Last updated: 2026-10-10
Lincoln vs Nissan: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Lincoln
3 models tracked
Nissan
12 models tracked
Nissan comes out well ahead of Lincoln on reliability, mainly on cost. Both brands hold a good standing, but Nissan repairs run far cheaper. Lincoln's three SUVs are decent, yet they carry more recalls and higher upkeep.
Is Lincoln More Reliable Than Nissan?
| Metric | Lincoln | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 66/100 | 77/100 |
| Models Tracked | 3 | 12 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 72 | 14 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 207 | 531 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $948/yr | $523/yr |
Lincoln vs Nissan: The Verdict
The gap is large, and it favors Nissan. It is stronger on complaint severity, repair costs, recall impact, and how widely problems spread across systems. Independent repair-cost data puts Nissan at about $523 a year against $948 for Lincoln. Federal recall records show 217 recalls for Lincoln and 172 for Nissan, even though Lincoln has far fewer models.
Raw complaint totals look lopsided, but Nissan sells far more cars. Per 1,000 sold, the two sit close together, at 1 for Nissan and 1.3 for Lincoln. Both brands show an improving trend and a good standing, so Lincoln is not a bad buy. It is just the costlier one to own.
Where Lincoln and Nissan Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Lincoln | Nissan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 65/100Good | 67/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 62/100Good | 76/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 62/100Good | 85/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 80/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
Nissan's advantage in recall impact (+23 points) is the main driver of the overall score difference between these makes.
Lincoln vs Nissan: 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
Nissan
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (77/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($523/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 12 of 12 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 41 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Lincoln and Nissan Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Lincoln
Nissan
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Lincoln or Nissan?
Based on independent repair cost data, Nissan is cheaper to maintain at an average of $523/year compared to $948/year for Lincoln. That's a difference of $425/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.
Lincoln Repair Cost Range
$807 – $1089/yr
Average: $948/yr
Nissan Repair Cost Range
$456 – $748/yr
Average: $523/yr
Lincoln vs Nissan Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Lincoln | Nissan | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(3 vs 6 models) | 66/100 | 77/100 | Nissan |
Nissan wins 1 out of 1 shared categories.
Common Problems: Lincoln vs Nissan
| Component | Lincoln | Nissan |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 23%116 | 23%1,283 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 14%70 | 17%929 |
| POWER TRAIN | 23%116 | 11%609 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3%13 | 11%590 |
| ENGINE | 8%40 | 8%436 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0%2 | 6%342 |
| STEERING | 5%23 | 5%272 |
| AIR BAGS | 1%4 | 4%205 |
| STRUCTURE | 5%23 | 2%96 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 6%32 | 0%23 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Lincoln vs Nissan Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Lincoln
15
Crash reports
7
Fire reports
12
Injury reports
Nissan
331
Crash reports
41
Fire reports
268
Injury reports
Every Lincoln and Nissan Model Ranked
Lincoln Models
Nissan Models
Lincoln vs Nissan Reliability Trend by Year
Lincoln's reliability is improving — recent model years average 73/100, up from earlier years. Nissan's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100.
Interestingly, both Lincoln and Nissan show improving reliability trends recently.
| Model Year | Lincoln | Nissan | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 77/100(2) | 83/100(9) | Nissan |
| 2025 | 68/100(3) | 80/100(11) | Nissan |
| 2024 | 68/100(3) | 79/100(9) | Nissan |
| 2023 | 67/100(3) | 77/100(9) | Nissan |
| 2022 | 66/100(3) | 77/100(8) | Nissan |
| 2021 | 65/100(3) | 77/100(10) | Nissan |
| 2020 | 62/100(3) | 73/100(11) | Nissan |
| 2019 | 61/100(2) | 73/100(10) | Nissan |
| 2018 | 59/100(1) | 73/100(11) | Nissan |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Lincoln vs Nissan: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Lincoln and Nissan. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Lincoln vs Nissan?
If you want the lowest running costs, shop Nissan. The Frontier pickup and the Altima sedan rank near the top of the lineup. The Ariya is the top-ranked Nissan, but skip the 2023, where owners report sudden loss of drive power and a "Service EV System" warning. The 2024 draws far fewer complaints. With the Leaf, avoid 2019 and 2020 and look at the 2021, since battery trouble is the main worry.
If you want a luxury SUV and can absorb higher repair bills, Lincoln works. The Nautilus ranks first in the Lincoln lineup. Skip the 2019, and look at the 2023. Test how any used one shifts, because a replacement transmission has been quoted at $7,000 to $9,000. The Navigator is the priciest to keep, near $1,089 a year. Aim for the 2024 and pass on 2018 and 2019, which draw the most complaints.
The Bottom Line: Lincoln or Nissan?
For most used-car shoppers, Nissan is the safer and cheaper pick. The top-ranked model across both lineups is the Nissan Ariya, though only in 2024 form, not 2023. Repair costs favor Nissan by about $425 a year, which adds up to roughly $2,125 over five years. Choose Lincoln only if you want its SUVs and accept the higher upkeep.
Lincoln vs Nissan: Common Questions
Is Lincoln more reliable than Nissan?
Which brand has more recalls, Lincoln or Nissan?
Which is cheaper to repair, Lincoln or Nissan?
Why does Nissan have so many more complaints than Lincoln?
What are the biggest problems with a used Lincoln Nautilus?
Comparing Lincoln vs Nissan? 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 Nissan 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.