Head-to-head reliability

Lincoln Aviator vs Toyota Camry

How the Lincoln Aviator and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Lincoln Aviator463 complaints · 124 recalls Fewer issues per year
Toyota Camry2,083 complaints · 28 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Lincoln Aviator averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Lincoln Aviator has 463 complaints and 124 recalls on record; Toyota Camry has 2,083 complaints and 28 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryLincoln AviatorToyota Camry
Total complaintsAll model years combined463 Better2,083
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns12428 Better
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints18 Better177
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years46.3 Better208.3
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints16 Better161
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better1

Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.

What actually goes wrong

The problems owners report

The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.

Lincoln Aviator

  1. 01POWER TRAIN114
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM84
  3. 03STRUCTURE81
  4. 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER50
  5. 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING33
In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

I purchased a brand new 2025 Lincoln Aviator on 9/27/25, with 33 miles on it. I do not even make it home from the dealer before it started making a scrubbing/grinding noise, which subsequently led to the replacement of the transfer case and transmission on a…

The car has stopped electrically with no response from any switches when trying to switch on. This has happened before couple of times and once it switched on by itself after 5 min, the second incident it had to be towed away from road after no response in 2…

Toyota Camry

  1. 01POWER TRAIN385
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER332
  3. 03ENGINE309
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES288
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM233
In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

The contact owned a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH there would be a loud noise emitting from the rear-end of the vehicle that seemed as if the vehicle was running rough. The contact stated that while being idl…

My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…

Official recalls

Safety recalls on record

Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.

Lincoln Aviator — 124 recalls

Back Over Prevention — Display Function
#24V368000

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The accessory protocol image module (APIM) can be affected by electromagnetic interference with a cell phone in the vehicle, causing the rearview camera image to flicker or become distorted.

The risk: A flickering or distorted rearview camera image can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Owners are advised not to use their cell phones while reversing until the remedy is completed. Dealers will install shielding on the accessory protocol image module (APIM), free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October…

Equipment — Other — Labels
#24V852000Aug 2024

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement…

The risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

The fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.

Seats — Mid/Rear Assembly
#25V393000

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.

The risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford'…

Structure — Body
#25V407000

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator vehicles. The rear door window bars and C-pillar trim may have insufficient adhesive bonding, which can allow the trim to detach from the vehicle.

The risk: Detached trim may cause a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will repair or replace C-pillar appliques and window division bars, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2025. Owners may contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recal…

Toyota Camry — 28 recalls

Wheels — Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
#23V432000

The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.

The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…

Seats
#24V128000

The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…

The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification
#23V865000

The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…

The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…

Seats
#24V128000

The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…

The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…

Year by year

Which model years to avoid

Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.

YearLincoln AviatorToyota Camry
2026097
202513140
2024546
20232160
20224357
202138154
2020100264
Years to scrutinize: the 2003 Lincoln Aviator drew the most complaints (111); the 2018 Toyota Camry drew the most (729). Inspect these model years especially closely.

Check the actual car

Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.

Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Lincoln Aviator or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Lincoln Aviator vs Toyota Camry — comparison facts
Comparison
Lincoln Aviator vs Toyota Camry
Lincoln Aviator total complaints
463
Toyota Camry total complaints
2,083
Lincoln Aviator total recalls
124
Toyota Camry total recalls
28
Lincoln Aviator avg complaints/year
46.3
Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
208.3
More reliable overall
Lincoln Aviator
Lincoln Aviator top complaint area
POWER TRAIN
Toyota Camry top complaint area
POWER TRAIN