Head-to-head reliability
Lincoln Nautilus vs Lincoln Aviator
How the Lincoln Nautilus and Lincoln Aviator 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 Lincoln Aviator: The Nautilus averages 29 complaints per year with 33 recalls, while the Aviator averages 48.6 complaints per year with 125 recalls. Both have power train and electrical issues, but the Aviator also reports structural problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln Nautilus or Lincoln Aviator 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 owner complaints per year over eight years, with 33 recalls. The most common complaints involve the power train, electrical system, and unknown issues, often describing transmission jerking, sudden shifts to neutral, and steering column problems. While the overall complaint rate is lower than some rivals, the transmission and electrical gremlins can be frustrating and costly if they appear after warranty.
Lincoln Aviator
The Lincoln Aviator is a larger three-row luxury SUV that averages nearly 49 complaints per year over ten years, with 125 recalls. Owners frequently report power train issues like grinding noises and rusted axles, electrical failures that can prevent starting, and structural problems such as grab handles falling off. The higher complaint and recall volume suggests a more troubled ownership experience, with some issues appearing even on brand-new vehicles.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln Nautilus | Lincoln Aviator |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 232 Better | 486 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 33 Better | 125 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 11 Better | 18 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 29.0 Better | 48.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 Better | 17 |
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 sudden auto-shifts from drive to neutral, often linked to the 8F35 transmission. These symptoms can occur at various speeds and may leave you stranded or unable to accelerate, making a pre-purchase transmission inspection critical.
Complaints include the vehicle unexpectedly shifting into neutral with the check engine light on, and steering column tilt/telescopic moving on its own. Such electrical faults can affect control and safety, and may be intermittent and hard to diagnose.
Some owners describe vague 'acting weird' behavior or safety alerts (like BlueCruise hands-free warnings) turning off without notice. These issues are hard to pinpoint but can undermine trust in the vehicle's reliability.
Engine-related complaints often overlap with transmission symptoms, such as auto-shifting to neutral and check engine lights. This suggests that what feels like an engine problem may actually stem from the power train, so a thorough diagnostic scan is wise.
“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…”
Lincoln Aviator
- 01POWER TRAIN119
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM90
- 03STRUCTURE81
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER54
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING34
Owners report grinding noises when backing up, rattles at all speeds, and rusted axles, as well as fans running excessively after parking. These issues can indicate premature wear or safety risks, and some have led to towing.
Multiple complaints describe frequent failures to start, even on new 2025 models, and recurring electrical problems across different model years. This can leave you stranded and suggests a systemic issue rather than a one-off.
Reports include grab handles falling off completely, causing falls and injuries, and recalls for frame and seat issues. Structural defects can be dangerous and may not have immediate fixes available.
Some owners report persistent problems that recur across multiple vehicles, including electrical and mechanical issues that dealers cannot resolve. This pattern can lead to frustration and repeated repair visits.
“My 2023 Lincoln Aviator has a grinding noise when I back up. Also a rattle has begun at all speeds. I had vehicled check and the axles were found to be totally rusted. Prior to having it towed to the detail i did some research and found the following -- A 202…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the garage, the garage became extremely hot, and the fans underneath the vehicle activated. The contact opened the garage. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer,…”
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…
Lincoln Aviator — 125 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The rearview camera image may fail when the vehicle speed reaches 10 MPH or greater. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Vis…
The risk: The loss of the rearview camera image while in reverse can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service…
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 2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The transmission may be improperly secured due to loose cross member bolts.
The risk: An improperly secured transmission can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission cross member bolts as necessary, free of charge. If the cross member bolts are missing, dealers will replace the cross member and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification lette…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
The risk: Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
Buyer analysis
Lincoln Nautilus or Lincoln Aviator: which should you buy?
The Lincoln Nautilus has fewer issues per year (29 complaints/year) compared to the Lincoln Aviator (48.6 complaints/year). In practice, this means the Nautilus is likely to spend less time in the shop, but both models have notable power train and electrical complaints that buyers should inspect carefully.
Key differences
- The Aviator has more than double the annual complaint rate of the Nautilus (48.6 vs 29.0), with far more recalls (125 vs 33).
- Aviator owners report structural failures like grab handles falling off and rusted axles, while Nautilus complaints center on transmission jerking and electrical shifts to neutral.
- Electrical issues in the Aviator include frequent no-start conditions even on new models, whereas Nautilus electrical complaints often involve steering column movement and warning alerts.
- The Aviator has 17 injuries and 18 crash-related complaints, compared to 3 injuries and 11 crash-related complaints for the Nautilus, indicating a higher severity of reported incidents.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any jerking, sputtering, or hesitation during acceleration, which could signal the 8F35 transmission issues reported by owners.
- Check that the steering column tilt and telescopic functions stay put and do not move on their own, as this is a reported electrical fault.
- Listen for grinding noises when backing up or rattles at any speed, and inspect the axles for rust, as these are common owner complaints.
- Test all electrical functions, especially starting the vehicle multiple times, and check for any warning lights or intermittent no-start conditions.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the transmission, electrical system, and structural components.
- During the test drive, specifically test for the symptoms mentioned in complaints: jerking, sudden neutral shifts, grinding noises, and electrical glitches.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission or electrical repairs, and confirm if the vehicle has had software updates.
- For the Aviator, inspect grab handles and other interior fittings for security, and check for rust on undercarriage components.
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 | Lincoln Aviator |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 11 | 4 |
| 2025 | 21 | 16 |
| 2024 | 22 | 7 |
| 2023 | 7 | 24 |
| 2022 | 13 | 45 |
| 2021 | 23 | 39 |
| 2020 | 33 | 108 |
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 Lincoln Aviator in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lincoln Nautilus vs Lincoln Aviator
- Lincoln Nautilus total complaints
- 232
- Lincoln Aviator total complaints
- 486
- Lincoln Nautilus total recalls
- 33
- Lincoln Aviator total recalls
- 125
- Lincoln Nautilus avg complaints/year
- 29.0
- Lincoln Aviator avg complaints/year
- 48.6
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln Nautilus
- Lincoln Nautilus top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Lincoln Aviator top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN