Are Lincolns Reliable? Lincoln Reliability by Model
Across the 5 most-documented Lincoln models, CarWhere's analysis of 2,072 NHTSA complaints finds 5 carry at least one model year to avoid; none is entirely free of a flagged year, with the Navigator carrying the fewest. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume. Data as of July 2026.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall campaigns · Data as of July 2026 · How we rate model years
2,072 NHTSA complaints
model years flagged on federal data
every model carries at least one
What Lincoln owners report most
The vehicle systems drawing the most federal service-bulletin activity across the 5 Lincoln models we analyze — a signal of where problems concentrate.
Lincoln reliability by model
| Model | Complaints | Years to avoid | Best years | Worst year vs. its avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Navigator | 408 | 2018 and 2019 | 2008, 2010 and 2014 | 3× |
| Lincoln MKX | 1,102 | 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2016 | 2014 and 2015 | 2.7× |
| Lincoln Aviator | 214 | 2020 and 2022 | — | 2.1× |
| Lincoln Nautilus | 195 | 2019 | — | 3× |
| Lincoln Corsair | 153 | 2020 | — | 1.8× |
Counts are raw federal filings (NHTSA owner complaints), not adjusted for sales volume. A model year is flagged when its severity-weighted complaint rate is among the highest within that model's own history — never a comparison against other brands. Follow any model for its full year-by-year verdict. Full methodology.
Where Lincoln owners report the most trouble
Lincoln Navigator: 2 model years flagged to avoid (2018 and 2019) — the worst logged up to 3× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Lincoln Nautilus: 1 model year flagged to avoid (2019) — the worst logged up to 3× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
Lincoln MKX: 4 model years flagged to avoid (2008, 2011, 2013 and 2016) — the worst logged up to 2.7× the model's own average complaint rate. See the year-by-year verdict →
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FAQ
Are Lincolns reliable?
Lincoln reliability varies sharply by model and year, not by brand. Across the 5 most-documented Lincoln models, 5 carry at least one model year we flag to avoid on NHTSA complaint and recall data. No Lincoln model is entirely free of a flagged year; the Navigator carries the fewest. These are raw federal complaint counts, not adjusted for how many vehicles Lincoln sold, so they can't be read as a single cross-brand reliability score — use the per-model verdicts below.
What is the most reliable Lincoln?
Every Lincoln model we analyze carries at least one flagged year, but the Navigator has the fewest — the most best-rated years and lowest severity-weighted complaint rate in the lineup. Reliability comes down to the specific model year, so check the year-by-year verdict before buying.
Which Lincoln models have the most years to avoid?
The Lincoln models carrying the most flagged years are the Navigator (2 years flagged, worst up to 3× its own average), the Nautilus (1 year flagged, worst up to 3× its own average), the MKX (4 years flagged, worst up to 2.7× its own average). A flag means that model year has one of the highest severity-weighted complaint rates within that model's own history — it is not a comparison against other brands.
How do I check a specific Lincoln before buying?
Start with the free Lincoln window sticker lookup at carwhere.com/window-sticker/lincoln to confirm the exact trim and factory options, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for that VIN — it includes the recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for the exact model year plus a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & data notes
All figures are drawn from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Office of Defects Investigation — owner-filed complaints and recall campaigns — across the 5 most-documented Lincoln models and every model year on record for each. Retrieved July 2026. Counts are raw federal filings and are not adjusted for the number of vehicles sold or registered, so they cannot be read as a single cross-brand reliability ranking; each model year's verdict compares it only against the rest of that model's own history. Full scoring at the methodology page.