Last updated: 2026-05-15
Dodge Charger vs Toyota Camry: Reliability Compared
Dodge Charger
Toyota Camry
Choosing between the Dodge Charger and the Toyota Camry? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota Camry currently leads with an average score of 77/100 compared to 73/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Dodge Charger and Toyota Camry Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Camry is more reliable than the Dodge Charger, scoring 77/100 vs 73/100.
The Dodge Charger emerges as the more reliable option with an average reliability score of 73/100 compared to the Toyota Camry's 44/100. Despite having a slightly higher owner complaints rate of 2.2 per 10,000 sold versus the Camry's 2.1, the Charger benefits from fewer recalls over a shorter period (25 recalls over 9 years). However, the Camry offers a lower estimated annual repair cost at $388 compared to the Charger's $652. Overall, the Charger's superior reliability score and fewer recalls make it the preferable choice for reliability, though the Camry's lower repair costs may appeal to budget-conscious buyers.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Camry costs $264 less per year to repair
- 2Dodge Charger has 10 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota Camry scores 4 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Dodge Charger vs Toyota Camry: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Dodge Charger | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 73/100 | 77/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 25 | 35 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 2.2 | 2.1 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $652/yr | $388/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 15% | 11% |
| Year Wins | 2 (1 tied) | 5 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Dodge Charger and Toyota Camry?
The Toyota Camry and Dodge Charger exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Camry having a higher total number of complaints at 1604 compared to the Charger's 369. The Camry's most significant issues are with the power train, air bags, and service brakes, with notable crash-linked complaints especially in air bags (58) and service brakes (23). In contrast, the Dodge Charger shows a concentration of complaints in air bags and the electrical system, with air bags also being the most crash-linked category (19). While the Camry has a broader range of issues across multiple components, the Charger’s problems are more concentrated, indicating potential areas for targeted improvements, particularly in air bag safety and electrical reliability.
| Component | Dodge Charger | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 0.6Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.5Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.1Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Dodge Charger or Toyota Camry?
How Does Dodge Charger vs Toyota Camry Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Dodge Charger | Toyota Camry | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 71/1002R / 10C | 76/1004R / 6C | Toyota Camry |
| 2024 | 73/1002R / 4C | 83/1002R / 35C | Toyota Camry |
| 2023 | 76/1002R / 22C | 79/1004R / 47C | Toyota Camry |
| 2022 | 74/1003R / 11C | 84/1002R / 47C | Toyota Camry |
| 2021 | 76/1002R / 29C | 82/1002R / 144C | Toyota Camry |
| 2020 | 75/1003R / 54C | 75/1005R / 253C | Tie |
| 2019 | 71/1005R / 118C | 70/1008R / 364C | Dodge Charger |
| 2018 | 69/1006R / 121C | 65/1008R / 708C | Dodge Charger |
| 2026(predicted) | 73/100(predicted) | 79/100(predicted) | Toyota Camry |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Dodge Charger scored 76/100 and the 2022 Toyota Camry scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Dodge Charger vs the Toyota Camry?
Dodge Charger vs Toyota Camry: Common Questions
- Is the Dodge Charger more reliable than the Toyota Camry?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Camry is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Dodge Charger or the Toyota Camry?
- The Toyota Camry has more recalls (35) compared to the Dodge Charger (25). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Dodge Charger or the Toyota Camry?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Camry has a lower complaint rate at 2.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 2.2 for the Dodge Charger. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Dodge Charger or the Toyota Camry?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Camry is cheaper to maintain at $388/year versus $652/year for the Dodge Charger.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Dodge Charger and Toyota Camry? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
See incorrect data? Report an issue