Last updated: 2026-10-10
Lincoln vs Mazda: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Lincoln
3 models tracked
Mazda
7 models tracked
Mazda beats Lincoln on reliability, with a clear edge from lower repair costs and fewer recalls. Both hold a good standing. Lincoln draws fewer complaints per car sold, but its three SUVs cost much more to keep on the road than Mazda's seven models.
Is Lincoln More Reliable Than Mazda?
| Metric | Lincoln | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 66/100 | 75/100 |
| Models Tracked | 3 | 7 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 72 | 14 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 207 | 480 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $948/yr | $500/yr |
Lincoln vs Mazda: The Verdict
A clear edge goes to Mazda, and repair cost is the widest gap. Independent repair-cost data puts Lincoln near $948 a year and Mazda near $500. Federal recall records also favor Mazda, with 101 recalls against 217 for Lincoln, even though Mazda has more models on the road.
Lincoln does win one measure. Owners file 1.3 complaints per 1,000 sold, against 1.6 for Mazda. On how serious the complaints are, the two brands come out even. Mazda is also rated stronger on how problems spread across systems, and it holds the top-ranked model in the CX-5.
Where Lincoln and Mazda Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Lincoln | Mazda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 65/100Good | 66/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 62/100Good | 72/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 62/100Good | 84/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 80/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
The biggest gap is in recall impact, where Mazda scores 22 points higher. That single component does the most to separate these two makes.
Lincoln vs Mazda: Strengths and Weaknesses
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
Mazda
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (75/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($500/year avg)
- 6 of 7 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Lincoln and Mazda Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Lincoln
Mazda
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Lincoln or Mazda?
Based on independent repair cost data, Mazda is cheaper to maintain at an average of $500/year compared to $948/year for Lincoln. That's a difference of $448/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.
Lincoln Repair Cost Range
$807 – $1089/yr
Average: $948/yr
Mazda Repair Cost Range
$433 – $581/yr
Average: $500/yr
Lincoln vs Mazda Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Lincoln | Mazda | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(3 vs 5 models) | 66/100 | 70/100 | Mazda |
Mazda wins 1 out of 1 shared categories.
Common Problems: Lincoln vs Mazda
| Component | Lincoln | Mazda |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 8%40 | 27%760 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 23%116 | 16%440 |
| POWER TRAIN | 23%116 | 11%307 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 14%70 | 12%333 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3%13 | 6%179 |
| STEERING | 5%23 | 5%150 |
| STRUCTURE | 5%23 | 3%90 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0%2 | 4%110 |
| AIR BAGS | 1%4 | 4%105 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 6%32 | 0%5 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Lincoln vs Mazda Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Lincoln
15
Crash reports
7
Fire reports
12
Injury reports
Mazda
203
Crash reports
15
Fire reports
127
Injury reports
Every Lincoln and Mazda Model Ranked
Lincoln Models
Lincoln vs Mazda Reliability Trend by Year
Lincoln's reliability is improving — recent model years average 73/100, up from earlier years. Mazda's reliability has been stable.
| Model Year | Lincoln | Mazda | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 77/100(2) | 81/100(6) | Mazda |
| 2025 | 68/100(3) | 72/100(6) | Mazda |
| 2024 | 68/100(3) | 69/100(6) | Mazda |
| 2023 | 67/100(3) | 75/100(6) | Mazda |
| 2022 | 66/100(3) | 79/100(5) | Mazda |
| 2021 | 65/100(3) | 74/100(5) | Mazda |
| 2020 | 62/100(3) | 76/100(4) | Mazda |
| 2019 | 61/100(2) | 75/100(4) | Mazda |
| 2018 | 59/100(1) | 72/100(4) | Mazda |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Who Should Buy Lincoln vs Mazda?
If you want the lowest running costs, lean toward Mazda. Target a 2022 CX-5, which has few complaints and no recalls. Skip the 2018 CX-5, where cracked cylinder heads leak oil onto the exhaust and bring burning smells and fumes into the cabin. Be careful with the CX-90. The 2024 draws steering binding in long highway curves, and the plug-in hybrid has reported sudden power loss. The 2025 and 2026 look cleaner only because they are new.
If you are set on a Lincoln, all three models hold a good standing, with the Nautilus ranked first. Look for a 2023 Nautilus and avoid the 2019, where transmission shudder and blank instrument screens are the worries. A replacement transmission has been quoted at $7,000 to $9,000, so test how it shifts. For the Navigator, the 2024 is the year to buy. Stay away from 2018 and 2019, and check for hard shifts and a cold-start rattle.
The Bottom Line: Lincoln or Mazda?
Most used-car shoppers should start with Mazda. The 2022 CX-5 is the strongest single pick across both lineups, with an excellent standing. The repair gap adds up: about $448 a year, or roughly $2,240 over five years in Mazda's favor. Choose Lincoln only if you want its SUVs, and then buy a 2023 Nautilus or 2024 Navigator and have the transmission checked.
Lincoln vs Mazda: Common Questions
Is Lincoln more reliable than Mazda?
Which brand has more recalls, Lincoln or Mazda?
Is Lincoln or Mazda cheaper to repair?
What problems are most common on Lincoln and Mazda?
Which Lincoln or Mazda model years should I avoid?
Comparing Lincoln vs Mazda? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Related Make Comparisons
More Lincoln comparisons
How we score Lincoln and Mazda 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.