Is the Lincoln Navigator more reliable than the Toyota Sequoia?

Based on our data, the Toyota Sequoia is more reliable with an average score of 71/100 compared to 62/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Lincoln Navigator or the Toyota Sequoia?

The Lincoln Navigator has more recalls (68) compared to the Toyota Sequoia (17). 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 Navigator or the Toyota Sequoia?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Sequoia has a lower complaint rate at 3.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 6.2 for the Lincoln Navigator. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Lincoln Navigator or the Toyota Sequoia?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Sequoia is cheaper to maintain at $642/year versus $1089/year for the Lincoln Navigator.

Last updated: 2026-07-26

Lincoln Navigator vs Toyota Sequoia: Reliability Compared

Lincoln Navigator

Good

More Reliable

Toyota Sequoia

Good

Choosing between the Lincoln Navigator and the Toyota Sequoia? 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 Toyota Sequoia currently leads with an average score of 71/100 compared to 62/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Lincoln Navigator and Toyota Sequoia Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Lincoln Navigator is in its fifth generation, redesigned in 2025. This places it early in its generation cycle, where new platforms can experience initial reliability issues as manufacturers work out first-year kinks. The previous fourth-generation Navigator, lasting from 2018 to 2024, received a significant refresh in 2022, indicating a mature and generally well-refined platform. Conversely, the Toyota Sequoia is in its third generation, launched in 2023. Similar to the Navigator, it is also early in its cycle, which can sometimes lead to teething problems typical of newer models. The second-generation Sequoia, which ran from 2008 to 2022, offered a long period of refinement, suggesting a well-sorted vehicle by the end of its cycle.

Verdict

The Toyota Sequoia is more reliable than the Lincoln Navigator, scoring 71/100 vs 62/100.

The Toyota Sequoia demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Lincoln Navigator, with an average reliability score of 71/100 versus 62/100. The Sequoia also has a significantly lower recall count, with only 17 recalls over five years compared to the Navigator's 68 over nine years. Owner complaints per 10,000 sold for the Sequoia are half of those for the Navigator, and the estimated annual repair cost for the Sequoia is $642, notably lower than the Navigator's $1089. These factors, combined with fewer common issues, make the Sequoia a more dependable choice in the full-size SUV segment.

Key Differences

1Toyota Sequoia costs $447 less per year to repair
2Toyota Sequoia has 51 fewer total recalls
3Toyota Sequoia scores 9 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

0Lincoln Navigator

—

5Toyota Sequoia

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

Lincoln Navigator vs Toyota Sequoia: Which Is More Reliable?

Lincoln Navigator vs Toyota Sequoia at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Lincoln Navigator	Toyota Sequoia
Reliability Score	62/100	71/100
Years Tracked	9	5
Total Recalls	68	17
Complaints per 10k Sold	6.2	3.1
Annual Repair Cost	$1089/yr	$642/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk	18%	15%
Year Wins	0	5

What Are the Common Problems With the Lincoln Navigator and Toyota Sequoia?

The Lincoln Navigator exhibits a higher total number of complaints compared to the Toyota Sequoia, with significant issues in the power train (45 complaints) and electrical system (28 complaints, including 2 crash-linked incidents). Additionally, the Navigator has notable concerns regarding its engine and seat belts, with one crash-linked incident reported in seat belts. In contrast, the Toyota Sequoia reports fewer overall complaints, with the electrical system being its most significant issue at 7 complaints, and no crash-linked incidents recorded across its categories. The Navigator's broader range of problems, particularly in critical safety components like the power train and seat belts, suggests more areas requiring attention compared to the Sequoia's more concentrated yet limited issues.

Lincoln Navigator vs Toyota Sequoia common problem areas comparison
Component	Lincoln Navigator	Toyota Sequoia
POWER TRAIN	1.4Low	0.2Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.9Very Low	0.6Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.5Very Low	0.4Very Low
ENGINE	0.6Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.4Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.3Very Low	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.2Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.2Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	0.1Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Lincoln Navigator or Toyota Sequoia?

According to industry estimates, the Lincoln Navigator's maintenance and repair costs are significantly higher, with an annual expense of $1,089 compared to the Toyota Sequoia's $642. This difference equates to an additional $447 per year, or $2,235 over five years. Both vehicles have a similar repair frequency of 0.4 visits per year, but the Navigator carries a higher major repair risk at 18%, versus the Sequoia's 15%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Sequoia offers better value, with lower annual repair costs and a reduced risk of major repairs, making it a more economical choice over time.

How Does Lincoln Navigator vs Toyota Sequoia Reliability Compare by Year?

Lincoln Navigator vs Toyota Sequoia year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Lincoln Navigator	Toyota Sequoia	Edge
2022	61/10013R / 16C	72/1002R / 1C	Toyota Sequoia
2021	60/10010R / 26C	72/1002R / 4C	Toyota Sequoia
2020	60/10011R / 24C	72/1002R / 4C	Toyota Sequoia
2019	59/1004R / 58C	70/1006R / 7C	Toyota Sequoia
2018	59/1007R / 45C	69/1005R / 20C	Toyota Sequoia

Best years to cross-shop: The 2022 Lincoln Navigator scored 61/100 and the 2022 Toyota Sequoia scored 72/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Lincoln Navigator vs the Toyota Sequoia?

If you prioritize low running costs and reliability, the Toyota Sequoia is your best choice. With a reliability score of 71/100 and only 17 recalls, it offers fewer headaches down the road. The Sequoia's estimated annual repair cost is $642, significantly lower than the Navigator's, and it has fewer owner complaints at 3.1 per 10,000 sold. This model presents a lower major repair risk of 15%, making it ideal for those seeking peace of mind and long-term savings. Conversely, if luxury features and a more premium driving experience are your priorities, and you're prepared to manage higher maintenance costs, the Lincoln Navigator might suit you. While it has a lower reliability score of 62/100 and higher repair costs at $1089 annually, it caters to those who value comfort and style above all. Keep in mind, however, that it has a higher major repair risk at 18% and more frequent recalls, which could impact overall satisfaction.

Lincoln Navigator vs Toyota Sequoia: Common Questions

Is the Lincoln Navigator more reliable than the Toyota Sequoia?: Based on our data, the Toyota Sequoia is more reliable with an average score of 71/100 compared to 62/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Lincoln Navigator or the Toyota Sequoia?: The Lincoln Navigator has more recalls (68) compared to the Toyota Sequoia (17). 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 Navigator or the Toyota Sequoia?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Sequoia has a lower complaint rate at 3.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 6.2 for the Lincoln Navigator. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Lincoln Navigator or the Toyota Sequoia?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Sequoia is cheaper to maintain at $642/year versus $1089/year for the Lincoln Navigator.

More Lincoln Navigator comparisons

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More Toyota Sequoia comparisons

Toyota Sequoia vs Chevrolet Tahoe reliability Toyota Sequoia vs GMC Yukon reliability Toyota Sequoia vs Ford Expedition reliability Toyota Sequoia vs Nissan Armada reliability Toyota Sequoia reliability by year Toyota Sequoia years to avoid

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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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