2021 Lincoln Nautilus reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus holds 21 complaints after 6 years, a rate of 1 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Nautilus years here — under the median of the other years, which is 2. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Back-over prevention, software and Internal engine parts.

2019 Lincoln Nautilus — Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (7 of 21), then Structure (6) and Electrical system (3). The most filings arrived in 2026 (9 of 21). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 Nautilus has 33 complaints, 1 per year, and the 2022 has 13 complaints, 0 per year. The 2021 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Lincoln Nautilus. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (2)

Recall back-over prevention, software 2025-05-09 · NHTSA campaign 25V315000

Summary 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.

Remedy 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.

Recall engine and cooling, engine, internal engine parts 2024-08-23 · NHTSA campaign 24V635000

Summary 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.

Remedy 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.

Complaints by component (21 total)

Powertrain

Structure

Electrical system

Engine

Fuel and propulsion system

Back-over prevention

Engine and engine cooling

Speed control

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The driver's side door is cracked at the door hinge assembly. This is a widely documented defect. My door cracked at 50,000 miles. There are thousands of 2019-2024 Nautilus's with this defect. Lincoln wants $5,000 to…"
Structure · filed 2026-08-30
"The door broke and cracked the window when I opened the door to get in the car"
Structure · filed 2026-08-23
"The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for an oil change and trade-in, the contact was informed that the front driver’s side door had a crack and that the…"
Structure · filed 2026-08-03
"The transmission occasionally jerks/studders between second and third at acceleration and deceleration."
Powertrain, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-07-06
"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…"
Powertrain, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-06-01

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2021 Lincoln Nautilus SUV AWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2021 Lincoln Nautilus SUV FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Nautilus all-wheel drive	2.7L, 6-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	19	25	21 MPG	$3100
Nautilus all-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	All-wheel drive	20	25	22 MPG	$2950
Nautilus all-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	20	25	22 MPG	$2950
Nautilus front-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	Front-wheel drive	21	26	23 MPG	$2800
Nautilus front-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic 8-speed	Front-wheel drive	21	26	23 MPG	$2800

Specs and fitment

Nautilus (CD4), 2019–present

Body styles SUV

Oil 5W-30 (2.0L turbo or 2.7L turbo V6) , 5.5 qt capacity

Tire size 245/60R18

Known issues for this generation

Recall 24V635000 covers certain 2021-2022 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles (with Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, and Aviator) equipped with a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine whose intake valves may break while driving, which can cause engine failure and loss of drive power; dealers perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as needed. Recall 20V414000 covers certain 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles (with 2016-2018 MKX) equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats where the seat cushion frame edge may contact and damage the wire harness; dealers install protective flocking tape and inspect the harness. Recall 25V442000 covers certain 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles among a large multi-model rearview-camera software campaign; dealers update rearview camera software.

Compare

Previous year 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Next year 2022 Lincoln Nautilus See every Lincoln Nautilus model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus reliable?

What are common problems with a 2021 Lincoln Nautilus?

Is the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus more reliable than the years next to it?

Has the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus been recalled?

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus?

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Lincoln Nautilus get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus is 22.2 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Lincoln Nautilus take?

5W-30 for the 2.0L turbo or 2.7L turbo V6; capacity about 5.5 qt—confirm in the owner’s manual for your engine.

Is there an EcoBoost engine recall on the Nautilus?

Recall 24V635000 covers certain 2021-2022 Nautilus vehicles (with Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, and Aviator) with 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engines whose intake valves may break.