Head-to-head reliability
FORD Taurus X vs Toyota Camry
How the FORD Taurus X 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 Taurus X vs Toyota Camry: The Taurus X averages 82 complaints per year with 2 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Taurus X has 7 crash-related reports and 3 injuries; the Camry has 171 crash-related reports and 158 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Taurus X or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Taurus X
The Ford Taurus X is a used wagon/SUV that averages 82 complaints per year over two years, with 2 recalls and 7 crash-related reports. Owners frequently report transmission problems like jerking and slipping, steering failures such as power steering loss, and unintended acceleration. These issues can lead to expensive repairs and safety risks, so a thorough inspection is essential.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular sedan with 205.6 complaints per year over ten years, 31 recalls, and 171 crash-related reports. Common owner complaints include transmission hesitation, engine shuddering, brake problems like EPB failure, and electrical glitches. While the volume is higher due to longer production, the variety of issues means buyers should check for specific symptoms.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Taurus X | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 164 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 7 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 82.0 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 Better | 158 |
| 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 Taurus X
- 01POWER TRAIN45
- 02STEERING44
- 03VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL26
- 04STRUCTURE18
- 05SERVICE BRAKES14
Owners report the transmission not wanting to go into overdrive, jerking, popping, and slipping, especially while turning. Some say the dealer could not duplicate the problem, leaving them without a fix. This can mean costly transmission repairs and unsafe driving conditions.
Complaints include a pop sound followed by lurching and impaired steering due to a rusted-through engine cradle or subframe, and power steering failure requiring rack and pinion replacement. These failures can happen suddenly at speed, making the vehicle hard to control.
Owners describe unintended acceleration, such as a vehicle independently accelerating at a red light and failing to stop even with the brake depressed. This is a serious safety concern that could lead to crashes.
Reports include paint peeling off the hood with rough metal underneath, and a tow hitch detaching from the vehicle while hauling a trailer. These issues affect appearance, resale value, and towing safety.
“I bought this vehicle used from a lot. It had 2 previous owners and came with all the service history. I first noticed the vehicle seemed like it didn’t want to go into overdrive . It would get to about 70 mph which would have the rpm’s at 3k! The 2nd time or…”
“WE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING SINCE 2016 TO TED BRITT FORD AND TO FORD ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION AND THE JERKING, POPPING, SLIPPING, ESPECIALLY WHILE TURNING, AND THEY TOLD US THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE COMPLAINED. AT ONE…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent ignition key stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnect to remove, and transmission hesitation and shuddering with check engine light. These can leave you stranded or cause delayed acceleration.
Complaints include several-second delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, and engine hesitation and shuddering. This can make merging or pulling out into traffic feel risky.
Owners report the electronic parking brake not disengaging, requiring a tow, and clicking/vibrating sounds from the brake pedal area due to the ABS system. Brake issues can affect stopping reliability.
Multiple systems like smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping malfunctioned simultaneously. Such failures can disable safety aids and confuse the driver.
“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 Taurus X — 2 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high spe…
The risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ford Flex, 2008 and 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, 2008-2009 Ford Taurus X, 2008 Mercury Sable, 2009 and 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles. The driver frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high spe…
The risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's frontal air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.…
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 Taurus X or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Ford Taurus X has far fewer complaints per year (82 vs. 205.6), but its issues often involve major components like transmission and steering that can be dangerous. The Toyota Camry's higher complaint rate reflects a longer production run and a wider range of problems, many of which are annoying but less immediately critical. In practice, the Taurus X may have fewer overall reports, but each could be more severe.
Key differences
- The Ford Taurus X has 82 complaints per year vs. 205.6 for the Toyota Camry, but the Taurus X's top issues include steering and unintended acceleration, which are immediate safety risks.
- The Camry has 31 recalls vs. 2 for the Taurus X, indicating more frequent manufacturer-identified defects over its longer production.
- Taurus X owners report rusted subframes causing steering loss, while Camry owners report electronic parking brake failures and multiple electrical system malfunctions.
- The Camry has 1 death and 158 injuries reported, while the Taurus X has 0 deaths and 3 injuries, though these numbers are influenced by the number of vehicles on the road.
- Check for transmission shuddering, jerking, or failure to go into overdrive during a test drive, especially at highway speeds.
- Inspect the front subframe and engine cradle for rust, as owners report rust-through causing steering impairment.
- Test the electronic parking brake to ensure it disengages properly, as failures can require a tow.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which may indicate ABS issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission, steering, and brakes, focusing on the specific complaints noted.
- Test drive at various speeds, including highway, to check for hesitation, shuddering, or unintended acceleration.
- For the Taurus X, inspect the undercarriage for rust, especially around the subframe and tow hitch.
- For the Camry, verify all electronic systems (parking brake, stability control, lane keeping) function correctly.
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 Taurus X or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Taurus X vs Toyota Camry
- FORD Taurus X total complaints
- 164
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- FORD Taurus X total recalls
- 2
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- FORD Taurus X avg complaints/year
- 82.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- FORD Taurus X
- FORD Taurus X top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN