Toyota Camry or Ford Fusion ?

Question

They say that bad boy is runnin' the Japanese Juggernaut,
in the ground. With the road tests, and surveys. I beg
to differ.... I am such a big Camry fan, though I like the
Honda Accord much better. Shhhhh. But do you think
Ford, has what it takes to be number one, in that car
segment ? Is the underdog Ford Fusion, better than
the great Toyota Camry ? Best answer wins.

Answer 1

I usually don't too much stock in the "magazine reviews" as they are just some writers opinion & are often biased by advertising dollars.

But I often research the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration- Office of Defects Investigations (NHTSA-o.d.i.)

It IS very interesting to see how many complaints are filed there AFTER a consumer takes the advise of the magazine reviews & actually BUYS a vehicle that is recommended by them. For example "Motor Trend's Car of the Year"

So I submit to you (& ask you to read ) actual consumer complaints.
Since the Fusion has only been available for 2 years, let's look at it 1st...

2006 Fusion complaints: (17 total as of this writing)
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintresults.cfm?start=1&SearchType=DrillDown&type=1&year=2006&make=FORD&model=FUSION&component_id=0&PrintVersion=YES

I especially liked this one:
****COPY****
{THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARALLEL PARKING AT 1 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL RUBBED THE CURB, AND THE ALUMINUM CASTING ON THE RIM FLAKED OFF, WHICH DAMAGED THE TIRE. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND DETERMINED THAT A SMALLER RIM COULD NOT BE USED TO REPLACE THE WHEEL. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT CURBS WERE 6-7 INCHES HIGH, AND SCRAPING A CURB COULD DAMAGE THE RIM AND TIRE, POSING A SAFETY RISK ON THE ROAD. THE TIRE AND RIM SIZE WERE: P205/60R16.*}
*****
Valid complaint ? or someone that needs parking lessons?
I also liked this one:
****COPY****
{THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE TIRES SUDDENLY BECAME FLAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WERE NO POTHOLES OR FOREIGN OBJECTS THAT MAY HAVE PUNCTURED THE TIRES. THE DEALER RECENTLY CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE TWO WEEKS AGO AND THERE WAS NO NEED FOR EVEN A ROTATION OF THE TIRES. THERE WAS ALSO NO VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE TIRES WERE OBSERVED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF FAILURE OR BUDGING. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED BEING NERVOUS BECAUSE OF THE TWO TIRES GOING FLAT AT THE SAME TIME WITH NO APPARENT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED BOTH RIMS WERE BENT}
******
If the dealer checked the car 2 weeks ago,....how did BOTH rims get bent now?
Valid complaint? or someone ran over a curb?

2007 Fusion complaints: (6 complaints but 2 are duplicate reports of one another)
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintresults.cfm?start=1&SearchType=DrillDown&type=1&year=2007&make=FORD&model=FUSION&component_id=0&PrintVersion=YES

Now let's take a look at (your favorite, shhhhh) the Honda Accord.
2006 Accord:(55 complaints !!!!)
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintresults.cfm?start=1&SearchType=DrillDown&type=1&year=2006&make=HONDA&model=ACCORD&component_id=0&PrintVersion=YES

2007 Accord:(11 complaints,.. nice improvement!)
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintresults.cfm?start=1&SearchType=DrillDown&type=1&year=2007&make=HONDA&model=ACCORD&component_id=0&PrintVersion=YES

And now let's review the consumer complaints over the 2006 Toyota Camry:(59 complaints! no wonder Toyota decided to re-design!)
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintresults.cfm?start=1&SearchType=DrillDown&type=1&year=2006&make=TOYOTA&model=CAMRY&component_id=0&PrintVersion=YES

And here are the complaints from the owners of the "All New & Improved" 2007 Toyota Camry: (get ready for the looooooong download of 183 formal COMPLAINTS)
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintresults.cfm?start=1&SearchType=DrillDown&type=1&year=2007&make=TOYOTA&model=CAMRY&component_id=0&PrintVersion=YES
Improvement ?

And this is why I believe Ford has done a GREAT job on the Fusion & does deserve to 'take' the segment!
Fords quality has improved dramatically over the past 5 years & is finally being recognized for their efforts!
While some of its competitors are getting their "reputations" tarnished.
It will be VERY interesting to see how the JD Powers reliability study (due out in August) reflects the changes in manufacturer brand reliability. That study is a 3 year study so Fusions quality & reliability will not be represented.

