Head-to-head reliability
RAM 2500 vs Toyota Camry
How the RAM 2500 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
RAM 2500 vs Toyota Camry: The RAM 2500 averages 438.9 complaints per year and has 90 recalls, while the Camry averages 214.3 complaints per year with 31 recalls. Both show serious brake and power train issues, but the Camry has fewer overall complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the RAM 2500 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
RAM 2500
The RAM 2500 is a heavy-duty pickup that owners rely on for towing and hauling, but NHTSA data shows a high volume of complaints—4,389 over 10 years, averaging about 439 per year. The most common trouble spots are service brakes, electrical system, and hydraulic components, with reports of seized calipers, brake hoses failing, and even unexpected brake engagement. Electrical gremlins include vehicles catching fire while charging and repeated recall parts shortages. With 90 recalls and 107 crash-related complaints, a used RAM 2500 demands careful inspection of brakes and electrical systems before purchase.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream midsize sedan known for everyday dependability, yet NHTSA logs 2,143 complaints over 10 years—about 214 per year, roughly half the RAM's rate. Power train and engine issues dominate, with owners reporting transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, and coolant valve problems. Brake complaints include total brake failure on hills, and unknown/other issues cover AC condenser damage and persistent mildew odors. With 31 recalls and 181 crash-related complaints, the Camry still has notable safety-related patterns to check.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | RAM 2500 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4,389 | 2,143 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 90 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 107 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 438.9 | 214.3 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 51 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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.
RAM 2500
- 01SERVICE BRAKES2,955
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM885
- 03HYDRAULIC557
- 04VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL434
- 05POWER TRAIN357
Owners report seized brake calipers caused by faulty brake hoses, often requiring replacement of calipers, rotors, and pads. Some also describe brakes engaging without input on highways, which can surprise a driver and lead to loss of control.
Complaints include vehicles catching fire while plugged in for charging, as well as repeated dealer visits for recall parts that are unavailable. This means you could face both safety risks and long waits for critical repairs.
Hydraulic-related complaints often tie back to brake and steering systems, with owners reporting leaks or failures that affect stopping and control. These are not just minor annoyances—they can compromise vehicle safety.
Owners describe intermittent failures of ABS, traction control, cruise control, and even blinkers and wipers, often accompanied by warning lights. Such electronic glitches can make the truck unpredictable to drive in bad weather or heavy traffic.
“I have a seized brake caliper that is a direct result of a faulty brake hose. The brakes were looked at by a brake specialist business and I was told the brake hoses had to be replaced as well as the calipers, rotors and pads on the front. I took it to the La…”
“This problem first occurred on a state highway in [XXX] in 2023 and again in 2026 (this incident.) While driving south on XXX, there was an undulation/slight bump in the interstate while in a mild right hand curve. My vehicles brakes engaged without my input…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front during acceleration, with dealers confirming transmission failure and recommending replacement. Some also describe sudden acceleration incidents, including one that ended in a crash.
Complaints include sudden, uncontrollable acceleration and coolant valve bypass issues that trigger maintenance codes but may not be covered by recall for certain VINs. These can lead to expensive repairs or dangerous driving situations.
Some owners experience a complete lack of brake response when pressing the pedal, such as while driving down a steep hill. This is a critical safety concern that could result in a crash if not addressed.
Reports cover AC condenser damage from road debris and a recurring mildew or vinegar smell from the vents. While not safety-critical, these issues can be costly to fix and make the cabin unpleasant.
“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.
RAM 2500 — 90 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 vehicles equipped with a 3.5" cluster and column shifter. A software error may cause the gear selection display to be inaccurate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard n…
The risk: An inaccurate gear selection display may mislead the driver as to what gear is actually selected, leading to unexpected vehicle movement and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the cluster software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 36C.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Ram Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel cluster display to be blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply…
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information, such as warning lights or gear selection, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and update the instrument panel software or replace the instrument panel cluster, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025 Ram 2500 Pickup, 3500 Pickup, 3500 Cab Chassis, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis trucks. A software error in the occupant restraint controller module may cause the driver's side air bag and/or seat belt pretensioner not to deploy in a crash and…
The risk: Driving with a disabled electronic stability control system increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, a driver's side air bag or seat belt pretensioner that does not deploy increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the occupant restraint controller module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 15, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, and Ram 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. A software error may cause the instrument panel display to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the re…
The risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as gear selection and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 35D. Vehicle Identification N…
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
RAM 2500 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has fewer complaints per year (about 214 vs. 439 for the RAM 2500) and fewer recalls (31 vs. 90), suggesting it may be less troublesome overall. However, the Camry still has serious safety-related complaints like brake failure and sudden acceleration, so neither vehicle is trouble-free. In practice, the Camry's lower complaint rate means you're statistically less likely to face frequent repair visits, but you must still check for the specific issues owners report.
Key differences
- The RAM 2500 has more than double the annual complaint rate of the Camry, with brakes and electrical systems being the biggest repeat offenders.
- Camry owners frequently report transmission grinding and sudden acceleration, while RAM 2500 owners report seized calipers and electrical fires.
- The RAM 2500 has 90 recalls versus 31 for the Camry, meaning more potential trips to the dealer for fixes.
- Both vehicles have 1 death reported, but the Camry has more crash-related complaints (181 vs. 107) despite fewer total complaints.
- Check brake hoses and calipers for signs of seizing or leaks, as owners report these failing and requiring costly replacements.
- Inspect the electrical system for any signs of overheating or fire damage, especially around charging ports or battery areas, and confirm all recalls are completed.
- Listen for grinding noises from the front during acceleration, which could indicate transmission problems requiring replacement.
- Test the brakes on a downhill slope to ensure they respond immediately, as some owners report total brake failure.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been addressed by a dealer.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the brakes, including hoses, calipers, and rotors, for both vehicles.
- For the RAM 2500, check for electrical system recalls and any signs of fire damage or wiring issues.
- For the Camry, test-drive at various speeds and listen for transmission grinding or hesitation during acceleration.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and specifically inquire about any prior brake, transmission, or electrical repairs.
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 | RAM 2500 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 119 |
| 2025 | 0 | 153 |
| 2024 | 0 | 48 |
| 2023 | 144 | 62 |
| 2022 | 537 | 59 |
| 2021 | 105 | 155 |
| 2020 | 163 | 270 |
| 2019 | 192 | 393 |
| 2018 | 2562 | 736 |
| 2017 | 686 | 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 RAM 2500 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- RAM 2500 vs Toyota Camry
- RAM 2500 total complaints
- 4,389
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- RAM 2500 total recalls
- 90
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- RAM 2500 avg complaints/year
- 438.9
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- RAM 2500 top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN