What are the most common Lincoln Nautilus problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus has 5 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: 8F35 8-speed automatic shudder, buck, and jerk under 35 mph, 2.7L EcoBoost cold-start VCT rattle (top-front-cover tick/tap on startup), Power liftgate inoperative / opens or closes on its own (RGTM software, motor, strut). Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Lincoln Nautilus reliable?
The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus has 5 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 1 issue is rated critical: 8F35 8-speed automatic shudder, buck, and jerk under 35 mph. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Lincoln Nautilus problems?
Repair costs for known Lincoln Nautilus issues range from $0 to $4,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, 8F35 8-speed automatic shudder, buck, and jerk under 35 mph, typically costs $0-$4,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2019-2021 Lincoln Nautilus 8F35 8-speed automatic shudder, buck, and jerk under 35 mph?
Nautilus models built on or before March 11, 2021 with the 8F35 8-speed automatic commonly exhibit a shudder, buck, hesitation, or jerk while accelerating from a stop up to about 35 mph (57 km/h). Ford Technical Service Bulletin 21-2389 (superseding 21-2081) attributes the condit… Repairs typically run $0-$4,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus 2.7L EcoBoost cold-start VCT rattle (top-front-cover tick/tap on startup)?
Nautilus models with the optional 2.7L EcoBoost V6 produce a ticking, tapping, or rattle noise from the top-front-cover area of the engine on initial start-up after a cold soak of 6 hours or more, lasting roughly 2-5 seconds. Ford TSB 23-2356 (superseding 22-2376 and 23-2049) att… Repairs typically run $0-$3,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus Power liftgate inoperative / opens or closes on its own (RGTM software, motor, strut)?
The hands-free power liftgate frequently becomes intermittent or fully inoperative on first-generation (2019-2023) Nautilus. The system uses a single electric motor on the driver's side plus a gas strut on the passenger side; failures include the motor straining without the latch… Repairs typically run $150-$1,300. Severity: medium.
What is the 2019-2023 Lincoln Nautilus SYNC 3 / APIM infotainment freezes, black-screens, and reboots?
First-generation Nautilus owners widely report the SYNC 3 center touchscreen freezing, going completely black, or spontaneously rebooting while driving — sometimes leaving only the backup camera working. Symptoms point to memory corruption in the APIM (Accessory Protocol Interfac… Repairs typically run $0-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2019-2022 Lincoln Nautilus Auto Start-Stop malfunction / engine won't auto-restart (weak 12V battery)?
Nautilus owners frequently report the Auto Start-Stop system behaving erratically — failing to engage, failing to auto-restart smoothly at the light, or throwing a system-fault/malfunction message. The most common root cause is the 12V battery state-of-charge falling below the th… Repairs typically run $250-$600. Severity: low.
