2020 Lincoln Nautilus Safety Report
2020 Lincoln Nautilus Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (26) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus with 5 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus before buying across this generation. |
Lincoln Nautilus Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Lincoln Nautilus years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Lincoln Nautilus | 15 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Lincoln Nautilus | 88 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Lincoln Nautilus | 5 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2023 Lincoln Nautilus | 6 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2024 Lincoln Nautilus | 15 | 7 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2025 Lincoln Nautilus | 8 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2020 Lincoln Nautilus Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Lincoln onlyVehicle Speed Control
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control issues Lincoln onlyExterior Lighting
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Lincoln onlyBack Over Prevention
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Back Over Prevention issues Lincoln onlyWheels
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Wheels issues Lincoln onlyPower Train,Electrical System,Service Brakes
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Electrical System,Service Brakes issues Lincoln onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus
Reliability Score
The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train, Driveline, Driveshaft Ford Motor Company has issued recalls for the 2020-2021 Edge and 2020-2021 Lincoln Nautilus due to driveline and driveshaft issues. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Back Over Prevention System Ford Motor Company has issued recalls for the 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and Explorer due to back over prevention system issues. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System, Gasoline, Power Train Ford Motor Company has issued recalls for the 2020-2021 Edge and 2020-2021 Lincoln Nautilus due to fuel system and power train issues. |
Low | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Seats, Front Assembly, Power Adjust Ford Motor Company has issued recalls for the 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus due to front seat power adjust issues. |
Low | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus:
Issues with the power train, driveline, and driveshaft have been reported.
Problems with the back over prevention system have been reported.
Issues with the vehicle speed control have been reported.
Problems with the exterior lighting have been reported.
Recall Details for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus by NHTSA:
Summary: 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: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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."
Consequence: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
1. Vehicle Purchase I purchased a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve from Carvana on February 2, 2026. The vehicle was delivered to me on February 8, 2026. The vehicle was represented as inspected and safe to drive. Within 20 days of ownership, the vehicle experienced a serious mechanical failure involving the wheel assembly. 2. Major Safety Failure While driving, the wheel assembly failed due to damag...
MILEAGE: 487,615 27TAWD On [XXX] at [XXX]., the weather was wet from rain. I pushed the reverse button and the car accelerated quickly forward with engine revving. The car kept moving forward while the brake pedal was not responsive for at least 10 times as the car drove through my fence and damaged my neighbor’s garage. The car finally stopped when it hit the garage. Estimate for repairs on v...
Our 2020 Lincoln Nautilus with 60,000 miles will require replacement of the driver's door due to a crack in the door hinge area. This failure is similar to failures found in the Ford Edge and Lincoln Corsair of the same vintage. Online research proves this is a frequent failure due to inadequate door structural design in similar vehicles with as little as 30,000 miles usage. A 5 year old vehicle...
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle jerked upon starting and shifting to drive(D) intermittently. The contact stated that the failure initially occurred after refueling the vehicle, but the failure had become consistent and was occurring erratically. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving and accelerating between 3...
Manual Park--release cable escaped its locking position, locking front wheel brakes ON. The locked brakes resulted in the car being dragged until we noticed the problem and exited the motor home to reinstate the cable into its locking position (to re-seat the metal bead in the pocket, locking it in the override position). Dragging the locked wheels creates a fire and traffic hazard with large ...
Hard shift stuttering when driving About 30000 miles ago Called Lincoln they said $150 to diagnose it No warning lights
Transmission complete failure. It is available at the dealer. Where I had it towed. Went out on highway. Everyone using the turnpike highway was in danger. Slowed vehicle to little more than idle speed, in road construction. Little rough being slowed from 75mph to 10 mph. One dealer diagnosed it. I had it towed to the original dealer after having it towed to the closest dealer. Warning light came ...
Transmission bucking and slow under 40 mph. brought to dealers attention. Car only 5 years old. Diagnostics resulted in internal fault , excessive slippage and torque converter chatter. Told that I could easily breakdown at any time if transmission not replaced.!!!! No warnings or messages. Occurring approx 2 months. Noted a class action investigation into this issue on 2020 Nautilus !
Car jerks/ shifts hard up to 35 miles per hour.
