⌘K
Home›Lincoln›Nautilus›2021
Lincoln · Compact SUV

2021 Lincoln Nautilus

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
5 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
89 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA21
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA23 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 5 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Nautilus FWD, is EPA-rated at 23 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 21 complaints, most often about the power train. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Nautilus FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212623$2,700
Nautilus FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212623$2,700
Nautilus AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo202522$2,850
Nautilus AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo202522$2,850
Nautilus AWDGasAWD2.7L 6-cyl turbo192521$2,950

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43712, 43713, 43717, 43719, 43718.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

Compare coverage →

Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links. If you request a quote or buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nothing on this page changes because of it.

Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
○minor

Back Over Prevention

25S49
1,076,138 vehicles
ProblemFord 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.RiskA frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixThe 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
NHTSA campaign 25V315000reported May 9, 2025Ford Motor Company
▲high

Engine And Engine Cooling

24S55
90,736 vehicles
ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. The engine intake valves may break while driving, which can result in engine failure and a loss of drive power.RiskA loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.FixDealers will perform an engine cycle test and replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S55.
NHTSA campaign 24V635000reported Aug 23, 2024Ford Motor Company

NHTSA defect investigations

Engine — Loss of Motive Power closed

On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) granted a Defect Petition (DP22001) and opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22007) to investigate allegations of loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021 Ford Bronco vehicles equipped with 2.7L EcoBoost engines. Complainants were reporting sudden engine failure while driving resulting in a loss of motive power, often without the ability to restart. During PE22007, the cause of engine failure and loss of motive power in the subject vehicles was determined to be intake valve fracture, and the full scope of vehicles affected by the subject defect was identified as all MY 2021-2022 Ford and Lincoln models equipped with either the 2.7

Opened Sep 29, 2023 · closed Oct 31, 2024 · action EA23002

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
21complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 8 · 2026: 9

Most-cited components

Power Train7
Structure6
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Electrical System3
Engine3
Back Over Prevention2

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for an oil change and trade-in, the contact was informed that the front driver’s side door had a crack and that the welding was cracked and loosened. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of t…”Aug 3, 2026 · Structure · NHTSA owner report
“The transmission occasionally jerks/studders between second and third at acceleration and deceleration.”Jul 6, 2026 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report
“2021 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with coolant intrusion caused by a blown head gasket on cylinder #6. Vehicle would not accelerate properly and lurch forward when the gas pedal was pressed over 25%. The issue was taken to the shop and not found. The issue progressed and was taken to the shop…”Jun 1, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking.

Other Nautilus model years

A

2026 Lincoln Nautilus

2 recalls · 9 complaints

F

2025 Lincoln Nautilus

8 recalls · 30 complaints

F

2024 Lincoln Nautilus

9 recalls · 33 complaints

B

2023 Lincoln Nautilus

3 recalls · 7 complaints

B

2022 Lincoln Nautilus

2 recalls · 13 complaints

F

2020 Lincoln Nautilus

5 recalls · 33 complaints

F

2019 Lincoln Nautilus

8 recalls · 101 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

JSON for this page · API