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2019 Lincoln Nautilus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Nautilus years

Owner complaints for the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus are substantially higher than the model-year median of 21.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

39 reports with mileage · 63 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Power Train complaints

28 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2025
Power Train

Car starts to buck when changing gears

NHTSA ODI #11692925

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2025
Power Train

The Nautilus began shuddering while accelerating from about 15 to 45 mph. I took it to a Lincoln dealer and was told the transmission needed to be repaired or replaced for $7,000 plus. It has 88,000 miles on it

NHTSA ODI #11692017

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2025
Power Train

transmission problems including harsh shifting, shuttering, lurching, hesitating, or slowing down when shifting gears. No warning lights illuminated but after dealer inspection, have been told that both the transmission (harsh shift in all gears) and rear axle (popping and grinding while turning) need to be replaced. The vehic…

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transmission problems including harsh shifting, shuttering, lurching, hesitating, or slowing down when shifting gears. No warning lights illuminated but after dealer inspection, have been told that both the transmission (harsh shift in all gears) and rear axle (popping and grinding while turning) need to be replaced. The vehicle is not safe to drive. Cost of repairs is quoted at more than $14,000. This issue/defect appears to have a class action associated with it; why has there been no manufacturer recall?

NHTSA ODI #11691824

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2025
Power Train

Transmission causes the car to jerk and shudder at speeds below 50 MPH. Lincoln dealer says it is the Torque Converter that is causing the issue. Issue could cause the car to stall or not start. There are no check engine lights lit at this time. This is a known issue by Ford/Lincoln with Technical Service Bulletins describing th…

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Transmission causes the car to jerk and shudder at speeds below 50 MPH. Lincoln dealer says it is the Torque Converter that is causing the issue. Issue could cause the car to stall or not start. There are no check engine lights lit at this time. This is a known issue by Ford/Lincoln with Technical Service Bulletins describing this issue. The initial incident happened in 2023 with the dealer telling me this was normal for the vehicle. It has become worse with increasing jerking and shuddering at higher speeds. My last trip to the dealer on 8/19/25 resulted in them telling me I need a new torque converter and now the car is out of warranty.

NHTSA ODI #11682351

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2025
Electrical SystemPower Train

I know there is a bulletin out from Ford about the PCM , where it says recall on the bottom, yet unannounce. This mimics the issues with the torque converter, the ones that I have in my 2019 lincoln nautilus. About two months ago, I felt a kick. where It thought I had been hit by another car, it was so hard. From that point o…

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I know there is a bulletin out from Ford about the PCM , where it says recall on the bottom, yet unannounce. This mimics the issues with the torque converter, the ones that I have in my 2019 lincoln nautilus. About two months ago, I felt a kick. where It thought I had been hit by another car, it was so hard. From that point on, the smoothness of the transmission below 35 miles/hr, was jerky and hesitant, kicking and not accelerating properly. The dealer said that it was the torque converter and that it was very bad. The car is too new to have these types of catastrophic issues. It was $9000 to resolve the issue according to the dealer. I had to go somewhere else. Also the screen has problems where it turns blue, and stops working, where the music playing will also stop and you cannot skip to another song. A hard reboot is the solution, but on a daily basis? I know that other models, the Aviator and Corsair, have the same issues. I have the same problem. When contacting Lincoln dealer for the same issue, they state there is no recall. I really like the Lincoln but there seem to be quite a few problems. Will these be placed in a recall list? The fixes so far have been really expensive.

NHTSA ODI #11679985

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2025
EnginePower Train

I brought my Lincoln Nautilus to an authorized Lincoln dealership due to a serious transmission issue. The dealer kept the vehicle for four days, diagnosed a potential transmission failure, and told me that the transmission could “blow.” However, they returned the car to me unrepaired and admitted they could not fix it anytime s…

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I brought my Lincoln Nautilus to an authorized Lincoln dealership due to a serious transmission issue. The dealer kept the vehicle for four days, diagnosed a potential transmission failure, and told me that the transmission could “blow.” However, they returned the car to me unrepaired and admitted they could not fix it anytime soon. The reason: the dealership has only one transmission technician, and that person is currently working through a backlog of transmission jobs from March. My vehicle — with a known safety risk — was effectively placed at the back of a months-long line, with no estimated repair date. I contacted Lincoln Concierge, who opened a case but informed me there was “nothing they could do.” I now have a car that is unsafe to drive due to a transmission issue that the manufacturer and dealership both acknowledge but are unable to address in a timely or safe manner. This presents a serious safety risk. A transmission failure while driving could result in loss of control, sudden deceleration, or breakdown in active traffic. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue as a systemic safety failure — both in terms of the defect itself and Lincoln’s inability to service it promptly.

