Last updated: 2026-08-24
Lincoln Aviator vs Nissan Ariya: Reliability Compared
Lincoln Aviator
Nissan Ariya
Choosing between the Lincoln Aviator and the Nissan Ariya? 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 Nissan Ariya currently leads with an average score of 85/100 compared to 64/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Nissan Ariya is more reliable than the Lincoln Aviator, scoring 85/100 vs 64/100.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Ariya costs $307 less per year to repair
- 2Nissan Ariya has 112 fewer total recalls
- 3Lincoln Aviator has 97.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Lincoln Aviator vs Nissan Ariya: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Lincoln Aviator | Nissan Ariya |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 64/100 | 85/100 |
| Years Tracked | 6 | 4 |
| Total Recalls | 116 | 4 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 15.7 | 112.8 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $807/yr | $500/yr |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2025 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 | 3 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Lincoln Aviator and Nissan Ariya?
| Component | Lincoln Aviator | Nissan Ariya |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3.9Average | 56.4High |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.5Low | 19.5High |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2Low | 4.3Average |
| ENGINE | 0.9Very Low | 4.3Average |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 4.3Average |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 4.3Average |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 1.2Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 1.1Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| SEATS | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| VISIBILITY | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Lincoln Aviator vs Nissan Ariya Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Lincoln Aviator | Nissan Ariya | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 68/10014R / 13C | 88/1000R / 7C | Nissan Ariya |
| 2024 | 70/1008R / 5C | 88/1000R / 6C | Nissan Ariya |
| 2023 | 66/10016R / 21C | 76/1004R / 39C | Nissan Ariya |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Lincoln Aviator scored 70/100 and the 2025 Nissan Ariya scored 88/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Lincoln Aviator vs Nissan Ariya: Common Questions
- Is the Lincoln Aviator more reliable than the Nissan Ariya?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Ariya is more reliable with an average score of 85/100 compared to 64/100. That's a significant difference worth considering.
- Which has more recalls, the Lincoln Aviator or the Nissan Ariya?
- The Lincoln Aviator has more recalls (116) compared to the Nissan Ariya (4). 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 Nissan Ariya?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Lincoln Aviator has a lower complaint rate at 15.7 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 112.8 for the Nissan Ariya. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Lincoln Aviator or the Nissan Ariya?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Ariya is cheaper to maintain at $500/year versus $807/year for the Lincoln Aviator.
- Is the Lincoln Aviator or Nissan Ariya safer?
- Both the Lincoln Aviator and Nissan Ariya 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.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Lincoln Aviator and Nissan Ariya? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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 via vehicles.dev. 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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