57 of the
319 complaints filed about the Lincoln Nautilus
are about the transmission —
100% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2019.
57
Complaints
100%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
Hennessey Lincoln in Atlanta repaired my car in June 2026. My Torque converter needed to be replaced. My car was there over 20 days. Two weeks after getting it back from shop it started jerking and smoking. It needed another torque converter replacement. Two weeks after getting this car back it did the same thing again. I contacted Ford Warranty they did not help. Lincoln iin Michigan did not attempt to help. I couldn't even get the car in the shop for repair because of lack of employees that work on transmissions and no loaner cars.
NHTSA complaint #11759875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car has started a jerking motion when it is at a stop sign, stop light, or and nu prolonged stoppage of the vehicle. It is worse when I have the auto-stop-start feature turned on. This started roughly 3 months ago.
NHTSA complaint #11759173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2019 Lincoln Nautilus (equipped with the 8F35 8-speed automatic transmission) has developed a severe, hazardous low-speed transmission shudder and hesitating vibration, primarily occurring under 35 mph. This vehicle has 85,000 miles on it. A certified dealership has diagnosed the vehicle with a failing torque converter, which is a known engineering defect heavily documented under manufacturer Technical Service Bulletin TSB 25-2154. This condition creates an immediate safety hazard. The vehicle intermittently hesitates and suffers from a sudden loss of power/acceleration when trying to accelerate from a stop or merge into low-speed traffic, risking a rear-end collision. Furthermore, the violent shuddering poses a risk of sudden powertrain lock-up or engine stalling while driving in active traffic. The manufacturer has not issued a recall despite knowing this component fails prematurely across this transmission family.
NHTSA complaint #11759214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2019 Lincoln Nautilus shudders between 20 to 45 MPH. We’ve had everything done from oil change, tire rotation, to Front end alignment to tune up. Only one mechanic suggested that there’s a bulletin about a torque. I don’t remember the bulletin #. He expressed that Ford knows about it but won’t service its customers. I called Planet Lincoln and the service guy acknowledged the bulletin and mentioned others who have had the same issue. They would diagnose for 135.00. When asked about estimates. He said without knowing the problem he really couldn’t but did say that having to replace torque/ transmission can run anywhere from 2800 to over 8-10,000.
NHTSA complaint #11752234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I bought my 2020 Lincoln nautilus in February 2025 soon after I noticed a jerking from my lower gears,it has 80000 miles.i took it to the dealer I bought it from and they said the transmission is falling and will cost $10,188 to replace. They told me there was no recall and it wasn't covered under any warranty.
NHTSA complaint #11750211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I bought my 2020 Lincoln nautilus in February 2025 soon after I noticed a jerking from my lower gears,it has 80000 miles.i took it to the dealer I bought it from and they said the transmission is falling and will cost $10,188 to replace. They told me there was no recall and it wasn't covered under any warranty.
NHTSA complaint #11750212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2020 Lincoln Nautilus has an intermittent jerk during light acceleration with no diagnostic codes. This was confirmed when I had a professional mechanic drive it.
NHTSA complaint #11748671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Transmission shutter at 25 to 45 mph. Known issue with the Transmission. Ford has mechanic memos stating the exact issue my car is experiencing. Took it to the dealer ship, got charged $250 to get told I need a transmission replacement and torque converter for $8000. little over 1 year out of warranty car only has 48,000 miles on it. worried the transmission going to go out causing a safety issue while I figure out what to do to get it fixed
NHTSA complaint #11747333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2021 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with coolant intrusion caused by a blown head gasket on cylinder #6. Vehicle would not accelerate properly and lurch forward when the gas pedal was pressed over 25%. The issue was taken to the shop and not found. The issue progressed and was taken to the shop a second time. The issue was found from a misfire code on cylinder #6. Vehicle is currently being repaired.
NHTSA complaint #11741378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Car recently started clunking when changing from P to D or R. Took to dealer who broke down the transmission only to be told the torque converter was faulty and there’s “excessive damage” meaning I need a new transmission.
NHTSA complaint #11738794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Purchased car from a dealer in 2024 with 40k plus miles. Did not notice upon purchasing, but since to 64,750 miles the transmission regularly shifts with harsh,shuddering , or jerking instances. We have not reported this but it is concerning, that it may cause a permanent failure to the transmission. Hoped it had a recall, but no, not for that! Have seen plenty of complaints about this problem, and wish Lincoln would FIX IT!
NHTSA complaint #11724475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The transmission jerks at low speeds between 10mph-60mph. Has been duplicated at Lincoln dealership. A torque converter was replaced , but did not correct problem. I know that there is a class action suit for this problem for 2019-2021 it needs to add the 2022 suv also. Lincoln paid for parts , I paid labor . Total repair was 2200$
NHTSA complaint #11722407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11719819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front right brakes make grinding sounds when stopping and lose traction when roads are wet. Vehicle causes safety issues when roads are wet. Due to lack of control. Issue was reported to the dealer and I was told Lincoln is aware of the issue but there’s no fix at the time. Vehicle was inspected by dealer at 7,500 miles No warning lights present
NHTSA complaint #11718014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Component: Power Train / Transmission Vehicle: 2019 Lincoln Nautilus – 8F35 transmission Mileage first noticed: At Test drive and purchase (~61,405 miles) Status: Ongoing defect My 2019 Lincoln Nautilus has exhibited persistent hesitation, jerking, and harsh engagement during acceleration from a stopped position since the time of purchase at approximately 61,000 miles. The condition occurs repeatedly during normal driving and was reported to a Lincoln dealership service department, which stated the concern could not be duplicated and later described the behavior as “normal for that model.” The drivability problem has never been repaired and continues to occur. Ford has issued multiple Technical Service Bulletins relating to harsh shifting, shudder, and drivability concerns in vehicles equipped with the 8F35 transmission, indicating manufacturer awareness of the condition. The hesitation and jerking create a potential safety concern when entering traffic or accelerating from intersections because vehicle response is delayed and unpredictable. I am submitting this complaint to document an ongoing transmission defect affecting safe vehicle operation.
NHTSA complaint #11716478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and shifting to drive, there was delay while responding, with a clunking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into gear the following day. The contact stated that upon shifting to reverse, the vehicle jerked forward, and upon shifting to park(P), there was a delay before the vehicle responded. There was a delay after shifting out of park(P). There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where several internal diagnostic trouble codes were found. The dealer determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided because the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 149,200.
NHTSA complaint #11715875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving on the highway my transmission died. Had it towed to a nearby forwad dealershiop, Owens Ford in Jarrett VA and they confirmed the transmission died at 51,600 miles.
NHTSA complaint #11714494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MILEAGE: 487,615 27TAWD On [XXX] at [XXX]., the weather was wet from rain. I pushed the reverse button and the car accelerated quickly forward with engine revving. The car kept moving forward while the brake pedal was not responsive for at least 10 times as the car drove through my fence and damaged my neighbor’s garage. The car finally stopped when it hit the garage. Estimate for repairs on vehicle $1485.25. Estimate for damage to wooden fence $2560, neighbor's garage $8000. Engine code scan report on Oct 10, 2025 engine code U3003-16 Battery Voltage Below Threshold. EEC test at dealer on Oct 14, 2025: "no codes in any systems..." Vehicle damage noted. No indicated warning lamps INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11710373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.