Is the Buick Envision more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator?

Based on our data, the Buick Envision is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 64/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Buick Envision or the Lincoln Aviator?

The Lincoln Aviator has more recalls (116) compared to the Buick Envision (6). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Buick Envision or the Lincoln Aviator?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Envision has a lower complaint rate at 4.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 15.7 for the Lincoln Aviator. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Envision or the Lincoln Aviator?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Buick Envision is cheaper to maintain at $573/year versus $807/year for the Lincoln Aviator.

Is the Buick Envision or Lincoln Aviator safer?

Both the Buick Envision and Lincoln Aviator received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Buick Envision vs Lincoln Aviator: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Buick Envision

Good

Lincoln Aviator

Good

Choosing between the Buick Envision and the Lincoln Aviator? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Buick Envision currently leads with an average score of 77/100 compared to 64/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Buick Envision and Lincoln Aviator Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Lincoln Aviator is in its second generation, which began in 2020. The model received a facelift in 2025, indicating it is now in a more mature phase of its cycle. This typically means that earlier issues have been addressed, potentially enhancing reliability. In contrast, the Buick Envision is also in its second generation, launched in 2021 with a refresh in 2024. The Envision is mid-cycle, which often means it benefits from the refinement of any initial problems. Generally, mature platforms like the Aviator's are often more reliable, while vehicles early in their cycle, like the Envision's earlier years, may exhibit first-year issues.

Verdict

The Buick Envision is more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator, scoring 77/100 vs 64/100.

The Buick Envision outperforms the Lincoln Aviator in reliability, evidenced by its higher average reliability score of 79/100 compared to the Aviator's 64/100. With just 6 recalls over 9 years and a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 0.9 per 10,000 sold, the Envision demonstrates a more dependable track record than the Aviator, which has 116 recalls across 6 years and 15.7 complaints per 10,000 sold. Furthermore, the Envision has a lower estimated annual repair cost of $573, compared to the Aviator's $807, making it a more cost-effective choice for long-term ownership. The Aviator's frequent issues in multiple areas such as electrical systems and power trains further underscore the Envision's superior reliability.

Key Differences

1Buick Envision costs $234 less per year to repair
2Buick Envision has 110 fewer total recalls
3Buick Envision scores 13 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

5Buick Envision

—

0Lincoln Aviator

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencySafety Rating

Buick Envision vs Lincoln Aviator: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Envision vs Lincoln Aviator at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Buick Envision	Lincoln Aviator
Reliability Score	77/100	64/100
Years Tracked	9	6
Total Recalls	6	116
Complaints per 10k Sold	4.9	15.7
Annual Repair Cost	$573/yr	$807/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.6/yr
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	6	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Envision and Lincoln Aviator?

The Lincoln Aviator and Buick Envision exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Aviator showing a higher total complaint volume, particularly in the electrical system category with 54 complaints compared to the Envision's 14. The Aviator also faces notable issues in the unknown or other and power train categories. While the Aviator has crash-linked complaints in back over prevention and engine systems, the Envision's crash-linked concerns are concentrated in the air bags, with three incidents reported. Additionally, the Aviator has a broader range of issues across categories like structure and fuel system, whereas the Envision's complaints are relatively more contained, with fewer categories exceeding a moderate complaint count.

Buick Envision vs Lincoln Aviator common problem areas comparison
Component	Buick Envision	Lincoln Aviator
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.9Very Low	3.9Average
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.4Very Low	2Low
POWER TRAIN	0.6Very Low	1.5Low
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	0.9Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.1Very Low	1.2Low
STRUCTURE	—None	1.1Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.5Very Low	0.4Very Low
STEERING	0.3Very Low	0.3Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.4Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.3Very Low	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.3Very Low
TIRES	0.2Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.2Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	0.1Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick Envision or Lincoln Aviator?

The Lincoln Aviator incurs an annual repair cost of $807, which is $234 more than the Buick Envision's $573. Over five years, this difference amounts to $1,170. The Aviator also requires more frequent repairs, with 0.6 visits per year compared to the Envision's 0.4 visits. This suggests that the Envision not only costs less to maintain annually but also demands less frequent attention, translating to potential savings in time and inconvenience. For cost-conscious buyers, the Buick Envision presents a better value, offering lower repair costs and fewer trips to the mechanic. This makes it a more economical choice for those prioritizing long-term affordability in vehicle ownership.

How Does Buick Envision vs Lincoln Aviator Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Envision vs Lincoln Aviator year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Buick Envision	Lincoln Aviator	Edge
2025	82/1000R / 7C	68/10014R / 13C	Buick Envision
2024	76/1001R / 10C	70/1008R / 5C	Buick Envision
2023	76/1001R / 22C	66/10016R / 21C	Buick Envision
2022	75/1001R / 23C	63/10021R / 43C	Buick Envision
2021	74/1002R / 23C	62/10028R / 38C	Buick Envision
2020	78/1000R / 10C	57/10029R / 99C	Buick Envision

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Buick Envision scored 82/100 and the 2024 Lincoln Aviator scored 70/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Envision vs the Lincoln Aviator?

If you prioritize reliability and lower long-term costs, the Buick Envision is a solid choice. With a reliability score of 79/100, the Envision outperforms the Lincoln Aviator's 64/100. It also has significantly fewer recalls, with only 6 compared to the Aviator's 116, and a remarkably low owner complaint rate of 0.9 per 10,000 sold. The estimated annual repair cost for the Envision is $573, which is more economical than the Aviator's $807. On the other hand, if you are drawn to the Lincoln Aviator for its features and are willing to accept a higher potential for issues, it could still be a viable option. However, be prepared for more frequent repairs, with a frequency of 0.6 per year and a higher incidence of problems related to the electrical system and power train among others. Consider this model if you value its specific offerings despite its lower reliability metrics.

Buick Envision vs Lincoln Aviator: Common Questions

Is the Buick Envision more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator?: Based on our data, the Buick Envision is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 64/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Buick Envision or the Lincoln Aviator?: The Lincoln Aviator has more recalls (116) compared to the Buick Envision (6). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Buick Envision or the Lincoln Aviator?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Buick Envision has a lower complaint rate at 4.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 15.7 for the Lincoln Aviator. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Envision or the Lincoln Aviator?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Buick Envision is cheaper to maintain at $573/year versus $807/year for the Lincoln Aviator.
Is the Buick Envision or Lincoln Aviator safer?: Both the Buick Envision and Lincoln Aviator received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

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Decided between Buick Envision and Lincoln Aviator? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases via vehicles.dev. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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