****I apologize for the 'all caps' posting of the 2 complaints!
I just copied & pasted the actual words on the NHTSA's site!

Answer 2

Many people will tell you that the Toyota is alot more relaible which is true in some ways, The cars Ford has been building for the last 2-3 years are actually just about as reliable as toyota or honda. What we dont know is how these newer Fords will be when they start to get higher milage i.e. well over 100k miles. We know that Toyota's and Honda's will run pretty well with 2 even 300k miles. That beign said unless your planning on keeping this car for more than 10 years and putting well over 100k miles on it Quality will be about the same for the Camary and the Fusion. If you treat them right they will run fine. So its really up to you, personall preference. What car gives you the options you want or which car is cheaper? Which one looks better to you?

Answer 3

I wouldn't say that the Ford Fusion is running the Camry into the ground but they are definitely giving Toyota a run for their money. According to consumer reports, the Fusion and Milan twins actually surpassed the Camry and Accord in reliability. As for driving quality and the quality of interior, the Camry and Accord are still better, but personally I like the style of the Fusion more. The quality of materials are pretty good and the powertrain is awesome. The V6 with the 6-speed automatic is very smooth and responsive. I would opt. for the AWD version if it is available. I've heard of problems with the new Toyota Camry 4-cylinder automatic transmissions, and the Honda Accord transmissions lately if you check out autos.msn.com. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

The competition in this segment is so intense and Ford's reliability reputation is so mediocre, I personally do not think they will be #1 in this segment anytime soon.

They will have to prove, over a number of years, that they can build a consistent product to win back the American public.

This segment of vehicles is designed for people who want basic, roomy, fuel efficient, and reliable transportation. The Camry and the Accord are always in the top 10 quality and sales. This will be very difficult for Ford to overcome, and will probably take 5 years of consistent quality numbers for them to have a chance at outselling the Camry and/or Accord.

Even if Ford ends up at #3 in this class, though, I am sure they will be happy for now. The Fusion could be the best car Ford has ever produced.

Answer 5

Ford Fusion is just a Ford Fiesta with jacked up suspension so it's not really in the same class as the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord. It's a bit like trying to compare a Tabby with a Tiger - sure they're both cats but that's where the comparison ends.
Toyota Camry is no longer made, Honda Accord and Ford Fusion are both current vehicles. Of the three my preference would be for the Honda Accord, having said that stick a V6 under the bonnet of the Ford along with a new set of boots and I still wouldn't touch it.

Answer 6

The Ford Fusion beat the Toyota Camry and Honda accord in style, handling, and reliability. So it already is #1, but not in sales. The reason why it isn't selling as much as the Camry or Accord is because people have found out previously that the Japanese make better cars, but now Ford has actually surpassed Toyota and Nissan, but not Honda, in reliability. You can look that up if you want. But people haven't figured that out yet, and if they did, they still trust their Japanese cars. Help out your own country, buy Ford. Their now as good as Toyota. Seriously, look it up if you don't believe me.

Answer 7

Ford Fusion will definitely beat the Camry and it has been in comparison tests. The new Camry is a little bulbous and big. The Fusion is much more sporty.

Its a competitive segment. Honda is coming out with a new Accord that will up the standard.

Answer 8

Well, whenever you think of Ford remember this simple acronym: Fix or repair daily

Whenever you think of Toyota think of what its best known for; its quality.

So, this pretty much explains itself that the Toyota Camry is the winner. For years Toyota has been known for its quality (despite the Transmission problems) and longetivity and Fords have a reputation for having a first good impression on the consumer but then turn into unsatisfactory products within a few years. One of my relatives purchased a Ford (This is a true story!) a few years ago, and at first they really liked the car, but within a few years they realized it was a piece of junk that was always in the repair shops. On the other hand, my uncle brought a Toyota and it lasted for 15 years with no problems until the very end. So in terms of realibility and longetivity the Toyota Camry is the winner.

Note: The Toyota Camry's surprising reviews on yahoo auto's are just a bunch of Ford and GM employees who never even drove the car. They're just envious that all of their products are shoddy unlike Toyota's.

Answer 9

Toyota Camry.

TOYOTA.
TODAY. TOMOROW.

Answer 10

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