2012 Lincoln Navigator — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 Lincoln Navigator is an SUV powered by a 5.4L 8-cyl regular gasoline engine. Its most fuel-efficient configuration returns around 19 mpg (UK) / 16 mpg (US EPA) combined, with 18–19 mpg (UK) across all configurations. Owners often keep a Lincoln Navigator workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Lincoln Navigator: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 19 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged. It holds a 4★ overall NHTSA rating (none is on record for the 2011 model).
Full Specifications
| Engine | 5.4L 8-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic 6-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 19 combined / 17 urban / 24 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 16 combined / 14 city / 20 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 345 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,200 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator, all with the 5.4L 8-cyl engine. Combined fuel economy ranges from 15 to 16 mpg (US), or 18 to 19 mpg (UK), depending on engine, transmission and drive. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 15 (13/18) | 368 | $4,450 |
| 5.4L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 16 (14/20) | 345 | $4,200 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator
Running Costs: 2012 Lincoln Navigator
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Lincoln Navigator at 19 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,914 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $4,200 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Lincoln Navigator Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Lincoln Navigator (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Power train (2), Seats (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Power train — campaign 16V248000, reported 27 April 2016. 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.
- Power train — campaign 12V190000, reported 3 May 2012. 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…
- Seats — campaign 12V034000, reported 2 February 2012. Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT HEAD RESTRAINT MAY NOT PROVIDE THE REQUIRED STRENGTH, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Lincoln Navigator. The most-reported areas are Power train (5), Unspecified (3), Suspension (2). That is close to the median of 19 complaints across the 16 Lincoln Navigator model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Transmission & drivetrain (2 recall campaigns · 5 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Seats (1 recall campaign) — Check seat adjusters, head restraints and seat-mounted sensors work, and confirm seat recalls were completed.
- Suspension (2 owner complaints) — Listen for knocks over bumps and check tyre wear for signs of alignment problems.
- Tyres (1 owner complaint) — Check tyre age and wear and ask about any tyre recalls.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Lincoln Navigator compare to similar SUVs? For context, SUVs in our database average around 27 mpg (UK) combined — this model's 19 mpg figure is 8 mpg below that average. Its 345 g/km CO₂ figure is 92 g/km higher than the 253 g/km average for SUVs on this site. This comparison is based on 1824 SUVs in our dataset.
Lincoln models in our database average about 25 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Lincoln Navigator's 19 mpg is 6 mpg below that make average. Its 345 g/km CO₂ figure is 80 g/km higher than the 265 g/km Lincoln average.
Of the 17 Lincoln Navigator model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 13th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (19 mpg UK combined, against a high of 23 mpg). See every Lincoln Navigator year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Lincoln Navigator have?
It's fitted with a 5.4L 8-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic 6-spd transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Lincoln Navigator?
The most efficient configuration returns around 19 mpg (UK) combined, or 16 mpg on the US EPA cycle. Across all configurations the UK combined figure runs from 18 to 19 mpg.
How much does the 2012 Lincoln Navigator cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $4,200 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Lincoln Navigator have a good safety rating?
It holds an overall NHTSA rating of 4 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash protection.
Does the 2012 Lincoln Navigator have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns that include the 2012 Lincoln Navigator (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Power train (2), Seats (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Lincoln Navigator?
Among the 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Power train (5 complaints), Unspecified (3 complaints), Suspension (2 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Lincoln Navigator's fuel economy good for an SUV?
It returns around 19 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 27 mpg among the SUVs we track.