Are Lincolns Reliable? Reasons for Their Reliability
These days, Lincoln is a car brand that doesn’t get talked about much in automotive circles. However, many people appreciate Lincoln because the name is synonymous with old-school American luxury vehicles.
If you’re looking to buy a used Lincoln sedan or SUV, you likely have one question: are Lincolns reliable? Are they reliable enough to warrant a used car purchase?
Today, we look at the Lincoln brand and how its fleet of vehicles fares in terms of reliability. Plus, we’ll also include the best and least reliable Lincoln models. Keep reading to learn more.
How Reliable is the Lincoln Brand?
In case you don’t know, Lincoln is the luxury division of Ford and is a challenger to the legacy of General Motors’ Cadillac. Like any other car brand, Lincoln has a good mix of good and bad cars. So are Lincolns reliable?
The fabulous people at RepairPal gave the Lincoln brand a reliability rating of 3 out of 5, giving it a rank of 24th out of 32 car brands. While that’s hardly the worst, Lincoln’s reliability is about below average. However, you have to keep in mind that Lincoln is a luxury car brand – a segment that’s not known for its reliability.
On top of that, owning a Lincoln can be expensive, with its average annual repair costs of $879, which is on the pricey side of the scale. The average across all models is $652. The frequency of visits is about 0.4 times a year which is smack right in the middle of the pack. In terms of repair severity, about 15% of all Lincoln visits are severe – compared to the overall average of 12%.
In 2021, Consumer Reports named Lincoln the most unreliable car brand, only second to Tesla. Moreover, the brand was a recipient of this dishonorable award for the second year in a year. Most of Lincoln’s market rivals, such as Acura, Audi, BMW, and Cadillac, fared a lot better.
However, Lincoln scored higher in J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study within the same year, where the brand ranked in the top ten most reliable brands. Furthermore, according to the study, the Lincoln MKZ was ranked as one of the most reliable compact cars, along with the Lexus ES and BMW 4 Series.
So what gives?
Well, you have to keep in mind that J.D. Powers only measures the reliability of a vehicle based on the first year of ownership. Thus, you may want to take these tests with a grain of salt.
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What are the Common Lincoln Problems?
Are Lincolns reliable? Take a look at some of the most common problems of Lincoln vehicles:
Peeling Chrome Wheels
According to CarComplaints.com, the Lincoln MKZ’s chrome wheels tend to peel off. Although this can be an unsightly problem that shouldn’t happen to a luxury model, it’s actually a safety issue. Many drivers have reported that the peeling chrome rims also cause the tires to lose air. A fix requires replacing the tires and may cost a cool $1,230.
Body/Paint Problem
Another issue resulting in numerous complaints is the body/paint problem common with the 2003 Lincoln Aviator. This issue seems to be a manufacturing defect since it received plenty of complaints. Frustrated owners reported the rear panel below the tailgate window tends to crack. This happened to many owners despite proper usage and care.
Slipping and Hard Shifting
Another common issue is Lincoln vehicles’ slipping and hard shifting, widespread with the 2006 Zephyr. The Zephyr’s automatic transmission may develop shifting concerns as the car accumulates more miles.
A powertrain control module (PCM) software update for lower mileage vehicles may correct the problem. Otherwise, you may need a complete transmission rebuild or replace the valve body.
Rust Damage on Running Boards
Reports from Lincoln Navigator owners discovered rust damage on the running board panels. This is particularly concerning because the rust buildup can cause the support structure to become unstable.
Depending on the extent of the damage, owners had to either replace the brackets or the entire running board to fix the issue. Typically, this type of repair will cost you around $1,500.
What are the Most Reliable Lincolns?
Are Lincolns reliable? Below are some of the most reliable models from the brand that you can safely buy as used:
2020 Lincoln Navigator
With the 2020 Navigator, Lincoln indeed turned it around with a great SUV – thanks to its robust engine, relaxed ride quality, and generous interior space. J.D. Power gave the 2020 Navigator a Quality and Reliability rating of 84⁄100, considered Great. The 2020 Navigator delivers the best of both worlds with luxury and value.
2016 Lincoln MKX
If you’re looking for an older Lincoln SUV, the 2016 MKX is a safe bet. The 2016 MKX is a top-tier luxury midsize SUV that offers a balanced ride and luxurious interiors. The SUV has slightly above average reliability ratings across the board. J.D. Power gave it a respectable rating of 74⁄100.
Honorable mentions: 2019 Lincoln MKT, 2020 Lincoln Continental, 2020 Lincoln Aviator, 2019 MKZ
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What are the Least Reliable Lincolns?
Below are some of the most problematic Lincolns that you may want to avoid:
2008 Lincoln MKZ
The MKZ lineup has its share of good and bad years. The 2008 model definitely belongs in the latter. Over at CarComplaints, the 2008 MKZ had over 300 NHTSA complaints and five recalls. The aforementioned chrome peeling issue was quite prevalent in this model and other problems like water pump leaks, harsh shifting, and coolant leaks.
2003 Lincoln Aviator
The first iteration of the Aviator doesn’t inspire confidence due to its multiple problems. It had a host of severe issues, including its powertrain, body/paint, and leaky valves. Furthermore, the 2003 Aviator had the most complaints out of all its model years.
These days, the Aviator SUV is known to be competent and reliable, and that’s something we can’t say about its original release.
Dishonorable mentions: 2004 Lincoln Aviator, 2018 Lincoln Navigator, 2006 Lincoln Zephyr, 2015 Lincoln MKC
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