Head-to-head reliability
FORD Bronco vs Toyota Camry
How the FORD Bronco 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 vs Toyota Camry: The Bronco has 1111 complaints and 105 recalls over 6 years, while the Camry has 2056 complaints and 31 recalls over 10 years. The Bronco averages 185.2 complaints per year, the Camry 205.6. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Bronco or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Bronco
The Ford Bronco is a lifestyle SUV that has averaged about 185 complaints per year over six years, with 105 recalls. Owners report serious issues like engine fires, glass shattering, and electrical glitches. While many complaints are for minor annoyances, the fire and glass incidents are potential safety hazards that a buyer should inspect carefully.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with about 206 complaints per year over ten years, but only 31 recalls. Complaints often involve power train hesitation, brake noises, and electronic malfunctions. The higher complaint count reflects its huge sales volume, but the lower recall count suggests fewer widespread defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Bronco | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,111 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 105 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 44 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 185.2 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 29 Better | 158 |
| 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.
FORD Bronco
- 01ENGINE179
- 02VISIBILITY/WIPER178
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM147
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER139
- 05SERVICE BRAKES109
Owners report engine compartment fires, sometimes while idling, with smoke odor as a warning. These fires can total the vehicle, so a buyer should check for any signs of overheating or electrical burning smells.
Complaints include side mirrors changing orientation while driving, unreliable blind spot warnings, and rear glass shattering spontaneously. These defects can impair visibility and pose a risk of injury from flying glass.
Owners report infotainment glitches, hands-free phone issues after software updates, and inconsistent blind spot monitoring. These problems can distract the driver and reduce confidence in safety features.
While fewer complaints, some owners mention brake issues. Given the Bronco's off-road use, brake wear and performance should be verified during a pre-purchase inspection.
“The failure appears to have originated in the passenger side engine compartment, but the exact component or system (fuel, electrical, or other) is unknown. The vehicle is a total loss from the fire but should be available for inspection at the tow or storage…”
“The contact owns a 2024 Ford Bronco. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, a fire originated near the dashboard area without warning. The occupants inside the vehicle first noticed an abnormal smoke odor inside the vehicle. Shortly afterwards,…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report ignition key getting stuck in Park, hesitation and shuddering while driving, and transmission issues. These can leave a driver stranded or cause delayed acceleration, increasing crash risk.
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.
Owners describe the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow, and clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area. These issues can affect stopping reliability and driver confidence.
Multiple systems like stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction simultaneously. This suggests complex electronic integration issues that may be costly to diagnose and repair.
“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 — 105 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Bronco and Bronco Heritage vehicles. The rear quarter glass panels may have been improperly installed to the vehicle hard top, which can allow them to detach.
The risk: Detached rear glass panels may create a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reinstall the rear glass panels on Bronco vehicles. On Bronco Heritage vehicles, dealers will replace the rear left-hand removable quarter glass panel. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Bronco owner notific…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Bronco 4-door vehicles. The left-side rear door may be opened from the inside of the vehicle when the child safety lock is in the "ON" position.
The risk: A malfunctioning child safety lock that allows a rear door to be opened unintentionally can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the child safety locks and replace the rear door latch, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 9, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ranger, and 2024-2025 Bronco vehicles. The front upper control arm ball joint nut may not have been installed or tightened properly, allowing the front upper control arm to detach from the knuckle assembly.
The risk: A detached control arm can cause a loss of vehicle steering and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and verify that the ball joint fastener is tightened properly. If a fastener is loose or missing, the dealer will replace the ball joint and knuckle assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters wer…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Bronco vehicles. The rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external reservoir.
The risk: An external reservoir that detaches from a vehicle can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear shock absorbers, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S01.
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 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Ford Bronco has fewer complaints per year (about 185 vs. 206 for the Camry) but far more recalls (105 vs. 31). In practice, the Bronco may have more widespread defects requiring dealer fixes, while the Camry's issues are more numerous but less frequently subject to recalls.
Key differences
- The Bronco has 105 recalls over 6 years, while the Camry has only 31 over 10 years, indicating more widespread defect campaigns for the Bronco.
- Bronco owners report engine fires and shattering glass, which are severe safety concerns; Camry owners report hesitation and stuck keys, which are more drivability annoyances.
- The Camry has higher annual complaints (205.6 vs. 185.2) but many are for electronic glitches, while the Bronco's complaints include potentially life-threatening fires.
- Both have brake complaints, but the Camry's involve electronic parking brake failures, while the Bronco's are less detailed in the sample.
- Check for any signs of engine compartment fire damage, such as melted wiring, soot, or a smoke odor, especially around the passenger side.
- Inspect the rear glass and side mirrors for cracks or loose fittings, and test the blind spot monitoring system for consistent operation.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park to ensure it doesn't stick, and listen for hesitation or shuddering during a test drive.
- Check the electronic parking brake engagement and disengagement, and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the NHTSA website for the specific VIN.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine compartment for fire damage or fluid leaks, especially on the Bronco.
- Test all electronic features, including infotainment, blind spot monitoring, and parking brake, during a test drive.
- For the Camry, verify transmission performance by accelerating at various speeds and checking for delayed response.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any recalls have been addressed.
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 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 23 | 0 |
| 2025 | 180 | 163 |
| 2024 | 75 | 50 |
| 2023 | 226 | 64 |
| 2022 | 378 | 61 |
| 2021 | 229 | 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 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Bronco vs Toyota Camry
- FORD Bronco total complaints
- 1,111
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- FORD Bronco total recalls
- 105
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- FORD Bronco avg complaints/year
- 185.2
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- FORD Bronco
- FORD Bronco top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN