Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln Corsair vs Lincoln Nautilus
How the Lincoln Corsair and Lincoln Nautilus compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Lincoln Corsair vs Lincoln Nautilus: The Corsair has 173 complaints over 7 years (24.7 per year) and 79 recalls, while the Nautilus has 232 complaints over 8 years (29.0 per year) and 33 recalls. The Nautilus also has more crash-related complaints (11 vs. 7). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln Corsair or Lincoln Nautilus more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln Corsair
The Lincoln Corsair is a compact luxury SUV that has been on the road for about seven years. In that time, NHTSA has logged 173 owner complaints, which works out to roughly 25 per year. The most common trouble spots are the electrical system, back-over prevention (rear camera and sensors), and the power train. Owners describe issues like sudden loss of power, cars that won't start, and transmissions that shudder when shifting, so a buyer should expect to stay on top of recalls and software updates.
Lincoln Nautilus
The Lincoln Nautilus is a mid-size luxury SUV with about eight years of production. It has drawn 232 complaints, averaging 29 per year, with the power train and electrical system leading the list. Owners report sputtering and jerking, transmissions that shift into neutral on their own, and steering column adjustments that move without input. There are also 11 crash-related complaints, which is more than the Corsair, so a careful test drive and recall check are especially important.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln Corsair | Lincoln Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 173 Better | 232 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 79 | 33 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 7 Better | 11 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 24.7 Better | 29.0 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 9 | 3 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Lincoln Corsair
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM48
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER38
- 03BACK OVER PREVENTION38
- 04POWER TRAIN17
- 05ENGINE16
Owners report sudden loss of motive power, cars that won't start, and a high-voltage battery recall for internal short circuits. These issues can leave you stranded or cause a stall in traffic, so checking for open recalls and battery health is critical.
Complaints describe the rearview camera image turning blue and recalls for backup camera software. This can make reversing less reliable, so test the camera and confirm any recall repairs were done.
Some owners report a shudder when shifting gears, often around 125,000 miles, and a technical service bulletin exists for transmission concerns. A shudder can signal expensive transmission work ahead, so a thorough test drive is a must.
There are complaints of the car unexpectedly stopping and not restarting, with possible fuel injector or electrical causes. This can be a safety risk if it happens in traffic, so ask for a pre-purchase inspection that includes the fuel and electrical systems.
“Several problems have occurred, not sure if they are related or not. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. In my opinion as a retired mechanic the problem components might include transmission, torque converter, accelerator or any electrical c…”
“My 2022 Lincoln Corsair has an open NHTSA recall (25V789 / Ford 25SC4) for a high-voltage battery cell internal short circuit that can cause sudden loss of motive power. There is currently NO remedy available. Before this recall was issued, my vehicle already…”
Lincoln Nautilus
- 01POWER TRAIN58
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM45
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER42
- 04ENGINE26
- 05STRUCTURE18
Owners describe sputtering and jerking at 15-50 MPH, and some report the transmission auto-shifting into neutral. A class action lawsuit and multiple technical service bulletins cover the 8F35 transmission, so this is a known weak spot that can be costly to fix.
Complaints include the vehicle shifting into neutral on its own, check engine lights, and steering column tilt/telescope moving without input. These electrical glitches can affect control and safety, so check for stored codes and test all power adjustments.
Some owners report the car acting weird and shifting into neutral with a check engine light, often linked to the same transmission or electrical faults. Because the engine and transmission systems interact, a full diagnostic scan is wise.
There are 18 structure-related complaints, though the sample text does not detail them. Still, this many reports suggests buyers should inspect for unusual noises, panel gaps, or water leaks, especially in older models.
“The contact owns a 2022 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while another person was driving approximately 15-50 MPH, the vehicle sputtered and jerked. The vehicle was driven to the workplace, and the contact attempted to test-drive the vehicle. The con…”
“There is a class action lawsuit for the 2019-2021 Nautilus with the 8F35 transmission, which is the same transmission that my 2022 Nautilus has. Ford has also issued multiple technical service bulletins (25-2154, 21-2389) regarding the 8F35 transmission. My t…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Lincoln Corsair — 79 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2022-2023 Maverick, and 2021-2023 Corsair vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources s…
The risk: An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park and shut off the engine as quickly as possible if they hear unexpected engine noises, notice a reduction in vehicle power, or see smoke. Dealers will replace the engine long-block in 2023 Escape and Corsair vehic…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Lincoln Corsair, 2023-2024 Escape, 2024 Mustang, and 2025 Explorer vehicles. The fuel injectors may have been assembled without O-ring support discs, which can result in a fuel leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install new fuel injector O-rings and O-ring support discs, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 7, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall i…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement…
The risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Ford Escape, and 2021-2024 Lincoln Corsair vehicles. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
The risk: Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised not to charge battery till the remedy has been completed. Dealers will perform a battery energy control module (BECM) software update, and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notifi…
Lincoln Nautilus — 33 recalls
The defect: Ford 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 p…
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers 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 i…
The defect: 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 vehicl…
The risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The 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 an…
The defect: 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…
The risk: A child that is not properly restrained during a crash can have an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left-side second-row seat back frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 11, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23C09.
The defect: 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.
The risk: A damaged brake hose can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear shocks, rear brake hoses, rear wheel speed sensor, and rear half shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer servic…
Buyer analysis
Lincoln Corsair or Lincoln Nautilus: which should you buy?
The Lincoln Corsair has fewer complaints per year (24.7) than the Lincoln Nautilus (29.0), and the Nautilus also has more crash-related complaints (11 vs. 7). In practice, the Corsair may be slightly less likely to send you to the shop for major power train or electrical issues, but both models have notable recurring problems that require attention.
Key differences
- The Corsair averages 24.7 complaints per year; the Nautilus averages 29.0, so the Corsair has a lower rate of owner-reported problems.
- The Nautilus has 11 crash-related complaints versus 7 for the Corsair, suggesting a higher rate of incidents that owners tie to vehicle behavior.
- Power train complaints are the top category for the Nautilus (58), while electrical system complaints lead for the Corsair (48), pointing to different weak areas.
- The Nautilus has a known 8F35 transmission issue with a class action and multiple TSBs; the Corsair has a high-voltage battery recall and rear camera software recalls.
- Check for open recalls on the high-voltage battery (25V789) and rearview camera software; ask for proof they were repaired.
- During a test drive, listen for transmission shudder when shifting and watch for any hesitation or sudden loss of power.
- Test the transmission at low speeds for sputtering or jerking, and confirm it does not slip into neutral on its own.
- Inspect the steering column tilt and telescopic functions—if they move without input, that is a reported electrical fault.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific vehicle and confirm they have been fixed.
- Ask for a complete service history, especially any transmission repairs or software updates.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway merging, reversing, and stop-and-go traffic to feel for shudder, hesitation, or unexpected gear changes.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection that includes a scan for stored error codes in the engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- For the Corsair, specifically ask about the high-voltage battery recall and whether the rear camera has been replaced or updated.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Lincoln Corsair | Lincoln Nautilus |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 11 |
| 2025 | 8 | 21 |
| 2024 | 21 | 22 |
| 2023 | 14 | 7 |
| 2022 | 35 | 13 |
| 2021 | 34 | 23 |
| 2020 | 61 | 33 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Lincoln Corsair or Lincoln Nautilus in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln Corsair vs Lincoln Nautilus
- Lincoln Corsair total complaints
- 173
- Lincoln Nautilus total complaints
- 232
- Lincoln Corsair total recalls
- 79
- Lincoln Nautilus total recalls
- 33
- Lincoln Corsair avg complaints/year
- 24.7
- Lincoln Nautilus avg complaints/year
- 29.0
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln Corsair
- Lincoln Corsair top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Lincoln Nautilus top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN