Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln Nautilus vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Lincoln Nautilus and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Lincoln Nautilus vs Chevrolet Silverado: The Nautilus averages 29 complaints per year and has 33 recalls, while the Silverado averages 823 complaints per year and has 101 recalls. The Silverado also has 233 crash-related complaints and 160 injuries, compared to 11 and 3 for the Nautilus. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln Nautilus or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln Nautilus
The Lincoln Nautilus is a midsize luxury SUV that averages about 29 complaints per year over eight years, with 33 recalls. Owners frequently report transmission shuddering and jerking, electrical glitches like unintended gear changes, and steering column issues. While the overall complaint volume is relatively low, the pattern suggests a vehicle that can be pleasant but may require attention to powertrain and electronic systems.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup that averages about 823 complaints per year over ten years, with 101 recalls. Common owner complaints include engine problems such as rough running and diesel particulate filter issues, transmission failures, electrical faults causing braking loss or engine shutdown, and brake problems. The high complaint rate indicates that many owners experience significant reliability issues, some of which are safety-related.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln Nautilus | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 232 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 33 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 11 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 29.0 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 Better | 160 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
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 Nautilus
- 01POWER TRAIN58
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM45
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER42
- 04ENGINE26
- 05STRUCTURE18
Owners report sputtering, jerking, and transmission problems, including a class action lawsuit for the 8F35 transmission in 2019-2021 models. These issues can affect drivability and may lead to costly repairs.
Complaints include the vehicle auto-shifting from drive to neutral, check engine lights, and steering column tilt/telescopic moving on its own. Such faults can be distracting and potentially dangerous while driving.
Some owners report the engine shifting into neutral and check engine lights, often overlapping with transmission issues. This can cause loss of power and require immediate attention.
Owners describe vague symptoms like the vehicle acting weird or BlueCruise safety alerts turning off without warning. These unpredictable issues can undermine confidence in the vehicle's reliability.
“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…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report severe engine problems, including a 6.2L motor failing shortly after purchase and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. These can lead to breakdowns and expensive repairs.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly going into neutral and transmission issues. This can cause loss of motive power, especially in traffic, increasing crash risk.
Owners report sudden loss of braking, engine shutdown while driving, and messages like 'Return to Neutral'. These electrical faults can be extremely dangerous and may result in crashes.
Complaints describe a firm brake pedal but ineffective braking, and the truck shutting off with blank screens. Brake failure is a critical safety concern that demands immediate attention.
“I purchased the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado with a 6.2L motor "new" from the dealer with 5700 miles on XXX. Roughly a month and 2500 miles later, my family and I were in the vehicle, 750 miles from home, returning from a vacation to [XXX] from the [XXX]/[XXX] ar…”
“My 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with the 6.6L Duramax diesel has experienced three separate P2463 Diesel Particulate Filter excessive soot accumulation events at approximately 4,300, 5,500, and 10,280 miles. Each event required a Chevrolet dealer to perform…”
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 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…
Chevrolet Silverado — 101 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles may not have received an owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, “Child Re…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will provide the owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252532020. Vehicle Identifi…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks (RPOs L8T and N2N). The rear fuel pump may not transfer adequate fuel to the front tank, causing an engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: The vehicle's engine control module (ECM) will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782…
The defect: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Cou…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-970…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with the enhanced towing option and 20-inch accessory tire/wheel package. The tire information label may state the incorrect rear tire pressure, resulting in underinflated tires an…
The risk: Driving with underinflated tires can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, update the engine control module (ECM) software, apply a tire label overlay, inflate tires to the correct pressure, and perform a tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) re-learn process as necessary, free of charge. Owne…
Buyer analysis
Lincoln Nautilus or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Lincoln Nautilus has far fewer issues per year (29 vs. 823) and fewer recalls (33 vs. 101). In practice, this means a Nautilus owner is less likely to experience frequent repairs, while a Silverado owner may face more visits to the dealer and a higher chance of safety-related defects.
Key differences
- The Silverado has about 28 times more complaints per year than the Nautilus, indicating a much higher rate of owner-reported problems.
- Silverado complaints include serious safety issues like brake loss and engine shutdown, while Nautilus complaints are more often about transmission shuddering and electrical glitches.
- The Silverado has 233 crash-related complaints and 160 injuries reported, compared to 11 crash-related and 3 injuries for the Nautilus.
- Both vehicles have recalls, but the Silverado's 101 recalls cover a wider range of systems, including fuel pumps and forward collision warnings.
- Test drive at various speeds to check for transmission shuddering, jerking, or hesitation, especially in 2019-2021 models with the 8F35 transmission.
- Inspect the steering column for any unexpected movement in tilt or telescopic adjustments, and verify that all electrical functions, including driver-assist features, work consistently.
- Check for any signs of engine misfire, rough running, or diesel particulate filter warnings, especially in 6.2L and 6.6L Duramax models.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for firmness and effectiveness, and ensure the engine does not shut off or lose power during slow maneuvers or while driving.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all safety recalls have been performed.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic, focusing on transmission, engine, and electrical systems.
- For the Nautilus, specifically ask about transmission service history and any software updates for the 8F35 transmission.
- For the Silverado, check for any outstanding recalls related to brakes, fuel pump, or engine control modules.
- During the test drive, simulate stop-and-go traffic, highway merging, and parking lot maneuvers to uncover intermittent issues.
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 Nautilus | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | 120 |
| 2025 | 21 | 157 |
| 2024 | 22 | 527 |
| 2023 | 7 | 450 |
| 2022 | 13 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 23 | 961 |
| 2020 | 33 | 868 |
| 2019 | 102 | 2003 |
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 Nautilus or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln Nautilus vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Lincoln Nautilus total complaints
- 232
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Lincoln Nautilus total recalls
- 33
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Lincoln Nautilus avg complaints/year
- 29.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln Nautilus
- Lincoln Nautilus top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE