Last updated: 2026-10-10
2022 Lincoln Nautilus Reliability Report
The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus has good reliability, but owners report transmission shudder and cracked door metal worth checking before you buy.
Recalls
2
Complaints
8
Complaint Rate
3.9per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
N/A
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Good standing and a 5-star crash rating, held back by a small set of complaints about transmission shudder and cracked front door metal.
Top Issues to Watch
- STRUCTURE (3)
- POWER TRAIN (3)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2022 is 1 year after the 2021 refresh refresh.
- Year 4 in the First generation (U540) (2019–2023).
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- 1st generation Nautilus (US).
What this means for buyers
Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.
2019: First generation (U540) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2021: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2022: This Model Year
2022 is 1 year after the 2021 refresh refresh.
Should You Buy the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus?
Good is the standing here, and it holds up well against rivals. This model year earns a 5 of 5 federal crash-test rating, sits above average among 2022 SUVs, and ranks among the stronger of the eight Nautilus years scored. The 2021 and 2023 models rate about the same, so this year has no clear edge over them.
Two complaint patterns lead, with three complaints each. Some owners describe the transmission jerking, shuddering, or sputtering between roughly 10 and 60 mph, with lagging or clunky shifts. In the worst cases it slips out of gear on the highway and the car loses power. Others report cracked sheet metal and broken spot welds around the front door hinges. Federal recall records list two recalls, in back over prevention and in engine and engine cooling.
Ask for transmission repair records, and look closely at the front door hinge area. Owners say a new torque converter does not always cure the shifting problem. Confirm both recalls were completed, and compare a 2021 or 2023 before you decide.
Compared to the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus, which scored the same. See also the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Low recall count
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- −STRUCTURE issues reported (3 complaints)
- −POWER TRAIN: Transmission jerks, shudders, or sputters at roughly 10 to 60 mph (3 complaints)
Compare 2022 Lincoln Nautilus With
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 2 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- STRUCTURE (3)
- POWER TRAIN (3)
Recall Overview
2
recalls on record
The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
3.9
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 13.5
Safety Incidents
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2022 Lincoln Nautilus Recall Details
2 recalls have been issued for the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
Consequence
A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
Consequence
A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S55.
Buying a used 2022 Lincoln Nautilus? Check its history first
Structure problems lead owner complaints about the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, and 2 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2022 Lincoln Nautilus NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 15.5%
Safety Technologies
Lincoln NautilusRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2022 Lincoln Nautilus.
Open both front doors and check the sheet metal around the hinges and check strap for cracks or torn spot welds.
Swing each front door through its full range and listen for creaks, sagging, or a check strap that doesn't hold.
Drive between 10 and 60 mph in light traffic and feel for jerks, shudders, or sputtering.
From a stop, shift between park, reverse, and drive several times and note any delay or clunk.
Take a highway drive and watch for slipping out of gear, power loss, or a wrench light on the dash.
Ask for service records showing any torque converter, transmission, or PCM reprogramming work, and whether the symptoms came back.
Have a dealer run the VIN for open recalls and program eligibility before you buy.
2022 Lincoln Nautilus Common Problems by Component
8 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
STRUCTURE
3 complaintsSheet metal cracks around the front door hinges and the check strap area, on the driver's door and sometimes both front doors. Spot welds in the door break loose, and the metal can tear around them. Owners worry the damaged doors could fail or perform poorly in a crash, especially a side impact. Some report that dealers confirm the cracking but the manufacturer turns down coverage because the VIN is outside the affected range. The complaints don't give mileages.
POWER TRAIN
3 complaintsThe transmission jerks, shudders, or sputters at roughly 10 to 60 mph. Shifts into drive, reverse, or park can lag, sometimes with a clunk, and some cars fail to go into gear at all. Owners link the problem to the 8F35 transmission. In the worst cases it slips out of gear on the highway, the car loses power, and the wrench light comes on. That loss of power raises crash risk at speed. Replacing the torque converter does not always fix it, and some dealers quote a full transmission replacement.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaintGood afternoon, I am an owner of a 2002 Lincoln Nautilus. I wanted to report an electrical/battery issue with the vehicle that started a year and a half ago. In the past year and a half I have had 2 battery replacements with the most recent one being changed end of December of 2025 and in early March the battery went again so it's not even 3 months that it lasted. The battery completely dies and each time I have to jump start it in order to have a vehicle to work or take my kids places. As a single mom I do not want to put my safety or my kids safety at risk if I get stranded somewhere at night time with no means of getting it jump started. Upon reading some reviews online, I have noticed a lot of Lincoln owners especially the years of 2022-2023 have complained and reported the same issues with dealerships just changing out their batteries and not looking for the deep problem. I have dropped off the car at the dealership and they do not what's causing the issue. My car warranty has 300 miles left and they told me after my bumper to bumper expires there is not much they can do to cover it. I was wondering if this was ever reported or has there been previous recalls on it. Thank you very much for your time.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (1 complaints)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaintSubmitted by: [XXX] Dealership: Joe Rizza Ford of Orland Park Vehicle: 2021 Lincoln Nautilus VIN: [XXX] Date: 04/04/25 Overview: Vehicle VIN [XXX] has shown persistent signs of remote system manipulation, unauthorized firmware behavior, and OTA event spoofing. These symptoms have manifested in repeated diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) across key modules, backdated OTA logging activity, and anomalous file sizes inconsistent with Ford’s documented OTA campaigns. Additionally, the vehicle owner has experienced personal harm attributed to the manipulation: numbness in the back, significant financial and mental distress, and deterioration in relationships with family members, which all correlate with the suspected interference and systemic issues. Key Findings: RFA (Remote Function Actuator) Module Behavior: Repeated DTCs across antennas #2, #3, #4, #6, #8, #11, and #12. Frequent B1B59:87 (BLE Low Energy Module fault) — indicates repeated Bluetooth stack failure or interference. U200F:00 Control Module Output Power C faults consistently recorded. GWM (Gateway Module A) and TCU (Telematics Control Unit) Logs: Software package inconsistencies including large firmware blocks (176 MB to 764 MB). Mismatched "Current Software" vs. "Available Software" versions. Cloud/server-pushed updates logged without dealership-initiated campaign. Confirmed campaign expired for firmware block logged on January 27, 2025, raising further questions on the legitimacy of update triggers. OTAM (Over-The-Air Manager) Log Red Flags: Entries showing timestamps such as January 3, 2000 and January 1, 2018. Consent flags spoofed: "sourceOfConsent='User(1)'" Trigger expiration hours preset to "336" (14-day OTA window, commonly used in timed malware execution) Absence of release notes or authorized campaign identifiers. Pattern Confirmation: Activity spikes on: [XXX], [XXX], and [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Best & Worst Lincoln Nautilus Years
Best Lincoln Nautilus Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2023
2022
(Current Model)
2021
Lincoln Nautilus Years to Avoid
Lincoln Nautilus Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| 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 |
Lincoln Nautilus Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus?
Does the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus have transmission problems?
Has the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus been recalled?
Is the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus better than the 2021 or 2023?
Don’t buy a 2022 Lincoln Nautilus without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus does best on recall impact (80/100) and worst on repair costs (70/100). 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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