2020 Lincoln Nautilus VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability
The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus has good reliability. There are 5 recalls and 32 owner complaints on file for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. Severity signals include 2 crash-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Power Train (15), Wheels (3), Unknown Or Other (2).
Nautilus reliability snapshot
69/100
Latest model-year reliability score
3.5/5
RepairPal rating (good)
Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.
Used-car research
Research the Lincoln Nautilus before checking the VIN
Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.
Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.
Power Train15
Wheels3
Unknown Or Other2
Electrical System2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Exterior Lighting2
Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus
Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.
☐Test drive to check for transmission jerking or hard shifts
☐Inspect high mount brake light for functionality
☐Check for swollen lug nuts and replace if necessary
☐Verify back-up camera clarity, especially in wet conditions
☐Ensure door hinges are intact and doors open/close properly
What owners reported
2020 Lincoln Nautilus owner complaints in detail
Owners have reported 2 crashes and 1 injury to NHTSA for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints15
POWER TRAIN
Owners report significant issues with the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus' power train, primarily involving transmission problems. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as jerking, stuttering, and hard shifts, particularly during acceleration and at low speeds. These issues often occur around 30,000 to 94,000 miles, with some reports of complete transmission failure and costly repairs. One complaint details a crash where the vehicle unintentionally accelerated, indicating potential safety risks. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring transmission issues and the associated repair costs.
Owners of the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus report wheel-related issues, including wheel assembly failures and lug nut swelling. One owner describes a severe mechanical failure where damaged or missing wheel studs caused a wheel to detach, leading to a crash and injury within 20 days of ownership. Another complaint details recurring problems with the manual park-release cable locking the front wheel brakes, causing the vehicle to be dragged and resulting in tire damage and potential fire hazards. Additionally, owners mention the need to replace swollen lug nuts, which can impede tire changes and potentially lead to wheel detachment. These issues highlight significant safety risks, including crashes and loss of control, and are reported to occur both shortly after purchase and over extended use.
Owners of the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus report issues primarily related to structural components and camera systems. One complaint involves the need for rear view camera replacement, suggesting potential issues with visibility systems. Another owner describes a structural problem with the driver's door hinge area, requiring door replacement after 60,000 miles due to cracking, which may affect door closure and opening. This issue is noted to be similar to those in related Ford and Lincoln models, with failures occurring in vehicles with as little as 30,000 miles. There are safety implications mentioned, as improper door function could lead to occupant injuries.
Owner complaints2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, specifically involving the third brake light and the engine start functionality. Complaints frequently mention the third brake light not working due to a burnt diode in the LED Driver Modules, which may lead to other lighting failures. Additionally, multiple owners describe problems with the car not starting when pressing the brake and start button, with the start button flashing green instead of staying green. These issues have been reported at low mileage, such as around 17,500 miles, and result in situations where the car may stall unexpectedly, potentially leading to being stranded. There are no reports of crashes or fires, but the starting issue can cause significant inconvenience and concern for reliability.
Owner complaints2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus report issues with the vehicle's speed control, particularly when using cruise control and during acceleration. Complaints frequently mention that the vehicle fails to maintain the set speed on downhill slopes, accelerating beyond the intended speed, with one owner noting speeds reaching 70-75 MPH despite setting cruise control at 55 MPH. Another issue involves the traction control system engaging unexpectedly during normal acceleration, without any warning lights, even on dry pavement. These problems are reported around 24,000 miles, and while no crashes or loss of control are mentioned, the unexpected acceleration and traction control activation could pose safety concerns. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues, especially when considering vehicles with similar mileage.
Owner complaints2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Owners report repeated failures of the high mount brake light in the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus, with issues occurring at approximately 8,000 and 13,400 miles. Complaints frequently mention that the 13613A High Mount Stop Lamp Assembly is a potentially faulty part, with no warning lamps or messages alerting the driver to its failure. This defect may increase the risk of rear collisions in low visibility conditions, as the malfunction could remain unnoticed for extended periods. These patterns suggest potential safety implications, which prospective buyers should consider when evaluating this vehicle.
Owner complaints2
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Owners of the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus report issues with the back-up camera, particularly in adverse weather conditions such as rain, where the image becomes distorted. Complaints frequently mention that the camera malfunctions without any warning lights, and in some cases, the failure is linked to a recall notice regarding visibility. The reported problems occur at varying mileages, with one instance at approximately 40,009 miles and another shortly after purchase at around 2,000 miles. These issues may affect the driver's ability to see obstacles when reversing, though no accidents or injuries are reported. Buyers should be aware of potential delays in obtaining recall-related repairs for these camera issues.
2020 Nautilus recalls (5)
Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2020 Nautilus. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
POWER TRAINNHTSA 21V011000Jan 15, 2021
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTIONNHTSA 25V442000Jun 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: 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTIONNHTSA 20V575000Sep 23, 2020
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.
POWER TRAINNHTSA 20V550000Sep 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: 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.
SEATS, AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMNHTSA 20V414000Jul 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: 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.
2020 Lincoln Nautilus on the road
22,742 2020 Lincoln Nautilus units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.
How the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus stacks up against rivals
The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.
The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus presents a mixed reliability outlook, falling slightly below the segment average with a score of 69 out of 100. Complaints are moderately concentrated, with nearly half related to powertrain issues. This suggests a potential area of concern for prospective buyers. The remaining complaints are scattered across various categories, indicating some issues but not a pervasive pattern.
The vehicle has experienced five recalls, which is an elevated number, suggesting that Lincoln has addressed several significant concerns post-production. Being the second year of its generation, some teething issues may persist, but ongoing manufacturer interventions could mitigate these.
Overall, the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus carries a moderate reliability risk, with particular attention warranted for powertrain-related concerns.
What you get in a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus report
✓Available title brand history
✓Odometer readings & rollback detection
✓Accident & damage records
✓Auction sales with photos
✓Open safety recalls
✓Theft & stolen vehicle check
Check a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus now
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2020 Lincoln Nautilus — Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus reliable?
The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus presents a mixed reliability outlook, falling slightly below the segment average with a score of 69 out of 100. Complaints are moderately concentrated, with nearly half related to powertrain issues. This suggests a potential area of concern for prospective buyers. The remaining complaints are scattered across various categories, indicating some issues but not a pervasive pattern.
How many recalls does the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus have?
5 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
What are the most common 2020 Lincoln Nautilus problems?
The most-reported 2020 Lincoln Nautilus problem areas are: Power Train (15), Wheels (3), Unknown Or Other (2).
Should I run a VIN check on a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus?
Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2020 Lincoln Nautilus, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.