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 214 complaints per year with 31 recalls. Both have reported unintended acceleration and brake issues. 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, with the most common issues in the power train and steering. Owners report transmission problems like jerking and slipping, and steering failures such as a rusted subframe causing the sway bar to break. These are serious safety concerns that can lead to loss of control, so a thorough inspection is critical before buying.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular sedan with a much higher average of 214 complaints per year, but this is over a longer period and higher sales volume. Complaints cover a wide range of systems, including power train, engine, and brakes, with reports of sudden acceleration and transmission grinding. While many issues are less severe, some like brake failure and unintended acceleration are alarming and should be checked.
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 | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 7 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 82.0 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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 Taurus X
- 01POWER TRAIN45
- 02STEERING44
- 03VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL26
- 04STRUCTURE18
- 05SERVICE BRAKES14
Owners report transmission jerking, popping, and slipping, especially while turning, and some say it won't go into overdrive. These symptoms can indicate internal damage and may require a costly replacement.
Complaints include a sudden pop sound followed by impaired steering due to a rusted-through front subframe, and complete power steering failure requiring rack and pinion replacement. These failures can happen without warning and make the car hard to control.
One owner reported the vehicle independently accelerated while idling at a red light, and the brakes failed to stop it. This is a rare but dangerous event that could cause a crash.
Issues include paint peeling off the hood and a tow hitch detaching while driving, which could cause a trailer to collapse. These problems affect both appearance and 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 TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the transmission upon acceleration, often requiring replacement, and some experience unintended acceleration when braking. These issues can lead to expensive repairs and safety risks.
Complaints include sudden and rapid acceleration, sometimes resulting in crashes, and coolant bypass valve failures that may not be covered by recalls. These can cause loss of control or engine damage.
Some owners report no response from the brake pedal when pressed, such as when driving down a steep hill. This is a critical safety failure that could lead to a crash.
While not detailed in the sample, electrical complaints are common and can include issues with sensors, infotainment, or other electronic components. These can be frustrating and costly to diagnose.
“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 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 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 Taurus X or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Ford Taurus X has fewer complaints per year (82 vs. 214), but its issues often involve critical systems like steering and unintended acceleration. The Toyota Camry has more complaints overall, but many are less severe, though brake and acceleration problems are still reported. In practice, the Taurus X may have fewer problems but they can be more dangerous, while the Camry may have more frequent but sometimes less critical issues.
Key differences
- The Ford Taurus X has steering failures due to rusted subframes, while the Toyota Camry has brake failures with no pedal response.
- Taurus X owners report transmission jerking and slipping, while Camry owners report transmission grinding and sudden acceleration.
- The Camry has far more recalls (31 vs. 2), which may mean more free fixes but also more potential issues.
- The Taurus X has a lower complaint rate per year, but its complaints include life-threatening events like unintended acceleration.
- Check for rust on the front subframe and sway bar, as these can break and cause steering loss.
- Test the transmission for jerking, slipping, or failure to go into overdrive, especially during turns.
- Test the brakes for any delay or failure to respond, especially on slopes or when pressed firmly.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration, which may indicate it needs replacement.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Ford Taurus X's subframe and steering components for rust and wear.
- For the Toyota Camry, test the brakes and transmission thoroughly, and check for any signs of sudden acceleration.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission and brake services.
- Take a test drive that includes highway speeds, turns, and braking to reproduce potential issues.
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
- 2,143
- FORD Taurus X total recalls
- 2
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- FORD Taurus X avg complaints/year
- 82.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- FORD Taurus X
- FORD Taurus X top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN