CSR

Lincoln · NHTSA safety record

2019 Lincoln Nautilus

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 102 safety complaints about the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus with the US government. Of those, 2 describe a crash and no death is recorded. 8 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 29 complaints, 28% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 7,250 miles, the median across the 39 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers February 2019 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

102 complaints on file

102

Complaints

2

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

0

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints more than doubled year on year: 29 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 14 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 29 · 28%
POWER TRAIN 28 · 27%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16 · 16%
ENGINE 15 · 15%
STEERING 8 · 8%
SEAT BELTS 5 · 5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 · 4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 3 · 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3 · 3%
WHEELS 3 · 3%
AIR BAGS 2 · 2%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 2 · 2%
0 15 31

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 102.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 25.

28 21 14 7
19 20 21 22 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2019 Lincoln NAUTILUS, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 15.5% 15.5%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

8 on file

LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSIST

26V377000 · June 9, 2026

The defect
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.
The risk
Failure to alert the driver with the intended hands-off the wheel warnings may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the power steering control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8. 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S44. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.

Ford Motor Company · up to 1,013 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

26V372000 · June 9, 2026

The defect
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."
The risk
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.
The remedy
Dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C27. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,349 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

25V442000 · June 27, 2025

The defect
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.
The 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.
The remedy
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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 200,237 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

20V550000 · September 10, 2020

The defect
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.
The 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.
The remedy
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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 97 vehicles across all model years covered

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

20V414000 · July 17, 2020

The defect
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.
The 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.
The remedy
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.

Ford Motor Company · up to 19,299 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

19V076000 · February 11, 2019

The defect
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."
The risk
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.
The remedy
Ford has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC), free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C03.

Ford Motor Company · up to 4,212 vehicles across all model years covered

LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSIST

19V031000 · January 14, 2019

The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The remedy
Ford has notified owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S02.

Ford Motor Company · up to 2,276 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

18V806000 · November 14, 2018

The defect
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.
The risk
If the air bag cover separates during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began December 7, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S38.

Ford Motor Company · up to 268 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

crash · towed

Was slowly entering my garage when there was a sudden acceleration. Put on brake but not before my car went thru the back garage wall and fell about four feet down before hitting the patio floor. It traveled across the patio and went over some furniture on the deck. The air bag never went off. The transmission had been very temperamental before this happened. I was not injured but could have caused a real issue had I been in traffic. I love the car but I personally will not drive it again. It is a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus.

NHTSA complaint 11591702. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS

crash

The automated parking assist function malfunctioned. I will attach the video. Lincoln claims that the auto functioned as designed.

NHTSA complaint 11579952. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

towed · 75,000 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle was shuddering and losing motive power. The contact stated that the message "Engine Overheating" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the 12-Volt battery and the EGR system had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V378000 (Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The failure

NHTSA complaint 11661466, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

towed · 98,222 miles

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. After several days of rain, there was moisture inside the vehicle. The contact detected a foul odor and discovered water on the floorboard. A box in the rear of the vehicle was covered in water, and the inside front windshield was foggy, but the contact was unable to determine how the water had entered the vehicle. Later, while driving approximately 45-55 MPH in the rain, there was limited visibility, and the vehicle slid from left to right. The contact was unable to control the vehicle after the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The steering warning light illuminated, and the message "Steering System Failure Do Not Drive" was displayed. The

NHTSA complaint 11761649, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Transmission jerking/ stuttering in lower gears under 35 mph.

NHTSA complaint 11764792. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
The car has started a jerking motion when it is at a stop sign, stop light, or and nu prolonged stoppage of the vehicle. It is worse when I have the auto-stop-start feature turned on. This started roughly 3 months ago.

NHTSA complaint 11759173. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
My 2019 Lincoln Nautilus (equipped with the 8F35 8-speed automatic transmission) has developed a severe, hazardous low-speed transmission shudder and hesitating vibration, primarily occurring under 35 mph. This vehicle has 85,000 miles on it. A certified dealership has diagnosed the vehicle with a failing torque converter, which is a known engineering defect heavily documented under manufacturer Technical Service Bulletin TSB 25-2154. This condition creates an immediate safety hazard. The vehicle intermittently hesitates and suffers from a sudden loss of power/acceleration when trying to accelerate from a stop or merge into low-speed traffic, risking a rear-end collision. Furthermore, the

NHTSA complaint 11759214, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
There is a class action lawsuit regarding the transmission on my vehicle. The transmission is shuddering. My mechanic alerted me of the lawsuit, Lincoln Mercury has not put out a recall, but is aware of the problem. There are no error codes, tried a reset on the transmission. So it is not a software problem, but mechanical. I am concerned my transmission will go out while driving. This started at about 98000 miles, I am now at 106000 miles.

NHTSA complaint 11758149. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Left side climate control not working. Dashboard had to be removed in order to find the problem. Problem is a small plastic rod that operates the doors that direct the cold air. It is broken. My mechanic (Walkerton Auto Service) tried to order this part from the Ford dealer but was told that the entire box would have to be replaced. The cost of this part is just under $1600. This seems unreasonable. The plastic part seems in my opinion to be a design flaw. My vehicle has less than 100,000 miles on it. The part plus labor cost will be very expensive and just doesn't seem like a cost that I should be responsible for. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar problem. My vehicle is a 2019

NHTSA complaint 11756920, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Lincoln Nautilus

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 21 6 —
2024 22 7 —
2022 13 2 —
2021 23 2 —
2020 33 5 —

Other 2019 Lincoln models

Every Lincoln on this site — 85 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst