2019 Lincoln Nautilus: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 96 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, electrical, and engine. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2019- Owner complaints
- 96
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes reported
- 2
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2019 Lincoln Nautilus: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Transmission shudder and jerking
48,000–88,000 miles
Head gasket and coolant loss
60,938–70,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Transmission25No crashes
Shudder, jerking and hesitation at low speeds lead this category, usually somewhere between 15 and 50 mph. Owners also describe harsh shifts, bucking between gears, and a clunk when moving from Park into Drive or Reverse. Dealers often blame the torque converter. Several quotes call for a full transmission replacement at $7,000 to $9,000, and one topped $14,000 with a rear axle included. Reports cluster from about 48,000 to 88,000 miles. A few describe the car failing to accelerate in traffic, leaking fluid, or losing the ability to shift. Some dealers could not duplicate the problem or called it normal.
Electrical24No crashes
Instrument clusters and center screens go blank, freeze, or reboot over and over, sometimes while driving. When that happens, speed, gear position, warning lights, the backup camera and driver assists all disappear. Some cars recover only after being shut off. Reports start as early as 700 miles and continue past 84,200, and dealers often cannot replicate the fault. Other complaints cover battery drain with repeated dead starts, stalling while driving, a liftgate that will not open by any method, mirrors folding in while driving, and an unexpected driver airbag deployment. Several filings here actually describe transmission shudder.
Engine8No crashes
The most serious reports here involve overheating and coolant loss. Owners describe low-coolant warnings followed by rapid overheating and engine shutdown, sometimes leaving them stranded far from help. One independent shop confirmed coolant getting into the cylinders of the 2.0L EcoBoost, and another complaint cites a blown head gasket. Other complaints include stalling every time the car stops and loss of power at highway speed with a powertrain warning. Several owners also report jerking or slipping on acceleration that reads more like transmission trouble.
Steering7No crashes
Power assist cuts out, or the wheel swings off center with no driver input. Reports describe an Adaptive Steering Fault message while the wheel sits turned to one side and the car keeps going straight. Others describe the power steering failing and the wheel seizing for a few seconds, or a full loss of assist while driving. One dealer quoted $5,000 for a whole steering column because the faulty module cannot be replaced by itself. Other complaints include a violent wobble at 65 mph, lane centering steering into the next lane, and a heated wheel too hot to hold.
Seat belts5No crashes
Most of these reports involve belts that will not unlatch, extend, or retract. Front driver belts stick or fail to release. Rear belts stop retracting, and in one case a rear middle belt locked so tight it had to be cut. One dealer said the full belt assembly needed replacing. Failures show up between about 20,000 and 50,000 miles. One rear passenger buckle is also described as very hard to fasten with booster seats, and extenders do not fit it.
Backup camera21 crash
Parking and reversing aids fall short in these reports. One crash-related complaint involves the automated parking assist, which Lincoln said worked as designed. The other says rear cross-traffic alert sometimes stays silent, and that the backup camera image is poor in daylight and close to unusable at night. With only 2 complaints, no broader pattern is clear. Both point to reversing aids that a driver cannot fully rely on.
Fuel system2No crashes
In one report, sluggish acceleration with an EGR valve code, P0401, continues even after the valve is replaced. That owner also lists a head gasket and torque converter replaced at 60,938 miles and a purge valve at 67,795. The other complaint describes a tank that takes only about half a gallon at a time before the pump nozzle shuts off as if full. With just 2 complaints on file, neither problem forms a clear pattern.
Brakes2No crashes
Brake complaints are rare here but severe. One report describes a sudden, complete loss of braking with a very stiff pedal and no warning light. It was traced to a broken camshaft coupler screw and a failed vacuum pump. The other describes the car braking hard on its own on the interstate, with cruise control on, while passing a truck. The hard braking stopped only when the driver stepped in. Only 2 complaints are on file.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Nautilus owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Transmission shutter at 25 to 45 mph. Known issue with the Transmission. Ford has mechanic memos stating the exact issue my car is experiencing. Took it to the dealer ship, got charged $250 to get told I need a transmission replacement and torque converter for $8000. little over 1 year out of warranty car only has 48,000 miles on it. worried the transmission going to go out causing a safety issue while I figure out what to do to get it fixed
Filed with NHTSA, June 2026
Purchased car from a dealer in 2024 with 40k plus miles. Did not notice upon purchasing, but since to 64,750 miles the transmission regularly shifts with harsh,shuddering , or jerking instances. We have not reported this but it is concerning, that it may cause a permanent failure to the transmission. Hoped it had a recall, but no, not for that! Have seen plenty of complaints about this problem, and wish Lincoln would FIX IT!
Filed with NHTSA, March 2026
Rear hatch does not open. You can not manually open it from outside or inside. My wife had a flat on the highway and could not change her tire as she could not access it. The hatch as failed on the button on the dash, the remote key fob and the foot opener under bumper. This is so dangerous for safety to exit the car from inside and well as getting to spare tire.
Filed with NHTSA, August 2024
Car consistently jerking as soon as you accelarate. The acceleration takes along time to pick up speed.Can feel the car missing gears or slipping while driving even on the freeway.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2025
The engine stalls and shuts down every time the car is stopped. This car has had so many problems and Lincoln has been unresponsive to the multitude of major safety problems
Filed with NHTSA, June 2026
How the 2019 compares with other Nautilus years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2019 has the most owner complaints of the 8 Nautilus years we cover, about 6.1 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Transmission254
- Electrical241
- Engine80
- Steering70
- Seat belts50
- Backup camera21
Where the 2019 fits in the Nautilus's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2019 is the first model year of the Nautilus's first generation (2019–2023). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Lincoln fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.
Lincoln updated the Nautilus for 2021, so a 2019 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2021 (not on a 2019)
- New interior similar to the Navigator
- Larger 13.2-inch touchscreen
- Updated front bumper
Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.
Recalls to confirm (8)
Recall repairs are free at any Lincoln dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
26V377000Lane keepingJun 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 19V031. The lane center assist system may not adequately detect if a driver has their hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged period of time.
Risk: Failure to alert the driver with the intended hands-off the wheel warnings may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the power steering control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8. 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S44. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.
26V372000ElectricalJun 2026
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 19V076. At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays.".
Risk: A blank instrument cluster that fails to display critical safety information, such as vehicle speed or safety system warnings, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C27. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.
25V442000Backup cameraJun 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
20V550000TransmissionSep 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
20V414000SeatsJul 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
19V076000ElectricalFeb 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays.".
Risk: A blank instrument cluster will not show important information like vehicle speed, fuel or temperature level, or safety system warnings. Driving with an inoperative cluster can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC), free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C03.
19V031000Lane keepingJan 2019
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles. The Lane Center Assist system may not adequately detect if a driver has their hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged period of time.
Risk: If the system remains active despite the driver not having their hands on the wheel, the driver's inattention may increase the risk of crash.
Fix: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S02.
18V806000AirbagsNov 2018
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles that are not equipped with Adaptive Front Steering. The plastic cover on the driver frontal air bag module may detach during air bag deployment.
Risk: If the air bag cover separates during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began December 7, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S38.
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