Last updated: 2026-05-15

Land Rover vs Lincoln: Which Make Is More Reliable?

Comparing Land Rover and Lincoln on reliability? This page compares their scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs across every model we track.

Lincoln currently leads with an average score of 61/100 compared to 56/100. Scroll down for the full breakdown.

Is Land Rover More Reliable Than Lincoln?

MetricLand RoverLincoln
Avg Reliability Score56/10061/100
Models Tracked21
Avg Recalls per Model9966
Avg Complaints per Model472195

Land Rover Models

2 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Lincoln Models

1 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Land Rover vs Lincoln: The Verdict

The numbers favor Lincoln here, but Land Rover isn't far behind. We scored 3 models between the two makes: Land Rover at 56/100 and Lincoln at 61/100, based on recalls, complaint severity, repair costs, and issue diversity.

Where Land Rover and Lincoln Differ Most

Our reliability score is built from four weighted components. Here's how each make performs in each area:

ComponentWeightLand RoverLincoln
Complaint Severity

Owner complaints weighted by component severity

35%
50/100Mixed
64/100Good
Repair Costs

Annual maintenance and repair expenses

30%
40/100Mixed
50/100Mixed
Recall Impact

Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside)

20%
61/100Good
60/100Good
Issue Diversity

How many different systems have reported problems

15%
79/100Good
79/100Good

Lincoln's advantage in complaint severity (+14 points) is the main driver of the overall score difference between these makes.

Land Rover vs Lincoln: Strengths and Weaknesses

Land Rover

Strengths

  • Above-average reliability (56/100 average)
  • Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
  • Reliability trending upward in recent model years

Lincoln

Strengths

  • Above-average reliability (61/100 average)
  • Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
  • Reliability trending upward in recent model years
  • Below-average repair frequency

Weaknesses

  • High maintenance costs ($1089/year avg)
  • Above-average repair severity when issues occur

Land Rover vs Lincoln Reliability by Vehicle Type

How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:

CategoryLand RoverLincolnWinner
SUVs(1 vs 1 models)60/10061/100Lincoln

Lincoln wins 1 out of 1 shared categories.

Common Problems: Land Rover vs Lincoln

Top complaint categories from NHTSA owner reports, showing what drivers report most frequently for each make:

ComponentLand RoverLincoln
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30%24419%28
POWER TRAIN12%9930%45
UNKNOWN OR OTHER12%10011%17
ENGINE8%7013%20
VISIBILITY/WIPER10%862%3
STEERING8%667%10
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4%30
STRUCTURE3%26
SUSPENSION2%183%5
SEAT BELTS0%28%12

Percentage of total complaints. Raw complaint count shown below. Based on NHTSA owner reports across all tracked model years.

Land Rover vs Lincoln Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries

Across all tracked models, Land Rover owners reported 32 crash-related, 17 fire-related, and 41 injury-related complaints to NHTSA. Lincoln owners reported 5 crash-related, 5 fire-related, and 6 injury-related complaints. Lincoln has fewer severe incident reports overall. These counts reflect owner-reported incidents and don't establish causation — but they're a useful signal for comparing safety profiles.

Land Rover

32

Crash reports

17

Fire reports

41

Injury reports

Lincoln

5

Crash reports

5

Fire reports

6

Injury reports

Every Land Rover and Lincoln Model Ranked

All tracked models ranked by average reliability score. Click any model for detailed year-by-year data.

Land Rover vs Lincoln Reliability Trend by Year

Average reliability score for each model year, showing how quality has trended over time:

Land Rover's reliability is improving — recent model years average 64/100, up from earlier years. Lincoln's reliability is improving — recent model years average 64/100.

Interestingly, both Land Rover and Lincoln show improving reliability trends recently.

Model YearLand RoverLincolnEdge
202564/100(2)64/100(1)Tie
202464/100(2)64/100(1)Tie
202355/100(2)63/100(1)Lincoln
202256/100(2)61/100(1)Lincoln
202156/100(2)60/100(1)Lincoln
202042/100(1)60/100(1)Lincoln
201956/100(1)59/100(1)Lincoln
201847/100(1)59/100(1)Lincoln

Number in parentheses = models tracked for that year. Scores are averages across all tracked models.

The Bottom Line: Land Rover or Lincoln?

Lincoln has the edge, but don't let a modest score gap override other factors like price, features, and dealer experience.

If you want the single most reliable option: the Lincoln Navigator leads both lineups with a score of 61/100.

All scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data combined with independent repair cost databases. Check individual model pages for year-specific reliability data before making a final decision.

Land Rover vs Lincoln: Common Questions

Is Land Rover more reliable than Lincoln?
Based on our data, Lincoln is more reliable overall with an average reliability score of 61/100 compared to 56/100. The difference is modest, so both makes are reasonable choices.
Which make has more recalls, Land Rover or Lincoln?
On a per-model average, Land Rover has more recalls (~99 per model) compared to Lincoln (~66 per model). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — many are minor or preventative.
What are the most reliable models from Land Rover and Lincoln?
The most reliable Land Rover model is the Defender 110 (avg score: 60/100), while the most reliable Lincoln model is the Navigator (avg score: 61/100).
What are the most common problems with Land Rover and Lincoln vehicles?
The most frequently reported issue for Land Rover is electrical system (30% of complaints), while for Lincoln it's power train (30% of complaints). These are based on NHTSA owner complaint data across all tracked models.
How many Land Rover and Lincoln models does Auto Reliability Index track?
We track 2 Land Rover models across 8 model years and 1 Lincoln models across 8 model years. Scores are based on NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and independent repair cost data.
Which make has fewer owner complaints, Land Rover or Lincoln?
On a per-model average, Lincoln has fewer owner complaints (~195 per model) compared to Land Rover (~472 per model). Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Are Land Rover and Lincoln getting more or less reliable?
Based on recent model year data, Land Rover reliability is improving while Lincoln reliability is improving. We compare average scores across the most recent 3 model years to determine the trend direction.
Which is better for a first-time car buyer, Land Rover or Lincoln?
For first-time buyers prioritizing reliability, Lincoln has a slight edge with its higher average score. However, specific model choice matters more than make — check individual model pages for the best options in your budget and vehicle type.
Which make has fewer safety-related complaints, Land Rover or Lincoln?
Lincoln has fewer owner-reported crashes, fires, and injuries in our database. Land Rover has 32 crash reports, 17 fire reports, and 41 injury reports. Lincoln has 5 crash, 5 fire, and 6 injury reports. Note that complaint volume correlates with sales volume.

Comparing Land Rover vs Lincoln? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle 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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

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

3

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.

4

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. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.