Is the Lexus RX more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator?

Based on our data, the Lexus RX is more reliable with an average score of 86/100 compared to 64/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.

Which has more recalls, the Lexus RX or the Lincoln Aviator?

The Lincoln Aviator has more recalls (116) compared to the Lexus RX (42). 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 Lexus RX or the Lincoln Aviator?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Lexus RX has a lower complaint rate at 7.5 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 15.7 for the Lincoln Aviator. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Is the Lexus RX or Lincoln Aviator safer?

Both the Lexus RX 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

Lexus RX vs Lincoln Aviator: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Lexus RX

Excellent

Lincoln Aviator

Good

Choosing between the Lexus RX 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 Lexus RX currently leads with an average score of 86/100 compared to 64/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Lexus RX and Lincoln Aviator Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Lexus RX is in its fifth generation, which began in 2023. This makes it relatively early in its generation cycle, a time when vehicles can sometimes experience first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial kinks. However, Lexus has a strong reputation for reliability, which may mitigate some early-generation concerns. The previous fourth generation lasted from 2016 to 2022 and was well-regarded for its refinement, especially after a facelift in 2019. The Lincoln Aviator is in its second generation, which started in 2020. It received a facelift in 2025, suggesting that it is in a more mature phase of its generation cycle. Mature platforms like the Aviator's are often more reliable as most initial issues have been addressed. The first generation, produced from 2003 to 2005, was short-lived, emphasizing the importance of Lincoln's improvements in the current model.

Verdict

The Lexus RX is more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator, scoring 86/100 vs 64/100.

The Lexus RX outperforms the Lincoln Aviator in reliability, with an average score of 86/100 compared to the Aviator's 64/100. Lexus RX's owner complaint rate is significantly lower at 7.5 per 10,000 units versus the Aviator's 15.7, indicating fewer consumer-reported issues relative to sales. Moreover, the Aviator has faced 116 recalls over six years, far exceeding the RX's 42 over nine years, highlighting a more problematic recall history. While repair cost estimates for the RX are unavailable, the Aviator's estimated annual repair cost of $807 further underscores the RX's advantage in reliability.

Key Differences

1Lexus RX has 74 fewer total recalls
2Lexus RX scores 22 points higher in reliability
3Lexus RX has 8.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

3Lexus RX

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0Lincoln Aviator

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Lexus RX vs Lincoln Aviator: Which Is More Reliable?

Lexus RX vs Lincoln Aviator at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Lexus RX	Lincoln Aviator
Reliability Score	86/100	64/100
Years Tracked	9	6
Total Recalls	42	116
Complaints per 10k Sold	7.5	15.7
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	6	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Lexus RX and Lincoln Aviator?

The Lexus RX and Lincoln Aviator exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Lexus RX accumulating a higher total number of complaints at 729 compared to the Aviator's 219. The RX's most frequent issues are with air bags, totaling 73 complaints and notably 11 crash-linked, indicating a significant safety concern. Conversely, the Aviator's most reported problem area is the electrical system with 54 complaints, but it lacks a high number of crash-linked incidents. While both vehicles have issues with the power train and structure, the Aviator shows a particular concern in back over prevention systems with 17 complaints, including 2 crash-linked, a category not prominently affecting the RX.

Lexus RX vs Lincoln Aviator common problem areas comparison
Component	Lexus RX	Lincoln Aviator
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.5Very Low	3.9Average
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.6Very Low	2Low
POWER TRAIN	0.2Very Low	1.5Low
STRUCTURE	0.2Very Low	1.1Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	1.2Low
ENGINE	0.2Very Low	0.9Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.8Very Low	0.1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.2Very Low	0.4Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.4Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
STEERING	—None	0.3Very Low
SEATS	—None	0.3Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	0.2Very Low
TIRES	0.1Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Lexus RX or Lincoln Aviator?

Based on industry estimates, the Lincoln Aviator incurs an annual repair cost of $807, with an average of 0.6 repair visits per year. Unfortunately, specific data for the Lexus RX's repair costs and frequency are unavailable, but Lexus generally has a reputation for reliability, which may suggest lower repair frequency and costs. Over five years, the Lincoln Aviator could cost approximately $4,035 in repairs, with the potential for more frequent service visits. For cost-conscious buyers, if the Lexus RX maintains its reputation for fewer repairs, it might offer better value by reducing both the frequency and cost of repairs in the long term.

How Does Lexus RX vs Lincoln Aviator Reliability Compare by Year?

Lexus RX vs Lincoln Aviator year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Lexus RX	Lincoln Aviator	Edge
2025	83/1005R / 9C	68/10014R / 13C	Lexus RX
2024	85/1009R / 48C	70/1008R / 5C	Lexus RX
2023	85/1005R / 45C	66/10016R / 21C	Lexus RX
2022	90/1000R / 35C	63/10021R / 43C	Lexus RX
2021	86/1005R / 209C	62/10028R / 38C	Lexus RX
2020	86/1005R / 130C	57/10029R / 99C	Lexus RX

Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Lexus RX scored 90/100 and the 2024 Lincoln Aviator scored 70/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Lexus RX vs the Lincoln Aviator?

If you prioritize reliability and peace of mind, the Lexus RX is a strong contender. With a high reliability score of 86/100 and fewer owner complaints at 7.5 per 10,000 sold, it stands out as a dependable choice. Although it has 42 total recalls, it's still significantly lower than the Lincoln Aviator's 116 recalls. The Lexus RX is ideal for those who value a trouble-free ownership experience and are willing to overlook some issues related to air bags and the electrical system. On the other hand, if you prefer a luxury SUV with a different set of features and don't mind a higher repair cost, the Lincoln Aviator might appeal to you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $807 and a repair frequency of 0.6 times per year, it's suitable for those ready to handle more frequent and potentially costly repairs. However, keep in mind its lower reliability score of 64/100 and higher owner complaints at 15.7 per 10,000 sold.

Lexus RX vs Lincoln Aviator: Common Questions

Is the Lexus RX more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator?: Based on our data, the Lexus RX is more reliable with an average score of 86/100 compared to 64/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
Which has more recalls, the Lexus RX or the Lincoln Aviator?: The Lincoln Aviator has more recalls (116) compared to the Lexus RX (42). 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 Lexus RX or the Lincoln Aviator?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Lexus RX has a lower complaint rate at 7.5 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 15.7 for the Lincoln Aviator. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Is the Lexus RX or Lincoln Aviator safer?: Both the Lexus RX 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 Lexus RX 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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