2020 Lincoln Nautilus problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 34
Recalls: 5
Crashes: 2
Fires: 0
Injuries: 1
Median mileage: 32,004 mi

Key facts

Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 17 of 34 complaints (50%).
Engine (5) and electrical system (3) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 32,004 mi.
Owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury.
The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus has 5 recalls on file.
NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
It ranks 2nd of 8 Lincoln Nautilus model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 60% fewer complaints than the 2019 model year (86).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Power train	17
Engine	5
Wheels	3
Electrical system	3
Unknown or other	3
Exterior lighting	3
Service brakes	3
Structure:body	2

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2020 Lincoln Nautilus complaints that list mileage.

2020 Lincoln Nautilus recalls (5)

Recall 25V442000Jun 27, 2025200,237 vehicles
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Recall 21V011000Jan 15, 2021147 vehicles
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Edge, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus and Ford Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair and Ford Bronco Sport vehicles. An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant level. Axles found to have lubricant at the minimum level will be filled to the full level. Axles found to be below the minimum lubricant fill level will be replaced, free of charge. This recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S02.
Recall 20V575000Sep 23, 2020620,246 vehicles
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
Recall 20V550000Sep 10, 202097 vehicles
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Edge, Transit Connect and Lincoln MKX and 2020 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts.
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the start/stop accumulator, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S49.
Recall 20V414000Jul 17, 202019,299 vehicles
AIR BAGS · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more wires within the harness, which can result in either inadvertent deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.

NHTSA defect investigations

RQ21002Opened Aug 3, 2021Openled to recall 26V104
Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance
On September 23, 2020, Ford Motor Company (Ford) filed a noncompliance recall report under 49 CFR Part 573 (NHTSA Recall No. 20V-575), recalling 620,246 Model Year (MY) 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles for a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 111, Rear Visibility. Ford's recall described the noncompliance as insufficient electrical conductivity within the printed circuit board (PCB) internal to the camera leading to intermittent rearview camera op…

Recent 2020 Lincoln Nautilus complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Oct 8, 2026TXBody & Structure
The driver's front door check-arm (door stay) mounting area has cracked: the reinforcement spot welds around the door check/hinge mounting point failed and the sheet metal is torn, as shown in the attached photos. There is a loud popping/cracking noise when opening the door and increased effort to close it. This is the same failure pattern as Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 23B56 (front door check-arm reinforcement broken spot welds, 2020-2023 Ford Escape), but this VIN…
NHTSA complaint #11769861 · source
Filed Aug 26, 2026MIEngineSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain
Hennessey Lincoln in Atlanta repaired my car in June 2026. My Torque converter needed to be replaced. My car was there over 20 days. Two weeks after getting it back from shop it started jerking and smoking. It needed another torque converter replacement. Two weeks after getting this car back it did the same thing again. I contacted Ford Warranty they did not help. Lincoln iin Michigan did not attempt to help. I couldn't even get the car in the shop for repair because of lack…
NHTSA complaint #11759875 · source
Filed Jul 14, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain
I bought my 2020 Lincoln nautilus in February 2025 soon after I noticed a jerking from my lower gears,it has 80000 miles.i took it to the dealer I bought it from and they said the transmission is falling and will cost $10,188 to replace. They told me there was no recall and it wasn't covered under any warranty.
NHTSA complaint #11750212 · source
Filed Jul 14, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain
I bought my 2020 Lincoln nautilus in February 2025 soon after I noticed a jerking from my lower gears,it has 80000 miles.i took it to the dealer I bought it from and they said the transmission is falling and will cost $10,188 to replace. They told me there was no recall and it wasn't covered under any warranty.
NHTSA complaint #11750211 · source
Filed Jul 6, 2026TXEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
My 2020 Lincoln Nautilus has an intermittent jerk during light acceleration with no diagnostic codes. This was confirmed when I had a professional mechanic drive it.
NHTSA complaint #11748671 · source
Filed Apr 16, 2026PAElectrical SystemLighting
3rd brake light not working , they have had this issue over several years such as recall on 2025 (25C39) burnt diode in the LED Driver Modules and may cause other lighting failures
NHTSA complaint #11731491 · source
Filed Mar 16, 2026NCCrash1 injuredTowedWheels & Tires
1. Vehicle Purchase I purchased a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve from Carvana on February 2, 2026. The vehicle was delivered to me on February 8, 2026. The vehicle was represented as inspected and safe to drive. Within 20 days of ownership, the vehicle experienced a serious mechanical failure involving the wheel assembly. 2. Major Safety Failure While driving, the wheel assembly failed due to damaged or missing wheel studs, causing the wheel to detach/loosen from the vehicle.…
NHTSA complaint #11724795 · source
Filed Jan 12, 2026MICrashBrakesElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
MILEAGE: 487,615 27TAWD On [XXX] at [XXX]., the weather was wet from rain. I pushed the reverse button and the car accelerated quickly forward with engine revving. The car kept moving forward while the brake pedal was not responsive for at least 10 times as the car drove through my fence and damaged my neighbor’s garage. The car finally stopped when it hit the garage. Estimate for repairs on vehicle $1485.25. Estimate for damage to wooden fence $2560, neighbor's garage…
NHTSA complaint #11710373 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology