2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS Complaints and Recall Information
The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus has 4 complaints and 55 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with abnormal jerking or hard shifting at low speeds and transmission problems, including failure and stalling after coming to a stop. Several complaints describe persistent transmission issues despite dealership visits and repairs, sometimes with denial of responsibility from Lincoln.
Common Issues- Transmission failure. Owners report transmission malfunctions including failure without diagnostic confirmation, leading to no repair despite symptoms.
- Jerking and hard shifting. The vehicle jerks abnormally or shifts roughly up to approximately 35 miles per hour during slow, stop-and-go traffic.
- Stalling after stops. Some report the vehicle stalls when trying to accelerate from a complete stop, especially after traffic lights or stop signs.
- Auto Hold malfunction. Auto Hold feature does not work consistently, contributing to safety and drivability concerns.
- Transmission fluid issues. Owners note low transmission fluid levels and seek service without timely resolution or communication from dealerships.
- High RPM during braking. The engine revs up to 3,000 RPM unexpectedly when braking or coming to a stop, causing rough operation.
- Software updates ineffective. Software or transmission updates sometimes fail to fix drivability problems, requiring repeated service visits.
- Torque converter defects. One complaint involves a diagnosed bad torque converter contributing to operational problems despite repair attempts.
- Fuel filler issues. Difficulty fueling with premature pump cut-off complicates refueling and may affect engine performance.
- Service communication problems. Delays and poor communication from dealerships frustrate owners during repair attempts.
There are 55 recalls on the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus affecting multiple systems. Recalls cover software malfunctions in the rearview camera system, driveline lubricant deficits risking axle seizure, and electric seat defects that may cause air bag deployment issues. Components impacted include the rearview camera, driveline, power seats, air bags, and wiring harnesses.
Recalls- Rearview camera software. Recall 25V442000 affects 200,186 vehicles due to software errors causing blank or persistent rearview images. This condition reduces rear visibility and distraction risk. Dealers will update the software free of charge.
- Rear drive unit lubricant. Recall 21V011000 involves 147 vehicles with inadequate lubricant causing potential seizure of the rear drive axle. Loss of vehicle control is possible. Dealers will check and refill or replace the axle as needed free of charge.
- Power seat wiring and air bags. Recall 20V414000 affects 19,299 vehicles where seat cushion frames may damage wiring harnesses during tilt function, risking inadvertent air bag deployment or nondeployment in crashes. Dealers will install protective tape and repair wiring free of charge.
- Rearview camera electrical connection. Recall 20V575000 impacts 620,246 vehicles including the Lincoln Nautilus, with poor electrical connections causing intermittent blank or distorted rear camera images. Ford will replace cameras free of charge under this recall.
Owners facing repeated transmission failures, unresolved drivability problems, or multiple recall-related repairs may have rights under their state lemon law. Consulting a consumer protection attorney experienced with lemon law claims could be warranted if issues persist despite repair attempts.
2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS Summary
2020
Model Year
4
Total Complaints
4
Total Recalls
839878
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS
200186 vehicles affected
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, 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.
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.
2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS
147 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
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.
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.
2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS
19299 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
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.
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.
2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS
620246 vehicles affected
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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."
Risk: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Complaints
2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS
ID: 2125005POWER TRAIN
Car jerks/ shifts hard up to 35 miles per hour.
2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS
ID: 2124555POWER TRAIN
2/4/25 purchased 2020 Nautilus from Dick Hannah Jeep Vancouver, WA 3/12/25 I noticed some issues developing with uneven revving. Inconsistent in cruise control, feeling like the road is bumpy. Also revving up to 3,000 RPM when breaking to stop. 3/28/25 Kendall Ford did software update issues still happening, they said it's adaptive learning and needs time to adjust to my style of driving. Made appointment for Courtesy Lincoln. 4/8/25 - 4/26/25 Courtesy Lincoln let me know on the 10th transmission needed to be replaced, so they ordered parts which arrived 4/14. Time passed and I finally had to check in 4/22 to be told it was in the shop now. When I asked if there had been a delay, they said the transmission technician quit. Things happen, but communication goes a very long way when rentals and/or loaners are coming out of my pocket. I picked up finally 4/26, and immediately noticed it still had the same issues. 4/26/25 Immediately noticed the issues were not fixed. 5/19/25 Finally got back in for a recheck. They did some software/transmission updates and explained adaptive learning, so give it time to re-learn. 6/4/25 Began trying to get it back to the shop, as nothing was changed or better 6/25/25 Finally got it back in to be diagnosed with a bad torque converter 7/28/25 Picked up with the same issues 8/28/25 Finally back to shop to be told there is nothing wrong with it. It is normal for it to rev so high it is battling me braking at stop lights/signs. I am going back next week to have them check the EVAP, as there is also an issue with putting gas in. It stops the pump after a couple of dollars. I have to continue to rearrange the nozzle until it is happy, so I am hoping that may also have something to do with the uneven revving and down shifting. I may call to speak with another Lincoln service manager to possibly get a 2nd opinion. I have asked for the last 2 service records a few times, but have not gotten them.
2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS
ID: 2088876POWER TRAIN
When taking my car in for diagnostics, I was informed of a transmission failure. My VIN was not included in a transmission recall but has the same issue . Mileage on my 2020 Lincoln Natilus is 94,000. The same type of transmission is in my car that was recalled in 2021. There is discrepancies with who is allowed to get the transmission. The problem I was having was with the Auto Hold not working at all times. My car has been stalling after stopping at a traffic light or sign and trying to accelerate . The vehicle service report showed no issues, warnings, or service needs. There was no engine warning light, nor code. Lincoln denied responsibility for fixing it. My extended warranty company sent an adjuster and verified it needs a transmission. The computer monitoring smart system failed to detect this issue. The dealership notified me six months earlier to have the service department see why my fluid level was low. The service department was notified. I was put off and told they were backed up and would contact me when I hey had a slot available and a loaner. The failed to contact me. Six months later, reached out again only to have to find another Ford Lincoln Dealership. I have had all service done at the dealership, yet the did no inspect my car at the first anomaly. I believe my car should be included in the transmission recall.
2020 LINCOLN NAUTILUS
ID: 2082240POWER TRAIN
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 recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.