Head-to-head reliability
Volvo C40 vs Toyota Camry
How the Volvo C40 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
Volvo C40 vs Toyota Camry: The C40 has 40 complaints over 3 years (13.3/year) and 4 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. The C40 reports 3 crash-related complaints and 3 injuries; the Camry reports 171 crashes and 158 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo C40 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo C40
The Volvo C40 is a compact electric SUV that has been on the road for three years, averaging about 13 complaints per year. Owners frequently report electrical glitches, backup camera failures, and unintended braking or acceleration. These issues can be frustrating and potentially dangerous, but the volume is relatively low. Buyers should be prepared for possible electronic quirks and software-related problems.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a long history and a much larger owner base, generating over 2,000 complaints in ten years. Common trouble spots include power train hesitation, engine shuddering, and brake system noises. While the sheer number of complaints is high, it reflects the car's popularity. Still, some reported issues like key stuck in ignition or delayed acceleration can be serious.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo C40 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 40 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 13.3 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 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.
Volvo C40
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
- 03BACK OVER PREVENTION8
- 04VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
- 05POWER TRAIN5
Owners report recurring electronic defects, including keyless entry failures and drivability problems. One complaint describes a potentially catastrophic accident during parking, suggesting electrical faults may affect critical functions.
The rear camera often fails to display an image when reversing, sometimes for over a minute. Another owner notes the automatic rear brake engages for no reason, throwing the driver forward. These defects make parking and low-speed maneuvers riskier.
With one-pedal driving, owners experience malfunctioning speed control, including lurching forward after stopping or failing at speed. This can lead to unexpected acceleration or loss of control.
Complaints include smoke and fire from the passenger seat area, as well as dangerous automatic braking. These unpredictable issues could pose fire or injury risks.
“Multiple recurring electronic, keyless entry, and drivability defects on my 2022 Volvo C40 Recharge, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle was purchased used through Vroom and financed by UACC. Serious problems existed prior to the factory warranty expiration in April 2026.…”
“I am writing to bring to your attention a potentially catastrophic accident involving our leased C40 vehicle that happened on [XXX], 3:30pm. (ID [XXX] ) On the above mentioned date, my husband, [XXX] , was parking the C40 in a school parking lot to pick up ou…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key gets stuck and cannot be removed even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, with the check engine light on.
Delayed throttle response is a recurring complaint, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second delay before the car moves. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow. Owners also hear clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which dealers attribute to the ABS system but owners find abnormal.
Multiple safety systems—including stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. This leaves the driver without key aids in an instant.
“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.
Volvo C40 — 4 recalls
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Volvo C40 vehicles. The clamps may be improperly crimped on the driver's side inner far side air bag module (FSAB), which can cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
The risk: An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver's side inner FSAB, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10296.
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60, V60CC, V90CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic error in the Brake Control Module 2 (BCM2) may cause a loss of Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and traction control.
The risk: A reduction in brake support functions can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will release an over-the-air (OTA) BCM2 software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 15, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for thi…
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic trouble code (DTC) may be falsely detected for the emergency call system (e-call) and display "e-Call Service Required" in the driver information module (DIM).
The risk: The false warning message could prevent the detection of an actual e-call system failure, which could delay an emergency response during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the telematics and connectivity antenna module (TCAM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Ca…
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Volvo C40 vehicles. The clamps may be improperly crimped on the driver's side inner far side air bag module (FSAB), which can cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
The risk: An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver's side inner FSAB, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10296.
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
Volvo C40 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Volvo C40 has far fewer complaints per year (about 13) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 206). In practice, this means a C40 buyer is less likely to encounter a reported problem, but the issues that do appear can be severe, such as electrical fires or unintended braking. The Camry's higher volume reflects its larger sales, but its problems are also more varied and sometimes involve core driving functions.
Key differences
- The Volvo C40 has 40 complaints over 3 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056 over 10 years—but the Camry sells in much higher numbers, so per-vehicle rates may be closer.
- C40 owners report electrical fires, backup camera failures, and unintended braking; Camry owners report stuck ignition keys, delayed acceleration, and brake noise.
- The C40 has 4 recalls, including air bag inflator and brake issues; the Camry has 31 recalls, covering seats, air bag sensors, and wheel studs.
- Crash-related complaints: 3 for the C40 and 171 for the Camry, with 3 vs. 158 injuries respectively, indicating that reported crashes are far more numerous for the Camry.
- Check for any signs of electrical burning or smoke, especially around the passenger seat and under the dashboard, as one owner reported a fire.
- Test the rear camera and automatic braking system thoroughly; ensure the camera displays immediately in reverse and that the auto-brake does not engage unexpectedly.
- Verify the ignition key can be removed easily when the car is in Park; if it sticks, it could require a costly repair.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal and test the electronic parking brake to ensure it disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for air bags and brakes.
- Take a long test drive that includes reversing, parking, and varying speeds to check for camera, braking, and acceleration issues.
- For the C40, ask the seller to demonstrate one-pedal driving and note any lurching or failure to slow down.
- For the Camry, test the key removal, throttle response from a stop, and listen for brake noises during braking.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the electrical system and brakes, focusing on the specific complaints reported to NHTSA.
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 | Volvo C40 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 50 |
| 2023 | 24 | 64 |
| 2022 | 14 | 61 |
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 Volvo C40 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo C40 vs Toyota Camry
- Volvo C40 total complaints
- 40
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Volvo C40 total recalls
- 4
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Volvo C40 avg complaints/year
- 13.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Volvo C40
- Volvo C40 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN