Head-to-head reliability
Dodge NEON vs Toyota Camry
How the Dodge NEON 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
Dodge NEON vs Toyota Camry: The NEON averages 185.5 complaints per year with 8 deaths, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 1 death. The NEON has more severe safety complaints like air bag non-deployment, whereas the Camry reports more drivability issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge NEON or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge NEON
The Dodge NEON is a compact car that, based on NHTSA data, has a high rate of complaints relative to its short 6-year production run, averaging 185.5 complaints per year. Owners frequently report serious issues with electrical systems, air bags, engine cooling, brakes, and power train, with many complaints describing sudden failures while driving. The 204 crash-related complaints, 172 injuries, and 8 deaths suggest that some failures may have severe consequences. For a first-time buyer, living with a NEON could mean dealing with unexpected breakdowns and safety concerns.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a longer 10-year span in this data, averaging 205.6 complaints per year, slightly higher than the NEON. Complaints often involve power train, engine, brakes, and electrical systems, but many describe drivability issues like hesitation or warning lights rather than immediate crashes. With 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and 1 death, the Camry's safety outcomes appear less severe in this dataset. Overall, the Camry may offer more predictable ownership, though it is not free of problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge NEON | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,113 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 41 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 204 | 171 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 185.5 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 172 | 158 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 8 | 1 Better |
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.
Dodge NEON
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM192
- 02AIR BAGS177
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING162
- 04SERVICE BRAKES152
- 05POWER TRAIN141
Owners report fog lights turning on by themselves, smoke and heat from the steering wheel, and window seals cracking and falling off, allowing water into doors. These issues can lead to electrical shorts or fires, and water damage may cause costly repairs.
Complaints describe air bags failing to deploy in crashes, including a high-speed highway collision and a rear-end impact. Non-deployment can increase injury risk, and buyers should verify any recall repairs.
Sudden loss of acceleration and coolant loss are reported, sometimes causing the car to stop unexpectedly. These failures can strand drivers and may indicate head gasket or cooling system problems.
Owners report rear wheel lock-up and brake pedal going to the floor with no warning, leading to loss of braking. Such failures are dangerous and require immediate attention.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DODGE NEON. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED, THE FOG LIGHTS SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO EMIT SMOKE AND BECAME UNUSUALLY HOT IN TEMPERATURE. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICL…”
“ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS AFTER I PURCHASED MY DODGE NEON SXT THE SEAL AT THE BOTTOM OF ALL THE WINDOWS BEGAN TO DRY UP, CRACK, AND FALL OFF. AT THIS POINT I BARELY HAVE ANY SEAL IN BETWEEN ALL 4 OF MY CAR WINDOWS AND THE CAR DOOR. WATER HAS GONE DOWN INTO MY DOOR AN…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of 2023 Camrys report the ignition key getting stuck and not releasing even when in Park, requiring battery disconnection. Others note hesitation and shuddering with check engine lights, which can affect drivability and may indicate transmission or engine issues.
Complaints include delayed throttle response, where pressing the accelerator results in several seconds of no movement. This can be a safety hazard when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may not disengage, requiring towing, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is reported. These issues can leave the car immobile or cause driver annoyance.
Multiple system malfunctions are reported, including smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance. Such failures can reduce driver assistance and increase crash risk.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
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.
Dodge NEON — 41 recalls
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES…
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
The defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND A…
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
The defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.…
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D…
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
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…
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…
Buyer analysis
Dodge NEON or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Dodge NEON has fewer complaints per year (185.5) than the Toyota Camry (205.6), but the NEON's complaints more often involve severe safety outcomes like air bag non-deployment and brake failure. The Camry's higher annual rate includes many drivability and electronic annoyances. In practice, the NEON may pose greater immediate safety risks, while the Camry may have more frequent but less catastrophic issues.
Key differences
- The Dodge NEON has 8 deaths and 172 injuries in 6 years, while the Toyota Camry has 1 death and 158 injuries in 10 years, indicating more severe outcomes for the NEON.
- NEON complaints frequently cite air bag non-deployment and brake failure, whereas Camry complaints often involve key stuck, hesitation, and electronic parking brake issues.
- The NEON has 41 recalls in 6 years, many for exterior lighting and suspension, while the Camry has 31 recalls in 10 years, including seats and air bag sensors.
- Electrical system complaints are the top category for the NEON (192), while power train is the top for the Camry (385), suggesting different failure patterns.
- Check for signs of electrical burning or smoke from the steering wheel, and test all lights including fog lights for unexpected operation.
- Inspect brake function carefully, including rear wheel lock-up, and verify air bag recall repairs have been performed.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park and ensure it releases smoothly without battery disconnection.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and verify the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been fixed, especially air bag and brake recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system, brakes, and engine cooling for the NEON, and the power train, brakes, and electronics for the Camry.
- Test drive at various speeds, including highway, to check for hesitation, shuddering, or delayed acceleration.
- Verify that all safety systems (air bags, stability control, parking brake) function correctly during the test drive.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and be wary if the car has a salvage title or unrepaired recall notices.
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 Dodge NEON or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge NEON vs Toyota Camry
- Dodge NEON total complaints
- 1,113
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Dodge NEON total recalls
- 41
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Dodge NEON avg complaints/year
- 185.5
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Dodge NEON
- Dodge NEON top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN