Model year

2026 Lincoln Nautilus

SUV, gasoline, AWD/All-Wheel Drive, built in China. Owner complaints on file from Nov 22, 2025 to Sep 15, 2026.

Recall campaigns covering this model year0No recall campaign lists this model year
Owner complaints8Close to the median 2026 suv
Severity index0.02026 suvs average 10.9
First 24 monthsOpenWindow has not closed yet
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus peaked in 2025, with 1 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

02468202520267
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

25% of complaints about the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus name driver assistance

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Driver assistance
2
Powertrain
1
Brakes
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

No recall campaign lists the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus

The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.

8 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Sep 15, 2026Failure Jul 24, 2026Tuscaloosa, ALAssist, Power train

    The Lane keeping assistance has failed multiple times when the car enters an intersection and the lines on the road are broken by a gap due to a turn. To situations occurred where the car aggressively entered oncoming traffic lane and I quickly directed the car back to the correct lane. Lane keeping assistance seems to be very touchy. How’s you’re going down the road you can fill the car moving from side to side if the lanes happen to have lines painted in and out the car almost seems to follow them exactly. The car does not allow for minor changes in the painted lines. There’s a shuttering when accelerating at all times I believe this is a torque converter issue. Ford service the vehicle at 10,000 miles and said there was an update that the car .Ford service the vehicle at 10,000 miles and said there was a update that the car needed, but it made no change to any of these problems.

    NHTSA complaint 11764408
  2. Filed Jul 11, 2026Failure Jul 2, 2026Wilsonville, ORUnknown or other

    This was the first long trip for the new Nautilus. I was using cruise control, along with adaptive cruise control, and hands free driving. A prompt came up to resume control. The road was not twisty, so it was somewhat unusual for this to happen from my experience. I put my hands on the steering wheel to resume control. The engine began stuttering and the flashers came on. The car then began decreasing speed. Please, something is clearly not right with this car. This was a dangerous situation on a highway at 65 mph. The car was rapidly decreasing speed and the highway was busy with holiday traffic, campers, etc. going to Mt. Hood. Yes, this car is available for inspection upon request. This was a dangerous situation on a busy highway when the vehicle suddenly began decreasing speed requiring me to take immediate action while traveling at 65 mph. No, the problem has not been reproduced. No, the dealer has not looked at it despite repeated phone calls. I do not have another car and cannot afford a rental. They have had me on a LONG wait list for a loaner. No, there were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

    NHTSA complaint 11749708
  3. Filed Jun 29, 2026Failure Jun 28, 2026Macclenny, FLAssist, Warning, Unknown or other

    This is the third Lincoln Nautilus that the facial recognition sensor does not operate as it should and creates a significant distraction while driving. The system constantly will go into the "Watch the Road" warning and then proceed to the "Resume Control" which also activates the four way flashers and pulses the brakes despite taking action such as moving the steering wheel or pressing the "OK" on the steering wheel touch pad to acknowledge the warning which does not clear out. If the vehicle is being tailgated which happens frequently this could lead to a collision either from the tailgater that hits you or the tailgater making a sudden move to avoid a collision and cause a different impact or loss of control. I have video of this occurring frequently while driving, however it is too large of a file to upload. The design and placement of the sensor on the top of the steering column is also a contributing factor due to glare that frequently occurs and will increase the instances of this warning as well. I also tested it while wearing sunglasses and that too increases the frequency of the warning indications which makes this a very flawed design overall because of the fact that milions of drivers wear sunglasses daily (especially here in Florida) yet the designers and developers obviously did not take that (sunglasses) into account along with the failure of the system when glare is produced - another frequent item that happens on sunny days. As stated, this is the third new Lincoln Nautilus that I have experienced this on, the first two were 2025 models, this vehicle is a service loaner from the dealer while mine is in the shop for this and other problems.

    NHTSA complaint 11747124
  4. Filed May 23, 2026Failure May 22, 2026Wilsonville, ORUnknown or other

    When I went to change lanes on the highway, I went to look in the passenger side mirror to check for traffic. What I saw was my shirt. The mirrors have auto open and close. They malfunctioned and did not open,. This was a safety risk. I have an appointment with the service center at the dealership.

