Last updated: 2026-10-10
Lincoln Nautilus Years to Avoid
8 scored model years (2019–2026) · model average 72/100
Skip the 2019 model year. Owners report low-speed transmission shudder and instrument screens that go blank, and it draws far more complaints than any other year. The 2023 is the year to buy, with a much lighter complaint record for the number sold.
Verdict
- Avoid
- 2019 62/100
- Buy
- 2023 73/100
- Model average
- 72/100
Lincoln Nautilus Years to Avoid
These model years score significantly below the Lincoln Nautilus average of 72/100.
| # | Year | Score | Rating | Recalls | Complaints | Top Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2019 | 62/100 | Good | 8 | 96 | Power Train (25) |
Why These Years Should Be Avoided
2019 Lincoln Nautilus
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.
Top issues: Power Train (25), Electrical System (24), Unknown Or Other (10), Engine (8), Steering (7), Seat Belts (5)
View full 2019reliability report →What Are Common Lincoln Nautilus Problems?
POWER TRAIN
50 complaintsMost reported in 2019, 2020, 2021
2019: Shudder, jerking and hesitation at low speeds lead this category, usually somewhere between 15 and 50 mph.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
34 complaintsMost reported in 2019, 2024, 2023
2019: Instrument clusters and center screens go blank, freeze, or reboot over and over, sometimes while driving.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
25 complaintsMost reported in 2019, 2026, 2025
2019: Sudden shutdowns while driving stand out in this mixed group, including at highway speed with cruise control set.
STEERING
9 complaintsMost reported in 2019, 2025
2019: Power assist cuts out, or the wheel swings off center with no driver input.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
8 complaintsMost reported in 2025, 2021, 2020
2025: Rear alerts and automatic braking fail to react when pedestrians walk behind the car as it backs out of a parking space.
STRUCTURE
8 complaintsMost reported in 2022, 2021, 2024
2022: Sheet metal cracks around the front door hinges and the check strap area, on the driver's door and sometimes both front doors.
Best Lincoln Nautilus Year to Buy Instead
2023 Lincoln Nautilus
The 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.
Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car
Even the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus has 3 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
All Lincoln Nautilus Years by Generation
Lincoln Nautilus Reliability Scores by Year
First generation (U540) (2019–2023)
2021 Lincoln Nautilus
2 recalls · 18 complaints
2022 Lincoln Nautilus
2 recalls · 8 complaints
2023 Lincoln Nautilus
3 recalls · 6 complaints
2020 Lincoln Nautilus
5 recalls · 32 complaints
2019 Lincoln Nautilus
8 recalls · 96 complaints
Second generation (CDX707) (2024–2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Lincoln Nautilus years should I avoid?
Which Lincoln Nautilus years have transmission problems?
Is the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus a bad year?
Is the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus a good year to buy?
Should I buy a 2026 Lincoln Nautilus because it has no recalls?
How we score every Lincoln Nautilus model year
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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