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.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Lincoln Aviator vs Toyota Camry: The Aviator averages 47.5 complaints per year versus the Camry's 214.3, but the Aviator has 125 recalls compared to the Camry's 31. Owners report rusted axles and handlebar detachment on the Aviator, while Camry owners face transmission grinding and brake failure. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lincoln Aviator or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lincoln Aviator
The Lincoln Aviator, a luxury SUV, shows a reliability picture dominated by powertrain and electrical complaints, with a notable number of structural issues. Owners report rusted axles causing grinding noises, frequent no-start conditions, and even a handlebar detaching, leading to injuries. Recalls are numerous, covering structure, seats, and fuel systems, but parts availability is often delayed, adding frustration for owners.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, a popular sedan, has a higher raw complaint count but over a larger sales base. Its issues center on powertrain, engine, and brakes, with reports of transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, and brake failure. While recalls are fewer, some owners mention recalls not covering their VIN for known issues, and the higher complaint volume suggests more frequent problems in absolute terms.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lincoln Aviator | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 475 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 125 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 18 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 47.5 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 17 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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
- 01POWER TRAIN118
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM86
- 03STRUCTURE81
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER50
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING34
Owners report grinding noises when backing up and rattles at speed, traced to rusted axles. This can lead to driveline failure and costly repairs, especially in regions with road salt.
Frequent no-start conditions, with one owner citing over ten instances in four months, and high-pitched noises from the headlight switch. These electrical gremlins can leave you stranded and require multiple dealer visits.
The passenger-side top handlebar can detach completely, causing falls and injuries. This is a safety hazard for passengers, and recalls for structure issues exist but parts may not be available promptly.
“My 2023 Lincoln Aviator has a grinding noise when I back up. Also a rattle has begun at all speeds. I had vehicled check and the axles were found to be totally rusted. Prior to having it towed to the detail i did some research and found the following -- A 202…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Lincoln Aviator. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the garage, the garage became extremely hot, and the fans underneath the vehicle activated. The contact opened the garage. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer,…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Grinding noise from the front end on acceleration, confirmed by dealers as transmission issues requiring replacement. This is a major expense and can leave you without a car while parts are on backorder.
Reports of uncontrollable sudden acceleration leading to crashes, and engine codes pointing to coolant valve bypass issues that may not be covered by recall for your VIN. This is a serious safety concern.
Brake pedal can go unresponsive, especially on hills, requiring increased pedal force or resulting in no braking. This is a critical safety issue that demands immediate attention.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder 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 — 125 recalls
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…
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.
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'…
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 — 31 recalls
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…
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…
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…
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…
Buyer analysis
Lincoln Aviator or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Lincoln Aviator has fewer complaints per year (47.5) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), but its issues are more severe in terms of safety recalls and structural failures. The Camry's higher count reflects its popularity, but the nature of its problems—like sudden acceleration and brake failure—is equally concerning.
Key differences
- Aviator has more recalls (125) vs Camry (31), indicating more widespread safety campaigns.
- Aviator owners report rusted axles and handlebar detachment, while Camry owners report sudden acceleration and brake failure.
- Camry has higher absolute complaint numbers, but Aviator's complaints are more concentrated in safety-critical areas.
- Aviator's electrical issues (no-start) are more frequent relative to its total complaints than Camry's.
- Inspect the rear axles for rust and listen for grinding when backing up.
- Check the passenger-side grab handle for looseness or detachment risk.
- Test the brakes on a hill to ensure pedal response is consistent.
- Listen for grinding from the transmission during acceleration.
Before you buy
- Check NHTSA recall status for both vehicles and ensure all open recalls are completed.
- For the Aviator, have a mechanic inspect the axles and electrical system, including battery and starting components.
- For the Camry, test drive at low speeds and on inclines to check transmission and brake behavior.
- Ask for service records to see if any transmission or brake repairs were done.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic familiar with these models.
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.
| Year | Lincoln Aviator | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 119 |
| 2025 | 14 | 153 |
| 2024 | 6 | 48 |
| 2023 | 22 | 62 |
| 2022 | 44 | 59 |
| 2021 | 38 | 155 |
| 2020 | 107 | 270 |
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
- Comparison
- Lincoln Aviator vs Toyota Camry
- Lincoln Aviator total complaints
- 475
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Lincoln Aviator total recalls
- 125
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Lincoln Aviator avg complaints/year
- 47.5
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Lincoln Aviator
- Lincoln Aviator top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN