Used car safety, rank #39 of 188
Lincoln Nautilus 4WD Safety Rating (2020-23)
Real IIHS driver death rates for the 2020-23 Lincoln Nautilus 4WD, a midsize luxury SUV, compared with its class and with the current model.
IIHS 2026 edition Β· 2021β2024 crashes. Results apply only to the model years and drivetrain shown. Read the new release and its limits Β· Browse the older edition. Prices and reliability from older model years have not been carried forward.
The 2020-23 Lincoln Nautilus 4WD has an IIHS driver death rate of 17 per million registered vehicle years against a midsize luxury SUVs average of 17, which is exactly the class average. That places it #39 of 188 used vehicles with a safety score of 75.8/100.
What the Lincoln Nautilus death rate means
At 17 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, the Lincoln Nautilus 4WD sits exactly on the midsize luxury SUVs average. The 95% confidence interval is 0 to 43.
The other-driver death rate of 29 measures the opposite risk: how many drivers of other vehicles died in crashes with a Lincoln Nautilus. Its 95% confidence interval is 0β58. It is higher than the Lincoln Nautilus's own driver death rate, the usual pattern for this class. Remember that death rates describe vehicles and their drivers together: IIHS adjusts for driver age and gender, but not for where or how carefully people drive. Our score weights this model's own rate at 70% and its class at 30%; see how we rank used cars.
Compared with similar used luxury SUVs
The safest midsize luxury SUVs in the IIHS study, by our score, with the Lincoln Nautilus 4WD highlighted. It ranks 9 of the 9 shown; the class leader is the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 2WD at a death rate of 0.
| Vehicle | Years | Death rate | Score | Reliability | Used price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 2WD | 2020-23 | 0 (0 to 25) | 95.3 | n/a | n/a |
| Porsche Macan 4WD | 2020-23 | 4 (0 to 11) | 93.0 | n/a | n/a |
| BMW X5 4WD | 2020-23 | 5 (0 to 11) | 92.6 | n/a | n/a |
| BMW X5 2WD | 2020-23 | 6 (0 to 17) | 91.5 | n/a | n/a |
| Volvo XC90 4WD | 2020-23 | 7 (0 to 22) | 90.4 | n/a | n/a |
| Volvo XC60 4WD | 2020-23 | 7 (0 to 17) | 90.4 | n/a | n/a |
| BMW X3 4WD | 2021-23 | 11 (0 to 23) | 85.2 | n/a | n/a |
| Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 4WD | 2020-23 | 13 (0 to 25) | 81.8 | n/a | n/a |
| Lincoln Nautilus 4WD (this page) | 2020-23 | 17 (0 to 43) | 75.8 | n/a | n/a |
Class average for midsize luxury SUVs: 17 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years.
The new Lincoln Nautilus
Death rates lag the market by several years. For the current Lincoln Nautilus we score IIHS crash tests instead; here is how the latest model years rate on our new-car scale.
| Model year | Model | IIHS award | New-car score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Lincoln Nautilus | TSP | 98.0 |
New-car scores use a different scale (crash tests, not death rates) and are not directly comparable with the 75.8 used-car score above.
Safety recalls for the Lincoln Nautilus 4WD
A recall is a defect the manufacturer must repair free of charge, however old the car and whoever owns it now. On a used car this matters more than on a new one: the work is only done if a previous owner took it in.
3 recall campaigns on the 2023 model year, covering back over prevention, suspension, child seat.
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Back over prevention: software
Risk: A frozen or missing rearview camera image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air update, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on June 26, 2025. Additional letters will be mailed once the final remedy is available on each phase.
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Suspension: rear, shock absorber
Risk: A damaged brake hose can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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Child seat: vehicle tether anchor
Risk: A child that is not properly restrained during a crash can have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left-side second-row seat back frame, free of charge.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-16. A campaign covers a range of build dates, not every car of the model year, and IIHS reports this nameplate across several years while these results are for 2023. Confirm against the VIN. Recalls do not affect the death rate on this page.
Lincoln Nautilus 4WD: Common Questions
Is the Lincoln Nautilus 4WD a safe car?
Not on this measure: its drivers died at a higher rate than its class average. IIHS recorded a driver death rate of 17 per million registered vehicle years for the 2020-23 Lincoln Nautilus 4WD, exactly the class average (17 for midsize luxury SUVs). That earns a used-car safety score of 75.8 out of 100 and rank #39 of 188 used vehicles.
What is the Lincoln Nautilus 4WD driver death rate?
17 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, with a 95% confidence interval of 0 to 43. Drivers of other vehicles that collided with a Lincoln Nautilus died at a rate of 29 per million. Source: IIHS driver death rates by make and model, covering 2020-23 models.
How does the Lincoln Nautilus 4WD compare with other midsize luxury SUVs?
The midsize luxury SUVs class averages 17 driver deaths per million; the Lincoln Nautilus 4WD sits at 17. Among the 9 midsize luxury SUVs compared above it ranks 9 by safety score; the top of that group is the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class 2WD with a death rate of 0.