Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Camaro vs Toyota Camry
How the Chevrolet Camaro 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
Chevrolet Camaro vs Toyota Camry: The Camaro has 857 complaints over 10 years (85.7/yr) vs Camry's 2143 (214.3/yr). Camaro issues include electrical shutdowns and transmission failures; Camry has brake and acceleration problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Camaro or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro is a performance coupe that, in ownership terms, shows a pattern of electrical and powertrain troubles that can leave you stranded. Owners report sudden engine shutdowns, transmission failures, and engine component issues, often requiring costly repairs. While it delivers excitement, its reliability record suggests you need to budget for potential breakdowns and repairs.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan known for efficiency and comfort, but its complaint data reveals issues with the powertrain, brakes, and engine that can affect safety and drivability. Owners report grinding transmissions, sudden acceleration, and brake failures, which are serious concerns. Despite its reputation, the Camry is not immune to significant mechanical problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Camaro | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 857 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 73 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 85.7 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 45 Better | 163 |
| 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.
Chevrolet Camaro
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
- 02POWER TRAIN191
- 03ENGINE166
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER148
- 05STEERING118
Owners report the engine shutting off while driving, hill start assist malfunctions, and other electrical gremlins that can cause stalling and unexpected power loss, posing a safety risk.
The 10-speed automatic transmission is prone to failure, often due to a faulty Transmission Control Valve (TCV), leading to rough shifting and complete transmission replacement, sometimes even after a recall repair.
Engine issues include lifter failures and camshaft damage, causing vibrations, metallic noises, and check engine lights. Repairs are extensive and costly, sometimes recurring shortly after service.
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 CHEVROLET CAMARO EQUIPPED WITH THE HILL START ASSIST FEATURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHILE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CLUTCH PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE HILL START ASSIST FEATURE…”
“WHEN OPERATING THE CAR IT BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. ONCE I APPROACHED A STOP THE CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO START AGAIN. AFTER I DROVE THROUGH THE LIGHT AND PROCEEDED HOME ABOUT 2 MILES AWAY FROM THE INITIAL STOP, THE CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN.…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission problems are common, with owners reporting grinding noises and the need for complete transmission replacement, often linked to a known issue that recalls may not fully resolve.
Some owners report sudden unintended acceleration, which is a critical safety concern. Others mention engine maintenance lights and coolant valve issues that may not be covered by recalls.
Brake failures are reported, including a complete loss of braking response on a hill, which is extremely dangerous. Other issues involve brake performance in low-speed maneuvers.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
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.
Chevrolet Camaro — 17 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts m…
The risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet cust…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles. The left or right axle shaft may be missing a retaining ring, which could allow the axle shaft to separate while driving.
The risk: A separated axle shaft can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right axle shaft as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N21…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles. The plastic "Camaro" emblem, located on the steering wheel air bag cover, may separate during deployment of the frontal driver air bag.
The risk: In the event of a crash, plastic pieces of emblem may act as projectiles from deployment of the driver air bag can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the frontal driver side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began April 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N21232…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cadillac CT6, 2020-2021 CT4, CT5, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles equipped with a 10-speed transmission. The transmission may become damaged internally and cause the wheels to lock-up.
The risk: Wheel lock-up while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install transmission control module monitoring software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-8…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
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…
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…
Buyer analysis
Chevrolet Camaro or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Camaro has fewer complaints per year (85.7) compared to the Camry (214.3), but its issues are more likely to be severe and costly. The Camry's higher complaint count is partly due to higher sales volume, but the nature of its problems—like sudden acceleration and brake failure—can be more alarming. In practice, the Camaro may have fewer reported issues, but the Camry's problems are more varied and affect more vehicles.
Key differences
- The Camaro has a higher proportion of electrical system complaints (237 vs 246) relative to its total, indicating more electrical gremlins.
- The Camry has more brake complaints (290) than the Camaro (not in top 5), suggesting brake issues are a notable concern for Camry owners.
- The Camaro's powertrain complaints often involve the 10-speed automatic and TCV, while the Camry's involve transmission grinding and replacement.
- The Camry has more engine complaints (315) than the Camaro (166), but the Camaro's engine issues (lifter/camshaft) are more severe and costly.
- Check for any history of transmission TCV recall repairs and whether the transmission shifts smoothly; be wary of rough shifting or check engine lights.
- Inspect the engine for any signs of lifter or camshaft issues, such as ticking noises or vibrations, especially at higher mileages.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on hills, and check for any brake warning lights or unusual pedal feel.
- Ask about any transmission issues and whether the car has had a transmission replacement; listen for grinding noises during acceleration.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission, engine, and electrical systems.
- Test drive on various roads, including hills, to assess braking and acceleration behavior.
- Check for any signs of previous repairs, such as new parts or service records, especially for the Camaro's TCV and Camry's transmission.
- Consider the cost of potential repairs and whether you can afford them, given the known issues.
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 | Chevrolet Camaro | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 28 | 48 |
| 2023 | 105 | 62 |
| 2022 | 13 | 59 |
| 2021 | 16 | 155 |
| 2020 | 31 | 270 |
| 2019 | 52 | 393 |
| 2018 | 80 | 736 |
| 2017 | 185 | 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 Chevrolet Camaro or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Camaro vs Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Camaro total complaints
- 857
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Chevrolet Camaro total recalls
- 17
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chevrolet Camaro avg complaints/year
- 85.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Camaro
- Chevrolet Camaro top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN