighting › Back Up Lights · May 3, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V190000 · 10,500 vehicles
- 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 ÂLAMPS, 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 ÂRÂ POSITION AND THE VEHICLEÂS TRANSMISSION DOES GO IN REVERSE, THE ÂRÂ 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 VEHICLEÂS 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.
Seats › Mid/Rear Assembly · Feb 2, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V034000 · 569 vehicles
- 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.
Not every 2012 Lincoln Navigator is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Lincoln Navigator buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 5 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Seat Belts — 1 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Suspension — 1 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 30,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Navigator years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Navigator | 18 | – | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 Navigator | 17 | 209.8 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 Navigator | 17 | 209.8 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 13 |
| 2024 Navigator | 18 | 209.8 in | Not rated | 7 | 16 |
| 2023 Navigator | 19 | 209.8 in | Not rated | 8 | 7 |
| 2022 Navigator | 19 | 209.8 in | Not rated | 14 | 21 |
| 2021 Navigator | 18 | 209.8 in | ★★★★★ | 12 | 33 |
| 2020 Navigator | 19 | 209.8 in | ★★★★★ | 13 | 32 |
| 2019 Navigator | 19 | 209.8 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 85 |
| 2018 Navigator | 19 | 209.8 in | ★★★★★ | 12 | 52 |
| 2017 Navigator | 17 | 207.5 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 32 |
| 2016 Navigator | 18 | 207.5 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 25 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lincoln. How we calculate this →