Consumer Reports Says This Unreliable Vehicle Is A Customer Favorite

Choosing the right vehicle takes research, and for most shoppers, reliability is a major factor at play when it comes to selecting the right set of wheels. Consumer Reports (CR) is one of the most well-respected product reviewers online, and regularly reports on the most reliable and best-selling vehicles on the market. Of course, not all its reviews are positive. Recently, CR noted that a well-known luxury vehicle is lacking in reliability despite the fact that it still sells pretty well. Based largely on data from past year models, CR predicts the Lincoln Nautilus will prove to be an unreliable purchase for affluent drivers, despite being one of the brand's most popular vehicles.

Between 2024 and 2025, Nautilus SUVs had a total of 10 recalls, which should be enough to alert most buyers of the vehicle's poor reliability. For 2024 models, the main issues were electrical system failures that both increased the risk of engine bay fires and caused the instrument display to go black. The latter of these failures could result in drivers losing the ability to see their speedometer or any potential warning lights. A similar electrical problem also increased fire risk in the 2025 year model, which faced another recall due to an exterior lighting malfunction that reduced visibility for the driver and made it harder for folks in other vehicles to see the Nautilus on the road. Both models also have problems detecting obstructions, and feature windows that close so forcefully they could potentially injure drivers.

Regardless of a vehicle's brand, make, or model, there are always pros and cons to owning a car. Of course, the Nautilus' high number of recalls is concerning, but other reasons to rethink buying the model include its rough braking and the challenge of entering and exiting the vehicle. Edmunds reports several Nautilus owner complaints, such as a "bad rattle coming from the back of the vehicle" and mechanical problems that cause the SUV to shut down in the middle of the road. The SUV's technology seems to be an issue, too, as many owners say they've had trouble with everything from the Bluetooth system not working to memory functions failing to store settings.

Though, in fairness, some people love their Nautilus SUVs. Ford reported it was one of Lincoln's best sellers in 2024, selling 46% more frequently than the previous year. Meanwhile, S&P Global reports that the Nautilus leads the way in customer loyalty, with nearly 50% of owners willing to buy the model again. And despite users' complaints, owners stated on Edmunds that the vehicle had great gas mileage and exceptionally comfortable seats. While the Lincoln Nautilus wasn't one of Consumer Reports' least reliable SUVs, you'll still want to do your research before making a move on this one. After all, 2025 isn't the best time to buy any car, let alone a luxury SUV.