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Lexus ES350 vs Lincoln MKZ: reliability compared

From 2007 to 2020, owners filed an average of 103 complaints per model year about the Lexus ES350 and 119 about the Lincoln MKZ.

Side by side

Lexus ES350Lincoln MKZ
Model years compared2007-20202007-2020
Owner complaints1,4431,672
Complaints per model year103119
Recalls1132
Years to avoid20072008200920102011201220072008
Best yearsNone stand out201620182019
Most common problemAirbagsAirbags
Crash ratingNo dataNo data
Fuel economy26 mpg combined (2020)20-41 mpg combined (2020)

A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.

Complaints per model year

2007 Lexus ES350: 5392007 Lincoln MKZ: 25920072008 Lexus ES350: 2552008 Lincoln MKZ: 2812009 Lexus ES350: 1452009 Lincoln MKZ: 11420092010 Lexus ES350: 1372010 Lincoln MKZ: 1702011 Lexus ES350: 1532011 Lincoln MKZ: 14520112012 Lexus ES350: 892012 Lincoln MKZ: 1462013 Lexus ES350: 232013 Lincoln MKZ: 10920132014 Lexus ES350: 282014 Lincoln MKZ: 982015 Lexus ES350: 162015 Lincoln MKZ: 8420152016 Lexus ES350: 212016 Lincoln MKZ: 652017 Lexus ES350: 222017 Lincoln MKZ: 14220172018 Lexus ES350: 52018 Lincoln MKZ: 362019 Lexus ES350: 52019 Lincoln MKZ: 2120192020 Lexus ES350: 52020 Lincoln MKZ: 2
Lexus ES350Lincoln MKZ

Problems compared

ES350MKZ
Airbags867674
Acceleration21343
Body8366
Electrical57121
Brakes51283
Visibility4917
Engine39184
Steering17117
Transmission3894

Questions about the Lexus ES350 vs Lincoln MKZ

Which is more reliable, the Lexus ES350 or the Lincoln MKZ?

Between 2007 and 2020, the Lexus ES350 has 6 years to avoid and the Lincoln MKZ 2. The Lincoln MKZ has been more consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Lexus ES350 drew fewer complaints per model year (103 vs 119), though sales volume affects that number.

Which has more recalls, the Lexus ES350 or the Lincoln MKZ?

From 2007 to 2020, the Lexus ES350 was covered by 11 recalls and the Lincoln MKZ by 32.

What years of the Lexus ES350 and Lincoln MKZ should you avoid?

Lexus ES350: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Lincoln MKZ: 2007 and 2008.

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