This bulletin supersedes 26-2171. Reasons for update: update the Parts list to add a note to clarify the application of the part numbers W520102-S442 and 4S4Z-3N324-AA "FWD Only". Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the following conditions: Shudder condition, most noticeable at speeds below 60 mph (100 km/h) No relevant diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) present Traceable shudder event with IDS/FDRS reading *(Figure 1)* This condition may be perceived/felt as an engine misfire. This may be due to a concern with the output planetary assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Lincoln Nautilus powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus have filed 8 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of October 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Nautilus | 27 |
| 2020 Nautilus | 15 |
| 2021 Nautilus (this page) | 8 |
| 2022 Nautilus | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 8 powertrain complaints filed for the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 30% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 3 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin supersedes 26-2171. Reasons for update: update the Parts list to add a note to clarify the application of the part numbers W520102-S442 and 4S4Z-3N324-AA "FWD Only". Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the following conditions: Shudder condition, most noticeable at speeds below 60 mph (100 km/h) No relevant diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) present Traceable shudder event with IDS/FDRS reading *(Figure 1)* This condition may be perceived/felt as an engine misfire. This may be due to a concern with the output planetary assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin supersedes 26-2194. Reason for update: update the Parts list to correct a part description " Loctite 638", update the claim quantity for the drain/fill plug, update the claim quantity of the wheel hub bolts (Corsair) and limited the parts list for Edge/Nautilus to only the rear drive unit fluid. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the following conditions: Shudder chatter condition, most noticeable at low speeds turning No relevant diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) present This may be due to internal rear drive unit (RDU) fluid contamination.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin supersedes 25-2627. Reason for update: To add a Step to reprogram the all-wheel drive (AWD) module for Bronco Sport vehicles. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the following conditions: Shudder chatter condition, most noticeable at low speeds turning No relevant diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) present This may be due to internal rear drive unit (RDU) fluid contamination.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This article supersedes TSB 25-2552 to update the Parts List Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the following conditions: Shudder chatter condition, most noticeable at low speeds turning No diagnostic trouble codes DTCs present This may be due to rear drive unit internal (RDU) fluid contamination.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
My Lincoln has been in the shop due to a hard AWD System Disabled Message since 10/29/2021. Lincoln Concierge and dealership has kept us updated that NHTSA has not approved the latest AWD control module.
Transmission was shuddering when it shifted gears. It would lose power and jerk between each gear. We paid for diagnostic at the dealership and they diagnosed as torque converter shudder under 2 separate TSB's. Dealership offered to fix at a cost of $6400. Told not to drive the vehicle or at least as little as possible. They refused to cover this under the TSBs. Contacted Lincoln Client Care.…
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated that while shifted to reverse(R) and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated and then suddenly jerked backwards. The contact stated that the vehicle almost jumped into gear. The contact stated that later while driving and attempting to accelerate, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle hesitated and then…
The contact owns a 2021 Lincoln Nautilus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the transmission was slipping, and the RPM had increased significantly. The contact stated that the “Service Vehicle Soon” message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was…
The transmission occasionally jerks/studders between second and third at acceleration and deceleration.
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…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2021 Lincoln Nautilus?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 93,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Lincoln/Nautilus.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.