Is the Lincoln Aviator more reliable than the Volvo XC90?

Based on our data, the Volvo XC90 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 Lincoln Aviator or the Volvo XC90?

The Lincoln Aviator has more recalls (116) compared to the Volvo XC90 (39). 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 Lincoln Aviator or the Volvo XC90?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Volvo XC90 has a lower complaint rate at 4.2 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 Lincoln Aviator or the Volvo XC90?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Lincoln Aviator is cheaper to maintain at $807/year versus $851/year for the Volvo XC90.

Is the Lincoln Aviator or Volvo XC90 safer?

Both the Lincoln Aviator and Volvo XC90 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

Lincoln Aviator vs Volvo XC90: Reliability Compared

Lincoln Aviator

Good

More Reliable

Volvo XC90

Good

Choosing between the Lincoln Aviator and the Volvo XC90? 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 Volvo XC90 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 Lincoln Aviator and Volvo XC90 Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Volvo XC90 is in its second generation, which began in 2016 and is now in the later stages of its cycle. This generation underwent significant updates, with facelifts in 2019, 2023, and a recent one in 2024. Being a mature platform, the XC90 has likely had the opportunity to resolve earlier issues, often making it a reliable choice. In contrast, the Lincoln Aviator is in its second generation, which started in 2020. This generation was recently refreshed in 2025, indicating it is still relatively early in its cycle. Newer platforms like the Aviator’s can sometimes experience initial teething problems, but ongoing updates can address these issues over time.

Verdict

The Volvo XC90 is more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator, scoring 72/100 vs 64/100.

The Volvo XC90 demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Lincoln Aviator, with an average reliability score of 72 versus the Aviator's 64. While both vehicles have common issues with their electrical systems and power trains, the XC90 has a significantly lower owner complaint rate of 4.2 per 10,000 sold compared to the Aviator's 15.7. Despite the XC90's higher estimated annual repair cost of $851 versus the Aviator's $807, its lower recall count of 39 over nine years is a notable advantage against the Aviator's 116 recalls in just six years. Overall, the XC90 offers a more reliable ownership experience, particularly in terms of recall history and owner satisfaction.

Key Differences

1Volvo XC90 has 77 fewer total recalls
2Lincoln Aviator costs $44 less per year to repair
3Volvo XC90 has 11.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

1Lincoln Aviator

—

3Volvo XC90

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencySafety Rating

Lincoln Aviator vs Volvo XC90: Which Is More Reliable?

Lincoln Aviator vs Volvo XC90 at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Lincoln Aviator	Volvo XC90
Reliability Score	64/100	72/100
Years Tracked	6	9
Total Recalls	116	39
Complaints per 10k Sold	15.7	4.2
Annual Repair Cost	$807/yr	$851/yr
Repair Frequency	0.6/yr	0.6/yr
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2025 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	6

What Are the Common Problems With the Lincoln Aviator and Volvo XC90?

The Volvo XC90 and Lincoln Aviator have similar total complaint numbers, but they show distinct problem profiles. The XC90's most frequent issue is with the electrical system, accounting for 58 complaints, including one crash-linked incident. In contrast, the Aviator also shows a high number of electrical complaints at 54 but with no crash linkage. Notably, the XC90 has more crash-linked issues in its service brakes (3) and visibility/wiper (2) categories compared to the Aviator, which has a higher number of structure-related complaints but fewer crash-linked incidents overall.

Lincoln Aviator vs Volvo XC90 common problem areas comparison
Component	Lincoln Aviator	Volvo XC90
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	3.9Average	1.1Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2Low	0.5Very Low
POWER TRAIN	1.5Low	0.2Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	1.2Low	0.3Very Low
STRUCTURE	1.1Low	0.1Very Low
ENGINE	0.9Very Low	0.2Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	0.4Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.4Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.3Very Low	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
SEATS	0.3Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.2Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES	—None	0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—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: Lincoln Aviator or Volvo XC90?

The Volvo XC90 and Lincoln Aviator show similar repair frequencies, both averaging 0.6 visits per year. However, the Volvo XC90 has a slightly higher annual repair cost of $851 compared to the Lincoln Aviator's $807, translating to a $44 difference annually and an additional $220 over five years. The major repair risk for the XC90 is 11%, while data for the Aviator isn't specified, leaving some uncertainty in long-term reliability. For cost-conscious buyers, the Aviator appears to offer slightly better value due to its lower annual repair cost, though the lack of major repair risk data should be considered.

How Does Lincoln Aviator vs Volvo XC90 Reliability Compare by Year?

Lincoln Aviator vs Volvo XC90 year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Lincoln Aviator	Volvo XC90	Edge
2025	68/10014R / 13C	74/1003R / 23C	Volvo XC90
2024	70/1008R / 5C	73/1003R / 26C	Volvo XC90
2023	66/10016R / 21C	70/1006R / 39C	Volvo XC90
2022	63/10021R / 43C	72/1004R / 27C	Volvo XC90
2021	62/10028R / 38C	72/1005R / 17C	Volvo XC90
2020	57/10029R / 99C	71/1007R / 24C	Volvo XC90

Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Lincoln Aviator scored 70/100 and the 2025 Volvo XC90 scored 74/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Lincoln Aviator vs the Volvo XC90?

If you prioritize reliability and peace of mind, the Volvo XC90 is the better choice. With a reliability score of 72/100, it surpasses the Lincoln Aviator's score of 64/100. The XC90 has significantly fewer recalls, with 39 compared to the Aviator's 116, and fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold, at 4.2 versus 15.7. Although its estimated annual repair cost is slightly higher at $851, the lower risk of encountering major issues makes it a more dependable option. On the other hand, if keeping annual repair costs slightly lower is your main concern, you might lean towards the Lincoln Aviator, which has an estimated annual repair cost of $807. However, be prepared for a higher likelihood of recalls and owner complaints. The Aviator also lacks available data on major repair risk, which could be a concern if long-term reliability is important to you.

Lincoln Aviator vs Volvo XC90: Common Questions

Is the Lincoln Aviator more reliable than the Volvo XC90?: Based on our data, the Volvo XC90 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 Lincoln Aviator or the Volvo XC90?: The Lincoln Aviator has more recalls (116) compared to the Volvo XC90 (39). 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 Lincoln Aviator or the Volvo XC90?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Volvo XC90 has a lower complaint rate at 4.2 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 Lincoln Aviator or the Volvo XC90?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Lincoln Aviator is cheaper to maintain at $807/year versus $851/year for the Volvo XC90.
Is the Lincoln Aviator or Volvo XC90 safer?: Both the Lincoln Aviator and Volvo XC90 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 Lincoln Aviator comparisons

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More Volvo XC90 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