LincolnNavigator2012Overview/lincoln/navigator/2012/base/

2012 Lincoln Navigator

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Navigator.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2012 Lincoln Navigator is a full-size SUV that pairs a six-speed automatic transmission with EPA ratings of 14/20/16 mpg (city/highway/combined) and requires 7.0 quarts of 5W-20 API oil at service intervals. Its 12 total owner complaints—concentrated in the powertrain area—alongside three recalls place this model year on the quieter end of the Navigator's complaint history, which spans 1998 through 2027 and ranges from a high of 209 complaints in 1998 down to just 6 in 2023. For a researcher, that means the 2012 sits well past the troubled early years of the nameplate and approaches the modern low-complaint baseline, making it a comparatively stable data point in the model's reliability arc.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque150 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy14/20/16 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 65 ex. Climate Seats · 650 ex. Climate Seats CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 65 ex. Climate Seats · 650 ex. Climate Seats CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP255-70R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length208.3 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height74.4 in
Wheelbase118.9 in
Curb weight6005 lb
Track (front / rear)66.5 / 66.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined14 / 20 / 16 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Navigator of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.2–8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.20 sec — 2015 Reserve EcoBoost
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015Reserve EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.20 sec14.90 sec380 hp4x4
2015Reserve EcoBoost 3.5L twin-Turbo V66.20 sec14.80 sec380 hp4x4
2015Reserve EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.50 sec15.10 sec380 hp4x4
2016L Reserve EcoBoost 3.5L Twin-Turbo V66.50 sec14.90 sec380 hp4x4
2007Ultimate 5.4L V88.30 sec16.30 sec300 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 5W-20 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 150 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 10.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidFord Mercon LV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity13
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.2 Pints, Rear
Engine Oil5W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity7.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts150 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub20 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub184 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque9 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number65 ex. Climate Seats
Standard BCI Cranking Performance650 ex. Climate Seats cca
Optional BCI Group Number65 w/ Climate Seats

Service checks

Pressure Test16 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief16 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-195 °F
Injector Primary Resistance11-18 ohms
Engine Oil Pressure20-45 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket28 ft-lbs / 27 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle140 ft-lbs / 184 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.259 in / 0.787 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts lightly with specified oil

130.0 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.41.5 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 97,500 mi; coolant every 45,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 45,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Temperature Controlled Seat Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miWheel Bearing (repack)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 105,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The Lincoln Navigator's federal data reveals a dramatic decline in complaints from the generation's peak of 209 in 1998 down to a low of just 9 in 2011. The 2012 model year sits right at this historical trough, recording only 12 complaints compared to 9 in 2011 and 13 in 2013, though it surprisingly spikes to 3 recalls after the preceding years had zero or one. For the 2012 Navigator, the complaint areas are led by Power Train, Unknown or Other, and Suspension, though the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. Despite the recall uptick, the 2012 model benefits from zero crash and zero fire complaints reported in the federal record. Because it occupies the lowest-complaint era of the generation, the 2012 Navigator is a solid year to buy, provided you verify that all three safety recalls have been properly addressed.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
58
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
12
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 12 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train3
Unknown Or Other2
Suspension2
Tires1
Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control1
Unknown Or Other,Service Brakes1
Power Train,Electrical System1
Seat Belts1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V248000Power Train:Automatic TransmissionReported 27/04/2016

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… Remedy: 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…

12V190000Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)Reported 03/05/2012

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 58 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
25H05 S12026-04-29Electrical SystemHarvest Program 25H05 – Supplement #1 Certain 2011-2021 Model Year Vehicles Software…
SSM 546012026-02-23Electrical SystemFord and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory…
25H052025-11-18Electrical SystemThis is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited…
SSM 530402024-10-10Unknown Or OtherWhile performing a transmission repair on some 2012-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, a…
TSB 24-21882024-07-24WheelsThis article supersedes TSB 22-2219 to update the Parts List and Service Procedure to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Navigator. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Navigator take?

7.0 qt of 5W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Navigator have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Navigator get?

EPA figures are 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.