Last updated: 2026-03-04
Ford Mustang vs Toyota Camry: Reliability Compared
Ford Mustang
Toyota Camry
Choosing between the Ford Mustang 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 midsize coupes.
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 65/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Mustang and Toyota Camry Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Camry is more reliable than the Ford Mustang, scoring 77/100 vs 65/100.
The Toyota Camry outshines the Ford Mustang in reliability, with an average reliability score of 88 compared to the Mustang's 68. The Camry also has fewer recalls at 35 over nine years, as opposed to the Mustang's 71. Additionally, the Camry has a lower owner complaint rate of 2.1 per 10,000 units sold and a more affordable estimated annual repair cost of $388, compared to the Mustang's 5.7 complaints per 10,000 units and $709 in repair costs. These data points make the Camry a more dependable choice for consumers prioritizing reliability.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Camry costs $321 less per year to repair
- 2Toyota Camry has 36 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota Camry scores 12 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Mustang vs Toyota Camry: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Mustang | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 65/100 | 77/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 71 | 35 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 5.7 | 2.1 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $709/yr | $388/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 14% | 11% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 (1 tied) | 7 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Mustang and Toyota Camry?
The Toyota Camry exhibits a higher total number of complaints, notably in the power train and air bags categories, with 291 and 189 complaints respectively, and significant crash-linked incidents in both areas. The Ford Mustang, while having fewer overall complaints, shows a predominant issue with the electrical system, accounting for 269 complaints, including 7 crash-linked incidents. The Camry's air bag complaints have a high crash-link rate of 58, indicating a severe safety concern, whereas the Mustang's steering issues, though fewer in number, have a higher crash-link rate relative to their count. Both models show concerns in the power train category, but the Camry's higher number of complaints suggests a broader reliability issue in this area.
| Component | Ford Mustang | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1.5Low | 0.2Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.9Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.5Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —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 Mustang or Toyota Camry?
How Does Ford Mustang vs Toyota Camry Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Mustang | Toyota Camry | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 73/1003R / 8C | 76/1004R / 6C | Toyota Camry |
| 2024 | 67/10010R / 63C | 83/1002R / 35C | Toyota Camry |
| 2023 | 72/1006R / 14C | 79/1004R / 47C | Toyota Camry |
| 2022 | 59/10017R / 154C | 84/1002R / 47C | Toyota Camry |
| 2021 | 54/10018R / 373C | 82/1002R / 144C | Toyota Camry |
| 2020 | 66/1008R / 101C | 75/1005R / 253C | Toyota Camry |
| 2019 | 67/1004R / 129C | 70/1008R / 364C | Toyota Camry |
| 2018 | 65/1004R / 172C | 65/1008R / 708C | Tie |
| 2026(predicted) | 71/100(predicted) | 79/100(predicted) | Toyota Camry |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Ford Mustang scored 73/100 and the 2022 Toyota Camry scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Mustang vs the Toyota Camry?
Ford Mustang vs Toyota Camry: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Mustang 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 65/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Mustang or the Toyota Camry?
- The Ford Mustang has more recalls (71) compared to the Toyota Camry (35). 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 Ford Mustang or the Toyota Camry?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Camry has a lower complaint rate at 2.1 per 10,000 sold versus 5.7 for the Ford Mustang. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Mustang or the Toyota Camry?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Camry is cheaper to maintain at $388/year versus $709/year for the Ford Mustang.
- Is the Ford Mustang or Toyota Camry safer?
- Both the Ford Mustang and Toyota Camry 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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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.
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