Model year record

2020 Lincoln Nautilus recalls & problems

The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus has 5 safety recalls and 34 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (17 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints34filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 0reported in complaints

NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars

Safety recalls

Back over preventionJun 27, 2025

Software

Recall 25V442000200,237 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Power trainJan 15, 2021

Driveline › Driveshaft

Recall 21V011000147 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Back over preventionSep 23, 2020

Sensing system › Camera

Recall 20V575000620,246 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Power trainSep 10, 2020

Automatic transmission

Recall 20V55000097 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

SeatsJul 17, 2020

Front assembly › Power adjust

Recall 20V41400019,299 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Components: Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust; Air bags; Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2020 Lincoln Nautilus SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	15.5%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2020 Lincoln Nautilus SUV FWD

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash	★★★★★
Side crash	★★★★★
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	15.5%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Nautilus FWD

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Nautilus AWD

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Nautilus AWD

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power train	17	1	0	—
Engine	5	0	0	—
Back over preventionCamera system; Sensing system › Camera	3	0	0	40,009 mi
Service brakes	3	1	0	—
Electrical system	3	1	0	—
Exterior lighting	3	0	0	—
Wheels	3	1	1	—
Unknown or other	3	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	2	0	0	—
StructureBody	2	0	0	—
VisibilitySun/moon roof assembly	1	0	0	—
Steering	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Structure › Body
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 is not covered by that program. Multiple NHTSA complaints document the identical door hinge/check-strap cracking on 2019-2024 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles, including a 2020 Nautilus (NHTSA complaint 11709078). If the failure…
Oct 8, 2026
Engine
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 of employees that work on transmissions and no loaner cars.
Jun 30, 2026
Power train
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.
Dec 31, 1969
Power train
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.
Dec 31, 1969
Engine
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.
Jul 6, 2026
Power train
While driving low speed between 1-55 mph my car feels like itâs stuttering, jerking or about to shut down.
Jun 8, 2026
Unknown or other
REAR VIEW CAMERA REPLACEMENT IF REQUIRED AFTER DEALER EVALUATION
Mar 25, 2026
Exterior lighting
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
Mar 23, 2026

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 NoncomplianceOpenLed to recall 26V104
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 operation. The supplier of the cameras was Magna Electronics.According to Ford's chronology in the Part 573, during the period February-April 2020, Ford identified and monitored warranty claims pertaining to intermittent or inoperative rearview cameras. Ford reviewed supplier product changes,…
RQ21002 · opened Aug 3, 2021