Head-to-head reliability
FORD Expedition EL vs Toyota Camry
How the FORD Expedition EL 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 Expedition EL vs Toyota Camry: The Expedition EL had 272 complaints in one year, while the Camry averaged 214.3 per year over ten years. The Expedition has 0 recalls and 27 injuries; the Camry has 31 recalls, 163 injuries, and 1 death. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Expedition EL or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Expedition EL
The Ford Expedition EL is a large, body-on-frame SUV that owners rely on for heavy hauling and family transport. In one year, it drew 272 complaints, with electrical and brake problems dominating the list. Owners report scary situations like brakes failing to respond on snow or heat coming from under the dash. With no recalls on record, you're on your own for fixes, and the high injury count (27) suggests these aren't just minor annoyances.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream midsize sedan known for everyday commuting. Over ten years, it averaged 214 complaints per year, lower than the Expedition's single-year rate. But the Camry has 31 recalls and a wider variety of issues, from transmission grinding to sudden acceleration. The one death and 163 injuries in the data show that some problems can be severe, even if they're less frequent per year.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Expedition EL | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 272 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 20 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 272.0 | 214.3 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 27 Better | 163 |
| 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 Expedition EL
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM70
- 02SERVICE BRAKES68
- 03POWER TRAIN38
- 04ENGINE33
- 05HYDRAULIC31
Owners report the vehicle sliding on snow with the brake pedal depressed but no response, leading to crashes. Others mention heat coming from the bottom of the vehicle, which could be a sign of wiring or module trouble. These electrical gremlins can affect safety systems and are hard to diagnose.
Complaints describe the brake pedal going to the floor without stopping the vehicle, especially in slippery conditions. A recall for hydraulic brakes was announced but parts weren't available, leaving owners stuck. This is a critical safety issue that could lead to a crash.
Owners report sudden loss of power, a pop sound, and the vehicle entering limp mode with a wrench light. Another complaint mentions the speedometer bouncing and erratic shifting, then the car wouldn't go into gear. These transmission or drivetrain failures can leave you stranded.
The engine blower can seize, causing intermittent failures, and in some cases the engine cuts off completely while driving, with multiple warning lights (airbag, ABS, engine) coming on. This loss of power is dangerous, especially on the highway.
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds during the snow, the vehicle slid on the icy road. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. Due to the failure, the vehicle crashed into the…”
“The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V648000 (VISIBILITY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact felt heat coming from the bottom of the…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners hear grinding noises from the front upon acceleration, and dealers confirm the transmission needs replacement. Some report sudden acceleration while braking in parking lots, which can cause low-speed crashes. Transmission problems are expensive and can recur.
Common complaints include AC condensers damaged by rocks, leading to refrigerant leaks, and a persistent mildew or vinegar smell from the vents. These issues are annoying and costly to fix, though not safety-critical.
Reports of uncontrollable sudden acceleration, sometimes resulting in crashes, and engine codes for coolant valve bypass recalls that don't cover all VINs. Sudden acceleration is a serious safety risk that can lead to injury or death.
Owners describe the brake pedal having no response when driving down steep hills or in parking lots, leading to near-misses or crashes. This suggests a potential brake system failure that needs immediate attention.
“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.
FORD Expedition EL
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
FORD Expedition EL or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has fewer complaints per year (214.3 vs. 272.0 for the Expedition EL), but it has 31 recalls compared to none for the Expedition. In practice, the Expedition's higher annual complaint rate and lack of recalls mean you might face more frequent, unresolved issues, while the Camry's recalls show some problems are being addressed but also indicate a wider range of potential defects.
Key differences
- The Expedition EL has 272 complaints in one year, while the Camry averages 214.3 per year over ten years, so the Expedition has a higher annual complaint rate.
- The Expedition has no recalls on record, but the Camry has 31 recalls, meaning some Camry issues are officially recognized and may be fixed for free.
- Expedition owners frequently report brake failure and electrical heat issues, while Camry owners report transmission grinding and sudden acceleration.
- The Camry has 1 death and 163 injuries in its data, while the Expedition has 27 injuries and 0 deaths, showing different severity patterns.
- Test the brakes on slippery or loose surfaces; if the pedal feels soft or unresponsive, walk away.
- Check for any burning smells or heat coming from under the dashboard, which could indicate electrical problems.
- Listen for grinding noises from the front end during acceleration, which may signal transmission failure.
- Test the brakes on a steep hill or in a parking lot; any lack of response is a major red flag.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially for the Camry.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the brakes, transmission, and electrical system on both vehicles.
- For the Expedition, test drive in wet or snowy conditions if possible to check brake response.
- For the Camry, ask about transmission service history and check for any signs of sudden acceleration.
- Verify that any recall repairs have been completed, and get documentation.
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 Expedition EL | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 272 | 148 |
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 Expedition EL or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Expedition EL vs Toyota Camry
- FORD Expedition EL total complaints
- 272
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- FORD Expedition EL total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- FORD Expedition EL avg complaints/year
- 272.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- FORD Expedition EL top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN