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Lincoln NautilusModel year report

2020 Lincoln Nautilus Problems

Compared with other Lincoln Nautilus years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2021

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
34filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
32,004miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
23 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 17 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine (5) and brakes (3). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 32,004 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 145 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the driveshaft and 30 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 2 Lincoln Nautilus model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Equipment (1), Fuel system (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “I bought my 2020 Lincoln nautilus in February 2025 soon after I noticed a jerking from my lower gears,it has 80000 miles.i took it to the dealer I bought it from and they said the transmission is falling and will cost $10,188 to replace. They told me there was no recall and it wasn't covered under any warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #11750212, filed 2026-07

Engine: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11748671, filed 2026-07

Brakes: “My car won't start when I press the brake and hit the start button, which then flashes green instead of staying green. I have to go through the same steps several times before it will turn on. The menu goes through the entire functions of the engine. For me, I never know if the engine will start or I will be stranded. I thought after two visits to service, it was fixed. Today, it stalled at a green light, and when I powered off and powered back on, the start button started the flashing light, the function menu again. My car wouldn't start and there was a long line behind me. …”

NHTSA complaint #11503290, filed 2023-01

Electrical system: “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”

NHTSA complaint #11731491, filed 2026-04

Mileage when problems were reported

67% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 16,000 and 75,000 miles.

17%0–1033%10–2517%25–500%50–7533%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 32,004 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

20212022202320242025202611
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Nautilus · SUV AWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 15.5% risk
Nautilus · SUV FWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 15.5% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2020 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.

Neighbouring years: 2019: same overall rating; 2021: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2020 Lincoln Nautilus version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Nautilus AWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic202522$3,050
Nautilus AWD2.7L 6-cyl8-speed automatic192621$3,200
Nautilus FWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic212623$2,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 145 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 145 bulletins →

Other model years of the Lincoln Nautilus

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20269—0524—Too new
2025222,5006524—Too new
20242214,4487—24—Too new
20237—3523—Too new
20221690,6002523—Rising
20212786,00025239 · FewerRising
20203432,004552350 · TypicalRising
20191037,2508523100 · MoreRising

All Lincoln Nautilus model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus have?

NHTSA recorded 34 consumer complaints for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 17 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine with 5.

Has the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus (Nautilus FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 21 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 32,004 miles and the middle half falls between 16,000 and 75,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.