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.

Volvo S80127 complaints · 37 recalls Fewer issues per year
Toyota Camry2,128 complaints · 31 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Volvo S80 averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Volvo S80 has 127 complaints and 37 recalls on record; Toyota Camry has 2,128 complaints and 31 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

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

CategoryVolvo S80Toyota Camry
Total complaintsAll model years combined127 Better2,128
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns3731 Better
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints8 Better181
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years12.7 Better212.8
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints13 Better163
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 S80

  1. 01STRUCTURE20
  2. 02ENGINE19
  3. 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16
  4. 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER16
  5. 05AIR BAGS9
In owners' words — STRUCTURE

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

  1. 01POWER TRAIN391
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER340
  3. 03ENGINE312
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES290
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM241
In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

My 2020 Toyota Camry SE suffered a sudden and premature transmission failure at only 114,000 miles. I am a college student and I cannot afford a major repair like this on top of my monthly car payment. The car began showing hesitation and sluggish acceleratio…

I purchased my vehicle from a certified used car dealership in Connecticut in 2020 with a little over 1800 miles. Since purchasing the vehicle, it has been very reluctant to down shift and had slight transmission whine. I was notified of a recall for I believ…

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

Seat Belts — Front
#20V378000

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.

Seat Belts — Front
#20V378000

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.

Power Train — Automatic Transmission — Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
#12V317000Jun 2012

The defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2013 S80 VEHICLES. A SOFTWARE ERROR MAY PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION FROM DOWNSHIFTING SUCH AS SHIFTING FROM FIFTH TO FOURTH GEAR WHEN COASTING.

The risk: THIS MAY RESULT IN DECREASED ENGINE RPMS AND POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE SOFTWARE TO THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 10, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

Engine And Engine Cooling
#10V579000

The defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, S80, S60, XC70 AND XC60 VEHICLES. THE SOFTWARE CALIBRATION FOR THE FUEL CUT-OFF FUNCTIONALITY IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) IS TOO SENSITIVE.

The risk: SUDDEN ENGINE STALL COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE ECM AND TCM WITH NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 10, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR AT CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM.

Toyota Camry — 31 recalls

Engine And Engine Cooling
#20V064000Jun 2020

The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES300h and 2019-2020 RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrid vehicles equipped with 2.5L 4-Cylinder engines. Porosity in the engine castings may result in cracks than can allow coolant to le…

The risk: A coolant leak can cause the engine to overheat and cause a vehicle stall in conventional gasoline vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, for all involved vehicles, the engine may get damaged mechanically, possibly resulti…

The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the engine including the engine block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 3, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus at 1…

Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump
#20V682000Apr 2020

The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2…

The risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models wil…

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…

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

Volvo S80 vs Toyota Camry — comparison facts
Comparison
Volvo S80 vs Toyota Camry
Volvo S80 total complaints
127
Toyota Camry total complaints
2,128
Volvo S80 total recalls
37
Toyota Camry total recalls
31
Volvo S80 avg complaints/year
12.7
Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
212.8
More reliable overall
Volvo S80
Volvo S80 top complaint area
STRUCTURE
Toyota Camry top complaint area
POWER TRAIN