Problems · NHTSA complaints

2019 Lincoln Nautilus problems

Owners filed 103 complaints about the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus with NHTSA between Feb 2019 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (29).

Complaints
103
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system29
  2. Power train28
  3. Engine15
  4. Steering9
  5. Seat belts5
  6. Fuel/propulsion system4
  7. Forward collision avoidance3
  8. Vehicle speed control3
  9. Wheels3
  10. Electronic stability control (esc)3
  11. Air bags2
  12. Service brakes2
  13. Back over prevention2
  14. Exterior lighting2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201916
202014
20219
20224
20230
202414
202525
202621

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

29 reports2 related recalls
“The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable. The contact stated that the instrument cluster intermittently blinked and flickered. The "Adaptive Steering Fault" warning message was displayed, and the steering wheel became misaligned. Additionally, while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power, and the powertrain warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to several dealers, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 9, 2026Engine, Electrical systemODI 11742975

Power train

28 reports1 related recall
“The car has started a jerking motion when it is at a stop sign, stop light, or and nu prolonged stoppage of the vehicle. It is worse when I have the auto-stop-start feature turned on. This started roughly 3 months ago.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2026Power trainODI 11759173

Engine

15 reports
“There is a class action lawsuit regarding the transmission on my vehicle. The transmission is shuddering. My mechanic alerted me of the lawsuit, Lincoln Mercury has not put out a recall, but is aware of the problem. There are no error codes, tried a reset on the transmission. So it is not a software problem, but mechanical. I am concerned my transmission will go out while driving. This started at about 98000 miles, I am now at 106000 miles.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 20, 2026EngineODI 11758149

Steering

9 reports
“In July 2026, my vehicle received safety recall service under NHTSA Campaign 26V377000 (Ford/Lincoln Recall 26S44) to update the Power Steering Control Module software. Approximately 2200 miles after this mandatory safety recall flash was performed, the vehicle suffered an immediate, total failure of the Active Front Steering (AFS) system upon startup. The vehicle threw an immediate "Adaptive Steering Loss Do Not Drive" alarm, which subsequently hard-locked the steering gear into its mechanical backup mode while mid-rotation. This mechanical lock has left the steering wheel physically locked significantly off-center while driving straight obstructing vision of dash information, like the speedometer. Consequently, the vehicle's primary safety systems--including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control and Lane-Keeping Assist--have been completely disabled by the computer due to the steering angle sensor mismatch. Certified diagnostic scanning confirms hard Code C1039 (AFS Lock--Unexpected Operation) and a permanent "Internal Component Fault" inside the Steering Effort Control Module (SECM), which was the exact module digitally altered during the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 26, 2026Steering, Forward collision avoidance, Lane departureODI 11773799

Seat belts

5 reports
“The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that the front driver's-side seat belt was stuck and failed to extend as needed. The contact used excessive force to extend the seat belt. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was determined that the seat belt assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 16, 2026Seat beltsODI 11744490

Fuel/propulsion system

4 reports
“Jerks and stutters 3 months after I bought the car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2025Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11686711
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.