Head-to-head reliability
Dodge RAM Wagon vs Toyota Camry
How the Dodge RAM Wagon 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 Wagon vs Toyota Camry: The RAM Wagon has 543 complaints per year with no recalls, while the Camry has 214 per year with 31 recalls. RAM Wagon owners report frame rust and air bag failures; Camry owners report transmission and brake issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge RAM Wagon or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge RAM Wagon
The Dodge RAM Wagon, based on NHTSA data, shows a high rate of complaints concentrated in structure, air bags, and powertrain. Owners report serious issues like frame rust causing steering failure, air bags not deploying in crashes, and rear axle or driveshaft failures that can cause loss of control. These are safety-critical problems that suggest a vehicle with significant reliability and safety concerns.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, with a longer reporting period, has a lower annual complaint rate but still shows notable issues in powertrain, engine, and brakes. Owners report transmission grinding and replacement needs, sudden acceleration incidents, and brake failures, which are concerning. However, the Camry has 31 recalls, indicating active manufacturer attention to some issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge RAM Wagon | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,172 | 2,143 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 155 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 543.0 | 214.3 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 166 | 163 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 RAM Wagon
- 01STRUCTURE538
- 02AIR BAGS525
- 03POWER TRAIN252
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM165
- 05SUSPENSION148
Owners report severe rust on the frame, particularly around the steering box, which can cause the steering to disconnect while driving. This is a critical safety hazard that can lead to loss of control.
Multiple complaints describe air bags failing to deploy in moderate to high-speed collisions, resulting in injuries. This suggests a potential defect in the air bag system that could leave occupants unprotected in a crash.
There are reports of the pinion nut loosening on the rear axle, which could lead to axle seizure, and driveshaft separation while driving. These failures can cause sudden loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.
The FCM (Front Control Module) and PDC (Power Distribution Center) are prone to corrosion, causing brake lights, turn signals, and headlights to fail. This can lead to electrical malfunctions and reduced visibility, increasing accident risk.
“A FEW YEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE DASH BEGAN TO DEVELOP CRACKS AND HOLES. THIS HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE A DASH COVER HAD TO BE PURCHASED TO AVOID THINGS FALLING DOWN BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. CURRENTLY, THERE IS MORE M…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRAME AROUND THE STEERING BOX DISCONNECTED FROM THE STEERING DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENC…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the transmission and the need for complete transmission replacement, even on newer models. This indicates a potential premature failure that can be costly to repair.
There are complaints of sudden, uncontrollable acceleration, which can lead to crashes. Additionally, some owners report engine maintenance lights related to a coolant valve bypass issue that may not be covered by recall for their specific VIN.
Several owners describe brake failure, such as no response when pressing the pedal, especially on hills. This is a critical safety issue that can lead to accidents.
The HVAC system can produce a strong vinegar or mildew odor from the vents, which is unpleasant but not necessarily a safety issue. However, it indicates a potential design flaw in the air conditioning system.
“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 Wagon
No recalls on record.
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 Wagon or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has fewer complaints per year (214.3) compared to the Dodge RAM Wagon (543.0), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. While both have serious safety concerns, the Camry's lower frequency and active recall history suggest it may be a more reliable choice in terms of overall complaint volume.
Key differences
- The Dodge RAM Wagon has a much higher annual complaint rate (543 vs 214) and no recalls, while the Camry has 31 recalls, indicating more proactive manufacturer action.
- The RAM Wagon's top issues are structural rust and air bag non-deployment, which are safety-critical, whereas the Camry's top issues include transmission and brake failures, also serious but with more recalls.
- The RAM Wagon's complaints are concentrated in structure and air bags, while the Camry's are spread across powertrain, engine, and brakes.
- The Camry has a longer reporting period (10 years vs 4), which may affect averages, but the RAM Wagon's high rate is still notable.
- Inspect the frame, especially around the steering box, for rust or corrosion that could compromise steering integrity.
- Check for any signs of air bag system malfunction, such as warning lights, and verify that air bags have not been previously deployed or tampered with.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration and have the transmission fluid and system checked by a mechanic.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on hills, and check for any warning lights or unusual pedal feel that might indicate brake failure.
Before you buy
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the frame, steering, and air bag system for the RAM Wagon.
- For the Camry, check the vehicle's recall status and ensure all outstanding recalls have been addressed.
- Test drive both vehicles at highway speeds and in stop-and-go traffic to feel for any transmission or brake issues.
- Review the vehicle's maintenance history for any major repairs, especially transmission or axle work.
- Check for any signs of water damage or corrosion in the electrical components, such as the fuse box, on both vehicles.
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 Wagon or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge RAM Wagon vs Toyota Camry
- Dodge RAM Wagon total complaints
- 2,172
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Dodge RAM Wagon total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Dodge RAM Wagon avg complaints/year
- 543.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- Dodge RAM Wagon top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN