Lemon Law Analysis

2025 Lincoln Nautilus

NHTSA Complaints · Active Recalls · California Lemon Law Data

✓ Reviewed by Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. · Updated June 2026
8
NHTSA Complaints
5
Active Recalls
2-4
Avg. Repair Attempts

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 June 2026, the NHTSA has logged 8 complaints against the 2025 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 2025 Lincoln Nautilus complaints directly on the NHTSA complaint database.

The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus has generated 14 NHTSA complaints and has 5 active recalls. If your 2025 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.

Other Systems

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Very Strong

The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus has generated 3 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 rearview camera appears foggy with poor visibility even in clear weather. The problem was reported to the dealer during the December – February snowy weather; their suggestion was to keep the camera clean. At [XXX], getting out to clean a camera presents additional health and safety risks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)” (NHTSA Complaint #11722811)

Brakes

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Strong

Brake defects affecting safety may qualify for California’s two-repair threshold under Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22, which applies to defects likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus has generated 2 NHTSA complaints related to braking, including ABS failures, grinding, reduced stopping power, and warning lights. Owner reports include: “The contact owns a 2025 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that the front brakes were making an abnormally loud squealing sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.” (NHTSA Complaint #11700079)

Steering,Power Train,Service Brakes

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

Powertrain and transmission defects directly impair the vehicle’s core function and are generally considered substantial defects under California lemon law. Owners of the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus have reported harsh shifting, shuddering, slipping, and transmission warning lights. 1 NHTSA complaint have been submitted for this defect category. Owner reports include: “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)

Visibility

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus has generated 1 NHTSA complaint 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 2025 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V953000 (VISIBILITY); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. 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 #11709683)

Steering,Lane Departure

Emerging PatternSong-Beverly Strength: Moderate

Steering defects can create unpredictable vehicle behavior and qualify as safety-related under California lemon law. Reported issues on the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus include pulling, vibration, loss of power steering, and electronic steering warnings. 1 NHTSA complaint have been filed in this category. Owner reports include: “I had a 2020 ford explorer with co-Pilot 360 which is lane centering with your hand on the wheel. The new Nautilus is equipped with this same system and Blu Cruise. Unfortunately, the system will not work without the eye scanning system as it says it does and the sales rep says it will. The car has non-working safety equipment. The eye scanning system is very sensitive and constantly yelling at you. When you turn off hands free lane centering there is no lane centering which is very dangerous.” (NHTSA Complaint #11691977)

Active NHTSA Recalls — 2025 Lincoln Nautilus

The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2025 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.

Recall 24V953000

Component: VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

Risk: A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will recalibrate the driver door module (DDM) and the passenger door module (PDM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 24C43.

Recall 25V343000

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

Risk: An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the block heater element and inspect the electrical cord, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have a alternative option to replace engine block heater element with a threaded blanking plug coupled, and remove the block heater electrical cord. Interim let

Recall 25V519000

Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

Risk: Exterior lighting failure can reduce visibility for the driver and other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the LED Driver Modules, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 25C39.

Recall 25V518000

Component: VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

Risk: A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will update the driver door module (DDM) and the passenger door module (PDM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 23, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 25C36.

Recall 26V122000

Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

Defect: See NHTSA database for details.

Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: The remedy is currently under development. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed March 16, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in September 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Fo

California Lemon Law — Song-Beverly Act

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 2025 Lincoln Nautilus:

  • 4+ repair attempts for the same non-safety defect without resolution
  • 2+ repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury
  • 30+ calendar days out of service for warranty repairs (cumulative, not consecutive)

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.

What You Can Recover

If your 2025 Lincoln Nautilus qualifies as a lemon under California law, Lincoln may be legally required to:

  • Repurchase your vehicle — Full refund of your down payment, all monthly payments, registration fees, and incidental costs (towing, rentals), minus a mileage offset for miles driven before the first repair attempt
  • Replace your vehicle — Provide a new, comparable vehicle at no cost to you
  • Pay your attorney’s fees — Under § 1794(d), Lincoln pays all legal fees if you prevail
  • Civil penalty up to 2x damages — If Lincoln willfully violated the Act, courts may award double the actual damages

Steps to Protect Your 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Claim

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.

2025 Lincoln Nautilus Lemon Law Questions

How many repair attempts qualify my 2025 Lincoln Nautilus as a lemon?

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.

Does Lincoln pay my attorney fees?

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.

Can I file a lemon law claim without an active recall?

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.

What is the time limit to file a lemon law claim for my 2025 Lincoln Nautilus?

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.

Think Your 2025 Nautilus Qualifies?

Get a free case evaluation. Lincoln pays our fees if you win — you pay nothing upfront.

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