Is the Acura MDX more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator?

Yes, the MDX has a clear edge. It drew 6.7 owner complaints per 10,000 sold against 15.7 for the Aviator. Its estimated annual repair cost is lower, and it makes fewer unscheduled shop visits. Both models still stand as good.

Which has more recalls, the MDX or the Aviator?

The Aviator has far more. Federal recall records show 116 recalls across its six model years, while the MDX has 31 across eight. Owners of both report waiting on repair parts, so check that any open recall work is finished before you buy.

Which costs less to repair, the MDX or the Aviator?

The MDX costs less. Independent repair-cost data puts it at $571 a year against $807 for the Aviator. Over five years that is roughly $1,180 saved. The MDX also averages 0.4 unscheduled shop visits a year, compared with 0.6.

What is the biggest problem with the Acura MDX?

Engine trouble from worn connecting rod bearings is the most serious. Owners report stalling, hesitation, and check engine lights before the engine fails. Some also describe a pause and lurch when pulling away from a stop, and random alarms that drain the battery.

What goes wrong with the Lincoln Aviator rear camera?

Owners say the image flickers, distorts, or goes blank while reversing, and it can get worse over time. Some replacement cameras did not fix it. Back over prevention complaints include two crash-linked reports. Test the camera before you buy.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Acura MDX vs Lincoln Aviator: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Acura MDX

Good

Lincoln Aviator

Good

The Acura MDX comes out ahead of the Lincoln Aviator on reliability by a clear margin. Owners filed far fewer complaints per vehicle sold, and the Acura costs less to repair and has far fewer recalls. Each model stands as good, but the Aviator has the heavier record of problems.

How Do the Acura MDX and Lincoln Aviator Generations Compare?

Late-cycle age explains the MDX's weak years. The third generation ran from 2014 to 2020, so 2019 and 2020 sit at the end of that run and rank weakest. The fourth generation began in 2022 and received a facelift for 2025. The year 2023 is among the strongest. The year 2026 also ranks strong, but it is new and has had little time to collect complaints. The Aviator is in its second generation, which began in 2020 and received a facelift for 2025. Early cars from 2020 and 2021 are the weakest. The 2024 and 2025 years rank strongest, partly because they have spent less time on the road.

Verdict

The Acura MDX is more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator, scoring 72/100 vs 64/100.

A clear edge goes to the Acura MDX. Owners filed fewer complaints per vehicle sold, 6.7 per 10,000 against 15.7 for the Lincoln Aviator. Independent repair-cost data also shows the Acura costs less to keep running and spends less time in the shop. The Aviator carries far more recalls, 116 against 31, across fewer model years. Each stands as good, but the MDX gets there with a lighter record.

Key Differences

1Acura MDX costs $236 less per year to repair
2Acura MDX has 85 fewer total recalls
3Acura MDX has 9.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

5Acura MDX

—

0Lincoln Aviator

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencySafety Rating

Acura MDX vs Lincoln Aviator: Which Is More Reliable?

Acura MDX vs Lincoln Aviator at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Acura MDX	Lincoln Aviator
Reliability Score	72/100	64/100
Years Tracked	8	6
Total Recalls	31	116
Complaints per 10k Sold	6.7	15.7
Annual Repair Cost	$571/yr	$807/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.6/yr
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	5	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Acura MDX and Lincoln Aviator?

Acura owners report a pause of a second or two when pulling away from a stop, followed by a lurch. They also report random alarms and battery drain while parked. The most serious MDX complaint is connecting rod bearing wear that can end in engine failure. Aviator owners describe a rear camera that flickers or goes blank while reversing, plug-in hybrids that die after short trips, and seized engines on nearly new cars. The Aviator's back over prevention area has crash-linked reports, and the MDX has none there. The MDX has crash-linked reports in its electrical, power train, and engine cooling areas.

Acura MDX vs Lincoln Aviator common problem areas comparison
Component	Acura MDX	Lincoln Aviator
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.1Low	3.9Average
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.5Very Low	2Low
POWER TRAIN	0.9Very Low	1.5Low
ENGINE	0.7Very Low	0.9Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	1.2Low
STRUCTURE	—None	1.1Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	0.4Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	0.4Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.6Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.3Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.4Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.3Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.3Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Acura MDX or Lincoln Aviator?

Repair bills favor the MDX at $571 a year against $807 for the Aviator. That gap is $236 a year, or about $1,180 over five years. The Acura also makes 0.4 unscheduled shop visits a year, compared with 0.6 for the Lincoln. The chance that an MDX repair is major is 8%. The data gives no matching figure for the Aviator.

How Does Acura MDX vs Lincoln Aviator Reliability Compare by Year?

Acura MDX vs Lincoln Aviator year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Acura MDX	Lincoln Aviator	Edge
2025	76/1002R / 32C	68/10014R / 13C	Acura MDX
2024	79/1001R / 30C	70/1008R / 5C	Acura MDX
2023	79/1001R / 29C	66/10016R / 21C	Acura MDX
2022	73/1001R / 90C	63/10021R / 43C	Acura MDX
2020	62/1007R / 188C	57/10029R / 99C	Acura MDX

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Acura MDX scored 79/100 and the 2024 Lincoln Aviator scored 70/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Acura MDX vs the Lincoln Aviator?

Pick the MDX if you want lower running costs and fewer unplanned shop trips. Target 2023, one of the strongest years, and avoid 2019 and 2020, the weakest. On a test drive, pull away from a stop and watch for the pause owners describe. Ask for service records covering engine bearing work, since engine failure is the worst reported problem. Choose the Aviator only if you accept higher repair costs and a heavier recall load. Favor 2024 or 2025, the strongest years, but remember newer years have had less time to collect complaints. Skip 2020 and 2021, the weakest. Test the rear camera while reversing, and confirm every recall repair is done, because owners report waiting on parts with no date given. If you are looking at a plug-in hybrid, ask about dead-battery events after short trips.

Acura MDX vs Lincoln Aviator: Common Questions

Is the Acura MDX more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator?: Yes, the MDX has a clear edge. It drew 6.7 owner complaints per 10,000 sold against 15.7 for the Aviator. Its estimated annual repair cost is lower, and it makes fewer unscheduled shop visits. Both models still stand as good.
Which has more recalls, the MDX or the Aviator?: The Aviator has far more. Federal recall records show 116 recalls across its six model years, while the MDX has 31 across eight. Owners of both report waiting on repair parts, so check that any open recall work is finished before you buy.
Which costs less to repair, the MDX or the Aviator?: The MDX costs less. Independent repair-cost data puts it at $571 a year against $807 for the Aviator. Over five years that is roughly $1,180 saved. The MDX also averages 0.4 unscheduled shop visits a year, compared with 0.6.
What is the biggest problem with the Acura MDX?: Engine trouble from worn connecting rod bearings is the most serious. Owners report stalling, hesitation, and check engine lights before the engine fails. Some also describe a pause and lurch when pulling away from a stop, and random alarms that drain the battery.
What goes wrong with the Lincoln Aviator rear camera?: Owners say the image flickers, distorts, or goes blank while reversing, and it can get worse over time. Some replacement cameras did not fix it. Back over prevention complaints include two crash-linked reports. Test the camera before you buy.

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How we score the Acura MDX and Lincoln Aviator

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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