Last updated: 2026-10-10
Dodge vs Toyota: Reliability Compared
Dodge
6 models tracked
Toyota
19 models tracked
Toyota comes out slightly ahead of Dodge on reliability. It has lower repair costs and fewer owner complaints per car sold. Both brands hold a good standing, and Dodge wins in one category: minivans, where its Grand-Caravan beats the Toyota Sienna.
Is Dodge More Reliable Than Toyota?
| Metric | Dodge | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Reliability Score | 73/100 | 76/100 |
| Models Tracked | 6 | 19 |
| Avg Recalls per Model | 16 | 25 |
| Avg Complaints per Model | 369 | 616 |
| Avg Annual Repair Cost | $642/yr | $482/yr |
Dodge Models
6 models ranked by reliability
Dodge vs Toyota: The Verdict
A slight edge goes to Toyota, not a landslide. Repair costs and recall impact favor Toyota, and its owners file fewer complaints per car sold. Independent repair-cost data puts Toyota at about $482 a year against $642 for Dodge. Complaint severity and the spread of problems across systems come out even. Toyota's trend is improving, while Dodge's is stable. Dodge's weak spot is the electrical system, which draws the largest share of its complaints. Toyota's largest share sits in the power train. Toyota also has the bigger lineup, so more of its models land in the top tier.
Where Dodge and Toyota Differ Most
| Component | Weight | Dodge | Toyota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complaint Severity Owner complaints weighted by component severity | 35% | 67/100Good | 67/100Good |
| Repair Costs Annual maintenance and repair expenses | 30% | 69/100Good | 77/100Good |
| Recall Impact Safety recalls weighted by severity (park-it, park-outside) | 20% | 78/100Good | 80/100Excellent |
| Issue Diversity How many different systems have reported problems | 15% | 81/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
Toyota's advantage in repair costs (+8 points) is the main driver of the overall score difference between these makes.
Dodge vs Toyota: Strengths and Weaknesses
Dodge
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (73/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Reasonable maintenance costs ($642/year avg)
- 5 of 6 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 24 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
Toyota
Strengths
- Strong overall reliability (76/100 average)
- Minimal recall impact — fewer safety-critical recalls
- Focused issue profile — problems concentrated in fewer areas
- Very affordable maintenance ($482/year avg)
- Reliability trending upward in recent model years
- 19 of 19 models rated Good or Excellent
- Below-average repair frequency
Weaknesses
- 93 fire-related complaints across lineup
- Above-average repair severity when issues occur
How Reliable Are Dodge and Toyota Lineups?
Distribution of model reliability ratings across each make's lineup:
Dodge
Toyota
Which Make Is Cheaper to Maintain: Dodge or Toyota?
Based on independent repair cost data, Toyota is cheaper to maintain at an average of $482/year compared to $642/year for Dodge. That's a difference of $160/year, which adds up significantly over the life of the vehicle.
Dodge Repair Cost Range
$562 – $675/yr
Average: $642/yr
Toyota Repair Cost Range
$362 – $642/yr
Average: $482/yr
Dodge vs Toyota Reliability by Vehicle Type
How the two makes compare within each vehicle category they both compete in:
| Category | Dodge | Toyota | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedans(2 vs 6 models) | 74/100 | 78/100 | Toyota |
| SUVs(3 vs 9 models) | 69/100 | 77/100 | Toyota |
| Minivans(1 vs 1 models) | 78/100 | 74/100 | Dodge |
Toyota wins 2 out of 3 shared categories.
Common Problems: Dodge vs Toyota
| Component | Dodge | Toyota |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 10%194 | 19%1,909 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 29%553 | 12%1,271 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 11%212 | 13%1,350 |
| ENGINE | 6%121 | 9%963 |
| AIR BAGS | 9%166 | 9%911 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 5%93 | 8%780 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0%8 | 8%796 |
| STEERING | 4%69 | 5%532 |
| STRUCTURE | 6%109 | 4%441 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 10%196 | 1%137 |
Share of each make's complaints, with counts below.
Dodge vs Toyota Complaint Severity: Crashes, Fires, and Injuries
Dodge
101
Crash reports
24
Fire reports
98
Injury reports
Toyota
699
Crash reports
93
Fire reports
633
Injury reports
Every Dodge and Toyota Model Ranked
Dodge Models
Toyota Models
Dodge vs Toyota Reliability Trend by Year
Dodge's reliability has been stable across the years we track. Toyota's reliability is improving — recent model years average 82/100.
| Model Year | Dodge | Toyota | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 82/100(2) | 86/100(13) | Toyota |
| 2025 | 71/100(3) | 78/100(15) | Toyota |
| 2024 | 68/100(3) | 75/100(16) | Toyota |
| 2023 | 71/100(4) | 75/100(15) | Toyota |
| 2022 | 73/100(3) | 76/100(16) | Toyota |
| 2021 | 72/100(3) | 76/100(14) | Toyota |
| 2020 | 77/100(5) | 73/100(13) | Dodge |
| 2019 | 73/100(5) | 70/100(12) | Dodge |
| 2018 | 70/100(5) | 71/100(12) | Toyota |
Models tracked per year in parentheses.
Dodge vs Toyota: Head-to-Head Model Matchups
These are direct competitor models between Dodge and Toyota. Click any matchup for a detailed model-vs-model reliability comparison:
Who Should Buy Dodge vs Toyota?
If you want the lowest running costs and the widest choice, lean Toyota. Sedan and SUV shoppers should start there. The Corolla, Corolla Cross, 4RUNNER and Venza all rate excellent. If you want a truck, the Tacoma is sound, but favor the 2021 and skip 2018 and 2019. Watch for an automatic transmission that shudders and hunts for gears, and for brake fluid leaking into the cab.
Dodge makes sense if you need a minivan. The Grand-Caravan rates good and is above average for minivans. Target the 2020 and avoid 2018 and 2019, which carry far more complaints and recalls. Test every sliding door lock before you buy, since jammed locks are the top complaint. The Challenger, Charger and Durango also rate good. Skip the Hornet unless it is a 2023. Its electrical problems include failing door latches and drained batteries, and the 2024 has the heaviest recall and complaint load.
The Bottom Line: Dodge or Toyota?
Choose Toyota for most used-car searches. Over five years, the yearly repair-cost gap adds up to roughly $800 in Toyota's favor. The strongest model across both lineups is the Toyota Crown, which rates excellent. It is young, though, so the 2024 is the year to favor, and the 2026 is too new to judge. Pick Dodge only for a Grand-Caravan, ideally a 2020.
Dodge vs Toyota: Common Questions
Is Dodge more reliable than Toyota?
Which brand has more recalls, Dodge or Toyota?
Which is cheaper to repair, Dodge or Toyota?
What goes wrong most often on Dodge vehicles?
What goes wrong most often on Toyotas?
Comparing Dodge vs Toyota? Run a VIN check on any specific vehicle before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How we score Dodge and Toyota models
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.