Is the Acura MDX more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator?

Based on our data, the Acura MDX is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 64/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Acura MDX or the Lincoln Aviator?

The Lincoln Aviator has more recalls (116) compared to the Acura MDX (31). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Acura MDX or the Lincoln Aviator?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Acura MDX has a lower complaint rate at 6.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 15.7 for the Lincoln Aviator. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Acura MDX or the Lincoln Aviator?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Acura MDX is cheaper to maintain at $571/year versus $807/year for the Lincoln Aviator.

Is the Acura MDX or Lincoln Aviator safer?

Both the Acura MDX and Lincoln Aviator received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Acura MDX vs Lincoln Aviator: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Acura MDX

Good

Lincoln Aviator

Good

Choosing between the Acura MDX and the Lincoln Aviator? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Acura MDX currently leads with an average score of 72/100 compared to 64/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Acura MDX and Lincoln Aviator Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Acura MDX is in its fourth generation, introduced in 2022, with a facelift in 2025. This means it's relatively early in its generation cycle, which can sometimes lead to first-year issues as the new platform matures. However, Acura's history of refining its models over multiple generations often results in improved reliability over time. The Lincoln Aviator is currently in its second generation, launched in 2020 and refreshed in 2025. This positions it further along in its lifecycle, allowing many initial bugs to be addressed, thus potentially offering more reliable performance than a brand-new model. Buyers should consider these factors when evaluating each vehicle's reliability.

Verdict

The Acura MDX is more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator, scoring 72/100 vs 64/100.

The Acura MDX outperforms the Lincoln Aviator in terms of reliability, with an average reliability score of 72/100 compared to the Aviator's 64/100. The MDX also has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 6.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold, whereas the Aviator experiences 15.7 complaints per 10,000 units. Additionally, the MDX's estimated annual repair cost is $571, which is notably lower than the Aviator's $807. The MDX's fewer recalls and more manageable repair costs make it the more dependable choice in the midsize SUV category.

Key Differences

1Acura MDX costs $236 less per year to repair
2Acura MDX has 85 fewer total recalls
3Acura MDX has 9.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

5Acura MDX

—

0Lincoln Aviator

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencySafety Rating

Acura MDX vs Lincoln Aviator: Which Is More Reliable?

Acura MDX vs Lincoln Aviator at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Acura MDX	Lincoln Aviator
Reliability Score	72/100	64/100
Years Tracked	8	6
Total Recalls	31	116
Complaints per 10k Sold	6.7	15.7
Annual Repair Cost	$571/yr	$807/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.6/yr
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	5	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Acura MDX and Lincoln Aviator?

The Acura MDX exhibits a higher total number of complaints compared to the Lincoln Aviator, with significant issues in the electrical system (109 complaints) and power train (94 complaints), both of which include crash-linked incidents. The MDX also reports notable concerns in the engine and engine cooling systems, with a combined 129 complaints and two crash-linked reports, indicating potential reliability challenges in these areas. In contrast, the Lincoln Aviator's most frequent issue also lies in the electrical system, but with fewer complaints (54), and it shows a unique vulnerability in the back over prevention category with two crash-linked incidents. Overall, while both vehicles have electrical system concerns, the MDX faces more widespread and severe issues across multiple critical components.

Acura MDX vs Lincoln Aviator common problem areas comparison
Component	Acura MDX	Lincoln Aviator
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1.1Low	3.9Average
POWER TRAIN	0.9Very Low	1.5Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.3Very Low	2Low
ENGINE	0.7Very Low	0.9Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	1.1Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	1.2Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	0.4Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	0.4Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.6Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.3Very Low	0.3Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.4Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.3Very Low	—None
SEATS	—None	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	—None	0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Acura MDX or Lincoln Aviator?

Independent repair cost data suggests that the Acura MDX is a more economical choice for cost-conscious buyers, with an annual repair cost of $571 compared to the Lincoln Aviator's $807. This $236 annual difference accumulates to a $1,180 savings over five years. The MDX also has a lower repair frequency of 0.4 visits per year versus the Aviator's 0.6 visits, indicating fewer disruptions and potential inconveniences. Additionally, the MDX carries an 8% risk of major repairs, which provides a clear metric for potential future expenses, unlike the Aviator, where this risk is unspecified. These factors combined make the Acura MDX a more attractive option for those prioritizing lower maintenance and repair costs.

How Does Acura MDX vs Lincoln Aviator Reliability Compare by Year?

Acura MDX vs Lincoln Aviator year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Acura MDX	Lincoln Aviator	Edge
2025	76/1002R / 32C	68/10014R / 13C	Acura MDX
2024	79/1001R / 30C	70/1008R / 5C	Acura MDX
2023	79/1001R / 29C	66/10016R / 21C	Acura MDX
2022	73/1001R / 90C	63/10021R / 43C	Acura MDX
2020	62/1007R / 188C	57/10029R / 99C	Acura MDX

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Acura MDX scored 79/100 and the 2024 Lincoln Aviator scored 70/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Acura MDX vs the Lincoln Aviator?

If you prioritize reliability and lower running costs, the Acura MDX is your best bet. With a reliability score of 72 out of 100, it outshines the Lincoln Aviator. The MDX's estimated annual repair cost of $571 and a repair frequency of 0.4 times per year suggest fewer trips to the mechanic. Additionally, it has a lower rate of owner complaints at 6.7 per 10,000 sold, indicating a more satisfied ownership experience. On the other hand, if you're drawn to the Lincoln Aviator for its design or features, be prepared for higher maintenance demands. With a reliability score of 64 and a substantial 116 recalls, the Aviator presents more potential for issues. Its estimated repair costs are higher at $807 annually, and it reports more frequent owner complaints. This choice might suit you if you're comfortable with these trade-offs and value other aspects of the Aviator.

Acura MDX vs Lincoln Aviator: Common Questions

Is the Acura MDX more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator?: Based on our data, the Acura MDX is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 64/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Acura MDX or the Lincoln Aviator?: The Lincoln Aviator has more recalls (116) compared to the Acura MDX (31). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Acura MDX or the Lincoln Aviator?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Acura MDX has a lower complaint rate at 6.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 15.7 for the Lincoln Aviator. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Acura MDX or the Lincoln Aviator?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Acura MDX is cheaper to maintain at $571/year versus $807/year for the Lincoln Aviator.
Is the Acura MDX or Lincoln Aviator safer?: Both the Acura MDX and Lincoln Aviator received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Acura MDX comparisons

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More Lincoln Aviator comparisons

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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

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.

Repair Costs

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

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.

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.

See incorrect data? Report an issue