Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Equinox vs Toyota Camry
How the Chevrolet Equinox 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 Equinox vs Toyota Camry: Over 10 years, the Equinox had 2045 complaints and 33 recalls, while the Camry had 2056 complaints and 31 recalls. The Equinox's complaints more often involve engine stalling and brake failure, whereas the Camry's are more about power train hesitation and electronic glitches. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Equinox or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Equinox
The Chevrolet Equinox is a compact SUV that has averaged about 205 complaints per year over the past decade, with 33 recalls. Owners frequently report serious issues like engine stalling, brake failure, and fuel pump problems that can leave them stranded or unable to stop safely. While not every Equinox will have these problems, the volume and severity of complaints suggest a higher risk of costly and potentially dangerous failures.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a similar complaint rate of about 206 per year and 31 recalls. However, the complaints tend to cluster around power train hesitations, electronic glitches, and brake noises rather than sudden loss of power or braking. This pattern suggests that while the Camry isn't trouble-free, its issues may be less likely to cause immediate safety hazards.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Equinox | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,045 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 33 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 126 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 204.5 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 96 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 | 1 Better |
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 Equinox
- 01ENGINE556
- 02SERVICE BRAKES423
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM322
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM319
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER293
Owners report sudden engine shutdowns, loss of power during acceleration, and fuel pump failures that can cause the vehicle to stall in traffic. These failures can happen without warning and may require expensive repairs, leaving you stranded.
Complaints describe the brake pedal going to the floor with little resistance, often accompanied by dashboard warnings like 'Brake System Failure.' This indicates a potential loss of braking ability, which is a critical safety concern.
Multiple reports of engine stalling and loss of motive power while driving, sometimes in intersections or high-traffic areas. This can create dangerous situations and indicates a flaw in the fuel delivery or propulsion system.
Owners experience a range of electrical gremlins: infotainment reboots, driver assist features disengaging, and persistent check engine lights that dealers struggle to fix. These issues are frustrating and can affect safety features.
“The fuel pump on my 2023 Chevrolet Equinox began malfunctioning on [XXX] when the check engine light came on. Less than 24 hours later, the light went out. On [XXX], while leaving a CVS pharmacy, the vehicle jerked, then the engine shut off. After putting the…”
“My 2023 Equinox RS losses power during quick acceleration for lane changes or passing. It will also lose power during some turns at normal speed. It will also accelerate and deaccelerate at a low speed making it feel like the gears are slipping. Auto stop on…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent problems like the ignition key getting stuck in Park, and hesitation or shuddering during acceleration. These issues can leave you unable to remove your key or cause unpredictable driving behavior.
Complaints include delayed throttle response and hesitation when accelerating, sometimes with the check engine light on. This can make merging or passing feel sluggish and may indicate underlying engine management problems.
Some owners hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, which dealers attribute to the ABS system. While not necessarily a failure, it's an annoyance that could signal a need for inspection.
Reports of multiple systems malfunctioning at once, such as stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring. These glitches can be distracting and may compromise safety features temporarily.
“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 Equinox — 33 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. The driver's seat may have a stripped or loose bolt at the seat frame height-adjust pivot.
The risk: A seat with a missing or loose bolt may not properly restrain the occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat and replace the seat cushion frame, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 4, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC cus…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with ventilated front passenger seats. The Occupant Classification System may not properly disable the front passenger air bag when there is a small child or child restraint detected in the seat.
The risk: In the event of a crash, a front passenger air bag that deploys with a child or infant in the front passenger seat can increase their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the passenger presence system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's nu…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail…
The risk: The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, Blazer EV, Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The door strikers may fracture, resulting in the door opening unexpectedly.
The risk: A door opening while the vehicle is being driven can increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace all four door strikers and attaching bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462…
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 Equinox or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has a slightly lower complaint rate per year (205.6 vs. 204.5 for the Equinox) and fewer recalls (31 vs. 33), but the difference is small. However, the Equinox's complaints more often involve sudden loss of power or braking, which are more severe than the Camry's typical power train and electronic quirks. In practice, the Camry may be less likely to leave you in a dangerous situation, but both require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Equinox has more complaints about engine stalling and fuel pump failures, while the Camry's power train issues often involve hesitation or key stuck problems.
- Equinox owners report brake pedal going to the floor, a severe safety issue; Camry brake complaints are more about noise and ABS vibration.
- Camry has more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 126) and injuries (158 vs. 96), but fewer deaths (1 vs. 2), though these numbers don't tell the whole story.
- Both have similar recall counts, but the Equinox recalls include seat and air bag sensor issues, while Camry recalls also include seat and air bag sensors.
- During a test drive, listen for engine hesitation or stalling, especially during acceleration or at low speeds; check for any check engine lights.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including hard stops, to ensure the pedal doesn't feel soft or go to the floor; look for any brake system warning messages.
- Check that the ignition key can be easily removed when the car is in Park; try it multiple times to ensure it doesn't stick.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area when braking; this could indicate an ABS issue that may need attention.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on both models, especially for seat, air bag, and brake components.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine, transmission, and brake systems for the specific issues reported.
- During a test drive, simulate various driving conditions: accelerate hard, brake firmly, and drive at low speeds to detect hesitation or stalling.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for fuel pump, brake, and electrical repairs, as these are common problem areas.
- Verify that all safety systems (air bags, seat belts, brakes) are functioning properly and that no warning lights are illuminated.
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 Equinox | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 82 | 0 |
| 2025 | 228 | 163 |
| 2024 | 79 | 50 |
| 2023 | 95 | 64 |
| 2022 | 173 | 61 |
| 2021 | 96 | 157 |
| 2020 | 309 | 274 |
| 2019 | 302 | 395 |
| 2018 | 408 | 744 |
| 2017 | 273 | 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 Equinox or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Equinox vs Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Equinox total complaints
- 2,045
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Chevrolet Equinox total recalls
- 33
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chevrolet Equinox avg complaints/year
- 204.5
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Equinox
- Chevrolet Equinox top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN