Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Cruze Limited vs Toyota Camry
How the Chevrolet Cruze Limited 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 Cruze Limited vs Toyota Camry: the Cruze Limited has 240 complaints in one year and 0 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year over ten years with 31 recalls. The Cruze’s issues center on engine and electrical failures; the Camry’s on power train and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Cruze Limited or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Cruze Limited
The Chevrolet Cruze Limited shows a high complaint rate for a single model year, with 240 complaints over one year and no recalls. Engine problems dominate, including stalling, rough running, and internal failures that owners say led to cylinder head or engine replacement. Electrical gremlins and water leaks also appear, making it a car that may demand frequent diagnostic attention.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has a much lower annual complaint rate over ten years, but still accumulates a large total and 31 recalls. Owners report power train issues like stuck ignition keys and shuddering, plus brake problems such as the electronic parking brake failing to disengage. Electrical and advanced driver-assist malfunctions also show up, so even this popular sedan is not trouble-free.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Cruze Limited | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 240 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 19 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 240.0 | 205.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 14 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 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 Cruze Limited
- 01ENGINE98
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM57
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER40
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM32
- 05POWER TRAIN31
Owners report check-engine codes like P0011 that return after dealer work, sometimes leading to cylinder head or full engine replacement. Others describe stalling and sputtering at start or while driving, which can leave you stranded.
Complaints include the radio randomly turning off and on in cold or wet weather, with blinker sounds cutting out at the same time. A separate water leak in the trunk, sometimes after a recall repair, suggests sealing problems that can damage electronics.
One owner says a fuel-system recall repair was done multiple times but the car still revs to third gear and gets stuck around 27 mph. This points to transmission or fuel-delivery issues that may persist after fixes.
The same electrical glitch is also filed here, plus reports of the car starting, sputtering, dying, and cutting off while driving even after replacing sensors. These intermittent no-start or stall events are hard to diagnose and can be a safety concern.
“Around 150,000 miles I had the code p0011 the dealership did work but code kept coming back on. So I was told I needed a cylinder head. I wanted a 2nd opinion so I took it to another dealership and was told I need to replace the engine. So July of 2021 engine…”
“At first, and only on cold/rainy/snowy weather, while driving the radio would randomly turn off and turn itself back on (i have videos of this). Sometimes it would last a few seconds, sometimes a few minutes. While this was happening, the blinker sounds would…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of recent Camrys report the ignition key getting stuck and not releasing even when the dash shows Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check-engine light on, which can indicate transmission or engine control trouble.
Complaints include a delayed throttle response of several seconds after pressing the accelerator, and the same hesitation/shuddering noted under power train. These delays can be unsettling when merging or pulling out.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow and a new switch that sometimes does not fix it. Owners also hear a clicking, vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that the manufacturer calls normal ABS operation.
One owner reported multiple systems—smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—malfunctioning at once. Another cited subframe, driveline, and stability/traction control components, showing that complex electronics can fail together.
“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.
Chevrolet Cruze Limited
No recalls on record.
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
Chevrolet Cruze Limited or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has far fewer complaints per year (about 206 vs. 240 for the Cruze Limited), but it also has 31 recalls and a longer history. In practice, the Cruze Limited’s problems are concentrated in engine and electrical areas that can be expensive, while the Camry’s issues are spread across more systems but occur at a lower annual rate.
Key differences
- The Cruze Limited has 240 complaints in one year with no recalls, while the Camry averages about 206 per year over ten years and has 31 recalls.
- Cruze Limited complaints cluster in engine (98) and electrical (57) issues like stalling and water leaks; Camry complaints lead with power train (385) and brakes (285), including stuck keys and parking-brake failures.
- The Camry shows advanced driver-assist and multiple-system malfunctions in owner reports, while the Cruze Limited’s electrical problems are more basic (radio, blinkers, leaks).
- The Cruze Limited has 19 crash-related complaints and 14 injuries; the Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries over its longer span, though totals are not directly comparable without exposure data.
- Check for engine codes (especially P0011) and any history of cylinder head or engine replacement; listen for rough idle or stalling.
- Inspect the trunk for water leaks and verify any recall-related lamp kit repairs were done correctly; test all electronics in wet weather if possible.
- Test the ignition key release in Park and the electronic parking brake engagement/disengagement; look for hesitation or shuddering during a test drive.
- Ask about any software updates or repairs for driver-assist systems and listen for ABS clicking or vibration from the brake pedal.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls, especially on the Camry.
- Have a mechanic scan for stored engine and transmission codes on both cars.
- On the Cruze Limited, inspect trunk seals and test electrical accessories thoroughly.
- On the Camry, test the key release, parking brake, and throttle response during a cold start and drive.
- Budget for a pre-purchase inspection that includes a road test mimicking your daily driving conditions.
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 Cruze Limited or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Cruze Limited vs Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Cruze Limited total complaints
- 240
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Chevrolet Cruze Limited total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chevrolet Cruze Limited avg complaints/year
- 240.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Cruze Limited top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN