2021 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026
2021 · All trims · All engines
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2021 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve silhouette · representative artwork, not equipment confirmation
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus has 5 documented known issues, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is 8F35 8-speed automatic shudder, buck, and jerk under 35 mph ($0-$4,500 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $150 to $4,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE TETHER ANCHOR
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."
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
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.
Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or get a full repair guide.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Edge, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus and Ford Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair and Ford Bronco Sport vehicles. An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.
+ 9 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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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.
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.
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.
