Head-to-head reliability
FORD Bronco Sport vs Toyota Camry
How the FORD Bronco Sport 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
FORD Bronco Sport vs Toyota Camry: The Bronco Sport averages 234.7 complaints per year over 6 years, while the Camry averages 205.6 over 10 years. The Bronco Sport has 66 recalls and 55 crash-related complaints; the Camry has 31 recalls and 171 crash-related complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Bronco Sport or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Bronco Sport
The Ford Bronco Sport is a compact SUV that has been on the road for six years, accumulating an average of about 235 complaints per year. The most common trouble spots are the electrical system, power train, and engine, with owners reporting issues like sudden hood fly-ups, infotainment failures, and loss of drive power. With 66 recalls and 55 crash-related complaints, it's a vehicle that demands careful inspection and a thorough test drive before purchase.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a 10-year history and an average of about 206 complaints per year. Power train, engine, and brake issues dominate owner reports, including stuck ignition keys, hesitation, and brake noise. Although it has fewer recalls (31) than the Bronco Sport, it has more crash-related complaints (171) and one death, so a pre-purchase inspection is still essential.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Bronco Sport | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,408 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 66 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 55 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 234.7 | 205.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 50 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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.
FORD Bronco Sport
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM358
- 02POWER TRAIN305
- 03ENGINE305
- 04SERVICE BRAKES201
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER197
Owners report sudden hood fly-ups that block the windshield, as well as infotainment failures with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These electrical glitches can distract the driver and compromise safety, so check for any open recalls on the hood latch and test all electronics.
Complaints include loss of drive power and failure to accelerate, plus severe drivetrain binding and shuddering from the rear drive unit during low-speed turns. Such issues can leave you stranded or cause loss of control, so a thorough test drive at various speeds is critical.
Some owners report engine-related problems that lead to power loss and acceleration failure, often accompanied by app notifications of powertrain failure. These symptoms suggest potential internal mechanical issues, so ask for a complete service history and consider a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic.
Owners describe clicking noises, rough braking sounds, and a whiplash-like sensation when braking. These could indicate brake component wear or ABS issues, so have the brakes inspected and test them during your test drive.
“On XXX, driving at a relatively low rate of speed coming off the on-ramp from [XXX] onto [XXX], the hood of our Thrifty rental vehicle, a 2024 Ford Bronco, suddenly and without warning, flew up and completely obstructed the windshield. As we had just entered…”
“I am reporting ongoing electrical and infotainment system failures in my 2024 Ford Bronco Sport that present a potential safety risk to the driver and others on the road. The vehicle’s infotainment system, specifically Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, does not…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection. Others experience hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on. These issues can leave you unable to secure the vehicle or drive smoothly.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, sometimes taking several seconds to move. This lag can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic, so test acceleration from a stop and at low speeds.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that is attributed to the ABS system. These problems can prevent the car from moving or cause annoyance, so check the parking brake operation and listen for unusual brake noises.
Multiple system malfunctions have been reported, including failures in the smart stop system, vehicle stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance. Such widespread electronic failures can compromise safety, so verify that all driver-assist features work properly.
“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.
FORD Bronco Sport — 66 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles. The Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) may fail at startup.
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or vehicle speed, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: The instrument panel cluster software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Bronco Sport and Maverick vehicles. The Occupant Classification Sensor (OCS) unit may fail to correctly detect the presence of an adult or child in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fede…
The risk: Failure to correctly detect a passenger may result in the air bag not deploying as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger seat occupant classification sensor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 25, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C1…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Maverick and 2026 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with a 1.5L or 2.0L MPC engine and an engine block heater. The engine block heater may overheat when the vehicle is parked with the block heater plugged in.
The risk: An overheated engine block heater can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised not to plug in their block heater until the vehicle is remedied. Dealers will replace the block heater, and inspect and replace the electrical cord if necessary, free of charge. Owners will also have an alternative optio…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Bronco Sport and 2022-2026 Maverick vehicles. The front lower control arm ball joints may have been incorrectly installed or incorrectly repaired at the vehicle assembly plant, allowing the control arm to disconnect from the front wheel knuck…
The risk: A detached control arm 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 remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and repair the front lower control arm ball joints as necessary, free of charge.Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2026. Ow…
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
FORD Bronco Sport or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Ford Bronco Sport has a higher average annual complaint rate (about 235 per year) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 206 per year). However, the Camry has more total complaints and crash-related reports over its longer production run. In practice, the Bronco Sport may require more frequent attention to electrical and power train issues, while the Camry's problems tend to center on power train and brake systems.
Key differences
- The Bronco Sport has a higher complaint rate per year (234.7 vs 205.6) but fewer total complaints due to a shorter time on the market.
- The Bronco Sport has more recalls (66 vs 31) but fewer crash-related complaints (55 vs 171) and injuries (50 vs 158) than the Camry.
- Bronco Sport owners frequently report electrical issues like hood fly-ups and infotainment failures, while Camry owners report power train problems such as stuck ignition keys and hesitation.
- The Camry has one reported death, while the Bronco Sport has none, though both have safety-related complaints that warrant attention.
- Check for any open recalls related to the hood latch or electrical system, as sudden hood fly-ups have been reported.
- During a test drive, listen for drivetrain binding or shuddering from the rear during low-speed turns, which could indicate a failing rear drive unit.
- Test the ignition key removal multiple times to ensure it doesn't get stuck in Park, a reported power train defect.
- Check the electronic parking brake operation and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which may signal ABS issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all safety recalls have been performed.
- Take a lengthy test drive that includes low-speed turns, braking, and acceleration to reproduce reported symptoms.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the electrical system, power train, and brakes for both models.
- For the Bronco Sport, specifically check the hood latch and infotainment system functionality.
- For the Camry, verify the ignition key can be removed easily and that all driver-assist systems operate without error messages.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | FORD Bronco Sport | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 0 |
| 2025 | 76 | 163 |
| 2024 | 109 | 50 |
| 2023 | 158 | 64 |
| 2022 | 359 | 61 |
| 2021 | 699 | 157 |
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 FORD Bronco Sport or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Bronco Sport vs Toyota Camry
- FORD Bronco Sport total complaints
- 1,408
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- FORD Bronco Sport total recalls
- 66
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- FORD Bronco Sport avg complaints/year
- 234.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- FORD Bronco Sport top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN