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Verdict

2023 Lincoln Nautilus: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

Fewer reported complaints than most SUV.

Owners filed 6 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 86% of 2023 SUVs. Electrical System leads the reports (33%). 3 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2023 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

6

Reports to NHTSA, 2023

Safety recalls

3

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

22

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

Fewer complaints than 86% of 2023 SUVs

The bar is this car's percentile among 2023 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (33% of 6 reports), followed by unknown or other (33%).

Electrical System33% · 2 reports
Unknown Or Other33% · 2 reports
Service Brakes17% · 1 report
Steering17% · 1 report

Share of all 6 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11649750, ODI 11539627.

Recalls(3)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Back Over PreventionSep 2025 · 25V315000Details +

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.

Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Child Seat · 23V198000Details +

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Edge and Lincoln Nautilus vehicles. The child seat tether wire welds on the second-row left-side seat back frame may be insufficient, which can reduce the seat's ability to properly restrain a child during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

Risk: A child that is not properly restrained during a crash can have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the left-side second-row seat back frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 11, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C09.

Suspension · 23V439000Details +

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles. The rear shock absorbers may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in damage to the rear brake hose, rear axle half shaft, wheel speed sensor, and/or stabilizer bar end links.

Risk: A damaged brake hose can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear shocks, rear brake hoses, rear wheel speed sensor, and rear half shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S32.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2023 Lincoln Nautilus SUV FWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2023 Lincoln Nautilus SUV AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
Nautilus FWD2.0L 4-cylFront-Wheel Drive212623
Nautilus FWD2.0L 4-cylFront-Wheel Drive212623
Nautilus AWD2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive202522
Nautilus AWD2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive202522
Nautilus AWD2.7L 6-cylAll-Wheel Drive192521

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

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Compare model years

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2023 Lincoln Nautilus: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus?

Owners filed 6 NHTSA complaints about the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus — fewer complaints than 86% of comparable 2023 SUVs, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus?

The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (33% of complaints) and unknown or other (33%).

How many recalls does the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus have?

3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus, covering components such as back over prevention. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus between 21 and 23 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.