Head-to-head reliability
Volvo VNM vs Toyota Camry
How the Volvo VNM 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 VNM vs Toyota Camry: The VNM has 0 complaints and 14 recalls over 10 years, while the Camry has 2,143 complaints, 31 recalls, and 181 crash-related reports. The Camry's complaints include transmission, brake, and acceleration issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo VNM or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo VNM
The Volvo VNM is a heavy-duty commercial truck, not a typical passenger car, so its ownership experience is different from a family sedan. Over 10 years, it has zero owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which means there is no pattern of reported failures from drivers. However, it has 14 recalls covering steering, brakes, engine, and suspension, so while owners haven't complained, the manufacturer has identified safety defects. For a buyer, this suggests that if you're considering a VNM, you should check that all recall work has been completed, but there's no evidence of recurring day-to-day problems from complaint data.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan with a high volume of owner complaints: 2,143 over 10 years, averaging about 214 per year. The complaints cover major systems like power train, engine, brakes, and electrical, with 181 crash-related reports, 163 injuries, and 1 death. Owners describe issues such as transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, brake failure, and AC problems. This doesn't mean every Camry is unreliable, but it does show that a notable number of drivers have experienced serious and sometimes dangerous problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo VNM | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 14 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 VNM
No component data available.
Recalls exist for steering issues, though no owner complaints describe specific symptoms. A buyer should verify that any steering recall repairs have been done, as steering failure can be dangerous.
There is a recall for air brakes, but no owner complaint text. For a heavy truck, brake problems are critical, so check recall completion and inspect the air brake system.
A recall covers engine and cooling issues, but no complaints detail the failure. Buyers should confirm the recall remedy was applied and look for coolant leaks or overheating signs.
A recall exists for the front upper ball joint, which can affect steering and handling. Without complaints, it's unclear how often this fails, but a pre-purchase inspection should check for play or wear.
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front during acceleration, with dealers confirming transmission problems that may require replacement. Some mention recalls for the same issue on certain model years, but parts can be backordered, leaving drivers waiting.
Complaints include sudden, uncontrollable acceleration that led to a crash, and engine maintenance codes related to a coolant bypass valve. These are serious safety and reliability concerns that can strand or endanger drivers.
Drivers describe brake pedal going to the floor with no response, especially on slopes, and one instance where braking failed entirely. This is a critical safety issue that could lead to collisions.
Common complaints include AC condenser damage from road debris and persistent mildew or vinegar odors from the HVAC system. While not safety-critical, these are annoying and costly to fix.
“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 VNM — 14 recalls
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain 2016 Volvo VNL and VNM trucks equipped with certain Dana Spicer D-Series and E-Series steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen.
The risk: If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nut and tie rod, tightening it as necessary. If the tie rod stud and knuckle on units cannot be sufficiently torqued, the dealer will replace the knuckle and…
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 VNL and VNM trucks and certain model year 2017 VNX trucks. In the affected vehicles, incorrect software for controlling the electronic air dryer may result in oil and water contaminating the brake system.
The risk: If the brake system becomes contaminated, braking performance could be affected, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module and replace the air dryer filter, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's n…
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2012-2016 VNM trucks manufactured March 21, 2011, to April 30, 2015. Excessive engine crankcase pressures may cause the 90-degree elbow of the vent tube assembly to detach from the crankcase ventilation breather, possibly allowing e…
The risk: If engine oil comes into contact with a hot surface, there could be an increased risk of a fire.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will secure the ends of the 90-degree elbow. In addition, the electronic control module (ECM) will be reprogrammed with software that can adjust the engine output under misfire conditions to limit cran…
The defect: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 VT trucks manufactured from April 9, 2008, through September 24, 2009, and certain 2016 model VNL and VNM trucks manufactured from January 2, 2015, through to November 6, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with USK n…
The risk: Failure of the ball joint may cause separation of the socket and a complete loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the drag links, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-528-6586. Volvo's number for this recall is RVXX1601. Note: This reca…
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 VNM or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Volvo VNM has far fewer issues per year (0 complaints vs. 214.3 for the Camry), but it's a commercial truck with different usage and reporting patterns. In practice, the Camry has a documented pattern of serious safety and mechanical complaints, while the VNM has no owner complaints but several recalls. A buyer prioritizing low reported failure rates might lean toward the VNM, but should still address recalls.
Key differences
- The Volvo VNM has 0 owner complaints and 14 recalls, while the Toyota Camry has 2,143 complaints and 31 recalls, indicating a much higher rate of reported problems for the Camry.
- Camry complaints include serious safety issues like sudden acceleration, brake failure, and transmission grinding, with 181 crash-related reports and 1 death; the VNM has no such complaint data.
- VNM recalls cover steering, brakes, engine, and suspension, but without complaint details, it's unclear how often these fail in real use; Camry recalls include air bags, seats, wheels, and labels, but complaints show ongoing issues beyond recalls.
- The Camry's high complaint volume suggests many owners experience recurring problems, while the VNM's zero complaints may reflect lower reporting or different usage, so absence of complaints doesn't guarantee no issues.
- Check for any open recalls on the steering, air brakes, engine, or front suspension ball joint, and ensure they have been repaired by a dealer.
- Inspect the front suspension ball joints for excessive play or wear, as a recall exists but no complaint data tells how often it fails.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration, and check for transmission fluid condition or service history, as owners report transmission replacement.
- Test the brakes on a slope or during a test drive to ensure the pedal doesn't go to the floor, and check for any sudden acceleration incidents by scanning for engine codes.
Before you buy
- For either vehicle, obtain a full NHTSA recall history by VIN and confirm all recalls are completed.
- For the Camry, take a long test drive including hills and stop-and-go traffic to check for transmission grinding, brake response, and sudden acceleration.
- For the VNM, have a commercial truck mechanic inspect the air brakes, steering, engine cooling, and front suspension ball joints.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for the Camry's transmission and brakes, and for the VNM's recall repairs.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic familiar with the specific model, as complaint data alone doesn't guarantee condition.
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 VNM | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 48 |
| 2023 | 0 | 62 |
| 2022 | 0 | 59 |
| 2021 | 0 | 155 |
| 2020 | 0 | 270 |
| 2019 | 0 | 393 |
| 2018 | 0 | 736 |
| 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 VNM or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo VNM vs Toyota Camry
- Volvo VNM total complaints
- 0
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Volvo VNM total recalls
- 14
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Volvo VNM avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Volvo VNM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN