Last updated: 2026-05-15
Chevrolet Camaro vs Ford Mustang: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Camaro
Ford Mustang
Choosing between the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang? 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 midsize sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Chevrolet Camaro currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Chevrolet Camaro is more reliable than the Ford Mustang, scoring 75/100 vs 65/100.
The Chevrolet Camaro demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Ford Mustang, with a higher average reliability score of 75/100 versus the Mustang's 65/100. The Camaro also boasts fewer recalls, with just 7 over six years, compared to the Mustang's 71 over nine years. Owner complaints per 10,000 sold further emphasize the Camaro's edge, with a rate of 1.8 compared to the Mustang's 5.7. Additionally, the Camaro's estimated annual repair cost is lower at $585, making it a more dependable choice for cost-conscious buyers.
Key Differences
- 1Chevrolet Camaro costs $124 less per year to repair
- 2Chevrolet Camaro has 64 fewer total recalls
- 3Chevrolet Camaro scores 10 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Camaro vs Ford Mustang: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Camaro | Ford Mustang |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 75/100 | 65/100 |
| Years Tracked | 6 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 7 | 71 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 1.8 | 5.7 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $585/yr | $709/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.2/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 17% | 14% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2024 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 6 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang?
The Ford Mustang exhibits a higher volume of complaints across nearly all categories compared to the Chevrolet Camaro, with significant issues reported in the electrical system (269 complaints) and power train (165 complaints), which are also frequently linked to crashes. Notably, the Mustang has 7 crash-linked complaints related to its service brakes and 8 crash-linked complaints concerning steering, indicating potential safety concerns. In contrast, the Chevrolet Camaro's most prominent issue lies in the power train with 41 complaints, 4 of which are crash-linked, but it maintains a lower overall complaint count. The Camaro also has a relatively high crash-linked complaint rate in the air bags category, suggesting a potential area for safety improvement.
| Component | Chevrolet Camaro | Ford Mustang |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.3Very Low | 1.5Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.2Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.2Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.3Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Chevrolet Camaro or Ford Mustang?
How Does Chevrolet Camaro vs Ford Mustang Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Camaro | Ford Mustang | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 77/1000R / 4C | 67/10010R / 63C | Chevrolet Camaro |
| 2023 | 81/1000R / 0C | 72/1006R / 14C | Chevrolet Camaro |
| 2022 | 75/1001R / 10C | 59/10017R / 154C | Chevrolet Camaro |
| 2020 | 71/1003R / 31C | 66/1008R / 101C | Chevrolet Camaro |
| 2019 | 74/1001R / 48C | 67/1004R / 129C | Chevrolet Camaro |
| 2018 | 71/1002R / 75C | 65/1004R / 172C | Chevrolet Camaro |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Chevrolet Camaro scored 81/100 and the 2023 Ford Mustang scored 72/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Camaro vs the Ford Mustang?
Chevrolet Camaro vs Ford Mustang: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Camaro more reliable than the Ford Mustang?
- Based on our data, the Chevrolet Camaro is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Camaro or the Ford Mustang?
- The Ford Mustang has more recalls (71) compared to the Chevrolet Camaro (7). 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 Chevrolet Camaro or the Ford Mustang?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Camaro has a lower complaint rate at 1.8 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 5.7 for the Ford Mustang. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Camaro or the Ford Mustang?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Chevrolet Camaro is cheaper to maintain at $585/year versus $709/year for the Ford Mustang.
- Is the Chevrolet Camaro or Ford Mustang safer?
- Both the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang? 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