Head-to-head reliability

Volvo EX90 vs Toyota Camry

How the Volvo EX90 and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Volvo EX9079 complaints · 3 recalls Fewer issues per year
Toyota Camry2,056 complaints · 31 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Volvo EX90 vs Toyota Camry: The EX90 has 79 complaints over 2 years (about 40 per year) and 3 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (about 206 per year) and 31 recalls. The EX90's issues often involve sudden power loss or unintended movement, whereas the Camry's include transmission hesitation and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The picture

Is the Volvo EX90 or Toyota Camry more reliable?

A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.

Volvo EX90

The Volvo EX90 is a new electric SUV with only two years of complaint data, averaging about 40 complaints per year. Owners frequently report electrical and software failures that can cause the vehicle to shut down or lose power while driving, as well as unexpected movement when parked. These issues often leave families stranded and raise concerns about basic reliability.

Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is a long-running sedan with ten years of complaint data, averaging about 206 complaints per year. Common owner reports include transmission hesitation, engine shuddering, and brake problems, with some issues causing crashes or injuries. While the Camry has many more complaints overall, the higher volume reflects its longer history and larger number of vehicles on the road.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

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

CategoryVolvo EX90Toyota Camry
Total complaintsAll model years combined79 Better2,056
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns3 Better31
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints2 Better171
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years39.5 Better205.6
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints1 Better158
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better1

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 EX90

  1. 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM41
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER21
  3. 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM16
  4. 04POWER TRAIN11
  5. 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE9
What these mean
Electrical System

Owners report complete vehicle failure, air conditioning stopping, and frequent warning messages about suspension and driver-assistance systems. These electrical glitches can leave drivers stranded and are especially concerning when they affect safety features.

Unknown or Other

Complaints include the vehicle moving on its own while parked and locked, traveling several feet down a driveway. This unexpected movement poses a serious risk to people and property nearby.

Fuel/Propulsion System

Even though the EX90 is electric, owners describe sudden power loss at freeway speeds and repeated failures to start or maintain power. A shutdown while driving can be extremely dangerous, especially in traffic.

Power Train

Reports include the vehicle reversing when Drive is selected, leading to crashes, and complete vehicle failure with air conditioning loss. These defects can cause loss of control and put occupants at risk.

In owners' words — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

“My 2026 Volvo EX90, with approximately 3,000 miles, experienced a complete vehicle failure while being used as our family vehicle in Phoenix, Arizona. While my nanny was driving my two young children, including my [XXX], the air conditioning stopped functioni…”

“Ongoing Software Issues From shortly after delivery through now, the vehicle experiences frequent and recurring warning messages and system failures, including but not limited to: Suspension system warnings Driver assistance and self-driving feature failures…”

Toyota Camry

  1. 01POWER TRAIN385
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
  3. 03ENGINE315
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES285
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
What these mean
Power Train

Owners report the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove, and transmission hesitation or shuddering with the check engine light on. These issues can leave drivers unable to secure or start the car reliably.

Engine

Complaints include delayed throttle response, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second lag before the car moves. This hesitation can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.

Service Brakes

The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear clicking or vibrating noises from the ABS system. Brake problems directly affect stopping ability and safety.

Unknown or Other

Multiple systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. When several safety aids fail at once, the driver may lose critical support without warning.

In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

“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 EX90 — 3 recalls

Seats — Critical Fasteners
#24V869000

The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2025 EX90 vehicles. The bolts for the second-row free-standing seat may not be tightened properly.

The risk: An improperly tightened seat may not adequately restrain the occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 10, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10292.

Exterior Lighting — Headlights — Concealment Devices
#25V071000Jul 2025

The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2025 EX90 vehicles. Due to a software error in the low power controller (LPC), the headlight shutters may close over the high and low beams while driving.

The risk: A loss of headlight function while driving can reduce visibility and increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: The LPC software will be updated manually, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10298.

Structure — Body — Hatchback/Liftgate — Support Device/Strut
#25V654000

The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2025 EX90 vehicles. A spindle nut may detach from the Power Operated Tailgate (POT) drive units, causing the tailgate to suddenly drop.

The risk: A tailgate that suddenly drops can hit a person, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Owners are advised not to use the POT function until the repair is completed. Dealers will replace both POT drive units. Owner letters were mailed November 24, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's nu…

Toyota Camry — 31 recalls

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…

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…

Buyer analysis

Volvo EX90 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?

The Volvo EX90 has far fewer complaints per year (about 40) than the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the EX90's issues often involve sudden power loss or unintended movement, which can be severe. The Camry's higher complaint count reflects its longer production history and larger fleet, yet its problems are more varied and sometimes less immediately dangerous. In practice, the EX90 may spend more time in the shop for software and electrical faults, while the Camry has more widespread but often less catastrophic issues.

Recommendation. If you prioritize the lowest chance of being stranded by sudden electrical or propulsion failures, the Camry's longer track record may offer more predictable ownership, though it has its own transmission and brake concerns. If you need an electric SUV and can accept the risk of software glitches and potential power loss, the EX90 could work—but only with a thorough pre-purchase inspection and a willingness to stay on top of recalls. Ultimately, choose the Camry for proven reliability and the EX90 only if you value its electric design and are prepared for frequent dealer visits.

Key differences

  • The EX90 has only 79 complaints over 2 years, while the Camry has 2,056 over 10 years—but the EX90's complaints include complete power loss and unintended movement, which are severe safety events.
  • Camry owners frequently report transmission hesitation, stuck ignition keys, and brake noise, whereas EX90 owners describe electrical shutdowns, air conditioning failure, and software warnings.
  • The EX90 has 3 recalls, including seat fasteners and headlight concealment, while the Camry has 31 recalls, covering air bag sensors, seats, and wheel studs.
  • Crash-related complaints are much higher for the Camry (171) than the EX90 (2), but the EX90's crashes stem from unintended reversing and power loss, which are particularly alarming for a new vehicle.
Watch on Volvo EX90
  • Check for any history of electrical system repairs or software updates, especially related to air conditioning, suspension warnings, or driver-assistance failures.
  • Test the vehicle's response when shifting into Drive and Reverse, and verify that it does not move unexpectedly when parked; also confirm all recalls (seats, headlights, liftgate strut) have been completed.
Watch on Toyota Camry
  • Inspect the ignition key operation to ensure it does not stick in Park, and test the transmission for hesitation or shuddering during acceleration.
  • Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and verify that the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly; check for any open recalls on air bag sensors and seats.

Before you buy

  • Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed for the specific model year.
  • For the EX90, ask the dealer to demonstrate that the latest software updates are installed and that no warning messages appear during a test drive.
  • For the Camry, test the ignition key removal, transmission shifting, and brake pedal feel during a thorough test drive.
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the electrical system and brakes, focusing on the components mentioned in owner complaints.
  • Ask the seller for any repair invoices related to the reported issues and check if the vehicle has been repurchased under lemon law.

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.

YearVolvo EX90Toyota Camry
202670
202572163
Years to scrutinize: the 2025 Volvo EX90 drew the most complaints (72); the 2018 Toyota Camry drew the most (744). 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 Volvo EX90 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Volvo EX90 vs Toyota Camry — comparison facts
Comparison
Volvo EX90 vs Toyota Camry
Volvo EX90 total complaints
79
Toyota Camry total complaints
2,056
Volvo EX90 total recalls
3
Toyota Camry total recalls
31
Volvo EX90 avg complaints/year
39.5
Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
205.6
More reliable overall
Volvo EX90
Volvo EX90 top complaint area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Toyota Camry top complaint area
POWER TRAIN