Head-to-head reliability
Volvo S80 vs Toyota Camry
How the Volvo S80 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 S80 vs Toyota Camry: The S80 averages 12.8 complaints per year with 37 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints with 31 recalls. The S80 reports fewer crashes (8 vs. 171) and injuries (13 vs. 158), but both have serious issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo S80 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo S80
The Volvo S80 is a low-volume luxury sedan with an average of 12.8 complaints per year over the past decade, suggesting that when problems arise, they can be serious. Owners report stalling, loss of power, and electrical glitches that may leave you stranded, plus structural issues like mold from condensation and sharp trim edges. With 37 recalls and 13 injuries reported, it's a car that demands careful inspection before purchase.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume family sedan with an average of 205.6 complaints per year, reflecting its popularity rather than necessarily worse quality. However, owners report a wide range of issues from transmission hesitation and stuck keys to brake problems and multiple system malfunctions. With 31 recalls, 171 crash-related complaints, and 158 injuries, it's clear that some Camrys have significant safety-related defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo S80 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 128 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 37 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 8 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 12.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 13 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 S80
- 01STRUCTURE20
- 02ENGINE19
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM17
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER16
- 05WHEELS9
Owners report condensation inside the cabin leading to mold on seat belts, and chrome trim on the steering wheel delaminating into sharp edges. These issues can affect air quality and cause cuts, and may indicate water leaks that are costly to fix.
Complaints include stalling while driving with no throttle response, and stabilization warning lights accompanied by loss of steering and power. Such failures can happen at speed and increase crash risk.
Owners describe sudden loss of acceleration and start/stop system delays that leave the car unresponsive when releasing the brake. These glitches can be unpredictable and may require dealer diagnostics.
Reports include sunroofs exploding and start/stop systems that must be manually disabled each time. These are unexpected failures that can be dangerous and annoying.
“The contact owns a 2010 Volvo S80. The contact stated that there was condensation inside the vehicle. Additionally, the contact's daughter informed the contact that there was mold on the front passenger's side seat belt. The contact stated that there was mold…”
“THE CHROME FOIL DECORATION ON THE STEERING WHEEL TRIM IS DELAMINATING, CAUSING A SHARP EDGE WHERE THE FOIL HAS PULLED AWAY FROM THE PLASTIC SUBSTRATE. THIS IS HAPPENING AT THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE STEERING WHEEL, WHERE THE HANDS COME IN CONTACT WITH IT. IN THE…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report ignition keys getting stuck even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove, and transmission shuddering with check engine lights. These issues can leave you unable to secure or drive the car reliably.
Complaints include delayed throttle response where pressing the gas pedal does nothing for several seconds. This lag can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
Owners describe electronic parking brakes that won't disengage, requiring towing, and clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area. Brake problems directly affect stopping ability and safety.
Multiple safety systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. This leaves the driver without key assists, increasing crash risk.
“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 S80 — 37 recalls
The defect: Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front…
The risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
The defect: Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preve…
The risk: If the vehicle is unexpectedly unable to be started in the middle of traffic, such as when stopped at an intersection, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing starter motor fuse with a higher amperage fuse, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552 or by visitin…
The defect: Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front…
The risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
The defect: Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front…
The risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
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 S80 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Volvo S80 has far fewer complaints per year (12.8 vs. 205.6), but its issues tend to be severe, such as stalling and electrical failures. The Camry's higher volume means more reported problems overall, but many are widespread and may be addressed by recalls. In practice, the S80 may be less likely to leave you stranded, but when it does, it could be costly.
Key differences
- The Volvo S80 averages 12.8 complaints per year, while the Toyota Camry averages 205.6, but the Camry's higher volume means more data.
- Volvo S80 owners report structural issues like mold and sharp trim, while Camry owners report power train problems like stuck keys and transmission shuddering.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries, compared to 8 crashes and 13 injuries for the S80, though these numbers are not adjusted for sales volume.
- Both have recalls, but the S80's recalls include seat belts and electrical wiring, while the Camry's include wheels, seats, and air bag sensors.
- Check for musty odors or visible mold, especially around seat belts and under mats, which could indicate water leaks and condensation issues.
- Test drive at low speeds and during braking to feel for any hesitation, stalling, or loss of power steering assist, and listen for unusual noises.
- Try removing the key from the ignition after parking to ensure it doesn't stick, and test the electronic parking brake to confirm it disengages properly.
- During a test drive, accelerate firmly to check for delayed throttle response or shuddering, and test all driver-assist systems like blind spot monitoring and lane keeping.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to see if recalls have been performed and if there are any accident records.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the car, focusing on the specific problem areas mentioned for each model.
- Test drive the car in various conditions—highway, city, and parking—to replicate common complaint scenarios.
- Check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN and ensure they are addressed before purchase.
- For the Camry, verify that the electronic parking brake and all safety systems function correctly; for the S80, check for water leaks and electrical gremlins.
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 S80 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo S80 vs Toyota Camry
- Volvo S80 total complaints
- 128
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Volvo S80 total recalls
- 37
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Volvo S80 avg complaints/year
- 12.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Volvo S80
- Volvo S80 top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN