Head-to-head reliability
Volvo EX40 vs Toyota Camry
How the Volvo EX40 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 EX40 vs Toyota Camry: The EX40 has only 3 complaints over 2 years (1.5/yr) but includes sudden brake failures, while the Camry has 2143 complaints over 10 years (214.3/yr) with issues like transmission grinding and sudden acceleration. The EX40 has 4 recalls, the Camry 31. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo EX40 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo EX40
The Volvo EX40 is a relatively new electric vehicle with a low complaint volume, averaging just 1.5 per year over two years. However, the complaints that do exist are serious, involving sudden loss of braking, power steering, and power while driving. These incidents often trigger multiple warning lights and messages, suggesting potential electronic control issues. While rare, these failures pose significant safety concerns for owners.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a long-standing sedan with a high complaint volume, averaging over 214 per year over a decade. Complaints span many areas, but powertrain, engine, and brake issues are most frequent. Owners report transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, brake failure, and various other problems. The high number of crash-related complaints and injuries indicates that some of these issues have led to real-world accidents.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo EX40 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.5 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 EX40
- 01SERVICE BRAKES2
- 02POWER TRAIN2
- 03STEERING1
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
- 05ENGINE1
Owners report sudden and complete brake failure, often accompanied by warning lights and messages like 'Stop Safely Brake Failure.' This can occur at low speeds, such as when approaching a crosswalk, and is a critical safety issue.
There are reports of the vehicle losing power while driving, with loss of steering control and hazard lights not working. In one incident, the car began to behave erratically on a highway shortly after leaving a dealership, indicating a potential recurring problem.
Loss of power steering has been reported in conjunction with brake failure, making the vehicle difficult to control. This compounds the danger of sudden brake loss, especially in traffic.
Electrical issues seem to underlie many of the failures, as owners describe multiple warning lights and system malfunctions occurring simultaneously. This suggests a possible software or control module problem that could affect various safety systems.
“I was driving on the freeway in traffic, thankfully going about +/- 25 mph and had to stop/slow down. When I tapped the breaks, they completely failed. All warning lights in the car immediately came on including the warning 'Stop Safely Break Failure'. I pres…”
“Applied the brake while approaching a crosswalk and suddenly multiple warning notifications appeared on dashboard (brake failure, collision avoidance system not functioning, etc) and every warning light started flashing. Lost power steering and brakes. Had to…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the transmission, with some requiring full transmission replacement. There are also complaints of sudden acceleration, which can lead to loss of control and crashes.
Engine issues include sudden acceleration incidents and maintenance warnings related to coolant valve bypass recalls. Some owners report that their specific VIN is not covered by a recall despite having the same problem, leading to safety concerns.
Brake failure is reported, such as no response when pressing the pedal on a downhill slope, forcing drivers to use emergency measures. This is a critical safety issue that has contributed to crashes.
Electrical problems manifest in various ways, including malfunctioning air conditioning and other electronic components. While not always safety-critical, they add to the overall reliability burden.
“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 EX40 — 4 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 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 EX40 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Volvo EX40 has far fewer complaints per year (1.5) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the EX40's complaints are severe, involving sudden loss of braking and power, which are critical safety concerns. The Camry's higher volume includes many minor issues but also serious ones like sudden acceleration and brake failure, so neither is without risk.
Key differences
- The EX40 has a much lower complaint rate (1.5/yr) than the Camry (214.3/yr), but its complaints are dominated by sudden brake and power loss.
- The Camry has a higher proportion of crash-related complaints (181) and injuries (163), indicating that its issues more often lead to accidents.
- The EX40's recalls focus on brake software and backup prevention, while the Camry's recalls cover airbags, seats, and wheels, showing different areas of concern.
- The EX40 is an EV with fewer years of data, while the Camry is a conventional sedan with a decade of owner feedback.
- Inspect the brake system thoroughly, especially the electronic control module, and check for any pending software updates or recalls.
- Test drive at various speeds and pay attention to any warning lights or loss of power steering, as these are common failure points.
- Check the transmission for any unusual noises or shifting issues, as many owners report grinding and need for replacement.
- Be alert for any signs of sudden acceleration or brake failure during a test drive, and verify that all recalls have been addressed.
Before you buy
- Check the NHTSA website for open recalls on the specific VIN of the vehicle you're considering.
- For the EX40, ask for service records related to brake or electrical system updates.
- For the Camry, ask about transmission maintenance or replacements and any engine-related repairs.
- Take both vehicles for an extended test drive, including highway and stop-and-go traffic, to feel for any hesitation or warning lights.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic familiar with electric vehicles (for EX40) or Toyota models (for Camry).
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 EX40 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 119 |
| 2025 | 2 | 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 EX40 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo EX40 vs Toyota Camry
- Volvo EX40 total complaints
- 3
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Volvo EX40 total recalls
- 4
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Volvo EX40 avg complaints/year
- 1.5
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Volvo EX40
- Volvo EX40 top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN