VehicleVerdict

2025 Lincoln Nautilus problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus sits mid-pack among Nautilus years: 33 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 28, with 6 recalls and no defect investigations.

The trouble concentrates in one system: driver assistance issues account for 52% of all reports (17 of 33), far ahead of other at 4. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

33

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2025 compare to other Nautilus years?

Nautilus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted123 complaints2019: 123 complaints2020: 41 complaints2021: 23 complaints2022: 10 complaints2023: 14 complaints2024: 33 complaints2025: 33 complaints2026: 8 complaints
Nautilus NHTSA complaints by model year, 2025 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Nautilus years to avoid →

What are the most common 2025 Lincoln Nautilus problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance1752%
Other412%
Visibility & Wipers39%
Brakes39%
Steering26%
Speed Control13%
Airbags13%
Body & Structure13%
Transmission13%

Does the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus have recalls?

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

26V165000Electrical SystemMarch 18, 2026 · 254,640 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

Consequence

Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 Aviator, 2025 Explorer, 2025 Nautilus notified owners on 4/13/2026. Phase 2 will include 2025 Navigator will notify owners on or about 4/20/2026. Phase 3 will include 2022-2024 Navigator will notify owners on or about 6/8/2026. Phase 4 will include 2024 Nautilus will notify owners on or about 6/22/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S21. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 25, 2026.

26V122000EngineMarch 3, 2026 · 47,804 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Ranger, Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang, Maverick, Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Corsair, Bronco Sport, and Bronco vehicles. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may fail, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.

Consequence

An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the EGR valves, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed March 20, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S10. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.

25V518000Visibility & WipersAugust 8, 2025 · 482 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles that were repaired incorrectly under recall 24V953. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

Consequence

A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will update the driver door module (DDM) and the passenger door module (PDM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C36.

25V519000LightingAugust 8, 2025 · 3,270 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Lincoln Nautilus, Mustang Mach E, and Mustang vehicles. The LED Driver Modules may contain a burnt diode, which can cause the low-beam and high-beam headlights, daytime running lights, front position lights, and front turn signals to fail in the affected headlight. On Nautilus vehicles only, this condition may also cause the rear tail light, rear turn signal, and rear position light to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

Exterior lighting failure can reduce visibility for the driver and other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the LED Driver Modules, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25C39.

25V343000Electrical SystemMay 23, 2025 · 6,781 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2023-2025 Escape, 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2025 Lincoln Corsair, Maverick, and Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L or 2.0L MPC engine and an engine block heater. The engine block heater may overheat when the vehicle is parked with the block heater plugged in.

Consequence

An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the block heater element and inspect the electrical cord, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug coupled, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 9, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S52.

24V953000Visibility & WipersDecember 20, 2024 · 47,818 units

Defect

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction, and the window reversal distance does not meet the minimum requirement. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

Consequence

A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will recalibrate the driver door module (DDM) and the passenger door module (PDM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C43.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

Backing out of a parking stall at the store and as I was moving, two pedestrians walked behind the vehicle and no alert sounded in the vehicle while backing up, nor did the vehicle brake as it should to avoid hitting them. Vehicle was in electric mode and I did not notice if the rear beeper was…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · April 12, 2026

The rearview camera appears foggy with poor visibility even in clear weather. The problem was reported to the dealer during the December - February snowy weather; their suggestion was to keep the camera clean. At [XXX], getting out to clean a camera presents additional health and safety risks.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 9, 2026

The rear hatchback window shattered with the vehicle sitting still overnight. All of the glass was shattered and most of it was in place and many pieces behind the vehicle on the driveway (as if it happened from inside the vehicle). Low temperature for the night was about 45 degrees, so nothing…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 25, 2026

Front right brakes make grinding sounds when stopping and lose traction when roads are wet. Vehicle causes safety issues when roads are wet. Due to lack of control. Issue was reported to the dealer and I was told Lincoln is aware of the issue but there’s no fix at the time. Vehicle was inspected…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 14, 2026

Front right brakes make grinding sounds when stopping and lose traction when roads are wet. Vehicle causes safety issues when roads are wet. Due to lack of control. Issue was reported to the dealer and I was told Lincoln is aware of the issue but there’s no fix at the time. Vehicle was inspected…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 14, 2026

2025 Lincoln Nautilus — common questions

Is the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus reliable?

It is close to typical for the Nautilus: 33 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2025 Nautilus problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (17 complaints), other (4 complaints), brakes (3 complaints).

Does the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2025 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 2025 Lincoln Nautilus?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2025 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.