'24 Nautilus Hybrid Owners With > 800 Miles and No Engine Problems?

[Jacyte]

LBCChet, Probably a smart move waiting a year. Many of the issues that some -- not all -- 24 Nautilus owners are experiencing sound like deja vu from the launch and intro of the completely new 2020 MY Explorer and Aviator built at Chicago Assembly. Many and complex design, manufacturing and quality control problems. Many storage lots filled with "build and hold" SUVs. Many lemon law buy-backs of those that had been sold. A full court press resolved all those issues and subsequent model years have been much improved, like two different cars. The mild update of the 2023 MY Escape and Corsair at Louisville Assembly had a milder case due to a major software issue with the new Sync 4. From October 2022 Job 1 until April 2023, cars were not being shipped to dealers until the issue was resolved and implemented. At least that bug was discovered before any shipments had been released to dealers. New cars are becoming more and more computers on wheels. The Alphabet/Google designed Android Automotive OS is a major, and for me disappointing, change for Ford and Lincoln. First year buyers will have to live through the debugging and coming updates.

I agree about android automotive being a negative point for Ford/Lincoln. I expected it to be much worse than what it is though. So far the bugs are fairly minor. Android in general is not an ideal system for such an integral piece of a luxury vehicle. I look forward to the SDK release though so I can take advantage of the 1 thing Android is good at.... being made better by users.

 

[Houtex]

I think Google automotive is a great move by Ford/Lincoln. They can’t compete with these technology companies so why try? Having Google maps in the car always updated and easily understanding my requests is a big improvement over any car infotainment I’ve ever had. Many automotive companies are moving in this direction and will get a competitive advantage because of it. The ones that don’t will lag behind in technology. The infotainment system is the least of my worries and one of the reasons I wanted the 2024 Nautilus.

 

[Jacyte]

I think Google automotive is a great move by Ford/Lincoln. They can’t compete with these technology companies so why try? Having Google maps in the car always updated and easily understanding my requests is a big improvement over any car infotainment I’ve ever had. Many automotive companies are moving in this direction and will get a competitive advantage because of it. The ones that don’t will lag behind in technology. The infotainment system is the least of my worries and one of the reasons I wanted the 2024 Nautilus.

It was done solely for cost. developing and maintaining their own infotainment software was costing a lot and they decided to let Google do it for them. Problem is you get a generic, infamously buggy OS being tailored to use as a system for a luxury car vs a purpose built software suite that is fully controlled and maintained by Ford/Lincoln.

 

[markfm]

I'm happy seeing Lincoln using an Android-based infotainment OS compared to Toyota/Lexus with their own in-house infotainment ownership.

The Gen 5 RX was out for a year before the first update came out, and reports are that people still find it really clunky, a few known bugs fixed, multiple not, and it seems like a few new bugs have popped up post-update.

On the engine front:
It looks like the '23 China Nautilus Hybrid maybe had a different engine setup/tuning than US, as it reports engine maximum power 207 KW (278 HP), and 407 N-M (300 lb-ft) torque.

The torque value is at least pretty close (300 lb-ft vs. 295 US) , but the HP rating (278 HP vs. 300 US, or 310 combined US) isn't the same. https://www.lincoln.com.cn/content/...autilus-Spec-1114.pdf?intcmp=vhp-return-model

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[Kmen]

My Nautilus, built 11/5 and delivered 2/28 now has 2,482 miles with no hybrid issues or error messages. Average mpg since delivery is 31.7. I really appreciate the instant extra torque that is available at any speed without downshifts. This power train is so smooth!

 

[JR Sunhel]

Coming to about 800 miles... not a single issue power-train wise. Your usual software nit-picks. Took delivery March 9th.

 

[Jacyte]

I'm happy seeing Lincoln using an Android-based infotainment OS compared to Toyota/Lexus with their own in-house infotainment ownership.

The Gen 5 RX was out for a year before the first update came out, and reports are that people still find it really clunky, a few known bugs fixed, multiple not, and it seems like a few new bugs have popped up post-update.

On the engine front:
It looks like the '23 China Nautilus Hybrid maybe had a different engine setup/tuning than US, as it reports engine maximum power 207 KW (278 HP), and 407 N-M (300 lb-ft) torque.

The torque value is at least pretty close (300 lb-ft vs. 295 US) , but the HP rating (278 HP vs. 300 US, or 310 combined US) isn't the same. https://www.lincoln.com.cn/content/...autilus-Spec-1114.pdf?intcmp=vhp-return-model

Chinese version has a gas particulate filter and likely more emission based tuning. It’s likely mechanically identical otherwise.
As for the OS. Fords sync4 was generally more stable but was also riddled with bugs. Android auto has its benefits for sure but is a very non premium solution for a premium vehicle. In the end Ford was unable to polish sync and even the sync clone UI for Android auto might be the source of most of the issues. It would have been best if they had found a better way to provide a fitting infotainment system. I feel it is still superior to most though.

 

[agogley]

The Ford North American chief already announced the Active Park Assist will be dropped as their data shows it is very rarely used. Ford has already deleted the engine covers on all models and engines (subject of another thread on this forum). Ford is also dropping the keyless entry keypad on multiple models, which has a been a unique Ford distinguishing feature for a long time. The 23 Nautilus deleted one of the 12V power points. The 24 Nautilus no longer has the lighted front door threshold. All manufacturers, not just Ford, develop a list of "cost reductions" to improve margins. Common industry practice. At the same time, other teams work on fixing and implementing solutions to problems experienced.

The keypad is one the features that made me prefer Lincoln. I use it all the time on my F150. But I guess that phone as a key probably alleviates some of the use.

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[agogley]

I’ve got almost 3k. No issues I know of.

 

[JMAB]

The keypad is one the features that made me prefer Lincoln. I use it all the time on my F150. But I guess that phone as a key probably alleviates some of the use.

Ditto, I love having the integrated keypad as a secondary quick and secure option when you need to get in the locked car and don’t want to go all the way back to where the fob or phone are.

I setup the phone as a key option with our 22 Nautilus and it was slow but worked. Only kept it on for a couple of months, after reading an article about the additional known risks of access to the car via server hack. Small but enough to make me weigh the value of each option and was caring a fob all that terrible so that I could access or secure my vehicle? This is not judgement, just my experience with this option and what made me most comfortable and confident.

Either way, back to the point, it is great to have more than one choice to access and having three choices is even better

 

[agogley]

Ditto, I love having the integrated keypad as a secondary quick and secure option when you need to get in the locked car and don’t want to go all the way back to where the fob or phone are.

I setup the phone as a key option with our 22 Nautilus and it was slow but worked. Only kept it on for a couple of months, after reading an article about the additional known risks of access to the car via server hack. Small but enough to make me weigh the value of each option and was caring a fob all that terrible so that I could access or secure my vehicle? This is not judgement, just my experience with this option and what made me most comfortable and confident.

Either way, back to the point, it is great to have more than one choice to access and having three choices is even better

My problem is that I lock my keyfob in the car when I go running or go to Disney, etc so I don’t have to carry it. My kids also like to unlock it. The app works so-so, IMO. I’ve not set it up on my Apple Watch but much prefer keypad.

My F150 has a console safe.

 

[markfm]

The keypad is one the features that made me prefer Lincoln. I use it all the time on my F150. But I guess that phone as a key probably alleviates some of the use.

Phone as a key has one huge issue, unless Lincoln does something different - you need cellular connectivity as the phone app actually connects to backend servers that then send the commands back over cellular to the vehicle.

For those of us who go to places without good cell service it is useless. The keypad capability is a big positive for that case, say if you're going hiking, running, water sports and really don't want to carry the fob.

The other basic problem is that at least other makes have had real problems with digital key type functionality, buggy.

Edit: it looks like Lincoln's implementation will work directly via Bluetooth - good.

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[agogley]

It was my understanding that Lincoln made it so it uses Bluetooth to provide a connection in situations when there is no Wi-Fi or cell network available. I may test that with airplane mode.

I wonder why they can’t use NFC.

 

[hinckley]

It was my understanding that Lincoln made it so it uses Bluetooth to provide a connection in situations when there is no Wi-Fi or cell network available. I may test that with airplane mode.

That's correct,

 

[hinckley]

The keypad is one the features that made me prefer Lincoln. I use it all the time on my F150. But I guess that phone as a key probably alleviates some of the use.

I use Phone as Key all the time to unlock and start the car but I use the keypad's lock button to lock the car. Other than the app, is there another way to lock the car when using Phone as Key?

 

[Sharbotcom]

I use Phone as Key all the time to unlock and start the car but I use the keypad's lock button to lock the car. Other than the app, is there another way to lock the car when using Phone as Key?

If you are using PaaK (or simply don't have your keyfob or phone) and you want to lock the vehicle when you exit, you simply simultaneously press and hold the 7/8 and 9/0 on the pillar keypad.

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[hinckley]

If you are using PaaK (or simply don't have your keyfob or phone) and you want to lock the vehicle when you exit, you simply simultaneously press and hold the 7/8 and 9/0 on the pillar keypad.

Yes, I knew that, but thank you. What I did not clearly ask is, if Ford is eliminating the keypad, how will we lock the car if using Phone as a Key.

 

[Houtex]

The keypad is one the features that made me prefer Lincoln. I use it all the time on my F150. But I guess that phone as a key probably alleviates some of the use.

I like having the keypad too, but beware that these keypads can fail. On my 2017 MKZ the keypad would light up when you opened the doors with FOB etc, but it stopped lighting up to the touch. I don’t know when it started but I noticed it this year. That’s one reason I’m not crazy about having to lock the car with the keypad and not having a physical button to do so.

 

[markfm]

I like having the keypad too, but beware that these keypads can fail. On my 2017 MKZ the keypad would light up when you opened the doors with FOB etc, but it stopped lighting up to the touch. I don’t know when it started but I noticed it this year. That’s one reason I’m not crazy about having to lock the car with the keypad and not having a physical button to do so.

Did it just stop lighting, but otherwise work (meaning pressing the combination unlocked it, and it still worked to lock the vehicle), or was it fully dead (no unlock/lock via the keypad, had to use the fob)? Thanks!

 

[Houtex]

Did it just stop lighting, but otherwise work (meaning pressing the combination unlocked it, and it still worked to lock the vehicle), or was it fully dead (no unlock/lock via the keypad, had to use the fob)? Thanks!

It stopped working as far as I can tell. If it doesn’t light up you can’t really see the numbers, but it did light up anytime you unlocked with the key fob. I spoke to the Lincoln service department and they said it does happen sometimes but is rare. In any case, I traded in the MKZ for the Nautilus, so it’s their problem now. The car also had the issue that the app no longer worked because the modem in the car was 3g. The upgrade to 4g would cost somewhere between 700 or 800 dollars.