NHTSA ODI #11666735

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2025
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. While the contact's father was driving approximately 25-40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission shifted hard, and the vehicle shuddered and jerked abnormally while driving. …

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The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. While the contact's father was driving approximately 25-40 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the contact stated that the transmission shifted hard, and the vehicle shuddered and jerked abnormally while driving. The contact stated the failure had occurred while her father was driving at a slow speed. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11663093

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2024
Power Train

The acceleration of the car became difficult and was followed by noise and switch to high gears. Was about to enter an expressway. Did a U-turn last moment. Turned back home and was barely able to park it on the driveway. Was driving with the [XXX] toddler in my car during a thunderstorm. Was lucky the car didn’t stop on expres…

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The acceleration of the car became difficult and was followed by noise and switch to high gears. Was about to enter an expressway. Did a U-turn last moment. Turned back home and was barely able to park it on the driveway. Was driving with the [XXX] toddler in my car during a thunderstorm. Was lucky the car didn’t stop on expressway. Noticed that the driveway is covered in fluid with rainbow coloring. That trip was about 10 minutes long, that it took me to drive and come back. The shifting of the gears are now impossible. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11591047

Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2024
Power Train

On Sunday, March 3rd, 2024, I was backing out of garage to head to grocery store and my car was in reverse but would not move when I turned it. I thought I had hit it in neutral by mistake. So I put it in forward and then reversed it again. It seem fine so I went to grocery store and when I turned to go into a parking space it w…

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On Sunday, March 3rd, 2024, I was backing out of garage to head to grocery store and my car was in reverse but would not move when I turned it. I thought I had hit it in neutral by mistake. So I put it in forward and then reversed it again. It seem fine so I went to grocery store and when I turned to go into a parking space it would not move as almost it was in neutral. Then my AWD Malfunction light came on so I called my husband and we were 5 minutes from dealer ship so we took it there and dropped it off. Monday, I called dealer ship to have them look at it and they told me that my rear differential motor had to be replaced at a cost of $1800 and it was not covered under power train warranty because the part did pop up when it was entered. Car only has 44K miles on it...Waiting on someone from Ford to call back to see why it is not covered.

NHTSA ODI #11575449

6,000 miles · Feb 3, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

12/30/20 STOPPED AT RED TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH FOOT BRAKE. ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE WENT TO PARK AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN OR SHIFT OUT OF PARK. NOTHING WORKED! HAD TO BE TOWED TO LINCOLN DEALER. THE MILEAGE WAS 6,000! JULY 2020 I HAD COMPLAINED OF TRANSMISSION BANGING SHIFTING TO DRIVE OR REVERSE. DEALER SAID ALL…

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12/30/20 STOPPED AT RED TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH FOOT BRAKE. ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE WENT TO PARK AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN OR SHIFT OUT OF PARK. NOTHING WORKED! HAD TO BE TOWED TO LINCOLN DEALER. THE MILEAGE WAS 6,000! JULY 2020 I HAD COMPLAINED OF TRANSMISSION BANGING SHIFTING TO DRIVE OR REVERSE. DEALER SAID ALL WAS FINE. IT HAS BEEN 34 DAYS, DEALER REPLACE A MODULE WITCH DID NOT FIX PROBLEM. THEY ARE NOW REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT A SHOPPING CENTER LIGHT TO ENTER HIGHWAY 525. APPROACHING THE SIGNAL VEHICLE WAS ONLY TRAVELING 2-3 MPH.

NHTSA ODI #11394542

Official recalls

8

26V372000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

Jun 9, 2026

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

26V377000 · Lane Departure: Lane Keep: Steering Assist

Jun 9, 2026

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Failure to alert the driver with the intended hands-off the wheel warnings may increase the risk of a crash.

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.

25V442000 · Back Over Prevention:software

Jun 27, 2025

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

20V550000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Sep 10, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

20V414000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash; Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

Jul 17, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

Air Bags

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

19V076000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

Feb 11, 2019

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

19V031000 · Lane Departure: Lane Keep: Steering Assist

Jan 14, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

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.

18V806000 · Air Bags:frontal

Nov 14, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the air bag cover separates during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.