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2019-2026 · 8 model years

Lincoln Nautilus Problems by year

Owners have filed 245 complaints about the Lincoln Nautilus across 8 model years, and it has 23 recalls. The 2025 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (22). The most reported problem area is the transmission & drivetrain, followed by the electrical system.

Share your Nautilus experienceCompare years23 recalls
Most complaints for its age202522 complaints · 6 recallsSee the 2025
Complaints
245
Recalls
23
Crashes
10
Fires
0
Injuries
3
Deaths
0

Nautilus complaints by model year

Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20269000Driver assistanceC
202522610Driver assistanceF
202423720Electrical systemD
20237310Electrical systemB
202216210Body, doors & structureB
202128210Body, doors & structureB
202034520Transmission & drivetrainC
2019106820Electrical systemD

Most common Nautilus problems

Lincoln Nautilus recalls 23

Latest Nautilus complaints

2019 Lincoln NautilusEngine & cooling

My car has been diagnosed with the coolant intrusion issue that is well known by Ford/Lincoln in their ecoboost engines. To be safely driveable again, it needs a complete engine replacement at only 67,000 miles.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11777002
2019 Lincoln NautilusSteering

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the steering wheel seized, and the steering malfunction warning light illuminated, requiring excessive steering efforts to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was scheduled to be diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11776704
2021 Lincoln NautilusBody, doors & structure

"The spot welds and inner sheet metal at the driver door check arm attachment point have structurally failed and cracked. This prevents the door from operating safely and creates an imminent risk of the door failing to latch or inadvertently opening while driving, matching the failure mechanism in NHTSA Investigation PE 23-013.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 11776406
2019 Lincoln NautilusTransmission & drivetrain

The most recent malfunction was the Autostop and restart on vehicle, after coming to a complete stop at the intersection the vehicle turned off. Then it restarted and made a loud bang sound and launched violently forward. No warning lights before or after this happened. If there were a pedestrian crossing at the time they could have been serious injury in crosswalk. There are numerous problems from time to time with transmission under a 1000 miles such as: shifting vehicle from park to drive and hear a loud bang,...

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when driving at low speeds, sometimes vehicle will buck, and transmission does not know when to downshift at times. Problems have been addressed with Ford service dealer by providing a Software update. It works for about 5000 Miles before problems comes back. The car has only 12,000 miles, I don't know feel safe driving it.

Filed Incident Power train · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11776341
2024 Lincoln NautilusElectrical systemBody, doors & structure

I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my 2024 Lincoln Nautilus. While driving on a public road, the passenger-side door unexpectedly opened while the vehicle was in motion. This created a dangerous situation for me, my passengers, and other motorists. I am concerned that this may be related to an electrical, electronic, or door-latching system defect. I am requesting that this incident be documented and investigated as a potential vehicle safety defect. I do not believe this vehicle is safe to...

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operate until the cause has been identified and properly repaired. I am also contacting Lincoln and the dealership to request a complete inspection and written documentation of the incident.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Structure · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11775014
2019 Lincoln NautilusSteeringDriver assistance

In July 2026, my vehicle received safety recall service under NHTSA Campaign 26V377000 (Ford/Lincoln Recall 26S44) to update the Power Steering Control Module software. Approximately 2200 miles after this mandatory safety recall flash was performed, the vehicle suffered an immediate, total failure of the Active Front Steering (AFS) system upon startup. The vehicle threw an immediate "Adaptive Steering Loss Do Not Drive" alarm, which subsequently hard-locked the steering gear into its mechanical backup mode while...

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mid-rotation. This mechanical lock has left the steering wheel physically locked significantly off-center while driving straight obstructing vision of dash information, like the speedometer. Consequently, the vehicle's primary safety systems--including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control and Lane-Keeping Assist--have been completely disabled by the computer due to the steering angle sensor mismatch. Certified diagnostic scanning confirms hard Code C1039 (AFS Lock--Unexpected Operation) and a permanent "Internal Component Fault" inside the Steering Effort Control Module (SECM), which was the exact module digitally altered during the safety recall. Lincoln Corporate has refused to cover the physical hardware replacement of the ruined steering wheel/SECM assembly, stating that "too many miles" (2200) have been driven since the recall flash. A manufacturer cannot impose mileage limitations on the catastrophic failure of a safety module altered during a federal safety recall. The vehicle currently operates without stable control and with compromised steering geometry, creating a safety hazard. I request an investigation into post-recall SECM hardware failures on this model.

Filed Incident Steering · Forward collision avoidance · Lane departureNHTSA 11773799

Questions about the Lincoln Nautilus

Which Lincoln Nautilus years have the most problems?

By the number of complaints owners filed with NHTSA: 2019 (106), 2020 (34), 2021 (28). Allowing for how long each has been on the road, the 2025 stands out most. Complaint counts also rise with sales, so compare years of the same model rather than different models.

Which Lincoln Nautilus years have the fewest complaints?

Among model years that have been on the road for at least three years, 2023, 2022, 2021 have the best Safety Index - the fewest complaints, crashes and recalls for their age compared with other Nautilus years. Always check the exact vehicle's recalls by VIN before you buy.

What are the most common Lincoln Nautilus problems?

Across every model year, owners report problems with the transmission & drivetrain (60), electrical system (49), engine & cooling (32) most often.

How many recalls does the Lincoln Nautilus have?

NHTSA lists 23 recalls across all Lincoln Nautilus model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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