Head-to-head reliability
RAM 3500 vs Toyota Camry
How the RAM 3500 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 3500 vs Toyota Camry: Over 10 years, the RAM 3500 had 1,750 complaints and 86 recalls, while the Camry had 2,056 complaints and 31 recalls. The RAM's top issue is service brakes (934 complaints), often involving towing; the Camry's top issue is power train (385 complaints), including hesitation and stuck keys. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the RAM 3500 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
RAM 3500
The RAM 3500 is a heavy-duty truck often used for towing and hauling, and its complaint pattern reflects that hard-working life. Over 10 years, owners filed 1,750 complaints, with brakes being the most common trouble spot by far. Many reports describe soft or long-travel brake pedals and loss of trailer brakes while towing, which can be alarming. Electrical and power train issues also show up, including infotainment blackouts and stalling.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan known for everyday commuting, and its complaint pattern is different from the truck's. Over 10 years, owners filed 2,056 complaints, with power train, engine, and brake issues leading the list. Reports include hesitation or shuddering while driving, a stuck ignition key, and electronic parking brake problems. There are also complaints about multiple driver-assist systems malfunctioning at once.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | RAM 3500 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,750 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 86 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 51 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 175.0 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 31 Better | 158 |
| 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 3500
- 01SERVICE BRAKES934
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM297
- 03POWER TRAIN223
- 04HYDRAULIC196
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL161
Owners report brakes that don't apply until the pedal is halfway down, with a soft or long pedal feel. Some also describe losing trailer brakes and stability control while towing heavy loads in hilly terrain, which can make the truck hard to control.
Complaints include infotainment screens blacking out, backup cameras showing distorted images, and cruise control buttons failing. These glitches can distract the driver and may require repeated dealer visits.
Some owners report stalling after an accelerator control sensor warning, as well as drivetrain failures shortly after purchase. Stalling in traffic is a serious safety concern and can leave you stranded.
Hydraulic-related complaints often tie back to brake and steering assist issues. When hydraulic pressure is lost, braking and steering effort can increase, making the truck harder to handle.
“Loss of various systems while towing 14,000# trailer in hilly terrain. Loss of trailer brakes caused diminished control on the vehicle. * 4WD System Temporarily Unavailable * Service Antilock Brake System * Service Electronic Stability Control * Service Trail…”
“The brakes do not apply until after the pedal reaches half of its travel distance and still not as good they should. Very soft pedal feeling and too long of pedal travel to apply brakes. Very unsafe! I have had it to the dealer 3 times for this condition sinc…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners describe the ignition key getting stuck and not coming out even when the car is in Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect. Others report hesitation and shuddering at various speeds with the check engine light on.
A common complaint is a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the gas pedal from a stop. This lag can be surprising when merging or pulling out into traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Some owners also hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, which dealers often attribute to the ABS system.
Multiple driver-assist features—such as stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—have malfunctioned at the same time. Losing these aids together can reduce driver confidence, especially at night or in bad weather.
“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.
RAM 3500 — 86 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Ram 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, and 4500, 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles equipped with a Cummins 6.7L Turbo Diesel engine. An electrical short may occur in the heater grid relay with the ignition on or off.
The risk: An electrical short in the relay can result in an engine compartment fire with the ignition on or off, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the relay, free of charge. This will be a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2023 model year vehicles. FCA US will not…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Ram 1500, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with GVWR less than 10,000 lbs., and 2022-2024 Ram 2500 vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Veh…
The risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 24, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 97A.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023 Ram 1500 Classic, Ram 3500 Classic, 3500 Cab Chassis, 2023-2024 Ram 2500, 4500/5500 Cab Chassis, and Ram 3500 vehicles. The steering column control module may cause the high beams to activate when the turn signal is used or activate the turn signal w…
The risk: Turn signals and/or high beams that do not function as intended may cause confusion or reduced visibility to other road users, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the steering column control module (SCCM) software, and inspect and replace the module, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 19, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer ser…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Ram 1500, Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Wagoneer, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Chrysler Pacifica, Ram 3500, Ram 3500 cab chassis, Ram 2500, Ram 4500 cab chassis, Ram 5500 cab chassis, 2023 Jeep Gladiator, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, R…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy in a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering column control module, as necessary free of charge. Some owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2024 through June 20, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-85…
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
RAM 3500 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The RAM 3500 has fewer complaints per year on average (175.0 vs. 205.6), but its issues often involve brakes and towing safety, which can be critical for heavy use. The Camry's higher complaint rate is spread across power train, engine, and brakes, with many reports of hesitation and electronic glitches. In practice, the truck may demand more attention to brake and electrical systems, while the Camry may have more frequent but less severe drivability annoyances.
Key differences
- The RAM 3500's top complaint area is service brakes (934 complaints), with reports of soft pedals and trailer brake loss; the Camry's top area is power train (385 complaints), including stuck keys and hesitation.
- RAM 3500 has 86 recalls over 10 years, many for electrical wiring and backup camera displays; Camry has 31 recalls, including air bag occupant sensors and seat issues.
- Camry has more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 51) and injuries (158 vs. 31), but these are raw counts and may reflect the larger number of Camrys on the road.
- Both have 1 death reported, but the RAM 3500's brake complaints often involve towing, which can affect control of both truck and trailer.
- Check for a soft or long-travel brake pedal and any warning lights for ABS, stability control, or trailer brake systems—especially if the truck has been used for towing.
- Test the infotainment screen, backup camera, and cruise control buttons for blackouts or unresponsiveness, as electrical glitches are a common complaint.
- Try removing the key from the ignition after parking to ensure it doesn't stick, and listen for hesitation or shuddering during a test drive.
- Test the electronic parking brake by engaging and disengaging it several times, and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the brakes, including pedal feel and ABS operation, on both vehicles.
- For the RAM 3500, test the truck with a trailer if possible to check trailer brake and stability control functions.
- For the Camry, scan for stored engine codes and test all driver-assist features, including blind spot monitoring and lane keeping.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for brake fluid changes and any electrical or power train 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 3500 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 27 | 0 |
| 2025 | 42 | 163 |
| 2024 | 44 | 50 |
| 2023 | 17 | 64 |
| 2022 | 190 | 61 |
| 2021 | 62 | 157 |
| 2020 | 116 | 274 |
| 2019 | 136 | 395 |
| 2018 | 804 | 744 |
| 2017 | 312 | 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 3500 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- RAM 3500 vs Toyota Camry
- RAM 3500 total complaints
- 1,750
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- RAM 3500 total recalls
- 86
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- RAM 3500 avg complaints/year
- 175.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- RAM 3500
- RAM 3500 top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN