2019 Lincoln Nautilus Owner Complaints

Transmission jerking/ stuttering in lower gears under 35 mph.

NHTSA ID

11764792

Incident

Aug 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. After several days of rain, there was moisture inside the vehicle. The contact detected a foul odor and discovered water on the floorboard. A box in the rear of the vehicle was covered in water, and the inside front windshield was foggy, but the contact was unable to determine how the water had entered the vehicle. Later, while driving approximately 45-55 MPH in the rain, there was limited visibility, and the vehicle slid from left to right. The contact was unable to control the vehicle after the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The steering warning light illuminated, and the message "Steering System Failure Do Not Drive" was displayed. The contact arrived at the destination, but while restarting the vehicle, the messages "Advance Traction Assist," "Advance Hill," and "Lane Assist" were displayed, and the steering, traction control, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the steering column control module had failed and that the steering assembly needed to be replaced due to water intrusion from the sunroof. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,222.

NHTSA ID

11761649

Incident

Aug 29, 2026

Mileage

98,222 mi

My 2019 Lincoln Nautilus (equipped with the 8F35 8-speed automatic transmission) has developed a severe, hazardous low-speed transmission shudder and hesitating vibration, primarily occurring under 35 mph. This vehicle has 85,000 miles on it. A certified dealership has diagnosed the vehicle with a failing torque converter, which is a known engineering defect heavily documented under manufacturer Technical Service Bulletin TSB 25-2154. This condition creates an immediate safety hazard. The vehicle intermittently hesitates and suffers from a sudden loss of power/acceleration when trying to accelerate from a stop or merge into low-speed traffic, risking a rear-end collision. Furthermore, the violent shuddering poses a risk of sudden powertrain lock-up or engine stalling while driving in active traffic. The manufacturer has not issued a recall despite knowing this component fails prematurely across this transmission family.

NHTSA ID

11759214

Incident

Aug 24, 2026

The car has started a jerking motion when it is at a stop sign, stop light, or and nu prolonged stoppage of the vehicle. It is worse when I have the auto-stop-start feature turned on. This started roughly 3 months ago.

NHTSA ID

11759173

Incident

Aug 24, 2026

There is a class action lawsuit regarding the transmission on my vehicle. The transmission is shuddering. My mechanic alerted me of the lawsuit, Lincoln Mercury has not put out a recall, but is aware of the problem. There are no error codes, tried a reset on the transmission. So it is not a software problem, but mechanical. I am concerned my transmission will go out while driving. This started at about 98000 miles, I am now at 106000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11758149

Incident

Feb 10, 2026

Left side climate control not working. Dashboard had to be removed in order to find the problem. Problem is a small plastic rod that operates the doors that direct the cold air. It is broken. My mechanic (Walkerton Auto Service) tried to order this part from the Ford dealer but was told that the entire box would have to be replaced. The cost of this part is just under $1600. This seems unreasonable. The plastic part seems in my opinion to be a design flaw. My vehicle has less than 100,000 miles on it. The part plus labor cost will be very expensive and just doesn't seem like a cost that I should be responsible for. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar problem. My vehicle is a 2019 Lincoln nautilus

NHTSA ID

11756920

Incident

Jul 15, 2026

2019 Lincoln Nautilus shudders between 20 to 45 MPH. We’ve had everything done from oil change, tire rotation, to Front end alignment to tune up. Only one mechanic suggested that there’s a bulletin about a torque. I don’t remember the bulletin #. He expressed that Ford knows about it but won’t service its customers. I called Planet Lincoln and the service guy acknowledged the bulletin and mentioned others who have had the same issue. They would diagnose for 135.00. When asked about estimates. He said without knowing the problem he really couldn’t but did say that having to replace torque/ transmission can run anywhere from 2800 to over 8-10,000.

NHTSA ID

11752234

Incident

Jan 10, 2026

Known structural defect Coolant intrusion into cylinder bores TSB 22-2229 Blown head gasket

NHTSA ID

11747915

Incident

Jun 25, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was driving abnormally rough and sluggish. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failed telematic control unit. The contact was informed that the telematics control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was informed that there were no available appointments for the next three months. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA ID

11747481

Incident

Jun 2, 2026

Mileage

74,000 mi

Transmission shutter at 25 to 45 mph. Known issue with the Transmission. Ford has mechanic memos stating the exact issue my car is experiencing. Took it to the dealer ship, got charged $250 to get told I need a transmission replacement and torque converter for $8000. little over 1 year out of warranty car only has 48,000 miles on it. worried the transmission going to go out causing a safety issue while I figure out what to do to get it fixed

NHTSA ID

11747333

Incident

May 7, 2026

The engine stalls and shuts down every time the car is stopped. This car has had so many problems and Lincoln has been unresponsive to the multitude of major safety problems

NHTSA ID

11745007

Incident

Jun 17, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that the front driver's-side seat belt was stuck and failed to extend as needed. The contact used excessive force to extend the seat belt. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was determined that the seat belt assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11744490

Incident

Aug 1, 2025

Mileage

50,000 mi

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel became inoperable. The contact stated that the instrument cluster intermittently blinked and flickered. The "Adaptive Steering Fault" warning message was displayed, and the steering wheel became misaligned. Additionally, while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle experienced a loss of motive power, and the powertrain warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to several dealers, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

NHTSA ID

11742975

Incident

Jun 9, 2026

Mileage

48,000 mi

Car recently started clunking when changing from P to D or R. Took to dealer who broke down the transmission only to be told the torque converter was faulty and there’s “excessive damage” meaning I need a new transmission.

NHTSA ID

11738794

Incident

May 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed. There was an audible chime with the power steering message flashing on the instrument panel before the steering wheel seized for several seconds. Despite the failure, the vehicle resumed normal operation soon after the temporary failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that a low battery voltage might have caused the power steering failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the battery was tested. The dealer determined that there was no fault found with the battery. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

NHTSA ID

11725548

Incident

Mar 5, 2026

Mileage

84,000 mi

There was one alert soon after I left Gallup NM, the engine heat light went off very briefly then went off (mile marker 6). The close to Miler marker 340 in AZ the card complete shut down and I had no control over the car. I had to pull over. I was in the middle of no where with no cell service. I was eventually able to reach my father Via Whatsapp/ I tried multiple times to call my husband but had no service. I added water to the radiator and sat the car for several minutes. The outside temperature was 41. I was not near anything. I was able to start the car and drive very slow without the engine light alerting me. I pulled over at the next exit that had a gas station and purchased Antifreeze and water. I called my father again and did a video call to make sure I was doing it correctly. I then drove only 40 miles when the engine light alerted and added more coolant. I drove slowly and once in Flagstaff checked my oil. I was in constant contact with my father and husband. I stopped 8x to fill the vehicle's radiator. I arrived home very late and exhausted. On March 2 I contacted my mechanic but could not get the vehicle into him for inspection until March 9. On March 10, I was notified that there had been recalls and the head gasgette for my car but I do not see any recalls in the system at this time. My mechanic reported the engine was done and he would purchase a used enghine to start a rebuild. He was later alerted to the turbo charge having damage and it needed to be replaced as well. The transmission fluid was black. There are concerns that this car has higher milage on the vehicle due to rust, dark trans fuild and the overall appearance of the engine once it was removed. I proceeded to pay for a Car Fax report. This vehicle has only 53,900 miles and too low for this much damage and concerns. The car was purchased in Nevada and undetermined if known concerns were apparent. It is quite concerning being stranded in the middle of no where and your car stopping.

NHTSA ID

11725408

Incident

Feb 28, 2026

Purchased car from a dealer in 2024 with 40k plus miles. Did not notice upon purchasing, but since to 64,750 miles the transmission regularly shifts with harsh,shuddering , or jerking instances. We have not reported this but it is concerning, that it may cause a permanent failure to the transmission. Hoped it had a recall, but no, not for that! Have seen plenty of complaints about this problem, and wish Lincoln would FIX IT!

NHTSA ID

11724475

Incident

Feb 1, 2024

Constant shattering/jerking when accelerating and trouble light on indicator on car dash indicating torque converter issues after I diagnostic it with a OBD reader. This is a known issue and should’ve been recalled a long time ago.

NHTSA ID

11719819

Incident

Oct 10, 2025

Component: Power Train / Transmission Vehicle: 2019 Lincoln Nautilus – 8F35 transmission Mileage first noticed: At Test drive and purchase (~61,405 miles) Status: Ongoing defect My 2019 Lincoln Nautilus has exhibited persistent hesitation, jerking, and harsh engagement during acceleration from a stopped position since the time of purchase at approximately 61,000 miles. The condition occurs repeatedly during normal driving and was reported to a Lincoln dealership service department, which stated the concern could not be duplicated and later described the behavior as “normal for that model.” The drivability problem has never been repaired and continues to occur. Ford has issued multiple Technical Service Bulletins relating to harsh shifting, shudder, and drivability concerns in vehicles equipped with the 8F35 transmission, indicating manufacturer awareness of the condition. The hesitation and jerking create a potential safety concern when entering traffic or accelerating from intersections because vehicle response is delayed and unpredictable. I am submitting this complaint to document an ongoing transmission defect affecting safe vehicle operation.

NHTSA ID

11716478

Incident

Dec 16, 2023

Component: Engine Vehicle: 2019 Lincoln Nautilus – 2.0L EcoBoost Mileage at failure: ~76550 Incident date: August 2025 Narrative (paste this): My 2019 Lincoln Nautilus equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine experienced a sudden low-coolant warning followed by rapid overheating and complete engine shutdown in August 2025 at approximately 70,000 miles. After adding coolant, the warning immediately returned and the vehicle entered reduced-power mode and became inoperable within about 20 miles, requiring towing. An independent repair facility performed diagnostic testing confirming coolant intrusion into the engine cylinders, internal engine failure, and coolant pooling in the cylinder head area. Diagnostic trouble codes included P0217, P0316, and P0128. The engine and turbocharger required full replacement at a cost exceeding $6,900 paid out of pocket. This failure matches Ford Technical Service Bulletins TSB 19-2172 and TSB 19-2346, which acknowledge coolant intrusion in 2.0L EcoBoost engines requiring long-block replacement. The failure created a serious safety hazard because the vehicle overheated and shut down during travel in extreme Arizona summer heat, leaving occupants stranded for hours awaiting a tow truck. This appears to be part of a widespread known defect involving coolant intrusion in Ford 2.0L EcoBoost engines. I am reporting this for safety investigation and defect tracking.

NHTSA ID

11716472

Incident

Aug 20, 2025

Transmission is jerking at speeds around 25mph.

NHTSA ID

11708087

Incident

Nov 17, 2025

Car consistently jerking as soon as you accelarate. The acceleration takes along time to pick up speed.Can feel the car missing gears or slipping while driving even on the freeway.

NHTSA ID

11707296

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

While driving, the entire dashboard and instrument cluster intermittently go completely blank, disabling visibility of speed, gear position, warning lights, turn signals, and other critical information. The failure occurs suddenly and without warning. The cluster then goes through multiple reboot cycles, sometimes several times in a row. In many cases, normal operation does not return until the vehicle is fully shut off and restarted. This creates a serious safety risk, especially at highway speeds or at night. The issue first occurred around 71,000 miles (Oct 2024) and has recurred multiple times. The most recent incident occurred on Oct 31, 2025 at approximately 84,200 miles. The vehicle has been to a Lincoln dealership in Raleigh, NC for four repair attempts (Dec 2024–Oct 2025). Multiple electrical modules have been replaced (battery, fuse junction box, trunk module, telematics module, keyless entry keypad), and Lincoln engineers were consulted, but the defect remains unresolved. No diagnostic trouble codes were stored during the most recent failure. The vehicle is currently covered under a Lincoln ESP PremiumCARE warranty through 2030, and the defect remains intermittent and unresolved.

NHTSA ID

11700996

Incident

Oct 17, 2024

Adaptive Steering Fault Service Required - This warning came on while I was driving down the road. The steering wheel automatically went from a center position to the left like I was making a left turn. The vehicle continued going straight with the steering wheel in the left position. Needless to say, It was very alarming when this happened. I drove home and made an appointent for service. The next day the fault code was off and steering was normal but I still brought it to my Lincoln dealership for service and they said a module in the steering column is faulty. In Fords/Lincoln design you cannot just replace the module, you need to replace the entire steering column at a price of $5000.00 (part 3600.00, labor 1400.00). I did find on the interweb that this has been a problem with Ford trucks and a few other Naultilus owners have reported this problem.

NHTSA ID

11700438

Incident

Nov 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver’s side air bag unexpectedly deployed, and the blind spot and cross-traffic system fault messages were displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to be restarted, and no medical attention was required. The contact’s spouse’s arm was struck by the air bag, and the contact stated that both occupants were shaken up by the failure. The contact stated that following the failure, the windows, heating system, and radio became inoperable. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA ID

11699939

Incident

Nov 17, 2025

Mileage

60,000 mi