Lincoln Nautilus years to avoid (and the best years)
212 NHTSA owner complaints and 21 recalls across 6 model years, 2019 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 212complaints
- 21recalls
- 9reported crashes
- 0reported fires
- 3reported injuries
Which Lincoln Nautilus years should you avoid?
No Lincoln Nautilus model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Lincoln Nautilus year has 22 complaints on file. The busiest year is the 2019 (102).
What are the best Lincoln Nautilus years?
The Lincoln Nautilus years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2022 (13), 2021 (21) and 2020 (33). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 21 | 1.0× | 6 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Lane keeping system |
| 2024 | 22 | 1.0× | 7 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2022 | 13 | 0.6× | 2 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Body and structure |
| 2021 | 21 | 1.0× | 2 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2020 | 33 | 1.5× | 5 | 2 | 1 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2019 | 102 | 4.7× | 8 | 2 | 0 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 110 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain38 (35%)
- Structure & body25 (23%)
- Electrical & infotainment24 (22%)
- Brakes10 (9%)
- Other systems8 (7%)
Recalls (21)
Electrical system · 26V372000 · Jun 2026 · model year 2019
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.
Safety · 26V377000 · Jun 2026 · model year 2019
Failure to alert the driver with the intended hands-off the wheel warnings may increase the risk of a crash.
Safety · 26V165000 · Mar 2026 · model years 2024, 2025
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.
Engine · 26V122000 · Mar 2026 · model year 2025
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 25V518000 · Aug 2025 · model years 2024, 2025
A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Exterior lighting · 25V519000 · Aug 2025 · model year 2025
Exterior lighting failure can reduce visibility for the driver and other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V442000 · Jun 2025 · model years 2019, 2020
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.
Electrical system · 25V337000 · May 2025 · model year 2024
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.
Electrical system · 25V343000 · May 2025 · model years 2024, 2025
An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire.
Safety · 25V315000 · May 2025 · model years 2021, 2022
A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 25V237000 · Apr 2025 · model year 2024
A closing window may exert excessive force and pinch a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Body & glass · 24V953000 · Dec 2024 · model years 2024, 2025
A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Engine · 24V635000 · Aug 2024 · model years 2021, 2022
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Body & glass · 24V597000 · Aug 2024 · model year 2024
A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Transmission · 21V011000 · Jan 2021 · model year 2020
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.
Safety · 20V575000 · Sep 2020 · model year 2020
Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 20V550000 · Sep 2020 · model years 2019, 2020
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.
Safety · 20V414000 · Jul 2020 · model years 2019, 2020
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.
Electrical system · 19V076000 · Feb 2019 · model year 2019
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.
Safety · 19V031000 · Jan 2019 · model year 2019
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.
Airbags · 18V806000 · Nov 2018 · model year 2019
If the air bag cover separates during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.