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.

RAM 35001,718 complaints · 86 recalls Fewer issues per year
Toyota Camry2,132 complaints · 31 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

RAM 3500 averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. RAM 3500 has 1,718 complaints and 86 recalls on record; Toyota Camry has 2,132 complaints and 31 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryRAM 3500Toyota Camry
Total complaintsAll model years combined1,718 Better2,132
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns8631 Better
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints48 Better181
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years171.8 Better213.2
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints31 Better163
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints11

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

  1. 01SERVICE BRAKES916
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM291
  3. 03POWER TRAIN221
  4. 04HYDRAULIC185
  5. 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL158
In owners' words — SERVICE BRAKES

Shortly after purchasing a new 2026 Ram 3500 in January 2026, the vehicle began displaying multiple safety warnings simultaneously while driving. Warning indicators included Check Engine, ABS, Brake, Traction Control, Electronic Stability Control, Forward Col…

2026 Ram 3500 with <2700 miles. The trailer brakes are not applied appropriately when using the brake pedal, even though it will brake appropriately (with 1 of 3 trailers) while squeezing the manual override. This includes all brake levels (1-10 gain). When t…

Toyota Camry

  1. 01POWER TRAIN392
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER340
  3. 03ENGINE314
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES290
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM242
In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

The vehicle allows the engine to be turned off, key removed, while the vehicle is still in drive with no warning lights or sounds. I have tested and the vehicle can roll away. Complained to the toyota dealership and they said the service tech consulted with t…

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…

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

Electrical System — Instrument Cluster/Panel
#25V530000

The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Ram 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis, 2500, 4500 Cab Chassis, and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles. The instrument panel may display an incorrect brake system warning light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety…

The risk: An incorrect warning light can fail to alert the driver to critical safety information, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the instrument panel cluster, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 9, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 79C.

Electrical System — Instrument Cluster/Panel
#26V225000Sep 2026

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…

Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights
#26V059000Feb 2026

The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Jeep Wagoneer S, 2025-2026 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, Ram 4500 Cab Chassis, Ram 5500 Cab Chassis, and 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. Due to an improperly designed trailer tow module, the trailer lights…

The risk: Trailer brake lights and turn signals that do not illuminate reduce visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, trailer brakes that fail increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will replace the trailer tow module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning March 17, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03D. V…

Electrical System — Instrument Cluster/Panel
#25V826000Jan 2025

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…

Toyota Camry — 31 recalls

Seats
#24V128000

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…

Wheels — Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
#23V432000

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…

Seats
#24V128000

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…

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification
#23V865000

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…

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.

YearRAM 3500Toyota Camry
202624116
202539152
20244147
20231762
202218758
202162155
2020112268
2019134392
2018794734
2017308148
Years to scrutinize: the 2018 RAM 3500 drew the most complaints (794); the 2018 Toyota Camry drew the most (734). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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

RAM 3500 vs Toyota Camry — comparison facts
Comparison
RAM 3500 vs Toyota Camry
RAM 3500 total complaints
1,718
Toyota Camry total complaints
2,132
RAM 3500 total recalls
86
Toyota Camry total recalls
31
RAM 3500 avg complaints/year
171.8
Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
213.2
More reliable overall
RAM 3500
RAM 3500 top complaint area
SERVICE BRAKES
Toyota Camry top complaint area
POWER TRAIN