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 has 57 complaints over 10 years (5.7/year) and 1 crash-related, while the Camry has 2,143 complaints (214.3/year) and 181 crash-related. The V60's issues often involve sudden fuel pump failures and brake loss from sunroof leaks; the Camry's include unintended acceleration and transmission grinding. 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 with a relatively low complaint volume—57 over 10 years, averaging 5.7 per year—but its issues often involve multiple systems failing at once. Owners report electrical gremlins, brake problems, and sunroof defects that can lead to sudden loss of power or braking. With 32 recalls and 1 crash-related complaint, it's a car that demands vigilance, especially as it ages.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint count—2,143 over 10 years, averaging 214.3 per year—but many are for less severe issues like HVAC odors or infotainment glitches. However, there are also reports of unintended acceleration, transmission failures, and brake loss, with 181 crash-related complaints and 1 death. Its 31 recalls cover airbags, seats, and wheels, indicating a broad range of potential safety fixes.
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 | 57 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 32 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.7 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 V60
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19
- 02SERVICE BRAKES12
- 03VISIBILITY/WIPER7
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
Owners report high-pressure fuel pump failures that shut the car down mid-drive and prevent shifting into neutral, leaving them stranded. Sunroof drain clogs can also flood internal electronics, causing simultaneous brake, airbag, and traction control failures.
Complaints include brake loss linked to water damage from sunroof drains, as well as acceleration failures and low battery warnings that may affect braking. These issues can compromise stopping ability without warning.
The sunroof can explode spontaneously while driving, and rearview mirrors may not return to saved positions after reversing, gradually shifting downward. Both affect driver visibility and safety.
Fuel pump failures are reported, causing sudden engine shutdown and leaving drivers unable to restart or move the vehicle. This can happen in traffic, increasing crash risk.
“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 TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the transmission upon acceleration, often requiring replacement. Some also experience unintended acceleration, where the car surges forward unexpectedly, leading to crashes.
Sudden acceleration incidents have been reported, sometimes resulting in total loss crashes. Additionally, coolant valve bypass issues trigger engine maintenance warnings and may not be covered by recalls for certain VINs.
There are complaints of complete brake failure, such as no response when pressing the pedal on a steep hill. This can lead to dangerous situations if the driver cannot stop.
HVAC problems produce strong vinegar-like odors from vents, and AC condensers can be damaged by road debris, leading to malfunctions. These are mostly comfort issues but can be costly to repair.
“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 V60 — 32 recalls
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 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 Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loo…
The risk: If the seat belt buckle separates from the bracket, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1…
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…
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 V60 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Volvo V60 has far fewer complaints per year (5.7 vs. 214.3), but its issues tend to be severe and multi-system failures. The Camry's higher volume includes many minor complaints, yet it also has more crash-related reports (181 vs. 1) and one death. In practice, the V60 may have fewer problems overall, but when they occur, they can be catastrophic; the Camry's problems are more frequent but often less immediately dangerous.
Key differences
- The Volvo V60 has 57 complaints over 10 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2,143—a 37-fold difference in complaint volume.
- Volvo V60 complaints often involve sudden shutdowns from fuel pump failures and brake loss due to sunroof leaks, whereas Camry complaints include unintended acceleration and transmission grinding.
- The Camry has 181 crash-related complaints and 1 death, compared to the V60's 1 crash-related complaint and 0 deaths, indicating a higher rate of severe outcomes in the Camry.
- Both have similar recall counts (32 for V60, 31 for Camry), but the V60's recalls focus on electrical and seat belt issues, while the Camry's cover airbags, seats, and wheels.
- Check for water damage or musty smells in the interior, especially around the sunroof and footwells, as clogged drains can flood electronics and cause brake and airbag failures.
- Test the high-pressure fuel pump by listening for whining noises and ensuring the car starts reliably; a failing pump can shut down the engine without warning.
- During a test drive, accelerate gently and listen for grinding noises from the front, which may indicate transmission problems requiring replacement.
- Test the brakes on a downhill slope to ensure they respond immediately; some owners report complete brake failure with no warning.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls using the VIN, as both models have numerous recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system and battery on the Volvo V60, and the transmission and brakes on the Toyota Camry.
- For the V60, verify that the sunroof drains are clear and that no water damage exists in the electronics.
- For the Camry, check for unintended acceleration by testing slow-speed maneuvers and ensuring the pedal doesn't stick.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes on the Camry and fuel pump replacements on the V60.
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 | 153 |
| 2024 | 6 | 48 |
| 2023 | 3 | 62 |
| 2022 | 1 | 59 |
| 2021 | 6 | 155 |
| 2020 | 18 | 270 |
| 2019 | 3 | 393 |
| 2018 | 1 | 736 |
| 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
- 57
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Volvo V60 total recalls
- 32
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Volvo V60 avg complaints/year
- 5.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Volvo V60
- Volvo V60 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN