Head-to-head reliability
FORD Explorer vs Toyota Camry
How the FORD Explorer 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 vs Toyota Camry: The Explorer averages 492 complaints per year and has 169 recalls, while the Camry averages 206 complaints per year and has 31 recalls. Explorer owners often report glass roof shattering and power train failures; Camry owners report stuck keys and brake noises. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Explorer or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a three-row family SUV that, based on NHTSA data, generates about 492 complaints per year over the past decade. The most common owner-reported trouble spots are structure (including glass roofs), power train, and engine issues. With 169 recalls and 138 crash-related complaints, it demands more owner attention than average. Buyers should expect to stay on top of recall notices and inspect key systems carefully.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan that averages about 206 complaints per year over the same period. Owner reports cluster around power train, engine, and brake problems, often involving hesitation, shuddering, or electronic parking brake faults. It has far fewer recalls (31) and crash-related complaints (171) than the Explorer. Still, the data shows it is not trouble-free, especially with transmission and brake behavior.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Explorer | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4,919 | 2,056 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 169 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 138 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 491.9 | 205.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 167 | 158 Better |
| 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 Explorer
- 01STRUCTURE1,196
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER992
- 03POWER TRAIN912
- 04ENGINE567
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM481
Owners report the glass roof can shatter or explode while driving, with no apparent cause. This is a serious safety concern because flying glass could injure occupants or cause a crash.
Complaints include sudden loss of reverse, loud popping noises from the rear, and wobbling during braking after such events. Some also mention improperly installed engine camshaft roller finger followers that can cause engine failure.
Reports describe camshaft roller finger follower defects that may lead to engine stalling or failure. Another owner noted the driver seat memory moving on its own while driving, which could distract the driver.
While fewer details are given, electrical complaints are among the top five. Buyers should check for malfunctioning cameras, sensors, or infotainment features that owners say were missing or not working as promised.
“The glass roof exploded while traveling down the road. No cause for failure present.”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key can get stuck and cannot be removed even when the car is in Park, requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, often with the check engine light on.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, sometimes taking several seconds before the car moves. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow. Owners also hear clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which the manufacturer calls normal but owners find concerning.
Multiple safety systems—including stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction at once. This could leave the driver without key assists during a drive.
“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 Explorer — 169 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.3L Hybrid engines. The 12-Volt battery cable may chafe against the Belt-integrated Starter Generat (BiSG) and short circuit.
The risk: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a tie strap between the battery cable and high voltage cable, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, 2020-2024 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2018-2024 F-150, Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The air bag warning label may be missing from the dashboard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement…
The risk: Without a label that shows the proper restraint usage guidelines, the occupants may have an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will mail owners the warning labels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2024. Owners may call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C39.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The switch for the easy-entry second-row outer seats may bind or stick, resulting in the seats unlatching, folding, or sliding unexpectedly while driving.
The risk: A seat that moves unexpectedly may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the second-row seat switch, and replace the bezel around the switch as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 7, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford'…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2…
The risk: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations ca…
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
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 Explorer or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has far fewer complaints per year (about 206) compared to the Ford Explorer (about 492), and also fewer recalls (31 vs 169). In practice, this means a Camry owner is likely to deal with fewer trips to the dealer for recall work and fewer reported safety-related failures. However, the Camry still has notable power train and brake complaints, so neither vehicle is trouble-free.
Key differences
- The Ford Explorer has about 2.4 times more complaints per year than the Toyota Camry (492 vs 206).
- Explorer owners frequently report glass roof shattering and power train failures like loss of reverse, while Camry owners report key stuck in ignition and brake pedal noises.
- The Explorer has 169 recalls versus 31 for the Camry, meaning more potential safety fixes to track.
- Both have crash-related complaints, but the Explorer has 138 and the Camry 171, despite the Camry's lower overall complaint count.
- Inspect the glass roof for any cracks, chips, or signs of previous shattering, as owners report it can explode without warning.
- Test the transmission thoroughly: check for delayed engagement, popping noises, or wobbling during braking, which could indicate power train issues.
- Check that the ignition key can be removed easily when the car is in Park; if it sticks, it may need a costly repair.
- Test the electronic parking brake and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which owners report as common faults.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific vehicle and confirm they have been fixed.
- Take a long test drive that includes reversing, braking, and accelerating to feel for hesitation, shuddering, or unusual noises.
- For the Explorer, inspect the roof glass and ask if it has ever been replaced or repaired.
- For the Camry, test the key removal in Park and the electronic parking brake multiple times.
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on the power train and electrical systems.
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 Explorer | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 38 | 0 |
| 2025 | 101 | 163 |
| 2024 | 21 | 50 |
| 2023 | 110 | 64 |
| 2022 | 267 | 61 |
| 2021 | 430 | 157 |
| 2020 | 1221 | 274 |
| 2019 | 298 | 395 |
| 2018 | 730 | 744 |
| 2017 | 1703 | 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 Explorer or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Explorer vs Toyota Camry
- FORD Explorer total complaints
- 4,919
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- FORD Explorer total recalls
- 169
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- FORD Explorer avg complaints/year
- 491.9
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- FORD Explorer top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN