Is transmission shudder and torque converter failure a known issue with the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus?

29 NHTSA complaints have been filed about transmission shudder and torque converter failure on the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus (2019-08 → 2026-08). Reported component: POWER TRAIN. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11719819): "Constant shattering/jerking when accelerating and trouble light on indicator on car dash indicating torque converter issues after I diagnostic it with a OBD reader. This is a known issue and should’ve been recalled a long time ago" Source: NHTSA.

Is instrument panel blanks out while driving a known issue with the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus?

14 NHTSA complaints have been filed about instrument panel blanks out while driving on the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus (2019-03 → 2025-11). Reported component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11209286): "19C03 RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON 4/22/19 AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS GONE BLANK 7 TIMES OVER THE PAST 30 DAYS AND HAS BEEN IN THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. I AM TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A FIX" Source: NHTSA.

Is coolant intrusion into engine cylinders a known issue with the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus?

4 NHTSA complaints have been filed about coolant intrusion into engine cylinders on the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus (2025-07 → 2026-07). Reported component: ENGINE. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11747915): "Known structural defect Coolant intrusion into cylinder bores TSB 22-2229 Blown head gasket" Source: NHTSA.

Is seat belt retraction and latch failure a known issue with the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus?

5 NHTSA complaints have been filed about seat belt retraction and latch failure on the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus (2021-07 → 2026-06). Reported component: SEAT BELTS. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11744490): "The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that the front driver's-side seat belt was stuck and failed to extend as needed. The contact used excessive force to extend the seat belt" Source: NHTSA.

Is sunroof glass shattering while driving a known issue with the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus?

3 NHTSA complaints have been filed about sunroof glass shattering while driving on the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus (2020-06 → 2020-09). Reported component: UNKNOWN OR OTHER. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11337069): "THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON MD STATE HIGHWAY 235 AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH" Source: NHTSA.

Is adaptive steering fault and power steering loss a known issue with the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus?

4 NHTSA complaints have been filed about adaptive steering fault and power steering loss on the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus (2020-08 → 2026-03). Reported component: STEERING. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11725548): "The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed" Source: NHTSA.

2019 Lincoln Nautilus Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus carries 8 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering instrument cluster/panel and steering assist. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission shudder and torque converter failure.” Lincoln uses Ford's Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor: it tracks how the vehicle is actually driven and calls for oil service when needed — up to 10,000 miles or 12 months on normal duty, much sooner with towing or repeated short trips. EcoBoost-powered Aviators and Nautilus models are turbocharged: heat is their maintenance story, so oil quality and cooling-system health matter more than on the old naturally aspirated V8s. Traditional V8 Navigators and Town Cars are long-interval machines — 100,000-mile plugs — that mostly reward fluid discipline.

8 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Campaign #19V076000 · Nov 2, 2019

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Risk: A blank instrument cluster will not show important information like vehicle speed, fuel or temperature level, or safety system warnings. Driving with an inoperative cluster can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC), free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2019. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C03.

LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSIST

Campaign #19V031000 · Jan 14, 2019

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles. The Lane Center Assist system may not adequately detect if a driver has their hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged period of time.

Risk: If the system remains active despite the driver not having their hands on the wheel, the driver's inattention may increase the risk of crash.

Fix: Ford has notified owners, and dealers will update the Power Steering Control Module software, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S02.

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST

Campaign #20V414000 · Jul 17, 2020

Issue: Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more wires within the harness, which can result in either inadvertent deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.

Risk: An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Campaign #18V806000 · Nov 14, 2018

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles that are not equipped with Adaptive Front Steering. The plastic cover on the driver frontal air bag module may detach during air bag deployment.

Risk: If the air bag cover separates during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began December 7, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S38.

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

Campaign #25V442000 · Jun 27, 2025

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.

Risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Campaign #20V550000 · Oct 9, 2020

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Edge, Transit Connect and Lincoln MKX and 2020 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts.

Risk: Missing or loose bolts on the start stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission fluid leak and may progress to a loss of transmission function. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the start/stop accumulator, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S49.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Campaign #26V372000 · Sep 6, 2026

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 19V076. At vehicle start-up, the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) may not function, showing a blank display. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 101, "Controls and Displays."

Risk: A blank instrument cluster that fails to display critical safety information, such as vehicle speed or safety system warnings, increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the Instrument Panel Cluster Assembly (IPC) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C27. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.

