Lincoln Nautilus Problems by Year
NHTSA has 235 owner complaints and 23 safety recalls on file for the Lincoln Nautilus, across 8 model years (2019–2026). The 2019 model year has the most complaints (102). The most reported problem area overall is power train.

Lincoln Nautilus years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Nautilus year: 2019. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2019 Nautilus: 102 complaints, 8 recalls
- 2020 Nautilus: 34 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2021 Nautilus: 25 complaints, 2 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2023 Nautilus: 7 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2026 Nautilus: 9 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2022 Nautilus: 14 complaints, 2 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Lincoln Nautilus problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 59 | 7 | 1 |
| Electrical System | 47 | 8 | 2 |
| Engine | 27 | 7 | 1 |
| Structure | 21 | 6 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 14 | 7 | 3 |
| Back Over Prevention | 13 | 7 | 1 |
| Steering | 12 | 4 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 11 | 5 | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Lane Departure | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Wheels | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Communication | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Lincoln Nautilus model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Nautilus | 9 | 0 | 5★ | Unknown or Other | |
| 2025 Nautilus | 22 | 6 | 5★ | Lane Departure | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2024 Nautilus | 22 | 7 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2023 Nautilus | 7 | 3 | 5★ | Electrical System | |
| 2022 Nautilus | 14 | 2 | 5★ | Structure | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2021 Nautilus | 25 | 2 | 5★ | Power Train | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2020 Nautilus | 34 | 5 | 5★ | Power Train | More complaints than other years |
| 2019 Nautilus | 102 | 8 | 5★ | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Lincoln: all Lincoln models · Lincoln VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Lincoln Nautilus years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2019 (102) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Nautilus year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Lincoln Nautilus?
Power Train, with 59 complaints across 7 model years.
How many recalls does the Lincoln Nautilus have?
23 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.