Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the body and structure and transmission. The 8 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2022Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/8 checked
2022 Lincoln Nautilus: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/2
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.
These years share the 2022's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2022 checks
Worth adding to your 2022 checks
Worth adding to your 2022 checks
NHTSA complaints for the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Sheet metal cracks around the front door hinges and the check strap area, on the driver's door and sometimes both front doors. Spot welds in the door break loose, and the metal can tear around them. Owners worry the damaged doors could fail or perform poorly in a crash, especially a side impact. Some report that dealers confirm the cracking but the manufacturer turns down coverage because the VIN is outside the affected range. The complaints don't give mileages.
The transmission jerks, shudders, or sputters at roughly 10 to 60 mph. Shifts into drive, reverse, or park can lag, sometimes with a clunk, and some cars fail to go into gear at all. Owners link the problem to the 8F35 transmission. In the worst cases it slips out of gear on the highway, the car loses power, and the wrench light comes on. That loss of power raises crash risk at speed. Replacing the torque converter does not always fix it, and some dealers quote a full transmission replacement.
Excerpts from complaints Nautilus owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Lincoln Nautilus door hinge and check strap area of the driver's door has a significant crack which could lead to door failure in the event of a crash. Manufacture has issued a CSP (Customer Satisfaction Program 23B56. Year models 2022-2024. Mine is a 2022 but the VIN does not fall in the range of known defects. Mfg. refused repair based on the VIN, but all other criteria have been met. Dealer acknowledges the defect.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2026
Spot welds in both front doors are failing. How would these cars do in a side impact with failing spot welds? The drivers door has approximately a 4" tear/crack around the broken spot welds.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2026
The transmission jerks at low speeds between 10mph-60mph. Has been duplicated at Lincoln dealership. A torque converter was replaced , but did not correct problem. I know that there is a class action suit for this problem for 2019-2021 it needs to add the 2022 suv also. Lincoln paid for parts , I paid labor . Total repair was 2200$
Filed with NHTSA, March 2026
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2022 ranks sixth 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 2022 is the fourth model year of the Nautilus's first generation (2019–2023).
It includes the 2021 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 2022 checklists.
2022 owner complaints, side by side