    NHTSA complaint 11739719
  5. Filed May 19, 2026Failure May 19, 2026Macomb, MIVisibility/wiper

    I was driving on M 53 south bound approximately 11:30 am when I heard two consecutive soft “tick” tick” sounds and immediately noticed the stress cracks appearing on my windshield top drivers side. I will be taking it for inspection as there was not any type of object to cause these cracks.

    NHTSA complaint 11738904
  6. Filed May 19, 2026Failure May 19, 2026Northville, MIService brakes

    The brake pedal is designed in such a manner that the shaft/arm gets in the way of the pedal as you start pressing the pedal. As the pedal is pressed away from the driver, the shaft is setup in such a way that the driver's foot then hits the shaft and loses the ability to press the actual pedal. Given the shaft is a small metal bar rather than a flat grippy surface like the pedal, this creates unstable footing. It is very difficult to use and is quite unsafe. It is an issue in all cases when pressing the brake (i.e., it is not only for aggressive braking; it is always persistent). I have found in many cases my foot slipping on the shaft and it causing real danger to myself, my family, and other drivers as the inability to brake effectively has obvious implications. This is not a unique case of me having large feet or anything like that; in fact, I have small feet. It is probably a much bigger issue for the average person with larger feet than me. I reported it to the dealership, and they acknowledged that they have heard the complaint, but their response was "get used to it". No other parties have inspected the component. There are no warning lights. This is not a "failure" of a component, but rather a design flaw that is unsafe. I would recommend inspecting the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus to assess the risk of the brake pedal / shaft design and suggest a recall on the brake pedal whereby Lincoln must replace with a design that does not cause this interference.

    NHTSA complaint 11738703
  7. Filed May 4, 2026Failure May 2, 2026Lewis Center, OHUnknown or other

    I purchased a new 2026 Lincoln Nautilus only 3 days ago. While driving on a public road, both side mirrors suddenly auto-folded on their own without any driver input. This created a serious safety hazard because I immediately lost side visibility while operating the vehicle. I had to pull over in the middle of traffic and manually restore the mirrors before continuing to drive. This malfunction is extremely dangerous and unacceptable in a brand-new vehicle. Side mirrors are critical safety equipment, and unexpected folding while driving could easily lead to an accident. I request that this issue be investigated as a potential safety defect affecting the Lincoln Nautilus.

    NHTSA complaint 11735595
  8. Filed Nov 22, 2025Failure Nov 13, 2025Chambersburg, PA, PAUnknown or other

    When using Apple Car Play and Sirius radio through Apple Car Play, the radio station controls on the steering wheel do not function properly and actually function differently than when using the native Nautilus radio. When using Apple Car Play, in order to change radio stations, you must use the display screen to change stations. This forces the driver, if driving alone, to take their eyes off the road, locate the proper screen, and then change the station. When using the native radio and listening to Sirius, using the radio controls on the steering wheel function as expected. I reported this to Ford through my local dealer, and the response was that "it is functioning as anticipated". To me this means Ford is aware they require one to take their eyes off the road to change radio stations in the manner outlined above.

    NHTSA complaint 11700952
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

37 manufacturer communications cover this model year

Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.

