Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

Different vehicle classes · Different segments — choice depends on use case

2005 GMC Yukon vs 2005 Lincoln LS

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-05-03 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
2005 GMC Yukon versus 2005 Lincoln LS — different vehicles, different jobs

These two come from different segments, which makes a direct reliability comparison less meaningful than usual. Showing the data so you can see what each one is good at and where each one breaks down. The reliability scores (3.9 versus 3.9) reflect different testing populations and use patterns — don't treat them as apples-to-apples.

2005 GMC Yukon

3.9/5
Reliability score
85 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$11,400 repair exposure
vs

2005 Lincoln LS

3.9/5
Reliability score
90 complaints
0 recalls (0 critical)
$10,350 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

These come from different vehicle segments, which means we're not declaring a winner here. The 2005 GMC Yukon scores 3.9; the 2005 Lincoln LS scores 3.9. Different testing populations, different driving patterns, different categories of failure. Use the data below to understand what each one is good at and what each one breaks.

If you lean 2005 GMC Yukon, know what you're getting into on electrical and brakes. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2005 Lincoln LS sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2005 Lincoln LS? Watch the powertrain and engine. The 2005 GMC Yukon has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

Bottom line: these are different categories of vehicle. Pick based on what you actually need it for. We're showing the reliability data so you can factor in long-term ownership cost, not pick a winner.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2005 GMC Yukon
2005 Lincoln LS
electrical
23 reports
severe · ~$850
14 reports
severe · ~$850
powertrain
7 reports
severe · ~$2,500
16 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
engine
8 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
14 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
brakes
11 reports
severe · ~$450
4 reports
moderate · ~$450
airbags
6 reports
severe · ~$1,100
9 reports
severe · ~$1,100
fuel system
6 reports
moderate · ~$1,200
5 reports
moderate · ~$1,200
cruise control
No reports
7 reports
severe · ~$600
wheels
No reports
6 reports
moderate · ~$400
steering
4 reports
moderate · ~$700
No reports
body
3 reports
moderate · ~$1,500
No reports

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2005 GMC Yukon or the 2005 Lincoln LS?

It's close to a tie. Both vehicles score within 0.2 points on our reliability index (3.9 vs 3.9). At this margin, either choice is defensible — base your decision on the specific failure modes that matter to you.

What goes wrong more often on the 2005 GMC Yukon?

Compared to the 2005 Lincoln LS, the 2005 GMC Yukon sees more reported issues in electrical and brakes. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2005 Lincoln LS?

Compared to the 2005 GMC Yukon, the 2005 Lincoln LS has more complaints in powertrain and engine. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

Both vehicles have 0 active recalls. Total recall count alone isn't a great signal — what matters is severity. See the recall counts by severity in the comparison table.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $11,400 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
Get a free warranty quote →