LincolnNautilus2020Overview/lincoln/nautilus/2020/base/

2020 Lincoln Nautilus

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Nautilus.

The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus carries a 5.5-quart 5W-30 oil specification and sits within the 20192026 model run, a span in which owner complaints reached 95 in 2019 and dropped to 6 by 2023. For the 2020 model year, the Nautilus generated 32 owner complaints and five recalls, with Power Train issues cited most often. That volume positions 2020 between the high-complaint launch year and the much lower-complaint years that followed, marking it as a transitional data point in the model's reliability record.

Model year20262025202420232022202120202019

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque162.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R AGM VRLA battery is required. · 800 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R AGM VRLA battery is required. · 800 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size245/60R18 105VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.8 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase111.8 in
Curb weight4306 lb
Track (front / rear)64.6 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Nautilus of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.7–7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.70 sec — 2021 Black Label 2.7T
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019Black Label 2.7T 2.7L Twin-Turbo V65.80 sec14.40 sec335 hpAWD
2019Black Label 2.7T 2.7L Twin-Turbo V65.90 sec14.40 sec335 hpAWD
2019Black Label 2.7T 2.7L Twin-Turbo V66.00 sec14.50 sec335 hpAWD
2019Black Label 2.7T 2.7L Twin-Turbo V66.20 sec14.80 sec335 hpAWD
2019Reserve 2.0T 2.0L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.30 sec245 hpAWD
2019Reserve 2.0T 2.0L Turbo I-47.30 sec15.60 sec245 hpAWD
2021Black Label 2.7T 2.7L Twin-Turbo V65.70 sec14.30 sec335 hpAWD
2021Black Label 2.7T 2.7L Twin-Turbo V65.80 sec14.40 sec335 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.5 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 162.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidMERCON® ULV Automatic Transmission Fluid
Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine Coolant Capacity9.7-10.4
Engine Coolant Capacity11.7-13.6
Engine OilSAE 5W · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt
Engine OilSAE 5W · Synthetic
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)53.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)20.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug21.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs
Driveshaft Flange to Transmission26.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts162.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts111.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug10.3 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Type12405
Spark Plug Gap0.030 in
Spark Plug Torque9.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Type12405

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.31 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeYN-35
Oil Capacity3.2 oz
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)51–87 psi Low pressure side
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)51–87 psi Low pressure side
Engine Oil Pressure29–60 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPMhot @ 2,000 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 41.0; Rear: 26.0
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 121.0; Rear: 76.0
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.6; Rear: 6.6
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 41.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 21.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 122.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 76 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront and rear: 0.118 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.201

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
15.1 ft. lbs. Step 2: 11.85.1 ft. lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
126.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 135°26 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114.75 ft. lbs. Step 2: 30.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 90°14.75 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 24.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°24 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Center Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
190
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Center Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1166.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: Loosen 360° Step 3: 26.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 270°166 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1166.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: -360°, Step 3: 26.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 270°166 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
15.1 ft. lbs. Step 2: 11.8 ft. lbs. Step 3: 26.0 ft. lbs. Step 4: 90° Step 5: 90°5.1 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
15.2 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11.1 ft. lbs., Step 3: 41.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90°, Step 5: 90°5.2 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 59.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 83.037 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6 ft. lbs. Step 2: 18.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 90°3.6 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 26.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 180°30 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.5 ft. lbs. Step 2: 7.42.5 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
189.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 45°89 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 200,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 200,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect)
Every 20,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 100,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 200,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 2019 the Nautilus recorded 95 complaints and 8 recalls, while the target year 2020 saw complaints fall to 32 and recalls drop to 5. The decline persisted through 20212023, with complaints decreasingly 18, 2021‑2023, with complaints falling to 18, 7 and 6 respectively and recalls to 2, 2 and 3. After 2023 the complaint count rose again to 19 in 2024 and 20 in 2025 before decreasing to 7 in 2026, while recalls peaked at 7 in 2024 and 6 in 2025 before reaching zero in 2026. Thus the 2020 model sits early in an overall improvement phase, showing fewer complaints and recalls than its predecessor but higher than the low‑point years of 2022‑2023. Consequently, a 2020 Nautilus offers a noticeable step up in reported reliability over 2019 models, making it a good year to buy for buyers seeking better‑than‑prior‑year performance, though the very lowest complaint volumes appear in later model years.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
141
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
32
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 32 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train11
Power Train,Engine3
Unknown Or Other2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Exterior Lighting2
Back Over Prevention2
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting1
Wheels1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V575000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 23/09/2020

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner…

21V011000Power Train:Driveline:DriveshaftReported 15/01/2021

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Edge, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus and Ford Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair and Ford Bronco Sport vehicles. An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may… Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant level. Axles found to have lubricant at the minimum level will be filled to the full level. Axles…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 141 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 26-21942026-04-26Power TrainThis bulletin supersedes 25-2627. Reason for update: To add a Step to reprogram the…
TSB 26-21712026-04-17EngineThis article updates TSB 25-2154. Reasons for update: *Parts List *Service Procedure to…
TSB 26-20922026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis article supersedes TSB 25-2466 to add Bronco Sport, Escape, Maverick and Corsair, as…
SSM 545892026-02-17Electrical SystemSome 2019-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC3 may experience various…
TSB 25-26272026-02-09Power TrainThis article supersedes TSB 25-2552 to update the Parts List Some of the vehicles listed…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Nautilus. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2020 Nautilus take?

5.5 qt of SAE 5W-30 - Synthetic Blend Motor Oil, per the factory manual.

Does the 2020 Nautilus have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.