  • SSM 55212 Sep 29, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2024-2026 Nautilus vehicles may exhibit a shudder/chatter/vibration from the rear drive unit (RDU) during low-speed turns. Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 205-02 > Diagnosis and Testing > Pinpoint Test "Grinding, Popping or Chattering - Noise from the R…
  • SSM 55162 Sep 10, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    All 2026 Nautilus vehicles built on or after 07-Apr-2026 will no longer come with a plastic rear license plate bracket as part of the loose items checklist. The rear liftgate has been updated to no longer require the license plate bracket, and the license p…
  • SSM 55140 Aug 31, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2025-2026 Maverick vehicles built on or before 05-Dec-2025 and 2024-2026 Nautilus vehicles built on or before 04-Sep-2025 may exhibit limited power and display "Stop Safely Now" or "Service Vehicle Soon" stored in the message center after start up with…
  • SSM 55131 Aug 27, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2025-2026 Aviator/Explorer/Expedition/F-150/Mustang Mach-E/Nautilus/Navigator vehicles may exhibit the hands-free BlueCruise feature intermittently/consistently unavailable when BlueCruise is active and when traveling in a "Blue Zone". Speed sign recog…
  • SSM 55116 Aug 25, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some of the following vehicles: * 2025-2026 Expedition/Navigator built on or after 02-Feb-2025 * 2025-2026 F-Super Duty built on or after 02-Feb-2025 * 2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator built on or after 02-Feb-2025 * 2025-2026 Nautilus built on or after 17-Feb…
  • SSM 55103 Aug 20, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2024-2026 Nautilus vehicles may exhibit an inoperative segment or individual light emitting diode (LED) in the rear mounted deck lid lamp assembly (part of the rear lamp assembly). To correct this condition, replacement of the finished assembly (13A565…
  • PHX-26.2.0.11 Nautilus Aug 11, 2026 · Over The Air
    26S51 Recall remedy: -Accessory Protocol Interface Module update to mitigate the loss of the pedestrian warning sound
  • SSM 55071 Aug 5, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2025-2026 Aviator/Explorer/Expedition/F-150/Mustang Mach-E/Navigator vehicles may exhibit the hands-free BlueCruise feature intermittently/consistently unavailable when BlueCruise is active and when traveling in a "Blue Zone". Speed sign recognition ma…
  • SSM 55058 Jul 31, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2025-2026 Maverick vehicles built on or before 05-Dec-2025 and 2024-2026 Nautilus vehicles built on or before 04-Sep-2025 may exhibit limited power and display "Stop Safely Now" or "Service Vehicle Soon" stored in the message center after start up with…
  • SSM 55031 Jul 23, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2021-2026 Ford/Lincoln vehicles may exhibit various symptoms including but not limited to the auto start/stop system not operating as intended with a "Check Charging System" message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) while the charging system is ope…
  • SSM 54978 Jul 1, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2024-2026 Nautilus vehicles may exhibit a "Door Fault Service Required", "Transmission Not In Park" and/or "Hill Start Assist Not Available" message in the instrument panel cluster (IPC) with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B1262:92 stored in multiple do…
  • SSM 54962 Jun 23, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2024-2026 Nautilus vehicles may exhibit a condition where the intrusion alarm will activate without an external source. This may be due to software in the body control module (BCM). Reprogramming or replacing the BCM or intrusion sensor may not resolve…
  • SSM 54924 Jun 12, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2024-2026 Nautilus vehicles equipped with an 8F35 transmission may exhibit an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0767, P0766 and/or P2703 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM) and harsh/no reverse …
  • SSM 54918 Jun 11, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some of the following vehicles: 2025-2026 Mustang Mach-E vehicles built on or before 27-Jan-2026 2025-2026 Maverick/Bronco Sport vehicles built on or before 20-Jan-2026 2024-2026 Nautilus vehicles built on or before 02-Dec-2025 2023-2026 Escape/Corsair ma…
  • SSM 54916 Jun 11, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 20242026 Nautilus vehicles may have previously exhibited unsuccessful programmable module installation (PMI) starting with a CallGetRestore Invalid hardware error message, when using the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS) to program a new door …
  • SSM 54878 May 27, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2024-2026 Nautilus non-hybrid and 2025-2026 Aviator vehicles equipped with 28 radio speakers (minor feature code IDBBN) and 2025-2026 Navigator vehicles may exhibit a no audio/sound condition with no communication with the audio digital signal processi…
  • SSM 54829 May 16, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2024-2026 Nautilus and 2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with power autofold exterior mirrors may exhibit concerns with the passenger mirror not automatically folding in or out at times, while the driver side mirror automatically folds prope…
  • SSM 54823 May 15, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2025-2026 Maverick vehicles built on or before 05-Dec-2025 and 2024-2026 Nautilus vehicles built on or before 04-Sep-2025 may exhibit limited power and display "Stop Safely Now" or "Service Vehicle Soon" stored in the message center after start up with…
