Last updated: 2026-10-10
Lincoln Nautilus Reliability by Year
Lincoln Nautilus owners report low-speed transmission shudder and blank screens most. Here is what to check on a used midsize SUV before buying.
Lincoln Nautilus Reliability Overview
Low-speed transmission shudder and instrument screens that go blank while driving are the main worries on a used Nautilus. The 2019 is the year to skip, and the 2023 is the better pick, with few complaints for the number sold. A replacement transmission has been quoted at $7,000 to $9,000, so check how any used one shifts.
Current generation: 2nd gen (2024–present).
Best & Worst Lincoln Nautilus Years
Best Lincoln Nautilus Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2023 has only 6 owner complaints, or 2.5 per 10,000 sold, against 30.3 for the 2019. It has also had time to collect reports. One electrical complaint is minor: a rear camera that stays black for up to a minute. The other describes a highway shift into neutral, so test drive it carefully.
Lincoln Nautilus Years to Avoid
Owners filed 96 complaints on this year, the most of any. Power train leads, with shudder and hesitation between 15 and 50 mph, harsh shifts, and quotes of $7,000 to $9,000 for a new transmission. Electrical faults come next, including screens that freeze while driving. Some reports describe engine overheating and coolant loss.
Lincoln Nautilus Reliability Score Trend
Lincoln Nautilus reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 72/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 62/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 69/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 82/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Lincoln Nautilus
0 recalls · 7 complaints
Best standing of the eight scored years, with no recalls and a 5-star crash rating, as the last year of the second generation.
2025 Lincoln Nautilus
6 recalls · 20 complaints
Middle of the pack among Nautilus years, with six recalls and driver-camera complaints that shut off cruise control and lane keeping.
2024 Lincoln Nautilus
7 recalls · 19 complaints
First year of the second generation, with good reliability, a mid-pack standing among Nautilus years, and electrical faults, brake grinding and windshield cracks as the main complaints.
2023 Lincoln Nautilus
3 recalls · 6 complaints
Final year of the first generation, rated good and above average among 2023 SUVs, with three recalls and one report of the transmission shifting into neutral.
2022 Lincoln Nautilus
2 recalls · 8 complaints
Good standing and a 5-star crash rating, held back by a small set of complaints about transmission shudder and cracked front door metal.
2021 Lincoln Nautilus
2 recalls · 18 complaints
Facelift year with a good standing and far fewer complaints than 2020, held back mainly by transmission jerking and some outright failures.
2020 Lincoln Nautilus
5 recalls · 32 complaints
Average among 2020 SUVs but weaker than most Nautilus years, with transmission jerking leading complaints and five recalls, two of them in the power train.
2019 Lincoln Nautilus
8 recalls · 96 complaints
The first-year model and the weakest of the eight, with the most complaints, led by low-speed transmission shudder and screen blackouts.
Found Your Lincoln Nautilus? Check Its History
Service brakes (1) problems come up most in Lincoln Nautilus owner complaints, and 33 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Lincoln Nautilus Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3.5/5
Lincoln Nautilus Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Lincoln Models
Compare all Lincoln models by reliability
Compare Lincoln Nautilus With Similar SUVs
The Lincoln Nautilus competes with other midsize suvs such as Cadillac XT6, and Dodge Journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Lincoln Nautilus reliable?
- Yes, overall. Its reliability standing is good and close to average among SUVs on the site. Trouble is concentrated in the earliest years, mainly transmission shudder and screens that go blank. Later years show far fewer complaints per vehicle sold.
- What are the most common Lincoln Nautilus problems?
- Power train is the top problem area, with 50 complaints. Owners describe shudder, jerking and hesitation at low speeds, and a clunk going into gear. Electrical comes second with 34 complaints, mostly instrument clusters and center screens that go blank, freeze, or reboot.
- How much does a Lincoln Nautilus transmission repair cost?
- Owners report quotes of $7,000 to $9,000 for a full transmission replacement. One quote topped $14,000 with a rear axle included. Dealers often blame the torque converter, and reports cluster between about 48,000 and 88,000 miles.
- What is the best year for a used Lincoln Nautilus?
- The 2023 is the site pick. It has been on the road long enough to build a record, and it shows very few complaints per vehicle sold. The 2026 rates highest, but it is too new to judge, so do not treat that as proof.
- Does the Lincoln Nautilus have engine problems?
- Engine complaints are fewer, at 8, but some are serious. Owners describe low-coolant warnings followed by rapid overheating and shutdown. One independent shop confirmed coolant in the cylinders of a 2.0L EcoBoost, and another complaint cites a blown head gasket.
How we score the Lincoln Nautilus
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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