VehicleVerdict

2020 Lincoln Nautilus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus carries two red flags at once: 41 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance). It is one of the Nautilus years to avoid.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 13 reports (32% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

41

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Nautilus years?

Nautilus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted123 complaints2019: 123 complaints2020: 41 complaints2021: 23 complaints2022: 10 complaints2023: 14 complaints2024: 33 complaints2025: 33 complaints2026: 8 complaints
Nautilus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Nautilus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Lincoln Nautilus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission1332%
Other410%
Electrical System37%
Engine37%
Lighting37%
Brakes37%
Driver Assistance37%
Tires & Wheels37%
Speed Control25%
Steering12%
Body & Structure12%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Fuel System12%

Does the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus have recalls?

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

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.

21V011000TransmissionJanuary 15, 2021 · 147 units

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.

20V575000Driver AssistanceSeptember 23, 2020 · 620,246 units

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.

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ21002

Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance

On September 23, 2020, Ford Motor Company (Ford) filed a noncompliance recall report under 49 CFR Part 573 (NHTSA Recall No. 20V-575), recalling 620,246 Model Year (MY) 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 for a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 111, Rear Visibility. Ford's recall described the noncompliance as insufficient electrical conductivity within the printed circuit board (PCB) internal to the camera leading to intermittent rearview camera operation. The supplier of the cameras was Magna Electronics.According to Ford's chronology in the Part 573, during the period February-April 2020, Ford identified and monitored warranty claims pertaining to intermittent or inoperative rearview cameras. Ford reviewed supplier product changes, focusing on changes introduced by the supplier in the October-November 2019 time frame. The Part 573 stated that the issue was brought to Ford's Critical Concerns Review Group (CCRG) for review on May 12, 2020.On July 7, 2020, NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Testing Center (VRTC) informed the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of a trend of MY 2020 Escape vehicles with rearview camera malfunctions. ODI contacted Ford the next day, providing five Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging inoperative rearview cameras. On July 15, 2020, Ford met with NHTSA to discuss the rearview camera issue. In a subsequent August 24, 2020 meeting, ODI and NHTSA's Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) met with Ford to discuss the recall status and additional VOQs. Ford presented rate and scope data for many of its MY 2020 products during the August 2020 meeting indicating high failure rates for certain models.This RQ is being opened to investigate both the timeliness and scope of Ford's rearview camera recall (20V-575), and Ford's compliance with reporting requirements.The subject reports referenced in the opening resume are identified by the following ODI reference numbers which can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov: 11349813, 11344126, 11342696, 11341486, 11340254, 11337274, 11331444, 11330875, 11329235, 11316960, 11343521, 11341884, 11337226, 11344018, and 11339573.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ MILEAGE: 487,615 27TAWD On [XXX] at [XXX]., the weather was wet from rain. I pushed the reverse button and the car accelerated quickly forward with engine revving. The car kept moving forward while the brake pedal was not responsive for at least 10 times as the car drove through my fence and…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 7, 2025 · crash

“The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the Hollywood Destination E Rack Bicycle Carrier had detached and fell onto the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 15, 2023

“My car won't start when I press the brake and hit the start button, which then flashes green instead of staying green. I have to go through the same steps several times before it will turn on. The menu goes through the entire functions of the engine. For me, I never know if the engine will start or…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 25, 2022

“ MILEAGE: 487,615 27TAWD On [XXX] at [XXX]., the weather was wet from rain. I pushed the reverse button and the car accelerated quickly forward with engine revving. The car kept moving forward while the brake pedal was not responsive for at least 10 times as the car drove through my fence and…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 7, 2025 · crash

“The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while his wife was reversing in the rain, the back-up camera image was distorted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the failure might be due to a leak. The vehicle was…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · April 1, 2023

2020 Lincoln Nautilus — common questions

Is the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 41 complaints put the 2020 model at #2 of 8 Nautilus years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Nautilus years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 Nautilus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (13 complaints), other (4 complaints), electrical system (3 complaints).

Does the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Rearview Camera FMVSS 111 Noncompliance). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

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 2020 Lincoln Nautilus?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 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.