2020 Lincoln Nautilus
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 17 of 33 complaints (52%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Suspension, Wheels & Tires include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 101 in 2019 to 33 in 2020.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–2,950 | 2,700–2,950 | 2,700–2,950 | 2,700–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–23 | 21–23 | 21–23 | 21–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–21 / 25–27 | 19–21 / 25–26 | 19–21 / 25–26 | 19–21 / 25–26 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 384–418 | 384–417 | 384–423 | 384–423 | |
| Complaints filed | 101 | 33 | 21 | 13 | |
| Recalls issued | 8 | 5 | 2 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 17 of 33 NHTSA complaints (52%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus get?
EPA rates it 21–23 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus?
EPA estimates $2,700–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 21 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 384 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 401 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 2.7L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 417 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE · Campaign 25V442000 · Jun 30, 2025
Defect: 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.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · Campaign 21V011000 · Jan 15, 2021
Defect: 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 PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA · Campaign 20V575000 · Sep 23, 2020
Defect: 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 TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 20V550000 · Sep 10, 2020
Defect: 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH; AIR BAGS; SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST · Campaign 20V414000 · Jul 17, 2020
Defect: 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.