VehicleVerdict

2019 Lincoln Nautilus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 123 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.4 times the median Nautilus year — the 2019 model ranks #1 of 8 Nautilus years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 33 reports (27% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

123

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2019 compare to other Nautilus years?

Nautilus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted123 complaints2019: 123 complaints2020: 41 complaints2021: 23 complaints2022: 10 complaints2023: 14 complaints2024: 33 complaints2025: 33 complaints2026: 8 complaints
Nautilus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Nautilus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Lincoln Nautilus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3327%
Transmission2520%
Other1411%
Engine1411%
Steering76%
Seat Belts54%
Driver Assistance54%
Fuel System43%
Tires & Wheels43%
Speed Control32%
Airbags22%
Brakes22%
Lighting22%
Suspension11%
Body & Structure11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V377000Driver AssistanceJune 9, 2026 · 1,013 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Failure to alert the driver with the intended hands-off the wheel warnings may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the power steering control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6. 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.

26V372000Electrical SystemJune 9, 2026 · 2,349 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

Remedy

Dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 6. 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.

25V442000Driver AssistanceJune 27, 2025 · 200,237 units

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.

20V550000TransmissionSeptember 10, 2020 · 97 units

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.

20V414000SeatsJuly 17, 2020 · 19,299 units

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.

19V076000Electrical SystemFebruary 11, 2019 · 4,212 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

19V031000Driver AssistanceJanuary 14, 2019 · 2,276 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

18V806000AirbagsNovember 14, 2018 · 268 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the air bag cover separates during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WITH LESS THAN 700 MILES ON THE NEW CAR, MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT BLACK. I TOOK IT TO THE SELLING DEALER WHO KEPT IT FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND SAID THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE. I WAS INFORMED WHEN THEY RETURNED MY CAR THAT WHEN THEY FIRST STARTED THE CAR MY ISSUE WAS NOT THERE. WE RECEIVED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 16, 2019

“WHILE STOPPED AT A DRIVE THRU TODAY THE CAR STARTED GIVING OFF MULTIPLE WARNINGS OF SAFETY FAILURES--BLIND SPOT MONITORING, CAMERA, LANE KEEP, HILL ASSIST, AND AUTO HOLD. THE FINAL WARNING WAS A POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE A QUICK TWO MINUTE TRIP HOME AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 14, 2019

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 1, 2024

“My vehicle is experiencing the exact symptoms of the recall [XXX] although my VIN is not listed under this recall. The vehicle shutters and jerks upon acceleration up to around 30 miles per hour. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 11, 2024

“2019 LINCOLN NAUTILUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HEATED STEERING WHEELS. CONSUMER STATED THAT STEERING GETS SO HOT THAT YOU CANNOT HOLD STEERING WHEEL. *LD *JS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 29, 2020

2019 Lincoln Nautilus — common questions

Is the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 123 complaints put the 2019 model at #1 of 8 Nautilus years. It is one of the Nautilus years to avoid.

What are the most common 2019 Nautilus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (33 complaints), transmission (25 complaints), other (14 complaints).

Does the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Lincoln Nautilus years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Nautilus years to avoid are 2019, 2020. The cleanest record among Nautilus years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.