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Lincoln NautilusModel year report

2021 Lincoln Nautilus Problems

Compared with other Lincoln Nautilus years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

9/100 0.4× a typical year · 50 = typical

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
27filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
86,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns 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 2021 Lincoln Nautilus (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus. The part named most often is body and structure, with 9 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (8) and other or unknown (4). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 86,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 132 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 27 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 9 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than 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.

Example complaints

Body and structure: “Both front doors on my 2021 Nautilus Reserve have structural stress cracks in the sheet metal surrounding the check-arm bracket, along the edge of the recessed mount and under the weatherstrip. I first noticed cracking and popping when opening and closing the doors on 8/1/2026 at about 84,000 miles. No collision; normal use. The bracket mounts to the inner door panel with no reinforcement. The panel visibly flexes every time the door opens and checks, and that flexing has fatigued and cracked the metal. The cracks are growing. This is a safety issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11770905, filed 2026-10

Transmission and drivetrain: “I bought the 2021Lincoln Nautilus in Aug 2024 with only 54000miles. I was leaving the dealership and driving home with my suv & noticed that the suv was slightly trembling. Since then, I realized that my vehicle would tremble once I put gas in it, and this would happen at any gas station. Secondly, once I pump my gas, the truck does not cut on at first. I have to attempt cranking it two times before I can leave the premise. I’ve realized that my truck burns fuel quickly as well. Thirdly, my 2021 Lincoln Nautilus will hesitate and jerk when I accelerate leaving from traffic lights. …”

NHTSA complaint #11634165, filed 2025-01

Other or unknown: “Drivers front door inner sheet metal structure has failed/torn at the check arm mounting points under normal operating conditions.. safety hazard. Dealership and Lincoln will not take full responsibility after known structural defect exists. I note on your website that in Nautilus alone there are 10 complaints including mine. Our car had less than 42,000 miles when we noticed. The entire door needs to be replaced.”

NHTSA complaint #11772775, filed 2026-10

Electrical system: “Since 2023 there has been an ongoing issue with my vehicle. When Im in public parking lots and I am accessing the trunk. I’ve witnessed my trunk literally shutting down or closing as Im accessing the trunk. Ive recorded this safety concern and Ive reported it to the dealership and manufacturer. The last time this serious issue occurred was last Friday, May 9, 2025. I was loading the trunk with my purchases as the trunk began closing. Whatever is causing this to occur. …”

NHTSA complaint #11660662, filed 2025-05

Mileage when problems were reported

20% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 74,000 and 92,800 miles.

20%0–100%10–250%25–5020%50–7540%75–10020%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 86,000 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.

20212022202320242025202615
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 2021 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 2021 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.

Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: 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 2021 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 AWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic202522$3,050
Nautilus AWD2.7L 6-cyl8-speed automatic192521$3,200
Nautilus FWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic212623$2,900
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 2021 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. 132 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 132 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 2021 Lincoln Nautilus have?

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 9 complaints (33% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 8.

Has the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 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 2021 Lincoln Nautilus get?

The EPA rates the 2021 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 2021 Lincoln Nautilus reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 86,000 miles and the middle half falls between 74,000 and 92,800 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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.