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2020 Lincoln Nautilus Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 34 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus, most often about the transmission (50% of complaints). It is the 2nd most complained-about Nautilus model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2020 Lincoln Nautilus problems
Transmission
17 complaints · 50%The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds in stop-and-go traffic, the vehicle jerked abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under…
The contact owns a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle jerked upon starting and shifting to drive(d) intermittently. The contact stated that the failure initially occurred after refueling the vehicle, but the failure had become consistent and was occurring…
Engine
5 complaints · 15%Brakes
3 complaints · 9%Electrical
3 complaints · 9%Lights
3 complaints · 9%Wheels and tires
3 complaints · 9%Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 9%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2020 Lincoln Nautilus recalls
Backup camera: software
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: driveshaft
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Backup camera: camera
Risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seats: power adjust
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Rearview camera fmvss 111 noncompliance
Summary
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 par
Questions about the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (17 complaints); engine (5 complaints); brakes (3 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 27, 2025 (backup camera). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2020 a bad year for the Lincoln Nautilus?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Nautilus model year since 2000, with 34 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.