Is the Audi Q7 more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator?

Based on our data, the Audi Q7 is more reliable with an average score of 65/100 compared to 64/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Audi Q7 or the Lincoln Aviator?

The Lincoln Aviator has more recalls (116) compared to the Audi Q7 (32). 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 Audi Q7 or the Lincoln Aviator?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Lincoln Aviator has a lower complaint rate at 15.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 16.3 for the Audi Q7. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Audi Q7 or the Lincoln Aviator?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Lincoln Aviator is cheaper to maintain at $807/year versus $1185/year for the Audi Q7.

Is the Audi Q7 or Lincoln Aviator safer?

Both the Audi Q7 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

Audi Q7 vs Lincoln Aviator: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Audi Q7

Good

Lincoln Aviator

Good

Choosing between the Audi Q7 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 full-size suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Audi Q7 currently leads with an average score of 65/100 compared to 64/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Audi Q7 and Lincoln Aviator Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Lincoln Aviator is in its second generation, which began in 2020. The Aviator received a significant facelift in 2025, indicating it is currently in the mature phase of its generation cycle. This maturity often results in better-sorted reliability as initial issues are typically addressed. In contrast, the Audi Q7 lacks detailed generation history, making it challenging to assess its current platform's reliability. Generally, newer platforms like the Aviator's can have first-year issues, but as they age, they tend to become more dependable. Buyers may find the Aviator's mature platform reassuring in terms of reliability.

Verdict

The Audi Q7 is more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator, scoring 65/100 vs 64/100.

The Audi Q7 and Lincoln Aviator present closely matched reliability scores, with the Q7 at 65/100 and the Aviator at 64/100. However, the Q7 has a significantly lower recall history with 32 recalls over nine years compared to the Aviator's 116 recalls in six years. While both vehicles have similar owner complaint rates per 10,000 units, the Aviator's lower estimated annual repair cost of $807, compared to the Q7's $1185, might appeal to cost-conscious buyers. Overall, the Q7's better recall record gives it a slight edge in reliability.

Key Differences

1Lincoln Aviator costs $378 less per year to repair
2Audi Q7 has 84 fewer total recalls
3Audi Q7 scores 1 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

2Audi Q7

—

3Lincoln Aviator

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencySafety Rating

Audi Q7 vs Lincoln Aviator: Which Is More Reliable?

Audi Q7 vs Lincoln Aviator at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Audi Q7	Lincoln Aviator
Reliability Score	65/100	64/100
Years Tracked	9	6
Total Recalls	32	116
Complaints per 10k Sold	16.3	15.7
Annual Repair Cost	$1185/yr	$807/yr
Repair Frequency	0.9/yr	0.6/yr
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	2 (3 tied)	1 (3 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Audi Q7 and Lincoln Aviator?

The Audi Q7 has a higher overall complaint count compared to the Lincoln Aviator, with significant issues in the electrical system (63 complaints, 4 crash-linked) and steering (21 complaints, 3 crash-linked). The Q7 also shows a broader distribution of problems across various components, including engine and suspension. In contrast, the Lincoln Aviator's primary concerns are focused on the electrical system and power train, with fewer crash-linked complaints, notably in back over prevention (17 complaints, 2 crash-linked). Both models experience engine-related issues, but the Q7's steering and electrical system problems appear more severe and safety-critical.

Audi Q7 vs Lincoln Aviator common problem areas comparison
Component	Audi Q7	Lincoln Aviator
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3.3Average	3.9Average
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.8Low	2Low
ENGINE	2.1Low	0.9Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.7Very Low	1.5Low
SUSPENSION	1.3Low	0.2Very Low
STEERING	1.1Low	0.3Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.2Very Low	1.1Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.1Very Low	1.2Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	1Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.5Very Low	0.4Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.6Very Low	—None
WHEELS	0.4Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.4Very Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	0.4Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.3Very Low
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.2Very Low
LANE DEPARTURE	0.1Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	—None
TIRES	0.1Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.1Very Low

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Audi Q7 or Lincoln Aviator?

Industry estimates reveal that the Audi Q7's annual repair cost is $1,185, compared to the Lincoln Aviator's $807, leading to a $378 yearly difference, amounting to $1,890 over five years. The Q7 requires 0.9 repair visits per year, slightly higher than the Aviator's 0.6 visits. Additionally, the Q7 carries a 13% risk of major repairs, while the Aviator's risk is unspecified but presumably lower given its lower maintenance costs. For cost-conscious buyers, the Lincoln Aviator offers a better value, with lower annual repair expenses and potentially fewer repair visits, making it a more budget-friendly choice over time.

How Does Audi Q7 vs Lincoln Aviator Reliability Compare by Year?

Audi Q7 vs Lincoln Aviator year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Audi Q7	Lincoln Aviator	Edge
2025	68/1002R / 10C	68/10014R / 13C	Tie
2024	70/1003R / 0C	70/1008R / 5C	Tie
2023	66/1003R / 16C	66/10016R / 21C	Tie
2022	67/1003R / 13C	63/10021R / 43C	Audi Q7
2021	59/1009R / 61C	62/10028R / 38C	Lincoln Aviator
2020	65/1005R / 22C	57/10029R / 99C	Audi Q7

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Audi Q7 scored 70/100 and the 2024 Lincoln Aviator scored 70/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Audi Q7 vs the Lincoln Aviator?

If you prioritize lower running costs and less frequent repairs, the Lincoln Aviator might be the better choice for you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $807 and a repair frequency of 0.6 times per year, it offers a more budget-friendly ownership experience. Despite having a higher total recall count of 116, the Aviator boasts fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 15.7, indicating a slightly more favorable owner experience. On the other hand, if you are seeking a marginally more reliable option with a focus on performance and handling, consider the Audi Q7. It has a slightly higher reliability score of 65/100 and a lower major repair risk of 13%. Although the Q7 has a higher estimated annual repair cost of $1185 and more frequent repairs at 0.9 times per year, its robust engineering might appeal to those who value driving dynamics and are willing to invest in maintenance.

Audi Q7 vs Lincoln Aviator: Common Questions

Is the Audi Q7 more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator?: Based on our data, the Audi Q7 is more reliable with an average score of 65/100 compared to 64/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Audi Q7 or the Lincoln Aviator?: The Lincoln Aviator has more recalls (116) compared to the Audi Q7 (32). 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 Audi Q7 or the Lincoln Aviator?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Lincoln Aviator has a lower complaint rate at 15.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 16.3 for the Audi Q7. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Audi Q7 or the Lincoln Aviator?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Lincoln Aviator is cheaper to maintain at $807/year versus $1185/year for the Audi Q7.
Is the Audi Q7 or Lincoln Aviator safer?: Both the Audi Q7 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 Audi Q7 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.

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