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Model file · LincolnUpdated · 16 sources

Selling a damaged or dead Lincoln Nautilus

Two in five Nautilus complaints come from one model year. Of the 255 complaints owners filed with NHTSA on Lincoln's mid-size SUV, 102 are on the 2019, its first year. If your Nautilus is wrecked, dead or facing a repair it isn't worth, you can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

A blue Lincoln Nautilus SUV parked on a residential street in front of a white fence
Photo: Kevauto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Model years
2019-2026
First generation (2019-2023)
2.0 L turbo four or 2.7 L V6, 8-speed, Oakville, Ont.
Second generation (2024 on)
2.0 L turbo four, gas or hybrid, built in China
Complaints to NHTSA
255
Year with the most complaints
2019 (102)
Recall campaigns
25

Recall check for a newer Lincoln

Most Nautilus models are young enough that recall work matters to the sale. Most of the notices in our data say dealers do the work free of charge. Run your VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup before deciding anything, and see selling with an open recall if something is still pending.

First generation, 2019-2023

The first Nautilus replaced the MKX. It was built at Oakville Assembly in Ontario and at Changan Ford in Hangzhou, China, on Ford's CD4 platform, beside the second-generation Edge, per Wikipedia. Engines were a 2.0 L EcoBoost four or a 2.7 L EcoBoost V6, with an 8-speed 8F35 automatic and front- or all-wheel drive.

These five years hold 179 complaints. On the 2019, the power train (24) and electrical system (23) lead; on the 2020, the power train again (12). On the 2021 and 2022, structure tops the list (7 and 6).

Recalls that land on these years:

  • Engine intake valves, 24V635 (2021-2022, 2.7L). Valves may break; dealers test the engine and replace it as needed. 90,736 vehicles across six Ford and Lincoln lines.
  • Instrument cluster, 19V076 and 26V372 (2019). The cluster may go blank at start-up. 26V372 is for cars repaired incorrectly under the first campaign.
  • Lane Center Assist, 19V031 (2019). It may not detect hands off the wheel for long periods. Names only the Nautilus; 2,276 vehicles.
  • Power seats, 20V414 (2019-2020). On 16-way seats, the cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness. Shared with the 2016-2018 MKX.
  • Rearview camera: 20V575 (2020), 25V442 (2019-2020) and 25V315 (2021-2023), each across many Ford models.

Second generation, 2024 and newer

The current Nautilus is built only by Changan Ford in Hangzhou, China, because Ford was retooling Oakville for electric vehicles. It uses a 2.0 L turbo four, offered as a gas model or a hybrid with a 1.1 kWh battery, and an 8-speed automatic. Wikipedia says it has been Lincoln's best-selling model since 2024, and that on August 13, 2026 Ford said it will stop importing the Chinese-made Nautilus for the US by 2030.

The 2024 through 2026 hold 76 complaints. Forward collision avoidance leads the 2025 (6), with lane departure at 4. The 2024 lists 9 recall campaigns, the most of any Nautilus year:

  • Windows that don't reverse: 24V597 (2024), 24V953 (2024-2025, Nautilus only, 47,818 vehicles) and 25V237 for cars fixed incorrectly the first time.
  • Displays that reboot to a blank screen: 25V337 (2024, Nautilus only, 30,679).
  • Hybrid pedestrian warning sound: 25V691, expanded by 26V415.
  • 2025 models: EGR valves (26V122), LED headlight driver modules (25V519) and image processing resets (26V165).

NHTSA complaints and recalls by year

Tally of NHTSA records as of October 10, 2026. The 2025 and 2026 have been with owners for the shortest time, so their totals will likely rise. A recall campaign counts on every year it lists.

Model yearComplaintsRecall campaignsTop component
20191028Power train (24)
2020335Power train (12)
2021242Structure (7)
2022132Structure (6)
202373Electrical system, unknown or other (2 each)
2024349Unknown or other (8)
2025308Forward collision avoidance (6)
2026122Unknown or other (5)

Fix, claim, or sell?

A Nautilus is often still worth enough that repair can make sense. Price the repair, then price the same Nautilus in running shape.

  1. 2.7 V6 engine trouble on a 2021-2022? Check 24V635 with a Lincoln dealer before paying for anything. See blown engine for the rest.
  2. Nautilus wrecked? When insurance is part of it, see insurer totaled it or keep the check, sell unrepaired. Otherwise see wrecked or totaled.
  3. Hybrid system fault? See hybrid battery failed.
  4. Owe more than it's worth? Still owe on the loan covers payoff.

Selling a Nautilus whole

  1. Have the VIN, mileage and damage ready, plus the lender's name if there's a loan.
  2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
  3. Say where it is: home, a body shop, a tow yard. Mention whether it rolls.
  4. Leave it whole. Wheels, converter and hybrid battery stay in.
  5. Before pickup, sign out of the car's apps and wipe your data. Bring the title and ID; after you sell covers plates.

Other Lincoln SUVs: the MKX it replaced, the Corsair and the Navigator.

Questions people ask

Why does the 2019 Nautilus have so many complaints?
As of October 10, 2026, the 2019 holds 102 of the Nautilus's 255 NHTSA complaints. The power train (24) and electrical system (23) are named most, and 8 recall campaigns list that year. It is also the oldest Nautilus, so owners have had the longest stretch to report problems with it; later years are still catching up.
What is the Nautilus intake valve recall?
Recall 24V635 covers 2021-2022 Nautilus models with the 2.7L Nano EcoBoost engine (the campaign also covers 3.0L engines in other models). The intake valves may break. A Lincoln dealer runs an engine cycle test on the Nautilus and replaces the engine when it doesn't pass. The campaign counted 90,736 vehicles across the Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Nautilus and Aviator.
Is there a recall on the Nautilus Hybrid's warning sound?
Yes. Recall 25V691 says a software error may stop 2024-2026 Nautilus Hybrids from making the pedestrian warning sound at some speeds. Recall 26V415 expands it to 2024-2027 models, and cars fixed under 25V691 need the new remedy too.
Will you buy a newer Nautilus that was wrecked or still has a loan?
Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US. Still paying off your Nautilus? Still paying off the Nautilus? Still paying off your Nautilus? Still paying off your Nautilus? Name your lender when you ask for an offer, and read our guide on selling a financed car.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.

  1. NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
  2. NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
  3. NHTSA recall 24V635: engine intake valves, 2021-2022 Nautilus nhtsa.gov
  4. NHTSA recall 19V031: Lane Center Assist, 2019 Nautilus nhtsa.gov
  5. NHTSA recall 19V076: blank instrument cluster, 2019 Nautilus nhtsa.gov
  6. NHTSA recall 26V372: instrument cluster re-repair, 2019 Nautilus nhtsa.gov
  7. NHTSA recall 20V414: power seat frame and wire harness, 2019-2020 Nautilus nhtsa.gov
  8. NHTSA recall 24V953: window auto-reverse, 2024-2025 Nautilus nhtsa.gov
  9. NHTSA recall 24V597: window auto-reverse, 2024 Nautilus nhtsa.gov
  10. NHTSA recall 25V337: display reboots, 2024 Nautilus nhtsa.gov
  11. NHTSA recall 25V691: pedestrian warning sound, 2024-2026 Nautilus Hybrid nhtsa.gov
  12. NHTSA recall 26V415: pedestrian warning sound expansion, 2024-2027 Nautilus Hybrid nhtsa.gov
  13. NHTSA recall 26V122: EGR valve, 2025 Nautilus nhtsa.gov
  14. NHTSA recall 25V519: LED driver modules, 2025 Nautilus nhtsa.gov
  15. EPA fuel economy data (model years, classes, hybrid) fueleconomy.gov
  16. Wikipedia: Lincoln Nautilus (generations, engines, plants, sales rank) en.wikipedia.org