Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Impala vs Toyota Camry
How the Chevrolet Impala 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 Impala vs Toyota Camry: Over 10 years, the Impala averaged 230 complaints per year and had 23 recalls, while the Camry averaged 205.6 complaints per year and had 31 recalls. The Camry had more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 112) and injuries (158 vs. 97). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Impala or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size sedan that, based on owner complaints, can be a mixed bag in terms of reliability. Over 10 years, it averaged 230 complaints per year, with the most common issues involving the electrical system, stability control, and steering. Many owners report sudden power loss, steering assist failure, and intermittent steering lock-up, which can be alarming. While it has fewer recalls than the Camry, the high rate of electrical and steering complaints suggests that living with an Impala may require vigilance and frequent repairs.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan that generally has a strong reputation for reliability, but owner complaints show it is not immune to problems. It averaged about 206 complaints per year over the same period, with power train, engine, and brake issues being the most frequent. Owners describe symptoms like delayed acceleration, shuddering, and electronic parking brake failures. Although it has more recalls than the Impala, the complaint pattern points to different areas of concern, particularly in the power train and braking systems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Impala | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,300 | 2,056 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 23 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 112 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 230.0 | 205.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 97 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 Impala
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM590
- 02ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)430
- 03STEERING341
- 04ENGINE322
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER295
Owners report the check engine light coming on, followed by complete power loss and the car turning off while driving, often linked to emissions system codes. This can leave you stranded and may require costly diagnostics and repairs.
Complaints include the steering assist failing, making the car very hard to steer and stay in lane. This is a serious safety concern because it can happen without warning at highway speeds.
Drivers describe the steering wheel randomly locking up, as if forcing the car to go straight on a curve. This intermittent issue can cause loss of control and is frightening to experience.
Some owners report the parking brake releasing on its own and other engine-related oddities, such as transmission cooler lines bursting. These issues can lead to unexpected repairs and safety risks.
“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RECENTLY CAME ON, CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND TURNED OFF DURING AS I TURNED RIGHT AT A LIGHT, HAD ONSTAR RUN DIAGNOSTICS, CODE INVOLVED THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM, WAS ADVISED TO FILL UP WITH HIGH QUALITY FUEL, AND DRIVE WITH THE GAS CAP OFF TO…”
“As I was driving home from my place of employment which is exactly 30 miles from where I live my Steering Assist went out and it was very hard to steer and to even stay in the lane which I was driving I managed to get the car home and did an under carriage in…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and unable to be removed even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection. Others experience hesitation and shuddering while driving, which can be annoying and potentially dangerous.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with the car taking several seconds to move. This lag can be a safety hazard when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Also, a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is common, which owners find abnormal and concerning.
Multiple systems such as stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction simultaneously. This suggests potential electrical or software glitches that could affect overall vehicle safety.
“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 Impala — 23 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insu…
The risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrole…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insu…
The risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrole…
The defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain…
The risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, a…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors custom…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles manufactured November 15, 2012, to May 30, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic parking brake piston actuation arm may not fully retract causing the brake pads to stay partially engaged. Thus, these veh…
The risk: Brake pads that remain partially engaged with the rotors may cause excessive brake heat that may result in a fire.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the electronic parking brake control module with new software, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet). G…
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 Impala or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has fewer complaints per year (205.6 vs. 230.0) and a lower rate of crash-related complaints (171 vs. 112) and injuries (158 vs. 97), but it has more recalls (31 vs. 23) and one death reported. In practice, the Camry may have fewer day-to-day annoyances, but both vehicles have notable safety-related issues that buyers should inspect carefully.
Key differences
- The Impala has more complaints per year (230 vs. 205.6) but fewer recalls (23 vs. 31) than the Camry.
- Impala owners frequently report electrical and steering failures, while Camry owners report power train and brake issues.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 112) and injuries (158 vs. 97), but the Impala has zero deaths reported versus one for the Camry.
- Both vehicles have recalls for critical systems: Impala for brakes and ignition, Camry for air bags and seats.
- Check for any signs of electrical problems, such as flickering lights or warning messages, and test the steering for any locking or stiffness.
- Inspect the brakes and parking brake function, as recalls exist for caliper and parking brake issues.
- Test the ignition key operation to ensure it doesn't get stuck, and check for any hesitation or shuddering during a test drive.
- Verify the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly, and listen for any unusual noises from the brakes.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to check for accidents and recall repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system and steering components on the Impala.
- For the Camry, have a mechanic check the power train, transmission, and brake systems.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions, including highway and stop-and-go traffic.
- Confirm that all open recalls have been addressed by the manufacturer.
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 Impala | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 15 | 274 |
| 2019 | 28 | 395 |
| 2018 | 59 | 744 |
| 2017 | 116 | 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 Impala or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
No VIN yet? Ask the seller.
A genuine seller should be happy to share it. Send this, then paste the VIN into the box above when it comes back.
Going to see one?
Get the Chevrolet Impala inspection checklist by email, so you know what to look for when you're standing next to it.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Impala vs Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Impala total complaints
- 2,300
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Chevrolet Impala total recalls
- 23
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chevrolet Impala avg complaints/year
- 230.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Impala top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN