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Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2020 Lincoln NautilusRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 34 owner complaints for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. Most complaints involve power train (17) and engine (5). The EPA rates it 21–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
21–23mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Jun 2025
Owner complaints
34
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Back over prevention: software

Free remedy

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.

Back over preventionReported Jun 27, 2025NHTSA 25V442000

Power train: driveshaft

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Jan 15, 2021NHTSA 21V011000

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

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."

Back over preventionReported Sep 23, 2020NHTSA 20V575000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

34 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2021 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train17
  2. Engine5
  3. Electrical system3
  4. Exterior lighting3
  5. Wheels3
  6. Service brakes3
  7. Structure2
  8. Vehicle speed control2
  9. Back over prevention2

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

By model year

Complaints for each Nautilus model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2019103
202034
202127
202216
20237
202436
202531
202613
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

17 reports1 crash
“Hennessey Lincoln in Atlanta repaired my car in June 2026. My Torque converter needed to be replaced. My car was there over 20 days. Two weeks after getting it back from shop it started jerking and smoking. It needed another torque converter replacement. Two weeks after getting this car back it did the same thing again. I contacted Ford Warranty they did not help. Lincoln iin Michigan did not attempt to help. I couldn't even get the car in the shop for repair because of lack of employees that work on transmissions and no loaner cars.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2026Suspension, Power train, EngineODI 11759875

Engine

5 reports
“My 2020 Lincoln Nautilus has an intermittent jerk during light acceleration with no diagnostic codes. This was confirmed when I had a professional mechanic drive it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11748671

Electrical system

3 reports1 crash
“3rd brake light not working , they have had this issue over several years such as recall on 2025 (25C39) burnt diode in the LED Driver Modules and may cause other lighting failures”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2026Electrical system, Exterior lightingODI 11731491
All 2020 Nautilus problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 2.7L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Nautilus FWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
212623$2,700384
Nautilus AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
202522$2,850401
Nautilus AWD
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
192621$2,950417
  • Nautilus FWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 26 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Nautilus AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 25 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Nautilus AWD
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 2.7 L, Turbo
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Lincoln Nautilus SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Overall
5 / 5
Lincoln Nautilus SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 14927Vehicle 14889
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 Nautilus questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 Lincoln Nautilus problems?

Owners filed 34 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (17), engine (5), electrical system (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus at 21–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026