  • DSM-25.5.6.2 Nautilus May 15, 2026 · Over The Air
    Quality improvements include: -Addresses key off load battery usage caused by the Seat Control Module high current consumption
  • SCMB-25.5.6.2 Nautilus May 8, 2026 · Over The Air
    Quality improvements include: -Addresses key off load battery usage caused by the Seat Control Module high current consumption
  • TSB 26-2185 May 7, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin supersedes 25-2621. Reason for update: add 2026 model year vehicles and Transit, update the causal part number (15604), update the Service Procedure, update the service labor operations for 2023 F-Super Duty, and add service labor operations f…
  • SSM 54810 May 8, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2024-2026 Nautilus non-hybrid and 2025-2026 Aviator vehicles equipped with 28 radio speakers (minor feature code IDBBN) and 2025-2026 Navigator vehicles may exhibit a no audio/sound condition with no communication with the audio digital signal processi…
  • TSB 26-2196 Apr 27, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    This bulletin supersedes 26-2100. Reason for update: To update vehicle symptoms, affected vehicle lines, and model years. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions:  Poor speaker sound qua…
  • SSM 54751 Apr 17, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2024-2026 Nautilus non-hybrid vehicles equipped with 28 radio speakers (minor feature code IDBBN) and 2025-2026 Navigator vehicles may exhibit a no audio/sound condition with no communication with the audio digital signal processing (DSP) module and di…
  • SSM 54757 Apr 20, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2024-2026 Nautilus vehicles may require replacement of the front seat track motor for various reasons. If Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-10A > Front Seats > PPT A leads to front seat track motor replacement, a lower level service part is now availa…
  • SSM 54706 Mar 31, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2024-2026 Nautilus vehicles built on or before 06-Nov-2025 may exhibit an inoperative driver heated seat with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B1208:2A stored in the driver seat module (DSM) and/or inoperative front passenger heated seat with DTC B120A:2…
  • PU-26.41.6 Nautilus Mar 27, 2026 · Over The Air
    "Quality improvements include: -Addresses potential key off load battery usage caused by the Power Steering Control Module keeping the network awake"
  • PHX-25.1.2.5.5 Nautilus Mar 23, 2026 · Over The Air
    "Quality improvements include: -Enhanced Android Auto and CarPlay phone call audio quality"
  • SSM 54647 Mar 11, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 20242026 Nautilus vehicles built on or before 06-Nov-2025 may exhibit an inoperative driver and/or front passenger heated seat with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) B1208:2A stored in the driver seat module (DSM) and/or DTC B120A:2A in the passenger fron…
  • SSM 54643 Mar 10, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2024-2026 Nautilus non-hybrid vehicles may exhibit a rattle or buzzing noise from under the center of the car during light throttle, low engine revolutions per minute (RPM) driving conditions, often between 30-40 mph (48-64 km/h). The noise may be more…
  • SSM 54591 Feb 17, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2024-2026 Nautilus non-hybrid and 2025-2026 Aviator/Navigator vehicles equipped with 28 radio speakers (minor feature code IDBBN) may exhibit a no audio/sound condition with no communication with the audio digital signal processing (DSP) module. Remove…
  • SSM 54583 Feb 16, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2025-2026 Nautilus/Aviator/Navigator vehicles equipped with the Google Maps Navigation System (minor feature code HKCGA) may experience a blank/white Google map screen, inoperative live traffic data, inoperative voice assistant, the inability to sign …
  • SSM 54581 Feb 16, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2024-2026 Nautilus and 2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator vehicles equipped with power folding mirrors may exhibit concerns with the auto folding mirror functionality not matching the status selected by the switch in the center display screen menu. Examples in…
  • TSB 26-2018 Jan 29, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit a grunt-type noise from the front brakes during initial brake applications that goes away after the brakes warm-up. A video demonstrating this condition is available in the Service Procedu…
  • SSM 54518 Jan 26, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2024-2026 Nautilus, 2025-2026 Explorer/Aviator and 2025 Expedition/Navigator vehicles may exhibit a concern where during an inbound phone call using CarPlay®, the person in the vehicle cannot be heard. This may be due to the software in the accessory p…
  • SSM 54502 Jan 17, 2026 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2025-2026 Expedition/Navigator/Explorer/Aviator and 2024-2026 Nautilus vehicles equipped with the Google Maps Navigation System (minor feature code HKCGA) may experience a blank screen for Google Maps or the absence of live traffic data. To correct t…
  • SSM 54400 Nov 25, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    Some 2025-2026 Nautilus vehicles with heated-only front seats (minor feature code BY1AC) (not heated and cooled) may set diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B103A:15, B1034:13, B1036:13, and B1038:15 in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) modu…
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.