2/4/25 purchased 2020 Nautilus from Dick Hannah Jeep Vancouver, WA 3/12/25 I noticed some issues developing with uneven revving. Inconsistent in cruise control, feeling like the road is bumpy. Also revving up to 3,000 RPM when breaking to stop. 3/28/25 Kendall Ford did software update issues still happening, they said it's adaptive learning and needs time to adjust to my style of driving. Made ...
When taking my car in for diagnostics, I was informed of a transmission failure. My VIN was not included in a transmission recall but has the same issue . Mileage on my 2020 Lincoln Natilus is 94,000. The same type of transmission is in my car that was recalled in 2021. There is discrepancies with who is allowed to get the transmission. The problem I was having was with the Auto Hold not w...
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds in stop-and-go traffic, the vehicle jerked abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. Th...
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated while driving downhill at 55 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle failed to maintain the set speed and accelerated to 70-75 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle had standard cruise control; not adaptive cruise control that could automatically apply the brakes while driving ...
When I took the vehicle in for service, I had to replace all 20 lug nuts as the dealer service department reported they were "swollen" and they were unable to complete the tire rotation. This also poses a safety risk as if I had a flat tire, I could not get them off to change a tire. They could also break causing stress on others and cause a wheel to come off of the vehicle. I was advised that thi...
When taking off from stop light or stop sign between the speed of 35-45 the car feels like it’s seizing!
High mount brake light failure (2nd occurrence) November 2023 at 13,400 miles. Vehicle was repaired under warranty. This occurrence appears to be a repeated faulty part. Failure of high mount brake light creates rear collision potential in low visibility scenarios. The part (13613A High Mount Stop Lamp Assembly) appears to be a known faulty part by manufacturer or vehicle design. There are no warn...
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the Hollywood Destination E Rack Bicycle Carrier had detached and fell onto the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E085000 (Equipment) as the cause for the failu...
High mount brake light (or third brake light) failure occurred September 2022 at 8,000 miles. Vehicle was repaired under warranty. Failure of high mount brake light creates rear collision potential in low visibility scenarios. The part (13613A High Mount Stop Lamp Assembly) appears to be faulty by manufacturer or vehicle design. There are no warning lamps or messages to warn driver that failure...
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while his wife was reversing in the rain, the back-up camera image was distorted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the failure might be due to a leak. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately...
According to Lincoln, in their manual, the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus is designed such that it can be recreational towed behind a motorhome. My first experience towing this vehicle resulted in a violet "wobble" that shook a 43 foot motorhome when making a normal left hand turn. A second incident occurred when a dip in the road caused the wobble. In both incidents it was necessary to come to a compl...
Showing 20 of 26 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Opened 2021-08-03
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 with...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus
Has the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS have?
The 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS has 26 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS?
The 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS involve power train (9 complaints), vehicle speed control (2 complaints), exterior lighting (2 complaints). Other affected components include back over prevention, wheels, power train,electrical system,service brakes.
How many crash reports does the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS out of 26 total complaints (7.7% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS have?
There are no fire reports for the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS is acceptable with caveats. It has 26 complaints, 4 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS are: 1. POWER TRAIN (9 complaints), 2. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (2 complaints), 3. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2 complaints), 4. BACK OVER PREVENTION (2 complaints), 5. WHEELS (1 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 9 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS?
Be cautious of power train and back over prevention system issues. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid potential problems. The 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS has 26 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS?
The 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 26 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Power Train, Driveline, Driveshaft and Back Over Prevention System.
What are the known issues with the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS?
Known issues with the 2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS include: Power Train, Driveline, Driveshaft, Back Over Prevention System, Fuel System, Gasoline, Power Train, Seats, Front Assembly, Power Adjust. These are based on patterns found across 26 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus?
The most common issues are power train problems, back over prevention system malfunctions, and occasional problems with vehicle speed control and exterior lighting.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus?
Yes, there have been recalls for power train, driveline, and driveshaft issues, as well as back over prevention system issues.
What should I do if I experience hard shifting or jerking in my 2020 Lincoln Nautilus?
Contact your local dealer for diagnostics and potential repairs, as these symptoms could indicate a transmission issue.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of power train and back over prevention system issues. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid potential problems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Lincoln Nautilus
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. The data includes 26 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16