Head-to-head reliability
Volvo EC40 vs Toyota Camry
How the Volvo EC40 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 EC40 vs Toyota Camry: The EC40 has 0 complaints and 3 recalls over 2 years, while the Camry has 2,143 complaints, 31 recalls, and 181 crash-related reports over 10 years. The Camry's higher complaint rate reflects more reported failures, but the EC40 lacks owner feedback. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo EC40 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo EC40
The Volvo EC40 is a newer electric vehicle with no owner complaints filed over two years, so real-world failure patterns are not yet known. It has three recalls, all for software issues affecting brake power assist or rear backup prevention. In ownership terms, it appears quiet so far, but the lack of complaint data means buyers should rely on recall fixes and pre-purchase software checks.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume sedan with 2,143 complaints over ten years, averaging about 214 per year. Owners report issues across the power train, engine, brakes, and electrical system, including transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, and brake failure. With 181 crash-related reports, 163 injuries, and one death, the data shows a wide range of serious problems that buyers should investigate by model year and recall status.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo EC40 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 163 |
| 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 EC40
No component data available.
A recall covers software in the electric brake power assist control module. If not updated, the system may not provide the expected brake assist, so buyers should confirm the recall repair was done.
Two recalls address rear backup prevention software. This can affect the rear camera or alert system, so check that the software is current to avoid backup visibility or warning failures.
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 problems that may require replacement. Some also describe brake pedal issues in parking lots, such as needing extra force to stop.
Complaints include sudden, uncontrollable acceleration that led to a crash, and a coolant valve bypass code (P268115) that owners say is covered by a recall for some 2022 Camrys but not their VIN.
Drivers report a complete lack of brake response when pressing the pedal, including on steep hills, which can lead to dangerous situations. This is a critical safety concern for any used Camry buyer.
Electrical complaints appear among the top categories, though sample texts focus on other areas. Buyers should still have the electrical system checked, as issues can affect many vehicle functions.
“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.
Volvo EC40 — 3 recalls
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 Volvo C40 BEV, 2025 EC40, 2023-2024 XC40 BEV, 2020-2026 XC90 PHEV, 2022-2026 XC60 PHEV, 2023-2025 S60 PHEV, 2024-2025 V60 PHEV, and 2025-2026 EX40 and 2025 S90 PHEV vehicles. In certain driving scenarios while coasting down a hill and using "…
The risk: A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to use "B" Mode (for plug-in hybrid vehicles) or "One Pedal Drive" (for pure electric vehicles) until the repair has been completed. The brake module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free o…
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply wi…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for…
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fai…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Car’s customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's numb…
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
Volvo EC40 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Volvo EC40 has far fewer issues per year (0 complaints/year vs. 214.3/year for the Camry), but that is partly because it is newer and has no complaint text on record. In practice, the Camry's long history shows many reported failures, while the EC40's main known issues are software recalls that can be fixed.
Key differences
- The Volvo EC40 has 0 complaints over 2 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2,143 complaints over 10 years, including 181 crash-related reports and 163 injuries.
- The EC40's only known issues are 3 software recalls for brake assist and backup prevention; the Camry has 31 recalls and owner reports of transmission, engine, and brake failures.
- Camry owners describe serious symptoms like grinding transmissions, sudden acceleration, and brake pedal failure; the EC40 has no owner complaint text to describe real-world symptoms.
- The Camry's high complaint volume spans power train, engine, brakes, and electrical systems, while the EC40's data is limited to recall subjects.
- Confirm that all three software recalls (brake power assist control module and two backup prevention recalls) have been completed by a Volvo dealer.
- Ask for any service records related to the brake system or rear camera, since software fixes may not appear in routine maintenance.
- Test drive at low speeds and listen for grinding noises from the front during acceleration, which owners link to transmission replacement.
- Check for any history of brake pedal response issues, especially on hills or in parking lots, and verify that all brake-related recalls are done.
Before you buy
- For either vehicle, run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls and confirm they were repaired.
- On the Camry, ask for transmission service records and test drive from a stop to highway speed to feel for hesitation or grinding.
- On the Camry, test the brakes on a downhill slope or empty lot to ensure the pedal responds firmly and consistently.
- On the EC40, verify the infotainment and driver-assist software versions are up to date, since recalls are software-based.
- Have a mechanic inspect the specific system with the most complaints for that model before buying.
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 EC40 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 119 |
| 2025 | 0 | 153 |
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 EC40 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo EC40 vs Toyota Camry
- Volvo EC40 total complaints
- 0
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Volvo EC40 total recalls
- 3
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Volvo EC40 avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Volvo EC40
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN