POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2012 Lincoln Navigator
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), suspension and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 58 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2014 | 1 | 1 |
| May 2016 | 1 | 2 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 3 |
| Sep 2017 | 2 | 5 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 6 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 7 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 8 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 9 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 10 |
| Aug 2022 | 1 | 11 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 12 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Powertrain (other)541.7%
- Suspension216.7%
- Driver assistance18.3%
- Electrical18.3%
- Brakes18.3%
- Seat belts18.3%
- Tires & wheels18.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
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 claims with no injuries. There are many instances where drivers report leaving their lane or the road because of this issue.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter, Ford Motor Company (Ford) responded with 783 unique reports related to the alleged problem. There were 6 accident claims with 3 injuries. Ford also submitted 1206 warranty claims related to transmission downshifting failures. The failure can occur at any time, but typically at higher speed, and include symptoms such as sudden transmission downshifting, loss of speedometer, erratic shifting of transmission, and transmission stuck in one gear. The failures typically occur without warning and may result in the rear wheels momentarily locking up. The driver often had to fully stop the vehicle and restart it to get the vehicle to shift properly.On February 2nd, 2019 Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (19V-075) to remedy transmission downshifting failures on all 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles. Ford will also offer extended warranties to 2011-2013 Expedition and Navigator vehicles with the same issue. Per Ford, some vehicles may experience an intermittent loss of Transmission Output Speed Sensor (OSS) signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), potentially resulting in a temporary unintended downshift into first gear. Ford will reprogram the PCM with software that will prevent an unintended downshift into first gear and illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Light in the event of an intermittent OSS signal loss.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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 ID
- 11611789
- Incident
- Jul 19, 2024
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 ID
- 11476847
- Incident
- Jun 6, 2022
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 ID
- 11406138
- Incident
- Mar 28, 2021
- Mileage
- 6 mi
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. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 11330384
- Incident
- Jun 23, 2020
- Mileage
- 103,000 mi
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 ID
- 11099583
- Incident
- May 1, 2018
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 ID
- 11074163
- Incident
- May 1, 2015
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 ID
- 11061421
- Incident
- Jan 8, 2018
- Mileage
- 114,000 mi
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 ID
- 11023956
- Incident
- Aug 22, 2017
- Mileage
- 30,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Harvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software Verification Harvest Program
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may not come with a wallet card containing the master code. Unlike the integrated wired keypad, the accessory wireless keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool or from the label printed on the body control module (BCM). The Factory Keyless Entry Code application within the diagnostic scan tool will not provide an applicable master code for the accessory wireless keypad. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is not available, the "Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide" can be referenced and provides direction on how to retrieve the master code. This guide is located under the Workshop Manual tab > Accessories > Installation > Wireless RF Keypad Diagnosis Guide > PPT C > Step C2.<br /><br /> Note: The only available keypad for some vehicles from the assembly plant is the accessory wireless keyless entry keypad. The integrated wired keypad cannot be installed on vehicles not equipped from the factory with a wired keyless entry k
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited number of affected vehicles that are customer-owned. Ford is voluntarily conducting this program to evaluate the software currently installed on one or more electronic modules in the affected vehicles.
While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions. While performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a transmission seal kit may be on backorder due to supply chain interruptions.
WHEELS
This article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to clarify applicable steps by vehicle application. Some 2003-2020 Expedition/Navigator and 2006-2020 F-150 (non-Raptor) vehicles equipped with 4WD may exhibit grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area. This may be due to partial engagement of the integrated wheel ends (IWE). To correct this condition, follow the Service Procedure to remove and cap the vacuum supply line or to reprogram the transfer case control module (TCCM) and replace any worn vacuum and/or IWE components.
EQUIPMENT
All accessory stick-on keyless entry keypads come with a wallet card containing the master code. If the accessory keypad was factory installed, this card will be placed in the glove box and should be handed to the vehicles owner during initial delivery. Unlike the integrated (wired) factory keypad, the accessory keypad master code cannot be retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic scan tool. If the wallet card for an accessory keypad is lost, follow these steps to recover the code. Dealer Key Code access is granted through the Dealer Program Enrollment System (DPES); dealership management can authorize users. The authorized user must go to FMCDealer.com > Parts and Service > Parts Product Line Information > Keys/Entry Devices > Aftermarket Keyless Entry Keypad Code Access. Follow the instructions on the screen to obtain the master code for the accessory keypad.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 11 | 6 | 0 | 51.9 |
| 2024 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 61.9 |
| 2023 | 6 | 8 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 20 | 14 | 0 | 65.8 |
| 2021 | 31 | 12 | 0 | 60.8 |
| 2020 | 29 | 13 | 0 | 66.1 |
| 2019 | 72 | 10 | 1 | 70.1 |
| 2018 | 50 | 12 | 1 | 66.9 |
| 2017 | 30 | 5 | 0 | 61.8 |
| 2016 | 25 | 4 | 0 | 56.7 |
| 2015 | 21 | 4 | 0 | 59.6 |
| 2014 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 43.3 |
| 2013 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 57.8 |
| 2012Viewing | 12 | 3 | 1 | 44.1 |
| 2011 | 9 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 2010 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 44.3 |
| 2009 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 44.3 |
| 2008 | 30 | 2 | 1 | 55.4 |
| 2007 | 45 | 2 | 0 | 48.5 |
| 2006 | 60 | 3 | 0 | 51.5 |
| 2005 | 48 | 0 | 0 | 38.0 |
| 2004 | 86 | 0 | 1 | 42.5 |
| 2003 | 127 | 1 | 1 | 49.6 |
| 2002 | 32 | 4 | 2 | 64.5 |
| 2001 | 81 | 6 | 4 | 65.6 |
| 2000 | 109 | 7 | 2 | 63.9 |
| 1999 | 132 | 7 | 3 | 63.3 |
| 1998 | 192 | 6 | 4 | 65.6 |
| 1997 | 0 | 2 | 3 | — |
| 1996 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1993 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1992 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1991 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.