Recall 18V806 covers 268 2019 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles for driver air bag cover detachment. Repair is free at any franchised Lincoln dealer.
Lincoln is recalling 268 2019 Nautilus SUVs because the plastic cover on the driver frontal air bag module can detach during air bag deployment. If the cover separates in a crash, injury risk increases, and Lincoln dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver frontal air bag module in the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus sits in the steering wheel and inflates toward the driver in a crash. Its plastic cover is designed to split along a molded tear seam so the bag opens in the intended direction. This recall covers Nautilus vehicles without Adaptive Front Steering.
On affected vehicles, the plastic cover was formed with knit lines in the wrong area of that tear seam. Knit lines are weak lines where flowing plastic met inside the mold during production. Because of that molding problem, the cover can detach during air bag deployment instead of opening cleanly.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is inside the molded air bag cover, so an owner is not expected to hear, feel, or see a symptom during normal driving.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Lincoln Nautilus | front air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 268 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2019 Lincoln Nautilus is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the driver air bag cover separates during deployment, pieces of the cover can increase injury risk in a crash. There is no warning sign before this happens, so confirm whether your 2019 Nautilus is included and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Lincoln dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Lincoln Nautilus is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Lincoln dealer to schedule the free driver air bag module replacement that addresses the plastic cover that can detach during air bag deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if Lincoln sent one. If you do not have it, reference recall number 18V806 when you call.
- Call Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332 with questions about the repair or dealer scheduling.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Lincoln technician replaces the driver air bag module covered by recall 18V806. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because that warranty provides a free repair for this concern. Ask the service desk how the warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| November 14, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 15, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| November 15, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 26, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 7, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V806?
Recall 18V806 covers 268 2019 Lincoln Nautilus vehicles without Adaptive Front Steering. The plastic cover on the driver frontal air bag module can detach during air bag deployment, increasing injury risk in a crash. Lincoln dealers will replace the driver air bag module for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Lincoln Nautilus is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V806. If it is, contact a franchised Lincoln dealer to schedule the driver air bag module replacement. Reference recall number 18V806 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to perform recall repairs at no cost to owners. For recall 18V806, a franchised Lincoln dealer will replace the driver air bag module free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury during a crash. If the driver air bag deploys and the plastic cover separates from the module, the separated cover can increase the risk of injury. The fix is a free driver air bag module replacement at a Lincoln dealer.
What if I bought my 2019 Lincoln Nautilus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Nautilus is included, then contact a franchised Lincoln dealer and reference recall number 18V806 when you schedule the repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V806000 |
|---|---|
| Lincoln customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V806 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V806000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →