LincolnNautilus2023Overview/lincoln/nautilus/2023/base/

2023 Lincoln Nautilus

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2023 Nautilus.

The 2023 Lincoln Nautilus, engineered with a 6.0-quart oil capacity and a preference for 5W-30 or 0W-30 viscosity, distinguishes itself within its generation by recording the fewest owner complaints in the model’s history—just six total, alongside three recalls—signaling a notable peak in dependability for researchers evaluating this year against earlier iterations.

Model year20262025202420232022202120202019

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque162.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

Tire size245/60R18 105VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8; Optional: 8, 9 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
2024Hybrid Black Label 2.0L Turbo I-4 + Elec6.60 sec14.90 sec310 hpAWD
2024Hybrid Black Label 2.0L Turbo I-4 + Elec6.90 sec15.20 sec310 hpAWD
2024Black Label 2.0L Turbo I-47.30 sec15.50 sec250 hpAWD
2024Black Label 2.0L Turbo I-47.50 sec15.70 sec250 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
2025Hybrid Black Label 2.0L Turbo I-4 + Elec 1.1-kWh6.80 sec15.00 sec310 hpAWD
2019Black 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 6.0 qt of 5W-30 / 0W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 162.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.92 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity9.7 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity12.5 qt
Engine OilSAE 5W · SAE 0W
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine OilSAE 5W · SAE 0W
Engine Oil Capacity5.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new bolts only.
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug21.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts162.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug33.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-4-2-5-3-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug TypeSP-578
Spark Plug Gap0.028-0.031" in
Spark Plug Torque9.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug TypeSP-578

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant CapacityYN-33-A
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeYN-35
Oil Capacity3.2 oz

Service checks

Engine Oil Pressure27.6-37.7 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM1500 rpm

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness0.118" in
Solid Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.201; Rear: 17

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Lubricate caps with clean engine oil., Step 25.2 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Install the front mega cap and bolts., Step 3: Tighten all bolts 11.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°15 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 180°, Step 3: 24.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90°24 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
15.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11.1 ft. lbs., Step 3: 41.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 90°, Step 5: 90°5 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen 2 turns., Step 3: 37.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 180°15 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Tighten bolts finger tight., Step 237 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Lubricate bolt threads and under heads with clean engine oil. Step 23.7 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Apply Sealant, Step 218 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.6. ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.4
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45°11 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs, Step 2: 45°7.4 ft. lbs

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.

The 2023 Lincoln Nautilus sits at the lowest point of a multi-year improvement arc for this generation. Complaints fell dramatically from a peak of 95 in 2019 to just 6 in 2023, while recalls dropped from 8 to 3 over the same span; TSBs similarly declined from 141 to 51, suggesting the manufacturer progressively resolved issues through the early production years. Notably, the federal investigation count—which had held at 1 per year from 2020 through 2022—dropped to zero in 2023 and remained there through 2026. The complaint categories for 2023 (brake/forward collision avoidance, electrical, back-over prevention) each appear only once, and there was a single crash complaint with zero fire complaints, offering no clear pattern of systemic defect. However, the trend reversed sharply in 2024 and 2025, with complaints climbing back to 19–20, recalls rising to 6–7, and TSBs spiking to 179—suggesting a new wave of issues in the refreshed model rather than regression in the 2023 itself. The 2026 data shows another improvement cycle beginning. Takeaway: the 2023 Nautilus represents the most mature, complaint-minimal version of this generation and would be a comparatively strong candidate in the used market, though buyers should still verify any open recalls before purchase.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
51
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
6
Owner complaints
1 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 6 complaints on record, top 6 components.

Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1
Unknown Or Other,Back Over Prevention1
Unknown Or Other1
Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine1
Steering,Electrical System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V198000Child Seat:Vehicle Tether AnchorReported 24/03/2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Edge and Lincoln Nautilus vehicles. The child seat tether wire welds on the second-row left-side seat back frame may be insufficient, which can reduce the seat's… Remedy: Dealers will replace the left-side second-row seat back frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 11, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at…

23V439000Suspension:Rear:Shock AbsorberReported 23/06/2023

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles. The rear shock absorbers may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in damage to the rear brake hose, rear axle half shaft… Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear shocks, rear brake hoses, rear wheel speed sensor, and rear half shafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 51 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
TSB 26-22972026-06-24Electrical SystemSome of the vehicles listed in the model statement above equipped with SYNC4 may…
TSB 26-22702026-06-03Power TrainThis bulletin supersedes 26-2140. Reason for update: update the Parts list to correct the…
TSB 26-21942026-04-26Power TrainThis bulletin supersedes 25-2627. Reason for update: To add a Step to reprogram the…
SSM 547732026-04-24Electrical SystemSome 2021-2023 Nautilus vehicles may exhibit inoperative phone as a key and no…
TSB 26-21402026-04-21Power TrainSome of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the…

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 2023 Nautilus take?

6.0 qt of Motorcraft SAE 5W-30 Motor Oil XO-5W30-Q1SP, XO-5W30-Q1FS; Temperatures below -22°F many use SAE 0W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 2023 Nautilus have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.