Lincoln · Nautilus · 2021
2
Recalls
16
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus has 2 recalls and 16 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: power train (4 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is power train with 4 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
15.5% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco, F-150, 2021-2024 Edge, 2022-2025 Escape, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, 2022-2024 Expedition, 2022-2025 Transit, 2021-2023 Mach-E, 2024 Ranger, Mustang, 2021-2023 Lincoln Nautilus, 2022-2024 Navigator, and 2023-2024 Corsair vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera image to delay, freeze, or not display when the vehicle is in reverse.
Remedy Status
The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase. Owner notification letters were sent on October 8, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S49.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.
Remedy Status
Dealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S55.
Vehicle died in parking lot. The electronics all worked, it just would not start and would not go into any gear. Had to have it towed to dealer for repair. They replaced the PCM but it still would not start. They again replaced the PCM and a fuse. The vehicle started. This is th...
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While driving on the highway my transmission died. Had it towed to a nearby forwad dealershiop, Owens Ford in Jarrett VA and they confirmed the transmission died at 51,600 miles.
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while opening the front driver’s door, there was a cracking sound coming from the door. While the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, the mechanic discovered that the front driver’s side door check arm stop bra...
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Door check and spot welds are broken. The car has less the 20,000 miles on it. I was told by the mechanic that he saw this issue with Ford Escapes, there was a recall on the drive side door for the welds failing.
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. In addition, it was noticed that the VIN was no...
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The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the transmission was slipping, and the RPM had increased significantly. The...
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The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while shifted to reverse(R) and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and then suddenly jerked backwards. The contact stated that the vehicle almost jumped into gear. The contact stated that later...
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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 an...
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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 ga...
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My doors are totally broke. Has no swing stop. Broke so bad the medal is torn
Showing 10 recent complaints from 16 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2021 Lincoln models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 16 owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus.
The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus are power train (4 reports), structure (3 reports), back over prevention (2 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.