NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data
The NHTSA tracks consumer complaints, manufacturer recalls, and safety investigations for every vehicle sold in the United States. These publicly available records are a critical resource for California lemon law cases because they establish patterns of recurring defects.
As of September 2026, the NHTSA has logged 15 complaints against the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus. Each complaint is filed by a vehicle owner or lessee through the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal at SaferCar.gov. You can review all 2021 Lincoln Nautilus complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.
The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus has generated 30 NHTSA complaints and has 2 active recalls. If your 2021 Lincoln Nautilus has experienced a defect that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple visits, you may qualify for a full repurchase or replacement under California lemon law. Lincoln pays all attorney fees when we prevail. You pay nothing.
Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 8 NHTSA complaints have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “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)
The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus has generated 6 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while opening the front driver’s door, there was a cracking sound coming from the door. While the vehicle was in for routine maintenance, the mechanic discovered that the front driver’s side door check arm stop bracket and door hinge were faulty. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who examined the vehicle and informed the contact that the front driver’s side door needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired for the same failure. The failure mileage was 74,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11712734)
The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus has generated 4 NHTSA complaints for this defect category. If your vehicle has experienced recurring issues in this area that the dealer has been unable to repair after multiple attempts, you may have a qualifying lemon law claim under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. In addition, it was noticed that the VIN was no longer associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V315000 (Back Over Prevention). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.” (NHTSA Complaint #11686356)
Engine and cooling problems are among the most serious defects under California’s Song-Beverly Act. Owners of the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus have reported issues including stalling, overheating, loss of power, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, and check engine lights that return after dealer repairs. With 4 NHTSA complaints on record, this defect pattern is well-documented. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V635000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.” (NHTSA Complaint #11641344)
Electrical system failures are notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which often results in multiple unsuccessful repair attempts — a key element of a lemon law claim. Reported issues for the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus include infotainment malfunctions, battery drain, warning lights, power window failures, and intermittent starting problems. 2 NHTSA complaints have been filed for this category. Owner reports include: “Since 2023 there has been an ongoing issue with my vehicle. When Im in public parking lots and I am accessing the trunk. I’ve witnessed my trunk literally shutting down or closing as Im accessing the trunk. Ive recorded this safety concern and Ive reported it to the dealership and manufacturer. The last time this serious issue occurred was last Friday, May 9, 2025. I was loading the trunk with my purchases as the trunk began closing. Whatever is causing this to occur. Ive noticed that the safety feature that signals the trunk to stop closing when it detects an object in the way becomes disabled. The trunk does not stop closing when Im underneath it. Ive witnessed my trunk sporadically closing at least four to five times on Friday. I was able to record one time that it closed as I said it kept happening sporadically. On the same day, I called the dealership and left a message with one of the contact people. As of today, May 13, 2025. I haven’t not gotten a response. This is a safety and security issue that needs to not only be addressed but resolved. And I am not getting help with either of the two.” (NHTSA Complaint #11660662)
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus by the NHTSA or Lincoln. If your vehicle is affected, the manufacturer is required to provide a free remedy. Check your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls.
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 is 24S55.
Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Defect: See NHTSA database for details.
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790–1795.8) is one of the strongest lemon laws in the United States. It protects buyers and lessees of new and certified pre-owned vehicles that develop substantial defects the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, a lemon law presumption is triggered when any of the following apply to your 2021 Lincoln Nautilus:
Once the presumption is triggered, the burden shifts to Lincoln to prove the vehicle is not a lemon. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Lincoln must pay your attorney’s fees if you prevail — meaning qualified representation costs you nothing out of pocket.
If your 2021 Lincoln Nautilus qualifies as a lemon under California law, Lincoln may be legally required to:
Step 1: Document every repair visit. Keep all repair orders, work orders, and dealer invoices. Each visit counts as a repair attempt, even if the dealer says nothing is wrong.
Step 2: Keep returning for repairs. You must give Lincoln a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect. Visit different authorized Lincoln dealers if needed and ask for written documentation of each visit.
Step 3: Contact a California lemon law attorney. Once you believe the threshold has been met — 4 attempts for non-safety defects, 2 for safety defects, or 30 days out of service — contact an attorney for a free case evaluation. Under § 1794(d), Lincoln pays your fees if you win.
Step 4: Send a demand letter. Your attorney will send Lincoln a formal demand letter. Most California lemon law cases resolve through negotiation without going to trial.
Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, four or more repair attempts for the same non-safety defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect, triggers the lemon law presumption. Additionally, 30 or more cumulative days out of service qualifies regardless of the number of repair attempts.
Yes. Under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d), Lincoln is required to pay your reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs if you prevail in a lemon law claim. This means qualified lemon law representation is free to you if your case succeeds.
Yes. A recall is not required to file a lemon law claim. The Song-Beverly Act covers any substantial defect that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. NHTSA complaints support the claim by establishing a pattern, but are not a prerequisite.
California lemon law claims are generally subject to a four-year statute of limitations from the date you discovered or should have discovered the defect. However, you must still be within the manufacturer’s original warranty period when the defect first appears. Contact an attorney promptly to preserve your rights.
If your 2021 Lincoln Nautilus has a recurring defect, California’s Lemon Law may entitle you to a full refund, replacement vehicle, or cash settlement — at no cost to you.
Our attorneys answer the questions we hear most from California vehicle owners — fully updated for 2026.
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