LANE DEPARTURE: LANE KEEP: STEERING ASSIST

Campaign #26V377000 · Sep 6, 2026

Issue: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 19V031. The lane center assist system may not adequately detect if a driver has their hands off the steering wheel for a prolonged period of time.

Risk: Failure to alert the driver with the intended hands-off the wheel warnings may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the power steering control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8. 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S44. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 6, 2026.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission shudder and torque converter failure

POWER TRAIN

29 NHTSA complaints · 2019-08 → 2026-08

“Constant shattering/jerking when accelerating and trouble light on indicator on car dash indicating torque converter issues after I diagnostic it with a OBD reader. This is a known issue and should’ve been recalled a long time ago”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11719819

“The Nautilus began shuddering while accelerating from about 15 to 45 mph. I took it to a Lincoln dealer and was told the transmission needed to be repaired or replaced for $7,000 plus. It has 88,000 miles on it”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11692017

“TRANSMISSION JERKS DURING AUTOMATIC SHIFTING AND AT SLOW SPEEDS ACCELERATES FORWARD. DEALER SAYS FORD IS AWARE AND THEY CAN'T REPAIR. OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11246555

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Instrument panel blanks out while driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14 NHTSA complaints · 2019-03 → 2025-11

“19C03 RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON 4/22/19 AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS GONE BLANK 7 TIMES OVER THE PAST 30 DAYS AND HAS BEEN IN THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. I AM TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A FIX”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11209286

“I WAS DRIVING ON 3/22/19 AT A SPEED OF 55. I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR APROX 30 MIN WHEN MY ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT DARK. IT STAYED DARK FOR 2 MIN AND THEN CAME BACK ON AND KIND OF RE-BOOTED ITSELF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11191105

“While driving, the entire dashboard and instrument cluster intermittently go completely blank, disabling visibility of speed, gear position, warning lights, turn signals, and other critical information. The failure occurs suddenly and without warning”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11700996

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Coolant intrusion into engine cylinders

ENGINE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2025-07 → 2026-07

“Known structural defect Coolant intrusion into cylinder bores TSB 22-2229 Blown head gasket”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11747915

“My 2019 Lincoln Nautilus equipped with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine experienced a sudden low-coolant warning followed by rapid overheating and complete engine shutdown in August 2025 at approximately 70,000 miles”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11716472

“The mechanic diagnosed that the engine was blown due to coolant intrusion in the cylinders and needed to be replaced”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11671774

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat belt retraction and latch failure

SEAT BELTS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2021-07 → 2026-06

“The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that the front driver's-side seat belt was stuck and failed to extend as needed. The contact used excessive force to extend the seat belt”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11744490

“Both rear sealbelts stopped retracting. They both quit working within 2 days of each other”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11688179

“The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated while sitting in the rear middle seat, the seat belt retracted independently. There was no warning light illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11499545

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sunroof glass shattering while driving

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 NHTSA complaints · 2020-06 → 2020-09

“THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON MD STATE HIGHWAY 235 AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11337069

“DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, PARTLY CLOUDY DAY, 70-75 F. HEARD CRACKING SOUND, LIKE CRUMPLING ALUMINUM FOIL FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE A LOUD EXPLOSION OF OVERHEAD TEMPERED GLASS SUNROOF AND GLASS FALLING DOWN ON US”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11329382

“LOOKED OVER THE VEHICLE TO FIND A STRESS CRACK IN THE ROOF SURFACE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11353904

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Adaptive steering fault and power steering loss

STEERING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2020-08 → 2026-03

“The contact owns a 2019 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the power steering assist failed to operate as needed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11725548

“Adaptive Steering Fault Service Required - This warning came on while I was driving down the road. The steering wheel automatically went from a center position to the left like I was making a left turn”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11700438

“LOST POWER STEERING IN MIDDLE OF DRIVING. ALMOST GOT INTO SERIOUS ACCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11348785

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Replace every 20,000 miles where equipped. (2004-era Town Cars predate cabin filters; modern Lincolns locate it behind the glovebox.)

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant Replacement

Every 100,000 mi

Motorcraft Orange (OAT) on modern models: first change around 10 years / 200,000 miles per Ford, though shops commonly refresh by 100,000. Older green-coolant V8s: every 5 years. Never mix chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test annually after year 3. Feature-heavy Lincolns (air suspension compressors, power everything) expose weak batteries as electrical gremlins first.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

10 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

complaints mentioning a crash

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus reflects Lincoln's published service intervals and the Intelligent Oil-Life Monitor system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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