Head-to-head reliability
FORD F 650 vs Toyota Camry
How the FORD F 650 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 F 650 vs Toyota Camry: The F-650 has 20 complaints over 10 years (2/yr) with 8 recalls, while the Camry has 2143 complaints (214/yr) with 31 recalls. The F-650's issues often involve brakes and steering, while the Camry's include transmission and engine problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD F 650 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD F 650
The Ford F-650 is a heavy-duty commercial truck, often used as a tow truck or work vehicle. Owner complaints over the past decade are relatively few (about 2 per year), but they highlight serious issues with the service brakes, steering, and engine. These are not minor annoyances; they involve loss of braking or steering assist, which can be dangerous, especially when the truck is loaded. The low complaint count may reflect lower sales volume, but the nature of the problems suggests that buyers should be cautious and thorough in their inspection.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume (over 214 per year), but that's partly due to its large sales numbers. Complaints span many areas, with power train, engine, and brakes being the top concerns. Owners report issues like transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, and brake failure, which are serious safety concerns. However, the Camry also has many complaints about less critical issues like HVAC odors and AC condenser damage. Overall, the Camry shows a mix of minor and major problems, but the high volume means buyers should be aware of potential issues and check for recalls.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD F 650 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 20 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.0 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 F 650
- 01SERVICE BRAKES16
- 02STEERING6
- 03ENGINE5
- 04POWER TRAIN4
- 05FUEL SYSTEM3
Owners report the 'Service Advance Trac' warning appearing, abnormal brake pedal sounds, and the parking brake not working. These issues can compromise braking performance, especially in a heavy truck, and may require immediate attention.
There are reports of steering tie-rod assembly issues and loss of steering assist when the engine quits. This can make the truck difficult to control, particularly at speed or in emergency maneuvers.
A catastrophic engine failure was reported at 48,664 miles, involving camshaft/lifter failure and a repair cost of $21,898. Another complaint mentions the engine suddenly quitting, which also cut brake and steering assist, leading to a stop in the middle of the road.
The 'Service Advance Trac' warning and traction light issues are also linked to the power train, suggesting potential problems with the drivetrain or stability control system that could affect vehicle handling.
“Picked up the brand new F650 rollback tow truck from the dealer in Ohio. Traveling back to California with a Chevy Yukon 2WD on the bed. Approx 200 miles from the dealer the "Service Advance Trac warning appeared on the dash. The traction yellow light and wre…”
“The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-650. The contact stated while releasing the brake pedal and driving from a complete stop, the brake pedal made abnormal sounds. The contact also stated that the parking brake was not operative. The vehicle was taken to the deale…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front end upon acceleration, with dealerships confirming transmission issues that may require replacement. This is a costly repair and can leave you without a vehicle if parts are on backorder.
There are reports of uncontrollable sudden acceleration, which led to a crash and totaled the car. Another complaint mentions a coolant valve bypass code that is not covered by a recall for their specific VIN, potentially affecting engine safety.
Brake failure is reported, such as no response when pressing the pedal on a steep hill, which is extremely dangerous. Another complaint describes difficulty braking in a parking lot, suggesting potential brake system issues.
Many complaints are about non-safety issues like AC condenser damage from rocks and recurring HVAC odors. While not critical, these can be annoying and costly to fix.
“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 F 650 — 8 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 F-Super Duty F250, F350, F450, F550, F600, and 2021-2022 F-650, F750 vehicles. Biodiesel deposits may form on the pump drivetrain roller components, which could lead to failure of the high pressure fuel pump.
The risk: High pressure fuel pump failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module (PCM) and Transmission Control Module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Fo…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2024 F-650 and F-750 vehicles. The parking brake may malfunction and allow the lever to be released without pressing the release button.
The risk: A parking brake that is released unexpectedly may result in a vehicle roll away, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the parking brake handle assembly. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 17, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S09.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, F-600, and Medium Duty F-650 and F-750 vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. A small void may be present in the top-center of the vehicle's underhood secondary fuel filter cap, which may progress to a p…
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the primary and secondary fuel filters, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 28, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S01.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-650 and F-750 vehicles equipped with 7.3L gas engines. The transmission oil cooler line may contact the air conditioning compressor pulley, possibly causing a transmission fluid leak.
The risk: Leaking transmission fluid may contact hot engine components, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect transmission oil cooler lines for proper orientation and damage, correcting the lines and replacing any that are damaged, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may cont…
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 F 650 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Ford F-650 has far fewer complaints per year (2.0) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), but the F-650's issues are more severe and involve critical safety systems like brakes and steering. The Camry's higher complaint count is partly due to its popularity, but it also has serious safety complaints. In practice, the F-650 may be more reliable in terms of frequency, but the consequences of its failures are potentially more severe.
Key differences
- The F-650 has a much lower complaint rate (2/yr) than the Camry (214/yr), but its complaints are more likely to involve loss of braking or steering assist.
- The Camry has a higher number of crash-related complaints (181) and injuries (163), while the F-650 has none reported.
- The F-650's engine failures can be catastrophic and expensive (e.g., $21,898 repair), while the Camry's engine issues include sudden acceleration and coolant valve problems.
- The Camry has more recalls (31) than the F-650 (8), but the F-650's recalls include fuel pump and parking brake issues, which are safety-critical.
- Inspect the brake system thoroughly, including the parking brake and any warning messages like 'Service Advance Trac'.
- Check for any signs of steering tie-rod wear or looseness, and ensure the engine doesn't stall unexpectedly.
- Test the transmission for any grinding or unusual noises during acceleration, and check for any pending recalls.
- Verify the brake system works properly, especially in emergency situations, and look for any signs of sudden acceleration issues.
Before you buy
- For the F-650, have a mechanic inspect the brake system, steering components, and engine for any signs of wear or previous failures.
- For the Camry, check the transmission fluid and have a diagnostic scan for any transmission or engine codes.
- Check the NHTSA website for open recalls on both vehicles and ensure they have been addressed.
- Take both vehicles for a test drive, including highway speeds and braking, to feel for any abnormalities.
- Review the vehicle's service history for any major repairs, especially related to brakes, engine, or transmission.
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 F 650 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 119 |
| 2025 | 4 | 153 |
| 2024 | 0 | 48 |
| 2023 | 2 | 62 |
| 2022 | 2 | 59 |
| 2021 | 4 | 155 |
| 2020 | 0 | 270 |
| 2019 | 4 | 393 |
| 2018 | 0 | 736 |
| 2017 | 3 | 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 F 650 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD F 650 vs Toyota Camry
- FORD F 650 total complaints
- 20
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- FORD F 650 total recalls
- 8
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- FORD F 650 avg complaints/year
- 2.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- FORD F 650
- FORD F 650 top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN