Nautilus (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
2.0L GTDI
2.0L 4-cyl TurboView details
Complaint Breakdown
GTDI
2.7L 6-cyl Turbo / 335 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
Lincoln Nautilus Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Lincoln Nautilus, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus
On a used 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (56), the electrical system (41) and the engine (28). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 56 owner complaints on the 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 41 owner complaints on the 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus about the electrical system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 28 owner complaints on the 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus about the engine, all engines combined.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 15 owner complaints on the 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus about the body and structure.
- On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 7 owner complaints on the 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus about the brakes.
Recalls (14)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 19V076. At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 19V031. The lane center assist system may not adequately detect if a driver has their hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged period of time.
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
Show 9 older recalls
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles. The rear shock absorbers may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in damage to the rear brake hose, rear axle half shaft, wheel speed sensor, and/or stabilizer bar end links.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Edge and Lincoln Nautilus vehicles. The child seat tether wire welds on the second-row left-side seat back frame may be insufficient, which can reduce the seat's ability to properly restrain a child during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
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.
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."
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.
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.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles. The Lane Center Assist system may not adequately detect if a driver has their hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged period of time.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles that are not equipped with Adaptive Front Steering. The plastic cover on the driver frontal air bag module may detach during air bag deployment.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus complaints?
Owners have filed 179 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the electrical system and the engine.
Is the 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 179 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus have?
NHTSA has 179 owner complaints on file for the 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus?
NHTSA lists 14 recalls covering some 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Lincoln Nautilus?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the electrical system and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Nautilus?
The 2023 Lincoln Nautilus received an overall 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 5 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (15.5% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: Standard & Optional. Lane Departure Warning: Standard. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 179 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.