Wife looking at 2024 Nautilus a lot of Buy backs

[dadofracer]

We've been thinking about upgrading my wife's 2013 Ford Edge Limited. Initially, she was set on getting a newer Edge, but I convinced her to explore other options, including Ford, Lincoln, Kia, Toyota, Lexus, and a few others. After some searching, she fell in love with the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve.

Our local dealership has quite a few 2024 Nautilus models in stock. When I asked why, they explained that they have contracts with local businesses, resulting in frequent turnovers.

I decided to do some research on the specific model we test-drove. It turns out it's a Ford buyback with only 1,200 miles on it due to battery issues. Digging deeper, I discovered that many of the used 2024 Nautilus models in the area are also Ford buybacks with problems ranging from new engine replacements to battery issues, phone connectivity problems, and more.

Has anyone here ever purchased one of these buybacks? They come at a great price, but you can't file a lemon law claim on a used car.

Has Lincoln resolved the battery issues that seem to affect so many of these vehicles? The Nautilus looks fantastic, the one we drove was a smooth ride, and the tech is impressive. But I'm unsure about taking the risk with a buyback. Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Jacyte]

I would be wary of the engine replacement cars just because I dont trust dealer labor. The battery drain issue has several software fixes but you would have to verify if it has been resolved completely. Phone connectivity could be APIM module issues and possibly resolved in the last updates but again you would have to connect your phone and see if there are issues. Intermittent issues would be my biggest worry.

 

[angore]

I would insist on new battery and allow you to drive 500 miles.

 

[demark1]

It's one reason I prefer a CPO to new. New car on a new model with new tech seems more likely to be a problem. Hence the buybacks, although of course I cannot quantify. But @dadofracer, in some states a low mileage, low age used car can still be covered under a lemon law as new, with important caveats. NY is one. Check very carefully.

I would prefer a recent, used car with no lemon history and a good chunk of warranty left. On my 4 year old 2005 Lexus I got a 6 year warranty extending the 3-year-long CPO by 3 more years, (0 deductible) and it paid off. Numerous little things: tilt motor, air strut, speaker, adaptive cruise, etc. I still have that car today.

My 2016 Cadillac I bought in 2017 with 2.5 years left and 25k miles left on the original warranty. Now with the car at age 9 it never had a non-warranty, non-maintenance repair yet. It has proven more reliable than my Lexus in its early years.

I just read that the post-2024 Nautilus has a very high owner satisfaction rate. Still, for the kind of buyer I am (and you seem to be), who wants to keep a car 10-20 years, I would not be ready to buy a 2024+ Nautilus yet. If I did buy it, I'd consider a CPO with documented oil changes and no buyback (or accident) history. You can extend the Lincoln warranty up to the end of the CPO interval (6/100k from in-use date), up to 11 years from in-use for less than $2k depending on mileage covered. Even my 2021 has tech glitches that I find very annoying: mirrors that close on remote start, etc.

Anyway, check out your state on buyback laws. (By the way, I saw 2021-2023 at some dealers that were largely buybacks. I think some dealers like selling them. I avoided them.).

1 more thing: CPOs have a test drive period... be careful because I think even if you return it they "steal" (do not return of offset?) any trade in, sol be very wary, but:

https://www.lincoln.com/certified-used/about-certified/money-back-guarantee/

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[elsloan1]

This owner is an early adopter of the Nautilus Hybrid and we had only radio glitches fixed with the first software upgrade and under a service bulletin our injectors were changed at that time we had 2k on the clock, those usually with engine issues were earlier then this. Very happy as I am early adopter of technology first year of redesign of Sierra 1500and trading in free of issues other then Onstar module quitting for the redesigned Sierra with the 3.0 diesel.

 

[A Charles 9920]

Warning!!!! Stay the hell away from ANY Lincoln product. They look great but are slam eat up with problems. Ford repurchased vehicle are clearly the worst of the worst. "Oh but you'll have a factory warranty". But let me tell you they could not fix the problem or the would not have done the repurchase. If you want to step in a pile of X##$% that's your decision.

 

[swindler]

I agree with @elsloan1. We were an early adopter as well and escaped the fuel injector/engine issue (since resolved) and the early battery issues seem to be addressed. There are still a couple of issues with software UI glitches that some see (but we don't) and a few have brake/shock noise (but we don't) which is being investigated. But there's nothing that affects ride, performance, or anything serious. Software updates seen to be coming every 6 months, so we expect the vehicle to only improve.

For us, we're not having any issues and my wife loves her car. I suspect we'll have it a long time.

Edit: To comment on @A Charles 9920's post, I would agree that a buyback is a vehicle with black marks. You have to examine what they are. Like @Jacyte said, an engine replacement would be a concern. But there have been buybacks because the brakes made noise stopping. Not all buybacks are lemons.

In fact, in a recent Consumer Reports survey, the Lincoln Nautilus was ranked first in the luxury mid-size SUV space for overall owner satisfaction.

 

[elsloan1]

Warning!!!! Stay the hell away from ANY Lincoln product. They look great but are slam eat up with problems. Ford repurchased vehicle are clearly the worst of the worst. "Oh but you'll have a factory warranty". But let me tell you they could not fix the problem or the would not have done the repurchase. If you want to step in a pile of X##$% that's your decision.

I kindly disagree, how about the Lexus 600 and Toyota tundra all the new V6 replaced, this did not happen with the Nautilus. We have owned 7 Lincoln’s since 2004 and only one had an issue and not major. I am also early adopter of the new Mid Engine. Or Vette and been trouble free. The interior in the Nautilus is so much nicer than the biggest seller RX350. I test drove one and to small and the rear area with 2 teenagers not enough room, not saying any Lexus is not good.

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[A Charles 9920]

The issue is with Lincoln products so what about "others" is of no concern to me. They all have their issues. And I'll readily agree the style and looks of the lines are outstanding if you want to look at it. But if you want to drive it then it's another matter. I'll also lean to feeling that older models of all manufacturers are not plagued with the extensive "tech" issues. This is like a beautiful woman....looks good but is hell on wheels. You don't find out about that part of her until it's too late.

Right now I'm looking through various threads on this forum and pasting the common complaints into a single document. Have only been at it about 15 minutes and already have over 3 pages of specific "tech" malfunctioning problems. I have never been a great believer in Consumer Reports but it's noteworthy. I have always questioned how they do the reviews. Other surveys are also worth looking at. But what matters to me is that my vehicle performs as it is supposed to. And I think buying a reacquired vehicle is a very bad move no matter what the reason for it's being reacquired. "Lemon" has specific meanings in various states and from past experience I can say that Ford would not repurchase any vehicle if it could be "fixed". Being reacquired is evidence that there were significant issues and the owner could not be made whole via warranty. OR potentially that they elected to buy it back as it was less costly that defending their position in court.

 

[gooberpeas0911]

I'd like to point out that A Charles 9920 does not own a Nautilus. I'm not sure what their endgame here is, but I'm struggling to place their experience to anything meaningful related to a Nautilus.

 

[A Charles 9920]

No, "they" do not own a Nautilus. For the record, I'm a "he". But that was on my wish list until I started reading about the many problems. But also the problems are common and spread through the entire Lincoln line to a large degree. Maybe fewer with the Aviator and Corsair but the start stop thing and the so called battery drain is found in all. Combined with a number of other things which show up across the board.

 

[A Charles 9920]

I agree with @elsloan1. We were an early adopter as well and escaped the fuel injector/engine issue (since resolved) and the early battery issues seem to be addressed. There are still a couple of issues with software UI glitches that some see (but we don't) and a few have brake/shock noise (but we don't) which is being investigated. But there's nothing that affects ride, performance, or anything serious. Software updates seen to be coming every 6 months, so we expect the vehicle to only improve.

For us, we're not having any issues and my wife loves her car. I suspect we'll have it a long time.

Edit: To comment on @A Charles 9920's post, I would agree that a buyback is a vehicle with black marks. You have to examine what they are. Like @Jacyte said, an engine replacement would be a concern. But there have been buybacks because the brakes made noise stopping. Not all buybacks are lemons.

In fact, in a recent Consumer Reports survey, the Lincoln Nautilus was ranked first in the luxury mid-size SUV space for overall owner satisfaction.

Just for fun I looked at Car and Drivers reviews. No Lincoln (nor Ford) on the "Best" list. The Navigator was #9 of ?? on the full size luxury class.

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[swindler]

The issue is with Lincoln products so what about "others" is of no concern to me. They all have their issues. And I'll readily agree the style and looks of the lines are outstanding if you want to look at it. But if you want to drive it then it's another matter. I'll also lean to feeling that older models of all manufacturers are not plagued with the extensive "tech" issues. This is like a beautiful woman....looks good but is hell on wheels. You don't find out about that part of her until it's too late.

Right now I'm looking through various threads on this forum and pasting the common complaints into a single document. Have only been at it about 15 minutes and already have over 3 pages of specific "tech" malfunctioning problems. I have never been a great believer in Consumer Reports but it's noteworthy. I have always questioned how they do the reviews. Other surveys are also worth looking at. But what matters to me is that my vehicle performs as it is supposed to. And I think buying a reacquired vehicle is a very bad move no matter what the reason for it's being reacquired. "Lemon" has specific meanings in various states and from past experience I can say that Ford would not repurchase any vehicle if it could be "fixed". Being reacquired is evidence that there were significant issues and the owner could not be made whole via warranty. OR potentially that they elected to buy it back as it was less costly that defending their position in court.

Most of these buybacks are not going through state lemon laws. They are going through the Lincoln Required Vehicle (RAV) program, which is described as easier than lemon law. The issue was that 'premature as it was' the Nautilus had several annoyance level issues that some felt were unacceptable for a $70K car, and were able to go through the RAV program without any serious issues with the vehicle. These issues took 6-12 months for Lincoln to address, and many were unwilling to wait. Some fixes are slated for late this year, and there will be those unwilling to wait for that as well.

To your point, I also feel the technology has created some of the issues as I feel many techs were unable to address issues properly. We have reports of many people experiencing issues after a shop software update, and some not at all. Some dealers were unable or unwilling to address issues fully. This vehicle was a big step for the brand in terms of technology, as well as a big step away for the UI from QNX to Android. Not only was the vehicle 'not ready', but I feel the dealer support was not unanimously ready.

 

[A Charles 9920]

Agree and fully understood. Just FYI. I was a 30 year Ford employee. As they say "blead blue" Made a lot of personal sacrifices for the company but overall was treated very well. My past is linked to Ford (Lincoln) in ways few outside the company can comprehend. And my future is equally secured by a successful and profitable company. But that was my $100,000 that I spent and past employee of not I want what I paid for as I'm sure everyone else does as well. OK, point made....this is a Nautilus thread but the similarity in problems across the lines is noteworthy. Something odd as well. The service writer tells me they are not seeing these problems. The Customer Service Center also would not acknowledge any being reported. Not buying that at all.

My best to all in your efforts to get things "right".

 

[A Charles 9920]

I agree with @elsloan1. We were an early adopter as well and escaped the fuel injector/engine issue (since resolved) and the early battery issues seem to be addressed. There are still a couple of issues with software UI glitches that some see (but we don't) and a few have brake/shock noise (but we don't) which is being investigated. But there's nothing that affects ride, performance, or anything serious. Software updates seen to be coming every 6 months, so we expect the vehicle to only improve.

For us, we're not having any issues and my wife loves her car. I suspect we'll have it a long time.

Edit: To comment on @A Charles 9920's post, I would agree that a buyback is a vehicle with black marks. You have to examine what they are. Like @Jacyte said, an engine replacement would be a concern. But there have been buybacks because the brakes made noise stopping. Not all buybacks are lemons.

In fact, in a recent Consumer Reports survey, the Lincoln Nautilus was ranked first in the luxury mid-size SUV space for overall owner satisfaction.

Now that's odd. A Consumer Reports article I just read for 2024 models said there was not one Lincoln product recommended and in fact it strongly urged caution before purchasing any of the named vehicles. I'll look for the article.

Here is one: Lincoln Cars, SUVs, & Trucks - Consumer Reports

But that's not the one I found earlier.

 

[swindler]

Now that's odd. A Consumer Reports article I just read for 2024 models said there was not one Lincoln product recommended and in fact it strongly urged caution before purchasing any of the named vehicles. I'll look for the article.

Here is one: Lincoln Cars, SUVs, & Trucks - Consumer Reports

But that's not the one I found earlier.

If I look on the Consumer Reports site, it says I have to subscribe to see the current list (which I do not). But here is a reference to the CR list on Ford Authority.

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[markfm]

If I look on the Consumer Reports site, it says I have to subscribe to see the current list (which I do not). But here is a reference to the CR list on Ford Authority.

 

[A Charles 9920]

The article I read was by CR but not IN their website. I'll look for it again but it really does not matter that much. I have always been suspicious of these "evaluations". CR has rarely had anything good to say about Ford (Lincoln) products. During my years at Ford they bashed about every product made and I was driving about every product made as a company ride. Hundreds of vehicles (mostly anything that was not selling) and thousands of miles per year. Only had two issues. One was a 1985 Continental with the air suspension and the other was an Escort (1990's) with a failed $10 part that resulted in not starting.

 

[angore]

I would recommend evaluating the dealer as well. So many experiences are ruined by a poor dealer - getting appointments, no loaners, poor communication, etc.

 

[A Charles 9920]

Good point. I was giving the dealership a pass on this repair. They have been exceptionally courteous and attentive. However yesterday when I got my vehicle back they offered various tests results finding "no problem" and stating that the customer concerns could not be duplicated or did not exist at the time of service. I agreed as many were not showing up when it was taken to the dealership however the failure of the stop/start feature WAS not functioning. The service ticket suggested that they tested it and found no issues but then I learned that it was never driven off the lot. Immediately as I left the dealership and came to a stop light it did not "stop" running. At every stop on the way home it failed to function. I think this oversight probably point to a lack of service expertise. I found a very interesting youtube on this problem but with a Ford product. It is EXACTLY what I have been experiencing. I'll review it again shortly and post it as a new thread