Liens don't show up on your credit report, but failure to pay a debt, which can result in a lien, will show up on your credit report and therefore hurt your credit. For instance, if a judgment is made against you for an outstanding debt you didn't pay, and a lien is placed on your assets, the judgment will show up on your credit report, but the lien itself won't. If the lien is for a car or home loan, and you pay the loan as agreed, your credit won't be hurt by the lien.