Lincoln Nautilus problems by model year
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
NHTSA has 217 owner complaints and 23 recalls on file for the Lincoln Nautilus (2019–2026). The 2019 Nautilus has the most serious complaints, most often about transmission & drivetrain.
- Complaints
- 217
- Recalls
- 23
- Model years
- 8
- Worst year
- 2019
Complaints by model year
Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.
Worst Lincoln Nautilus years to buy
Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).
- 2019 Lincoln Nautilus — 86 complaints, 2 crashes; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
- 2020 Lincoln Nautilus — 34 complaints, 2 crashes; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
- 2024 Lincoln Nautilus — 22 complaints, 2 crashes; top problem: Electrical System
- 2025 Lincoln Nautilus — 21 complaints, 1 crash; top problem: Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2023 (7 complaints).
Every Lincoln Nautilus model year
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Recalls | Top problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Nautilus | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2025 Nautilus | 21 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2024 Nautilus | 22 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | Electrical System |
| 2023 Nautilus | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System |
| 2022 Nautilus | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Body & Structure |
| 2021 Nautilus | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2020 Nautilus | 34 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2019 Nautilus | 86 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
Most common Lincoln Nautilus problem areas (all years)
- Transmission & Drivetrain53 complaints
- Electrical System38 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech29 complaints
- Engine29 complaints
- Body & Structure20 complaints
- Brakes14 complaints
- Steering12 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers11 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control10 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion8 complaints
Complaint trend
Lincoln Nautilus recalls
Risk: A blank instrument cluster that fails to display critical safety information, such as vehicle speed or safety system warnings, increases the risk of a crash.
Risk: Failure to alert the driver with the intended hands-off the wheel warnings may increase the risk of a crash.
Risk: Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Risk: Exterior lighting failure can reduce visibility for the driver and other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Risk: An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire.
Risk: A blank instrument display can result in a loss of critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a missing rearview camera display image can reduce visibility of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A closing window may exert excessive force and pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Risk: A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Risk: A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Risk: A damaged brake hose can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A child that is not properly restrained during a crash can have an increased risk of injury.
Risk: If the rear drive unit seizes, there may be a loss of drive and/or a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Risk: Missing or loose bolts on the start stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission fluid leak and may progress to a loss of transmission function. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Risk: An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.
Risk: A blank instrument cluster will not show important information like vehicle speed, fuel or temperature level, or safety system warnings. Driving with an inoperative cluster can increase the risk of a crash.
Risk: If the system remains active despite the driver not having their hands on the wheel, the driver's inattention may increase the risk of crash.
Risk: If the air bag cover separates during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Other Lincoln models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology