Last updated: 2026-10-10
Lincoln vs Toyota: Which Make Is More Reliable?
Lincoln
3 models tracked
Toyota
19 models tracked
Toyota comes out well ahead of Lincoln on reliability, mainly because its repair costs run about half as much. Both brands hold a good standing, and both are improving. Lincoln owners report more complaints for each car sold and face bigger repair bills.
Is Lincoln More Reliable Than Toyota?
| Metric | Lincoln | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 66/100 | 76/100 |
| Models Tracked | 3 | 19 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 72 | 25 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 207 | 616 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $948/yr | $482/yr |
Lincoln vs Toyota: The Verdict
A large gap on overall reliability favors Toyota. It wins every head-to-head category we track: complaint severity, repair costs, recall impact and how widely problems spread across systems. The clearest difference is money. Toyota repairs average $482 a year against $948 for Lincoln. Owners also file fewer complaints per 1,000 sold, 0.9 versus 1.3.
Lincoln is not a poor brand. Its three models all hold a good standing, and the trend is improving. The weak point is the power train, which draws the same share of complaints as the electrical system. Toyota's lineup is far larger, so its raw recall and complaint totals look big, but they are spread across 19 models.
Where Lincoln and Toyota Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Lincoln | Toyota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 65/100Good | 67/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 62/100Good | 77/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 62/100Good | 80/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 80/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
Where they diverge most: recall impact. Toyota has a 18-point edge in that component, which accounts for much of the reliability gap.
Lincoln vs Toyota: 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
Toyota
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (76/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Very affordable maintenance ($482/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 19 of 19 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 93 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Lincoln and Toyota Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Lincoln
Toyota
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Lincoln or Toyota?
Based on independent repair cost data, Toyota is cheaper to maintain at an average of $482/year compared to $948/year for Lincoln. That's a difference of $466/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.
Lincoln Repair Cost Range
$807 – $1089/yr
Average: $948/yr
Toyota Repair Cost Range
$362 – $642/yr
Average: $482/yr
Lincoln vs Toyota Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Lincoln | Toyota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUVs(3 vs 9 models) | 66/100 | 77/100 | Toyota |
Toyota wins 1 out of 1 shared categories.
Common Problems: Lincoln vs Toyota
| Component | Lincoln | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 23%116 | 19%1,909 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 14%70 | 13%1,350 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 23%116 | 12%1,271 |
| ENGINE | 8%40 | 9%963 |
| AIR BAGS | 1%4 | 9%911 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0%2 | 8%796 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3%13 | 8%780 |
| STEERING | 5%23 | 5%532 |
| STRUCTURE | 5%23 | 4%441 |
| SEAT BELTS | 3%17 | 0%32 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Lincoln vs Toyota Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Lincoln
15
Crash reports
7
Fire reports
12
Injury reports
Toyota
699
Crash reports
93
Fire reports
633
Injury reports
Every Lincoln and Toyota Model Ranked
Lincoln Models
Toyota Models
Lincoln vs Toyota Reliability Trend by Year
Lincoln's reliability is improving — recent model years average 73/100, up from earlier years. Toyota's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100.
Interestingly, both Lincoln and Toyota show improving reliability trends recently.
| Model Year | Lincoln | Toyota | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 77/100(2) | 86/100(13) | Toyota |
| 2025 | 68/100(3) | 78/100(15) | Toyota |
| 2024 | 68/100(3) | 75/100(16) | Toyota |
| 2023 | 67/100(3) | 75/100(15) | Toyota |
| 2022 | 66/100(3) | 76/100(16) | Toyota |
| 2021 | 65/100(3) | 76/100(14) | Toyota |
| 2020 | 62/100(3) | 73/100(13) | Toyota |
| 2019 | 61/100(2) | 70/100(12) | Toyota |
| 2018 | 59/100(1) | 71/100(12) | Toyota |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Lincoln vs Toyota: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Lincoln and Toyota. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Lincoln vs Toyota?
If you want the lowest running costs, lean Toyota. A Corolla or Corolla Cross is the safe starting point, and the Crown ranks at the top of the whole list, though its record only covers 2023 to 2026. For a used truck, favor a 2021 Tacoma and avoid 2018 and 2019. Test any Tacoma for an automatic that shudders and hunts for gears, and look for brake fluid in the cabin.
If you want a Lincoln for its size or comfort, pick carefully. The Nautilus is the strongest of the three. Choose a 2023 and skip the 2019, since a replacement transmission has been quoted at $7,000 to $9,000. For a Navigator, aim for a 2024 and avoid 2018 and 2019. On the test drive, listen for a cold-start engine rattle and feel for hard, slamming shifts. Walk away from either if the transmission acts up.
The Bottom Line: Lincoln or Toyota?
Buy Toyota unless you specifically want a Lincoln. The Crown is the strongest model across both lineups, but treat it as promising rather than proven, since the 2026 is too new to judge and the 2024 is the year to favor. Over five years, Toyota's lower repair costs add up to about $2,330 less than Lincoln's. If you still choose Lincoln, make a 2023 Nautilus your target.
Lincoln vs Toyota: Common Questions
Is Lincoln more reliable than Toyota?
Which brand has more recalls, Lincoln or Toyota?
Which is cheaper to repair, Lincoln or Toyota?
What are the common problems on a used Lincoln?
What goes wrong most often on a used Toyota?
Comparing Lincoln vs Toyota? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Related Make Comparisons
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How we score Lincoln and Toyota 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.