Head-to-head reliability
Volvo VNL vs Toyota Camry
How the Volvo VNL 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 VNL averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Volvo VNL has 21 complaints and 65 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.
| Category | Volvo VNL | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 21 Better | 2,128 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 65 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.1 Better | 212.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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 VNL
- 01POWER TRAIN6
- 02STEERING6
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 04SERVICE BRAKES4
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
“The contact owns a 2026 Volvo VNL(4). The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, the message "Stop Vehicle - Apply Parking Brake Only While at Stand Still" was displayed, with three unknown warning lights were illuminated, with a continuous a…”
“The contact owned a 2019 Volvo Truck VNL. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently. The contact stated that while the driver was driving approximately 50 mph when they noticed the rear axle smoking. They pulled to…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN391
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER340
- 03ENGINE312
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM241
“The vehicle allows the engine to be turned off, key removed, while the vehicle is still in drive with no warning lights or sounds. I have tested and the vehicle can roll away. Complained to the toyota dealership and they said the service tech consulted with t…”
“I have a 2024 Toyota Camry with a ua80 transmission and started having problems around 92000 miles and I'm starting to have a lot more at 109,000 miles which is a little ridiculous for a transmission that is way too early very concerned for my safety on a pre…”
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 VNL — 65 recalls
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Truck) is recalling certain 2022-2024 VNL and VHD vehicles equipped with RollTek driver seats. A missing circuit will prevent the side air bag from deploying during a crash.
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy, increases the risk of an injury.
The fix: Dealers will connect a jumper harness between the seat and main cab harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 4, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Tr…
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2022-2023 VNL vehicles. The air tank bracket fasteners were excessively tightened and may have broken.
The risk: Broken fasteners may allow the air tank to detach from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks' customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks' number for this recall is RVXX2205.
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2022-2024 VNR, VNL, VHD, and VAH trucks. The windshield wiper motor gears may wear prematurely, causing the motor to fail.
The risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo Trucks number for this recall is R…
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling certain 2022 VNL vehicles equipped with Alcoa Mirror Polish Wheels, part number ULT 391, and wheel size 22.5 x 8.25. Under certain circumstances, these wheels may not be able to support the load, which can cause the wheels to bend or break whil…
The risk: Bent or broken wheels can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: The affected vehicles have been contained by the manufacturer, and therefore no owners will be notified. Dealers will replace the wheels, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service a…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
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 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…
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 VNL | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 116 |
| 2025 | 2 | 152 |
| 2024 | 0 | 47 |
| 2023 | 1 | 62 |
| 2022 | 2 | 58 |
| 2021 | 0 | 155 |
| 2020 | 0 | 268 |
| 2019 | 4 | 390 |
| 2018 | 8 | 732 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 VNL or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo VNL vs Toyota Camry
- Volvo VNL total complaints
- 21
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,128
- Volvo VNL total recalls
- 65
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Volvo VNL avg complaints/year
- 2.1
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 212.8
- More reliable overall
- Volvo VNL
- Volvo VNL top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN