2017 audi A5 vs 2017 lincoln MKT
Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.
2017 audi A5
2017 lincoln MKT
Stories from the shop
The 2017 lincoln MKT edges this one, but it's tight. We're talking 4.7 versus 4.5 on the reliability index. Close enough that the right answer for you might be the other truck — depends what you're using it for and what you can afford to fix when something does go.
Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.
Common questions
Which is more reliable, the 2017 Audi A5 or the 2017 Lincoln MKT?
Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2017 Lincoln MKT comes out ahead with a reliability score of 4.7 versus 4.5. The margin is narrow, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.
What goes wrong more often on the 2017 Audi A5?
On the categories we tracked, the 2017 Audi A5 doesn't show meaningfully more complaints than the 2017 Lincoln MKT. Both have similar issue patterns.
What goes wrong more often on the 2017 Lincoln MKT?
On the categories we tracked, the 2017 Lincoln MKT doesn't show meaningfully more complaints than the 2017 Audi A5. The two are running close.
Which has more recalls?
The 2017 Audi A5 has more active recalls (2 vs 0). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.
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 $0 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.