Head-to-head reliability
Buick Encore vs Toyota Camry
How the Buick Encore and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Buick Encore vs Toyota Camry: The Encore averages 60 complaints per year with 25 recalls, while the Camry averages 206 complaints per year with 31 recalls. Encore owners often report engine reduced power and turbo failures; Camry owners report transmission hesitation and brake noise. Both have 1 death reported. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Encore or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Encore
The Buick Encore is a subcompact SUV that averages about 60 complaints per year over the past decade, with 25 recalls. The most common owner complaints involve engine problems, often described as check engine lights, reduced power, and sensor failures. Electrical and power train issues also appear frequently, and there are reports of air bag deployments and brake concerns. Overall, the Encore seems to require more frequent attention to engine and electrical systems than a typical buyer might expect.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a much higher total complaint count—about 206 per year—but that reflects its huge sales volume. Owners report a wide range of issues, from transmission hesitation and key removal problems to brake noise and electrical glitches. Recalls cover seats, air bag sensors, and wheel studs. While the Camry has a strong reputation, the data shows that some model years have notable power train and brake complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Encore | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 601 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 25 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 52 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 60.1 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 76 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Buick Encore
- 01ENGINE223
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM88
- 03POWER TRAIN77
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER74
- 05AIR BAGS70
Owners frequently report the check engine light coming on, followed by a 'reduced power' message and an inability to accelerate. Some say multiple sensors had to be replaced, and the problem often returns. This can leave a driver suddenly without power in traffic.
Complaints include check engine lights for emission controls, fuel evaporator problems, and even an air bag deploying unexpectedly with a burning smell. These electrical faults can be intermittent and hard to diagnose, leading to repeated shop visits.
Owners describe insufficient power, downshifting, and turbo failures. One owner had a turbo replaced, only for a code P0299 to return about 20,000 miles later. Turbo issues can be expensive and may leave the vehicle undrivable.
There are reports of air bags deploying without a crash, causing burns and a fried wire smell. This is a serious safety concern that could lead to injury or costly repairs.
“EARLY THIS YEAR WE START HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON THEN THE REDUCE POWER TO ENGINE COMING ON, SO WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WE BOUGHT IF FROM. SO FIRST WE HAD TO HAVE THREE SENSORS CHANGED, WE DID THAT AND AFTER THAT WAS DON…”
“LATELY I'M HAVING A ISSUE WITH THIS CAR, FIRST MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IS STILL ON AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN I CAN BE AT A LIGHT OR DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE ENGINE POWER REDUCE WARNING COMES ACROSS MY DISPLAY SCREEN, I CAN'T ACCELERATE SO I HAV…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck in the ignition even when the car is in Park, requiring a battery disconnect to remove. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, with the check engine light on. These issues can strand a driver or cause unsafe acceleration delays.
Complaints include delayed throttle response—pressing the gas pedal and waiting several seconds for the car to move. This lag can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic. Some owners also report hesitation and shuddering linked to check engine lights.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Owners also hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, which dealers say is common but owners find abnormal. Brake problems can affect safety and cost hundreds to fix.
Multiple systems—smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction at once. This suggests a broader electrical or software issue that could compromise safety features.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Buick Encore — 25 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor…
The risk: If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4…
The defect: General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner's manual, can fracture while in use.
The risk: A fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the jack, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owner of the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 26, 2021. A second notice will be mailed once remedy parts become available. Owners may con…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.
The risk: If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. Th…
The risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increa…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267,…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Buick Encore or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Buick Encore has far fewer complaints per year (about 60) than the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Camry sells in much higher numbers, so per-vehicle rates may be closer. In practice, the Encore's complaints cluster around engine and turbo failures, while the Camry's are spread across power train, brakes, and electrical systems. A buyer should weigh the severity and cost of each type of repair.
Key differences
- The Buick Encore has about 60 complaints per year, while the Toyota Camry has about 206 per year, but the Camry is far more common on the road.
- Encore owners frequently report engine reduced power and turbo failures; Camry owners more often report transmission hesitation and stuck ignition keys.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 52) and injuries (158 vs. 76), though these numbers are not adjusted for sales volume.
- Both have 1 death reported, but the Encore has 25 recalls versus 31 for the Camry, covering different systems like brakes, seats, and air bag sensors.
- Check for a history of turbo replacement or code P0299; listen for whining or loss of power during a test drive.
- Look for signs of electrical gremlins: ask if the check engine light has come on for emission or fuel evaporator codes, and test all air bag warning lights.
- Test the ignition key removal multiple times, especially after shifting into Park, to see if it sticks.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area and check if the electronic parking brake disengages smoothly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup.
- Have a mechanic scan for stored trouble codes, especially engine and transmission codes, on either vehicle.
- For the Encore, specifically inspect the turbocharger for wear or oil leaks and test-drive at highway speeds to feel for power loss.
- For the Camry, test the key removal, brake pedal feel, and all electronic safety systems (blind spot, lane keeping) during the test drive.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for oil changes and any transmission or brake repairs.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Buick Encore | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 8 | 61 |
| 2021 | 9 | 157 |
| 2020 | 19 | 274 |
| 2019 | 86 | 395 |
| 2018 | 74 | 744 |
| 2017 | 89 | 148 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Buick Encore or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Encore vs Toyota Camry
- Buick Encore total complaints
- 601
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Buick Encore total recalls
- 25
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Buick Encore avg complaints/year
- 60.1
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Buick Encore
- Buick Encore top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN