Head-to-head reliability
Volvo V60 vs Toyota Camry
How the Volvo V60 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 V60 vs Toyota Camry: The V60 averages 5.8 complaints per year with 32 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. V60 owners report fuel pump and brake module failures; Camry owners report key sticking and brake noise. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo V60 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo V60
The Volvo V60 is a luxury wagon that averages just 5.8 complaints per year over a decade, suggesting a relatively low rate of owner-reported problems. However, the complaints that do appear often involve serious issues like fuel pump failures that can strand drivers and brake control module faults at low mileage. Recalls are frequent (32 total), many for software related to back-over prevention and electrical systems, so checking for completed recalls is essential.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 206 per year—but that reflects its enormous sales volume. The most common trouble spots are the power train, engine, and brakes, with reports of hesitation, shuddering, and electronic parking brake failures. Recalls are fewer (31 total) but include critical safety items like air bag sensors and seat issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo V60 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 58 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 32 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 V60
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM20
- 02SERVICE BRAKES13
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 04VISIBILITY/WIPER7
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
Owners report high-pressure fuel pump failures that shut the car down without warning, leaving them stranded in traffic. Some also note the vehicle cannot be manually shifted into neutral, which complicates emergency handling.
Complaints include premature brake control module failure at around 55,000 miles, causing trouble codes and potential loss of braking assist. Another owner described a failure to accelerate and a low battery indicator, pointing to electrical gremlins affecting braking.
A sunroof can shatter unexpectedly while driving, and rearview mirrors may drift downward over time, requiring frequent manual adjustment. These issues affect driver visibility and can be distracting.
Some owners describe a 'free wheeling' sensation that worsens over time, which one retired software engineer attributed to a software problem. Others report the interior rearview mirror slowly tilting down every few hundred miles.
“Me and my partners safety was put at risk when the vehicle’s high pressure fuel pump went out, shut the car down, and left us stranded in the middle of two lane traffic. What was scarier was how the vehicle couldn’t be manually overridden to shift into neutra…”
“Me and my partners safety was put at risk when the vehicle’s high pressure fuel pump went out, shut the car down, and left us stranded in the middle of two lane traffic. What was scarier was how the vehicle couldn’t be manually overridden to shift into neutra…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of recent Camrys report intermittent ignition key sticking even when the car is in Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect to remove the key. Others experience hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on.
Complaints include delayed throttle response—several seconds between pressing the gas and the car moving—and repeated hesitation/shuddering that triggers warning lights. These issues can make merging or accelerating feel unpredictable.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Some owners also hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, which Toyota says is normal for the ABS system but owners find concerning.
Multiple safety systems—smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—have malfunctioned simultaneously in some cars. This can leave the driver without key assists in a single trip.
“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 V60 — 32 recalls
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…
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improper…
The risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2017 S60 and S60 Cross Country, V60 and V60 Cross Country, and XC60 vehicles manufactured August 16, 2016, through October 21, 2016. The affected vehicles have driver and front passenger seat side mounted side air bags (SAB) with inflator in…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front seat side air bags, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552.…
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 V60 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Volvo V60 has far fewer complaints per year (5.8 vs. 205.6), but the Camry's higher count is partly due to its much larger sales volume. In practice, the V60's issues tend to be serious but less frequent, while the Camry's problems are more common but often less severe. Both have recalls, so checking recall history is critical for either.
Key differences
- The Volvo V60 averages 5.8 complaints per year, while the Toyota Camry averages 205.6—but the Camry sells in far greater numbers, so per-vehicle rates are not directly comparable.
- Volvo V60 owners report fuel pump failures that can shut the car down and brake module failures at low mileage; Camry owners report key sticking, hesitation, and electronic parking brake problems.
- The V60 has 32 recalls, many for software (back-over prevention, electrical); the Camry has 31 recalls, including air bag sensor and seat issues.
- Crash-related complaints are much higher for the Camry (171 vs. 1 for the V60), though this likely reflects the larger number of Camrys on the road.
- Check for high-pressure fuel pump service history or symptoms like stalling or inability to shift into neutral—this is a reported stranding issue.
- Inspect the brake control module for trouble codes C000101, C000201, or C008248, which indicate premature internal failure.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park—if it sticks, it may require a battery disconnect, a reported power train defect.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area and verify the electronic parking brake engages and disengages smoothly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls have been performed, especially software updates for the V60 and air bag sensors for the Camry.
- Have a mechanic scan for stored trouble codes, focusing on brake control module codes on the V60 and power train/engine codes on the Camry.
- Test drive at various speeds and pay attention to transmission hesitation, shuddering, or delayed throttle response in the Camry.
- For the V60, check the sunroof for cracks or prior replacement and verify the rearview mirrors hold their position.
- For the Camry, test the electronic parking brake multiple times and ensure all safety systems (blind spot, lane keeping) activate without error messages.
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 V60 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 163 |
| 2024 | 6 | 50 |
| 2023 | 3 | 64 |
| 2022 | 1 | 61 |
| 2021 | 6 | 157 |
| 2020 | 18 | 274 |
| 2019 | 3 | 395 |
| 2018 | 1 | 744 |
| 2017 | 6 | 148 |
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 V60 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo V60 vs Toyota Camry
- Volvo V60 total complaints
- 58
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Volvo V60 total recalls
- 32
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Volvo V60 avg complaints/year
- 5.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Volvo V60
- Volvo V60 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN