Lincoln MKX, Nautilus Seat Wiring May Affect Airbag

NHTSA campaign 20V414000 · Reported Jul 17, 2020 · Ford Motor Company

high How serious is it? About this label

Damaged wiring can cause the airbag to go off unexpectedly, which raises the risk of a crash, or to not deploy during a crash, which raises the risk of injury. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.

Key facts

NHTSA campaign number	20V414000
Reported to NHTSA	Jul 17, 2020
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Part affected	Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust
Vehicles covered	3 model/year combinations, model years 2018–2020
Do-not-drive advisory	No
Park-outside advisory	No
Repair	Free at any franchised dealer

What's wrong, in plain English

In certain Lincoln MKX and Nautilus vehicles with 16-way power tilt seats, the edge of the seat cushion frame can rub against the seat's wire harness when the tilt function is used. This may damage the wires, which can cause the airbag to deploy when it shouldn't, or fail to deploy in a crash.

What you should do

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2. Contact a Ford/Lincoln dealer to have protective tape installed and the wire harness inspected and repaired if needed; call 1-866-436-7332.
3. The repair is free.

Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?

Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 20V414000. More in how recalls work.

Affected vehicles (3)

2018 Lincoln MKX
2019 Lincoln Nautilus
2020 Lincoln Nautilus

Who to contact

Lincoln — official Lincoln recall lookup

Customer service: 1-866-436-7332

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Lincoln seat recalls involving unexpected movement and weakened seat structures · all 10 Lincoln recalls in this area

Other Lincoln Nautilus recalls

Jun 9, 2026Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus, Navigator Instrument Cluster Blankhigh
Jun 9, 2026Lincoln Nautilus Lane Assist May Miss Hands-Off Alerthigh
Mar 19, 2026Ford Explorer and Lincoln Models Camera and ADAS Lossmedium
Mar 3, 2026Ford Explorer, Mustang, Nautilus EGR Valve Failurehigh
Aug 8, 2025Ford Mustang, Lincoln Nautilus Headlights May Failhigh
Aug 8, 2025Lincoln Nautilus Power Windows May Pinch Occupantsmedium

All 23 Nautilus recalls

Official notice

Component: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
Summary: Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more wires within the harness, which can result in either inadvertent deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Safety risk: An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.