Head-to-head reliability
FORD Windstar vs Toyota Camry
How the FORD Windstar 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 Windstar vs Toyota Camry: The Windstar averages 1,582 complaints per year with 50 recalls, while the Camry averages 206 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Windstar also has 209 crash-related reports versus 171 for the Camry. These numbers suggest the Camry has fewer reported issues overall. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FORD Windstar or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FORD Windstar
The Ford Windstar is a minivan that, based on NHTSA data, has a high rate of owner complaints—averaging about 1,582 per year over four years—with many reports involving serious safety issues. Owners frequently describe brake, suspension, and electrical problems that can lead to costly repairs and potential safety risks. The high number of recalls (50) and crash-related complaints (209) suggests that living with a Windstar may require diligent maintenance and recall checks. Overall, it appears to be a vehicle that demands careful attention to its known trouble spots.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a much lower complaint rate—about 206 per year over ten years—and fewer recalls (31) and crash-related reports (171). Owner complaints often involve power train, engine, and brake issues, but many are described as intermittent or related to specific systems like the electronic parking brake. While no vehicle is problem-free, the Camry's pattern suggests a more manageable ownership experience with fewer severe, recurring defects. It is generally regarded as a reliable choice, though buyers should still be aware of the reported issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FORD Windstar | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 6,327 | 2,056 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 50 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 209 | 171 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1581.8 | 205.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 214 | 158 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 6 | 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 Windstar
- 01SERVICE BRAKES2,216
- 02SUSPENSION1,318
- 03HYDRAULIC1,105
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM995
- 05POWER TRAIN753
Owners report rotted rear axle beams and master cylinder leaks that can cause brake fluid loss and reduced braking. These issues may lead to costly repairs and potential safety hazards if not addressed.
Complaints include defective rear sub-frames and control arm problems, sometimes after recall repairs that owners say were ineffective. This can affect vehicle stability and handling, especially over bumps.
Owners describe erratic gauges, flickering lights, and engine jerking, which can make the vehicle unpredictable to drive. These electrical gremlins may be difficult to diagnose and repair.
Transmission replacement is mentioned in complaints, along with speed control sensor leaks that can affect braking. These issues can be expensive and may leave the vehicle undrivable.
“ROTTED REAR AXLE BEAM , 2002 FORD WINDSTAR , THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NEAR BY TOWN FORD DEALERSHIP : ACE MOTORS IN WOODBURY NJ , FOR THE REAR AXLE RECALL IN 2015 NOT SURE IF ANYTHING HAS BEEN REPAIRED OR NOT I WAS JUST TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE VEHIC…”
“I HAVE MY VEHICLE IN A SHOP TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE WORKING ON THE VEHICLE THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE FRONT RESERVOIR OF THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS EMPTY. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION, HE FOUND THAT THE SPEED CONTROL SENSOR UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEA…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report ignition key getting stuck in Park, hesitation and shuddering while driving, and check engine lights. These can be frustrating and may require dealer visits for diagnosis.
Complaints include delayed throttle response and hesitation, which can affect acceleration and merging. This may be intermittent and hard to reproduce for repair.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring towing, and some owners hear clicking or vibrating noises from the ABS system. These issues can be inconvenient and costly.
Multiple system malfunctions are reported, including stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring. These can compromise safety features and require complex diagnostics.
“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 Windstar — 50 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled.…
The risk: If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The began…
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN VIRGINIA. OVER TIME, CORROSION CAN WEAKEN THE REAR AXLE MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO TORSIONAL STRESS. CORROSION AND STRESS CAN LEAD…
The risk: A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS, OR REPLACE THE AXLES, AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD A…
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, REGISTERED IN PUERTO RICO. DUE TO INCREASED STRESSES CAUSED BY HIGH CYCLES OF TORSIONAL LOADING, SPECIFIC TO THIS MARKET, THE REAR AXLE CAN CRACK.
The risk: A FRACTURED AXLE MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE REAR AXLE OR REPLACE THE AXLES, AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 1, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT T…
The defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. CORROSION-RELATED FRACTURES OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKETS AND BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS MAY OCCUR.
The risk: A SEPARATION OF A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKET MAY RESULT IN A LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATION. A SEPARATION OF BOTH FRONT SUBFRAME REAR BODY MOUNTS MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. EITHER CONDITI…
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKETS AND BOTH BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS AT THE REAR OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTAC…
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 Windstar or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has far fewer complaints per year (about 206) compared to the Ford Windstar (about 1,582), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. In practice, this means a Camry owner is less likely to face recurring problems, while a Windstar owner may spend more time and money on repairs. However, both vehicles have their own specific trouble areas that buyers should inspect.
Key differences
- The Ford Windstar has a much higher complaint rate (1,582/year) than the Toyota Camry (206/year), suggesting more frequent owner-reported problems.
- Windstar complaints often involve structural and brake issues like rotted rear axles, while Camry complaints are more about power train and electronic features.
- The Windstar has 50 recalls versus 31 for the Camry, indicating more manufacturer-identified defects over its production run.
- Crash-related complaints are higher for the Windstar (209) than the Camry (171), though both have safety concerns that should be inspected.
- Check the rear axle beam for rust or rot, as owners report failures and recalls related to this part.
- Inspect the master cylinder and speed control sensor for leaks, which can lead to brake fluid loss and reduced braking.
- Test the electronic parking brake to ensure it disengages properly, as owners report failures requiring towing.
- 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 the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brakes, suspension, and electrical systems, focusing on the specific issues reported for each model.
- Test drive the vehicle under various conditions, including braking, accelerating, and going over bumps, to detect any unusual noises or behaviors.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission, brake, and electrical repairs.
- For the Windstar, verify that any recall repairs (like the rear axle) were performed correctly and inspect for rust.
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 Windstar or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FORD Windstar vs Toyota Camry
- FORD Windstar total complaints
- 6,327
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- FORD Windstar total recalls
- 50
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- FORD Windstar avg complaints/year
- 1581.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- FORD Windstar top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN