Home · 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Fhev · Complaints

What 32 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Fhev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (32)Crash / fire / injury (2)Transmission & drivetrain (16)Engine (4)Brakes (3)Electrical system (3)Lights (3)Wheels (3)Backup camera & sensors (2)Speed control (2)Body & structure (1)Equipment (1)

3 of 32 complaints match · Brakes · clear filters

Jan 12, 2026Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemBrakesCrash

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 ODI 11710373

Dec 23, 2025WheelsBrakes

Manual Park--release cable escaped its locking position, locking front wheel brakes ON. The locked brakes resulted in the car being dragged until we noticed the problem and exited the motor home to reinstate the cable into its locking position (to re-seat the metal bead in the pocket, locking it in the override position). Dragging the locked wheels creates a fire and traffic hazard with large plumes of blue smoke, potential towed-vehicle fish-tail out of control affecting nearby/adjacent traffic lanes. This issue was confirmed by my long-time mechanic (Deckard Pham) as a design deficiency that could fail due to road vibrations, that it was intended for limited use for emergency towing. This incident has occurred four times over the past year; twice, at low speed (so tire damage was minimal). Most recently, it was discovered too late to prevent tire damage -- [XXX], while traveling at 45 mph, severe flat spot (7" long, full width of both front tires), wore tread down to the steel belts. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11706804

Jan 23, 2023Electrical systemBrakesEngine

My car won't start when I press the brake and hit the start button, which then flashes green instead of staying green. I have to go through the same steps several times before it will turn on. The menu goes through the entire functions of the engine. For me, I never know if the engine will start or I will be stranded. I thought after two visits to service, it was fixed. Today, it stalled at a green light, and when I powered off and powered back on, the start button started the flashing light, the function menu again. My car wouldn't start and there was a long line behind me. I bought my car in Feb 2021 and only have 17,500 miles because I'm afraid of being stranded. I paid $52,000 cash for this car and expect that when I turn it on, I'll be able to drive to my destination without problem. This will be the THIRD TIME MY CAR IS IN SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP WON'T GIVE ME A LOANER BECAUSE OF COVID. I've never been so disappointed over something I've bought. The dealership is of very little help or empathy.

NHTSA ODI 11503290

Working with the data? Download all 32 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 18, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Fhev verdict →