Is the Toyota Camry more reliable than the Ford Fusion?

Yes, the Camry has a clear edge. Owners file 2.1 complaints per 10,000 Camrys sold, against 21.1 for the Fusion. The Fusion's worst reports involve engine failures that often need a full engine or short block replacement. The Camry's reports are more varied and include air bag and brake complaints.

Which has more recalls, the Camry or the Fusion?

The Camry has more, with 35 recalls across 9 model years. The Fusion has 8 across 3 model years. The Camry's total covers far more years on the road, so the raw counts are not a direct measure. Check any specific car's VIN for open recalls before buying.

Which is cheaper to repair, the Camry or the Fusion?

The Camry costs less. Independent repair-cost data shows about $388 a year for the Camry and $581 for the Fusion. Over five years that is roughly $965 more for the Fusion. Both average 0.3 unscheduled shop visits a year, so the difference is in the cost per repair.

What is wrong with the Ford Fusion's 1.5L EcoBoost engine?

Owners report two main failures. One is a cracked flex plate, which causes rattling or knocking at idle, often with no warning light. The other is coolant leaking into the cylinders or a failed head gasket, with white exhaust smoke and power loss. Most reports fall between 65,000 and 96,448 miles.

Which Toyota Camry years should I avoid?

Avoid 2018 and 2019, the weakest years in the data. The strongest are 2022 and 2026, but 2026 is too new to trust, since newer years have had little time to collect complaints. A 2022 car is the safer pick. Whatever the year, ask about the coolant bypass valve.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Ford Fusion vs Toyota Camry: Reliability Compared

Ford Fusion

Good

More Reliable

Toyota Camry

Good

On reliability, the Toyota Camry beats the Ford Fusion by a clear margin. Fusion owners file 21.1 complaints per 10,000 sold, versus 2.1 for the Camry. Cracked flex plates and coolant leaking into the cylinders drive much of the Fusion's trouble.

How Do the Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry Generations Compare?

Every Camry from model year 2018 to 2023 is the same eighth-generation (XV70) car, so a used car in that span is the same basic design. The weak 2018 and 2019 years sit at the start of that run. Later model years, up to 2026, fall past the generation span listed here, and they are too new to judge from complaints. Fusion model years 2018 to 2020 all belong to the second generation, which started in 2013. A facelift arrived for 2017 and another for 2019, so a 2018 Fusion predates the 2019 update, while 2019 and 2020 cars have it.

Verdict

The Toyota Camry is more reliable than the Ford Fusion, scoring 78/100 vs 69/100.

Reliability goes to the Camry, and the edge is clear. Fusion owners file about ten times as many complaints for every car sold. Its worst failures, a cracked flex plate and coolant leaking into the cylinders, often end in a new engine, and many reported cars sat unrepaired. The Camry also costs less to keep on the road each year. It is not flawless, since its air bag and brake complaints include crashes, but its standing holds up better across the board.

Key Differences

1Toyota Camry costs $193 less per year to repair
2Ford Fusion has 27 fewer total recalls
3Toyota Camry has 19.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

1Ford Fusion

—

4Toyota Camry

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Ford Fusion vs Toyota Camry: Which Is More Reliable?

Ford Fusion vs Toyota Camry at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Ford Fusion	Toyota Camry
Reliability Score	69/100	78/100
Years Tracked	3	9
Total Recalls	8	35
Complaints per 10k Sold	21.1	2.1
Annual Repair Cost	$581/yr	$388/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	12%	11%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2020 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	1	2

What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry?

Engine and drivetrain failures dominate the Fusion's record. A cracked flex plate causes rattling or knocking at idle, usually with no warning light. Coolant in the cylinders brings white exhaust smoke and sudden power loss, mostly between 65,000 and 96,448 miles. Front control arms snapping during turns is the steering failure, and two reports ended at a utility pole. Camry complaints spread wider. A failing coolant bypass valve shows up around 30,000 to 34,000 miles. The more serious reports are air bags that did not deploy, with 58 crash-linked, and brake complaints with 23. Air bags and brakes are not among the Fusion's main problem areas.

Ford Fusion vs Toyota Camry common problem areas comparison
Component	Ford Fusion	Toyota Camry
ENGINE	5.7Average	0.1Very Low
POWER TRAIN	5Average	0.4Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	2.9Low	—None
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2.6Low	0.2Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	1.5Low	0.2Very Low
STEERING	0.8Very Low	0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.3Very Low	0.2Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
WHEELS	0.2Very Low	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
SUSPENSION	0.1Very Low	—None
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
TIRES	—None	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Fusion or Toyota Camry?

Independent repair-cost data puts the Camry at $388 a year and the Fusion at $581. That gap is $193 a year, or about $965 over five years. Both cars average 0.3 unscheduled shop visits a year, so neither sends you to the shop more often. The chance a repair is major is close, at 11% for the Camry and 12% for the Fusion. The Fusion's extra cost comes from what it costs when something does fail, such as an engine replacement.

How Does Ford Fusion vs Toyota Camry Reliability Compare by Year?

Ford Fusion vs Toyota Camry year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Ford Fusion	Toyota Camry	Edge
2020	71/1003R / 176C	75/1005R / 253C	Toyota Camry
2019	68/1003R / 370C	70/1008R / 364C	Toyota Camry
2018	68/1002R / 429C	65/1008R / 708C	Ford Fusion

Best years to cross-shop: The 2020 Ford Fusion scored 71/100 and the 2020 Toyota Camry scored 75/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Ford Fusion vs the Toyota Camry?

Pick the Camry if you want the lower repair bill and the fewer complaints per car sold. Aim for 2022, one of its strongest years, and skip 2018 and 2019, its weakest. Before you buy, check that the recalls are done and ask whether the coolant bypass valve has been replaced. The 2026 model year has had little time to collect complaints, so a clean record there proves little. Pick the Fusion only if the price is well below a comparable Camry and you can verify the car's history. The 2020 model year ranks among its strongest, but 2019 appears on both its strongest and weakest lists, so do not lean on it. Owners blame the 1.5L EcoBoost for the worst engine failures, so ask for proof of any flex plate or head gasket repair. Be cautious with cars near 65,000 miles or beyond, where most of those reports begin.

Ford Fusion vs Toyota Camry: Common Questions

Is the Toyota Camry more reliable than the Ford Fusion?: Yes, the Camry has a clear edge. Owners file 2.1 complaints per 10,000 Camrys sold, against 21.1 for the Fusion. The Fusion's worst reports involve engine failures that often need a full engine or short block replacement. The Camry's reports are more varied and include air bag and brake complaints.
Which has more recalls, the Camry or the Fusion?: The Camry has more, with 35 recalls across 9 model years. The Fusion has 8 across 3 model years. The Camry's total covers far more years on the road, so the raw counts are not a direct measure. Check any specific car's VIN for open recalls before buying.
Which is cheaper to repair, the Camry or the Fusion?: The Camry costs less. Independent repair-cost data shows about $388 a year for the Camry and $581 for the Fusion. Over five years that is roughly $965 more for the Fusion. Both average 0.3 unscheduled shop visits a year, so the difference is in the cost per repair.
What is wrong with the Ford Fusion's 1.5L EcoBoost engine?: Owners report two main failures. One is a cracked flex plate, which causes rattling or knocking at idle, often with no warning light. The other is coolant leaking into the cylinders or a failed head gasket, with white exhaust smoke and power loss. Most reports fall between 65,000 and 96,448 miles.
Which Toyota Camry years should I avoid?: Avoid 2018 and 2019, the weakest years in the data. The strongest are 2022 and 2026, but 2026 is too new to trust, since newer years have had little time to collect complaints. A 2022 car is the safer pick. Whatever the year, ask about the coolant bypass valve.

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How we score the Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry

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.

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