Lincoln Years to Avoid by Model
Lincoln years to avoid: the 2008 MKX (253 complaints), 2020 Aviator (97 complaints), 2019 Nautilus (95 complaints), 2019 Navigator (68 complaints) and 2020 Corsair (59 complaints). All 6 Lincoln models we track have at least one avoid-rated year; the cleanest records include the 2010 Navigator and 2015 MKX. Based on 2,072 NHTSA owner complaints, rated model year by model year.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, recall campaigns & service bulletins · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
Lincoln years to avoid, model by model
| Model | Years to avoid | Best years | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Navigator | 20182019 | 200820102014 | 408 (2008–2025) |
| Lincoln MKX | 2008201120132016 | 20142015 | 1,102 (2008–2025) |
| Lincoln MKZ | 201320162017 | 20092010 | 0 (2009–2020) |
| Lincoln Aviator | 20202022 | — | 214 (2020–2025) |
| Lincoln Nautilus | 2019 | — | 195 (2019–2025) |
| Lincoln Corsair | 2020 | — | 153 (2020–2025) |
Verdicts are each model’s own, rated against that model’s history (see the methodology); counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
The worst year for each Lincoln model
2008 Lincoln MKX: 253 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2016 · Full MKX breakdown →
2020 Lincoln Aviator: 97 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2020 and 2022 · Full Aviator breakdown →
2019 Lincoln Nautilus: 95 NHTSA owner complaints · Full Nautilus breakdown →
2019 Lincoln Navigator: 68 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2018 and 2019 · Full Navigator breakdown →
2020 Lincoln Corsair: 59 NHTSA owner complaints · Full Corsair breakdown →
2017 Lincoln MKZ: 0 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2013, 2016 and 2017 · Full MKZ breakdown →
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Frequently asked questions
What Lincoln years should you avoid?
By model: Navigator 2018 and 2019; MKX 2008, 2011, 2013 and 2016; MKZ 2013, 2016 and 2017; Aviator 2020 and 2022; Nautilus 2019; Corsair 2020. Each verdict matches that model's own years-to-avoid page, built from NHTSA owner-complaint and recall records.
What are the best Lincoln years to buy?
The cleanest federal records by model: Navigator 2008, 2010 and 2014; MKX 2014 and 2015; MKZ 2009 and 2010.
Which Lincoln model has the most years to avoid?
The Lincoln MKX, with 4 avoid-rated model years (2008, 2011, 2013 and 2016) across 18 years on record (2008–2025).
How are Lincoln years to avoid rated?
Each model year's NHTSA owner complaints are weighted for severity, converted to a rate per year on the road, compared with the rest of that model's own history and adjusted for recalls. Models not yet scored that way are ranked by combined NHTSA complaint and manufacturer service-bulletin volume. Full method at /research/years-to-avoid/methodology.
Where does the Lincoln data come from?
Federal records: 2,072 NHTSA owner complaints across 6 Lincoln models, plus NHTSA recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins filed with NHTSA. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.