Head-to-head reliability
FORD Taurus vs Toyota Camry
How the FORD Taurus 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 vs Toyota Camry: Over 10 years, the Taurus averaged 176.2 complaints per year with 46 recalls, while the Camry averaged 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Taurus had 510 steering complaints; the Camry had 385 power train complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Taurus or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Taurus
The Ford Taurus is a full-size sedan that averaged 176.2 complaints per year over a decade, with 46 recalls. The most common owner-reported trouble spots are steering (510 complaints), engine (228), fuel/propulsion (228), and electrical (226). Living with a Taurus means staying alert for steering that hangs up, water pump failures that can destroy the engine, and fuel-filling quirks that leave the tank short.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan that averaged 205.6 complaints per year over the same period, with 31 recalls. Owners most often report power train (385), unknown/other (323), engine (315), and service brake (285) issues. Living with a Camry means dealing with intermittent key-stuck problems, hesitation and shuddering, and electronic parking brake or brake noise complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Taurus | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,762 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 46 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 86 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 176.2 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 82 Better | 158 |
| 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 Taurus
- 01STEERING510
- 02ENGINE228
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM228
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM226
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER166
Owners describe the steering 'hanging up' or binding, which can make the car hard to control and is linked to a recall. This matters because a steering problem at speed can lead to a crash.
Reported failures include a water pump that fails without warning, causing low oil pressure and potential engine destruction, plus loud noises and 'Key Not Detected' messages. A failed water pump can strand you and cost thousands if the engine overheats.
Owners report the tank won't take more than about 15 gallons, the fuel gauge reads full when it isn't, and the 'miles to empty' estimate is wrong. This can leave you unexpectedly stranded or misjudge your range.
Complaints include battery terminal corrosion so severe it smokes, and the key being removable while the car is still in drive, letting it roll. These are safety and reliability concerns that can leave you stuck or cause a rollaway.
“There is a recall on moldings also possible accordinng to recalls by ford the steering could cause a crash which i am having a problem with it hanging up i called ford motor and was told we do not have anything about it I am concerned because i sometimes have…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key gets stuck and won't come out even when the dash shows Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on. These can leave you unable to secure the car or drive smoothly.
Complaints include a several-second delay when pressing the accelerator, plus hesitation and shuddering at various speeds. This delayed throttle response can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may not disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is reported as common. A parking brake that won't release can immobilize the car, and brake noise may signal a deeper issue.
Multiple systems—smart stop, stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction at once. This suggests complex electronic faults that are hard to diagnose and may affect safety features.
“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 — 46 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Taurus vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
The risk: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S91.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Flex, 2015 Explorer, Lincoln MKT, Lincoln MKZ, 2015-2016 C-Max, Escape, Taurus, 2016 Fusion, 2018-2019 Taurus, 2019 Lincoln MKT, Fiesta, and 2020 Mustang vehicles. The rearview camera may display a distorted, intermittent, or blank image when…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to properly display an image can reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera as necessary, free of charge. This will be a phased campaign, with the remedy becoming available in different phases based on model and model years. Interim letters notifying owners of t…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 Explorer, Taurus and Police Interceptor Utility and Sedan vehicles. The steering gear heat shield fasteners may corrode, allowing the heat shield to detach.
The risk: If the heat shield detaches, the steering gear may overheat, increasing the steering effort required by the driver, especially at lower speeds, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers to inspect and replace the heat shield fasteners as needed, free of charge. The recall began on September 13, 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this rec…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Taurus vehicles. The driver and front passenger B-Pillar door trim may detach while driving.
The risk: Door trim that detaches while driving can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will repair or replace the B-pillar trim as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 20, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S91.
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 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Ford Taurus has fewer complaints per year (176.2 vs. 205.6) and fewer recalls (46 vs. 31? Actually Camry has 31 recalls, Taurus 46, so Taurus has more recalls). Wait, Taurus has 46 recalls, Camry 31. So Camry has fewer recalls. But Taurus has fewer complaints per year. In practice, the Taurus may generate fewer owner complaints annually, but its steering and engine issues can be severe. The Camry has more complaints per year but fewer recalls, and its problems often involve electronics and brakes.
Key differences
- The Taurus has 510 steering complaints, often describing binding or hanging, while the Camry's top category is power train with 385 complaints, mainly key-stuck and hesitation issues.
- Taurus owners report water pump failures that can destroy the engine; Camry owners report delayed throttle response and shuddering.
- The Taurus has 46 recalls, including steering and exterior trim; the Camry has 31 recalls, including air bag sensors and seats.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 86) and injuries (158 vs. 82), but fewer deaths (1 vs. 3).
- During a test drive, check for any binding or hanging in the steering, especially at low speeds or when turning—this is a reported safety issue.
- Ask for service records related to the water pump and cooling system; a failed water pump can lead to engine damage if not addressed.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park multiple times; if it sticks, it could be a recurring power train defect.
- Check the electronic parking brake operation and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area during braking.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially steering for the Taurus and air bag sensors for the Camry.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Taurus's steering system and water pump, and the Camry's electronic parking brake and transmission behavior.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any hesitation or shuddering in the Camry and any steering binding in the Taurus.
- Verify that all dashboard warnings and messages (like 'Key Not Detected' or check engine light) are absent or explained.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for fluid changes and any prior repairs related to the reported problem areas.
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 Taurus | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 16 | 395 |
| 2018 | 49 | 744 |
| 2017 | 44 | 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 Taurus or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Taurus vs Toyota Camry
- FORD Taurus total complaints
- 1,762
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- FORD Taurus total recalls
- 46
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- FORD Taurus avg complaints/year
- 176.2
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- FORD Taurus
- FORD Taurus top complaint area
- STEERING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN