Head-to-head reliability
FORD Explorer Sport vs Toyota Camry
How the FORD Explorer 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 Explorer Sport vs Toyota Camry: The Explorer Sport has 1313 complaints per year, while the Camry has 214 per year. Explorer owners report liftgate cracks and transmission slips; Camry owners report sudden acceleration and brake failures. Both have recalls, but the Camry has 31. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Explorer Sport or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Explorer Sport
The Ford Explorer Sport, based on NHTSA data, shows a high volume of complaints concentrated in a single model year, with structural issues like liftgate cracks and spontaneous openings being prominent. Owners also report transmission slipping and shift lever breakage, along with electrical stalls. This pattern suggests potential quality control and design concerns that could affect daily usability and safety.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, with complaints spread over a decade, shows a lower annual rate but still notable issues in the powertrain, engine, and brakes. Owners report transmission grinding, sudden acceleration incidents, and brake failures, alongside less critical problems like AC odors. The recalls cover airbag sensors and wheel studs, indicating a mix of safety and convenience concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Explorer Sport | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,313 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 69 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1313.0 | 214.3 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 66 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 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 Explorer Sport
- 01STRUCTURE389
- 02POWER TRAIN356
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING87
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM81
- 05SUSPENSION77
Owners report cracks in the liftgate and instances where the liftgate unlocks and opens by itself, sometimes while driving. One incident involved the entire rear liftgate and window exploding outward while parked, suggesting potential structural weakness or latch failures.
Transmission issues are common, with reports of the vehicle slipping out of gear during deceleration, sometimes into neutral, which can be dangerous on ramps. Another owner experienced the shift lever breaking off inside the steering column, leaving the vehicle immobile.
There are reports of the vehicle stalling without warning while driving at low speeds, leading to a crash into a ditch. This indicates potential electrical or fuel system problems that could cause sudden loss of power.
“There is a crack down the middle section of the liftgate for quite some time. The liftgate has been unlocking and opening automatically by itself. On only rare occasions has the liftgate opened all the way while driving. On the morning of 7/28/2022 while the…”
“AWOKE THE MORNING OF MAY 10, 2017 TO FIND THE ENTIRE BACK LIFTGATE AND WINDOW EXPLODED OUTWARDS AND INWARDS OF OUR FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF OUR HOME, WE ARE RURAL, SO NO EVIDENCE OF SOMEONE PURPOSELY BREAKING IT. OUR SHERIFF IN CASCAD…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission problems include grinding noises upon acceleration, with dealers recommending full transmission replacement. Some owners note that recalls exist for similar issues on certain model years, but their specific VINs may not be covered.
Serious reports of uncontrollable sudden acceleration have occurred, leading to crashes and total loss of the vehicle. Additionally, engine maintenance lights illuminate due to coolant valve bypass issues, which may not be covered by recall for all VINs.
Brake failure is reported, such as no response when pressing the pedal on a steep hill, requiring the driver to take evasive action. This is a critical safety concern that could lead to accidents.
“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 Explorer Sport — 1 recall
The defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE D…
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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 Explorer Sport or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has fewer complaints per year (214.3) compared to the Ford Explorer Sport (1313.0), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the Camry's complaints include severe safety-related events like sudden acceleration and brake failure, so the difference in volume does not necessarily mean it is trouble-free.
Key differences
- The Explorer Sport has a much higher complaint rate per year (1313) than the Camry (214), but the Explorer's complaints are concentrated in one model year, while the Camry's span ten years.
- Explorer Sport owners frequently report structural problems like liftgate cracks and spontaneous openings, which are not common in the Camry.
- Camry owners report sudden acceleration and brake failures, which are severe safety issues not highlighted in the Explorer's top complaints.
- The Explorer Sport has only one recall (exterior lighting), while the Camry has 31 recalls covering airbags, seats, and wheel studs, indicating more proactive safety campaigns.
- Inspect the liftgate for cracks and test if it stays closed properly; check for any signs of unintended opening.
- Test the transmission for smooth shifting, especially during deceleration, and check the shift lever for any play or breakage.
- Check the transmission for any grinding noises during acceleration and verify if any relevant recalls apply to the VIN.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on hills, and be aware of any sudden acceleration incidents; also check for engine coolant valve issues.
Before you buy
- For the Explorer Sport, have a mechanic inspect the liftgate mechanism and transmission, and review the recall for exterior lighting.
- For the Camry, verify the VIN against all 31 recalls, especially those for airbags and wheel studs, and have the transmission and brakes inspected.
- Take both vehicles for a test drive that includes highway speeds, hills, and parking lot maneuvers to feel for any slipping, grinding, or brake issues.
- Check for any pending engine or transmission warning lights and get diagnostic codes read.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic who can assess the specific problem areas mentioned.
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 Explorer Sport or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Explorer Sport vs Toyota Camry
- FORD Explorer Sport total complaints
- 1,313
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- FORD Explorer Sport total recalls
- 1
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- FORD Explorer Sport avg complaints/year
- 1313.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- FORD Explorer Sport top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN