Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the transmission, body and structure, and backup camera. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2021 Lincoln Nautilus: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
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.
These years share the 2021's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
Worth adding to your 2021 checks
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Transmissions can fail outright. Reports describe a transmission dying on the highway, or slipping with the RPM climbing while the car won't accelerate, and dealers calling for replacement. Reported failures came at 51,600 and about 86,000 miles. More common is hesitation followed by a sudden jerk or jolt when pulling away, backing up, or shifting between second and third gear, which can startle a driver in traffic. Other reports include a blown head gasket with coolant intrusion and a misfire, and an AWD System Disabled message that kept one car at the dealer waiting on a new control module.
Driver's door hardware breaks. Complaints describe broken door checks, failed spot welds, and doors that no longer stop at the open position, in one case with the metal torn. Another report describes a cracking sound when the front driver's door opens, a faulty check arm stop bracket and hinge, and a dealer calling for a full door replacement after an earlier repair for the same problem. Reports range from under 20,000 miles to 74,000 miles, so the failure can show up early or late.
The backup camera image can lag far behind what is really happening, showing a clear path while another car sits directly behind. In the reported case the delay was 9 to 10 seconds and nearly caused a collision. A dealer reinstalled the software to fix it. The other complaint is about a recall repair, not a failure. The owner got a notice, but the part wasn't available yet, and the VIN later stopped showing up under that campaign.
The car can refuse to start or shift into any gear even though the electronics still have power, and it has to be towed. One report describes this no-start happening again and again, including once on the highway, and the PCM was replaced twice before the car ran. A separate problem involves the power liftgate closing on its own while someone is loading cargo, without the obstacle sensor stopping it. That puts anyone standing under the lid at risk of injury.
Both complaints are about a delayed recall repair, not an engine failure. Owners got a recall notice covering the engine and cooling system, but dealers say the repair part isn't available, and the dealer's VIN tool confirms the shortage. Owners say the manufacturer has taken far too long to supply parts. Neither owner reports any engine or cooling problem with their own car, so these complaints are about the wait, not about breakdowns.
Excerpts from complaints Nautilus owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
While driving on the highway my transmission died. Had it towed to a nearby forwad dealershiop, Owens Ford in Jarrett VA and they confirmed the transmission died at 51,600 miles.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2026
2021 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with coolant intrusion caused by a blown head gasket on cylinder #6. Vehicle would not accelerate properly and lurch forward when the gas pedal was pressed over 25%. The issue was taken to the shop and not found. The issue progressed and was taken to the shop a second time. The issue was found from a misfire code on cylinder #6. Vehicle is currently being repaired.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2026
Door check and spot welds are broken. The car has less the 20,000 miles on it. I was told by the mechanic that he saw this issue with Ford Escapes, there was a recall on the drive side door for the welds failing.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2026
My car had a 9-10 second delay from what was shown in the backup camera to what had already happened. It almost caused an accident as the camera didn't show any car in my path, but in reality, the car was stopped directly behind my car. Lincoln had me take it to a dealership, which didn't have time for a full software update, so I took it to another dealership and they re installed the software in 4 hours.
Filed with NHTSA, May 2022
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 ranks fifth for owner complaints among 8 Nautilus years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2021 is the third model year of the Nautilus's first generation (2019–2023).
It is also the first year of a mid-cycle update.
What changed for 2021
Recall repairs are free at any Lincoln dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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.
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
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.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Cars shoppers compare with the Lincoln Nautilus, with their own 2021 checklists.
2021 owner complaints, side by side
