Last updated: 2026-10-10

Land Rover vs Lincoln: Which Make Is More Reliable?

Lincoln comes out ahead of Land Rover on reliability, with fewer complaints per vehicle sold and less severe ones. Land Rover wins only on recalls. Both lineups show an improving recent trend, and electrical faults top the complaint list for each brand.

Is Land Rover More Reliable Than Lincoln?

MetricLand RoverLincoln
Avg Reliability Score58/10066/100
Models Tracked23
Avg Recalls per Model10072
Avg Complaints per Model472207

Land Rover Models

2 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Lincoln Models

3 models ranked by reliability

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Land Rover vs Lincoln: The Verdict

A clear edge goes to Lincoln. Owners filed 1.3 complaints per 1,000 sold, against 4.2 for Land Rover, and Lincoln has fewer complaints involving crashes, fires and injuries. Independent repair-cost data also favors Lincoln.

Land Rover is stronger on recall impact, though the raw counts are close at 200 against 217. Electrical trouble leads both complaint lists, so the spread of problems is even. The bigger split is by model. All three Lincolns hold a good standing, while the Range Rover Sport sits at mixed and well below average among sedans. The Defender 110 is the one Land Rover that matches Lincoln's standing.

Where Land Rover and Lincoln Differ Most

ComponentWeightLand RoverLincoln
Complaint Severity

Owner complaints weighted by component severity

35%
50/100Mixed
65/100Good
Repair Costs

Annual maintenance and repair expenses

30%
40/100Mixed
62/100Good
Recall Impact

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

20%
64/100Good
62/100Good
Issue Diversity

How many different systems have reported problems

15%
79/100Good
80/100Excellent

Lincoln's advantage in repair costs (+22 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 (58/100 average)
  • Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
  • Reliability trending upward in recent model years

Lincoln

Strengths

  • Above-average reliability (66/100 average)
  • Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
  • Reliability trending upward in recent model years
  • 3 of 3 models rated Good or Excellent
  • Below-average repair frequency

Weaknesses

  • High maintenance costs ($948/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 3 models)60/10066/100Lincoln

Lincoln wins 1 out of 1 shared categories.

Common Problems: Land Rover vs Lincoln

ComponentLand RoverLincoln
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM29%24423%116
POWER TRAIN12%9923%116
UNKNOWN OR OTHER12%10014%70
ENGINE8%708%40
VISIBILITY/WIPER11%941%6
STEERING8%665%23
STRUCTURE4%305%23
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4%351%4
BACK OVER PREVENTION0%26%32
SEAT BELTS1%53%17

Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.

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

Land Rover

33

Crash reports

17

Fire reports

42

Injury reports

Lincoln

15

Crash reports

7

Fire reports

12

Injury reports

Every Land Rover and Lincoln Model Ranked

Land Rover vs Lincoln Reliability Trend by Year

Land Rover's reliability is improving — recent model years average 67/100, up from earlier years. Lincoln's reliability is improving — recent model years average 73/100.

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

Model YearLand RoverLincolnEdge
202670/100(2)77/100(2)Lincoln
202564/100(2)68/100(3)Lincoln
202464/100(2)68/100(3)Lincoln
202355/100(2)67/100(3)Lincoln
202256/100(2)66/100(3)Lincoln
202156/100(2)65/100(3)Lincoln
202042/100(1)62/100(3)Lincoln
201956/100(1)61/100(2)Lincoln
201847/100(1)59/100(1)Lincoln

Models tracked per year in parentheses.

Who Should Buy Land Rover vs Lincoln?

If you want the lower-risk purchase, lean Lincoln. The Nautilus is the pick, and the 2023 is the better year, with few complaints for the number sold. Skip the 2019, and test how any used Nautilus shifts, because a replacement transmission has been quoted at $7,000 to $9,000. The Navigator suits you if you need a large SUV. Buy the 2024 and avoid 2018 and 2019. Listen for a cold-start rattle and feel for slamming shifts.

Look at Land Rover only if the Defender 110 is what you want. Favor the 2024, which draws far fewer complaints than 2022 or 2023. Ask whether the DC/DC converter has failed, and check the windshield for cracks. The 2025 and 2026 cars are too new to judge. Steer clear of the Range Rover Sport, especially 2018 and 2020. Frozen screens can take climate and backup camera controls with them, and coolant pipes near the supercharger can split.

The Bottom Line: Land Rover or Lincoln?

For most used-car shoppers, Lincoln is the safer buy. The single strongest model across both lineups is the Lincoln Nautilus, ideally a 2023. Lincoln repairs average $948 a year across its models, and the Navigator sits at the high end at $1,089. Land Rover is worth a look only as a 2024 Defender 110.

Land Rover vs Lincoln: Common Questions

Is Land Rover more reliable than Lincoln?
No. Lincoln holds a good reliability standing and has a clear edge overall. Owners report 1.3 complaints per 1,000 sold for Lincoln against 4.2 for Land Rover. Lincoln is also stronger on complaint severity and repair costs. Land Rover is stronger only on recall impact.
Which brand has more recalls, Land Rover or Lincoln?
Lincoln has slightly more, with 217 recalls in federal records against 200 for Land Rover. That is why Land Rover is rated stronger on recall impact. The gap is small, and Lincoln has three tracked models to Land Rover's two.
Which is cheaper to repair, Land Rover or Lincoln?
Lincoln is rated stronger on repair costs. Independent data puts the average at $948 a year, with models ranging from $807 to $1,089. The Navigator sits at the top of that range. Land Rover comes out weaker on this measure.
What goes wrong most often on Land Rovers and Lincolns?
Electrical problems lead for both brands. They make up 29% of Land Rover complaints and 23% of Lincoln complaints. Lincoln owners also report power train trouble at the same share, while Land Rover owners report power train and wiper or visibility issues.
Which Lincoln and Land Rover models should I avoid?
Avoid the 2019 Nautilus and the 2018 and 2019 Navigator. On the Land Rover side, avoid the 2018 and 2020 Range Rover Sport, which draw the most serious complaints. The Defender 110 from 2025 and 2026 is too new to judge.

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 score Land Rover and Lincoln models

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.