Head-to-head reliability
Dodge RAM VAN vs Toyota Camry
How the Dodge RAM VAN 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 RAM VAN vs Toyota Camry: The van averaged 382 complaints per year over 4 years, with 2 deaths and 98 injuries, while the Camry averaged 214 per year over 10 years, with 1 death and 163 injuries. The van's top issues are structure and air bags; the Camry's are power train and engine. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge RAM VAN or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge RAM VAN
The Dodge RAM VAN is a full-size work van with a heavy-duty build, but owner complaints suggest it can be a handful to live with. Over four years, it averaged 382 complaints per year, with many reports of structural failures like rusted frames and broken stabilizer bars. Air bag non-deployment in crashes is a recurring and serious concern. Buyers should expect to inspect the undercarriage and safety systems carefully.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan known for dependability, and its complaint rate is much lower per year—about 214 over ten years. However, owners report issues with the power train, engine, and brakes, including transmission grinding and sudden acceleration. Air bag sensor and seat recalls are also noted. Overall, it appears to have fewer frequent problems than the van, but some safety-related complaints exist.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge RAM VAN | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,529 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 65 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 382.3 | 214.3 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 98 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 | 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 RAM VAN
- 01STRUCTURE554
- 02AIR BAGS432
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER166
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM134
- 05POWER TRAIN112
Owners report severe rust that can cause the frame to crack or separate, leading to loss of steering. One complaint described the stabilizer bar falling off the front end while driving. This is critical because it can make the van uncontrollable.
Multiple owners say air bags failed to deploy in frontal crashes, even at speeds around 40 mph. In one case, the air bags spewed chemicals but did not inflate. This means occupants may hit the steering wheel or dash, increasing injury risk.
Complaints include stalling without warning and under-hood fires originating near the ABS module. One van caught fire while parked and was declared a total loss. These issues can leave you stranded or cause a fire.
The van has two recalls for the automatic transmission column shift lever and linkage. This suggests a risk of the gear selector not working properly, which could lead to unintended movement or inability to shift.
“WHILE COMING BACK FROM SOME ERRANDS AS I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY I HEARD A BIG SNAP ON MY FRONT END AND BANG AND SCRAPPING ON PAVEMENT AS SOON AS I STOPPED TO LOOK THE WHOLE PIECE OF THE STABILIZER BAR FELL OFF THE FRONT END CHASSIS AND AS I LOOKED ON FRONT E…”
“URGENT SAFETY ISSUE: DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD VEHICLE LOSES COMPLETE STEER ABILITY!!! HAD TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND FOUND FRAME RUSTED THROUGH (DUE TO FACTORY ROUTING OF A/C WATER DRAINAGE) AND CAUSED STEERING MECHANISM TO SEPARATE WHERE THE STEERING CONNECTION IS…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the transmission that require replacement, and some say the issue is similar to a recall on other model years. This can be expensive and may happen without warning.
Complaints include sudden, uncontrollable acceleration that led to a crash, and coolant bypass valve failures that trigger a maintenance code. These can be dangerous and costly to repair.
Some drivers experienced no brake response when pressing the pedal, such as on a steep hill. This is a serious safety concern that could lead to a crash.
Common issues include AC condenser damage from road debris and a persistent mildew or vinegar smell from the vents. These are annoying and may require repeated repairs.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
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 RAM VAN — 2 recalls
The defect: ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY…
The risk: EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
The defect: ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY…
The risk: EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
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…
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…
Buyer analysis
Dodge RAM VAN or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has far fewer complaints per year (about 214) compared to the Dodge RAM VAN (about 382), meaning you're less likely to encounter frequent problems. However, the Camry still has notable safety complaints like sudden acceleration and brake failure. In practice, the Camry may be more reliable day-to-day, but both vehicles have serious issues that require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Dodge RAM VAN has a much higher complaint rate per year (382 vs. 214), suggesting more frequent owner-reported issues.
- Structural failures like frame rust and stabilizer bar detachment are prominent in the van, while the Camry's top complaints are power train and engine-related.
- Air bag non-deployment is a repeated complaint for the van, whereas the Camry has air bag sensor recalls but fewer non-deployment reports.
- The Camry has 31 recalls over 10 years, covering seats, wheels, and labels, while the van has only 2 recalls, both for transmission shift linkage.
- Check the frame and undercarriage for rust, especially around the steering mechanism and where the A/C drains, as rust-through can cause steering separation.
- Test the air bag system: ensure no warning lights are on and ask if the air bags have ever been replaced or deployed, since non-deployment is a common complaint.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration and test-drive at various speeds; some owners needed a full transmission replacement.
- Test the brakes on a slope or during hard stops to ensure they respond immediately, as some owners reported no brake response.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls, especially the Dodge RAM VAN's transmission shift linkage and the Camry's air bag sensor and seat recalls.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the Dodge RAM VAN's frame for rust and the Camry's transmission and brake system.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any unusual noises, warning lights, or delayed acceleration/braking.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for transmission service on the Camry and undercarriage repairs on the van.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been addressed by checking the NHTSA website with the VIN.
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 RAM VAN or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge RAM VAN vs Toyota Camry
- Dodge RAM VAN total complaints
- 1,529
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Dodge RAM VAN total recalls
- 2
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Dodge RAM VAN avg complaints/year
- 382.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- Dodge RAM VAN top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN