Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet SS vs Toyota Camry
How the Chevrolet SS 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 SS vs Toyota Camry: The SS has 99 complaints over 4 years (24.8/year) and 23 recalls, while the Camry has 2143 complaints over 10 years (214.3/year) and 31 recalls. The Camry also reports 181 crash-related complaints and 163 injuries, versus 3 and 0 for the SS. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet SS or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet SS
The Chevrolet SS is a low-volume performance sedan, so you'll see fewer complaints overall, but the pattern is concentrated. Steering problems dominate, with 62 complaints, often about power steering loss or a steering rack recall. Seat belt and air bag issues also appear, tied to tensioner cables and sensors. With 23 recalls in four years, expect to check for open recalls before buying.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume family sedan with many more complaints simply because there are many more on the road. The most common areas are power train, engine, and brakes, with reports of transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, and brake failure. There are also 181 crash-related complaints and 163 injuries reported, which is a serious pattern to consider. With 31 recalls over ten years, it's important to verify all recall work is done.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet SS | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 99 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 23 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 24.8 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 163 |
| 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 SS
- 01STEERING62
- 02SEAT BELTS13
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
- 04AIR BAGS7
- 05SUSPENSION5
Owners report power steering loss at random times, often linked to the electric power assist system. Some say their VIN wasn't included in a recall for the steering rack, leaving them to pay for repairs. This matters because losing steering assist while driving is a serious safety concern.
Complaints describe seatbelt tensioner cables that can be cut by trim, leading to failure. One owner reported their car sat at the dealer for a month waiting for a recall fix. A faulty seatbelt may not restrain you properly in a crash.
Issues include infotainment problems like the MyLink system not controlling apps, and water intrusion causing failed detection systems. These can affect safety features and are frustrating to live with.
Owners report airbag warning lights due to seatbelt tensioner cable or passenger seat sensor failures. If the airbag system is compromised, it may not deploy correctly in a collision.
“Collapsed lifter on cyl 6. Lifter tick / knock since 100,200 miles. Car has a warranty until 5/2026 or 171,000 miles and they refuse to honor it. Car has a steering issue. Two separate chevy dealerships unable to fix. vanderevere charged me 500-600 to fix NOT…”
“I OWN A 2016 CHEVROLET SS SEDAN, THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL FOR THE POWER STEERING RACK DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AT RANDOM TIMES DUE TO THEIR CHOICE TO CUT COSTS IN THE INITIAL ASSEMBLY. MY VIN IS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL, MY VEHICLE WAS MADE IN DEC…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the transmission, sometimes requiring replacement. There are also reports of sudden acceleration, including one that led to a crash. These are serious drivability and safety issues.
Complaints include sudden acceleration and coolant valve bypass issues that trigger a maintenance light. Some owners say their VIN wasn't covered by a recall for the same problem, leaving them with repair costs.
Owners describe brake pedal going to the floor with no response, especially on slopes. This is a critical safety failure that could lead to a crash.
Reports include AC condenser damage from road debris and persistent mildew odors from the vents. While not always safety-related, these are common annoyances that can be costly to fix.
“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 SS — 23 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet SS and Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPV) that were previously repaired under NHTSA recall number 16V-518. The repair may not have been performed properly. The driver's seat belt tensioner cable may be repeatedly bent over the seat…
The risk: If the tensioner cable separates, the driver may not be properly restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to determine whether the new seat trim was installed and replace the trim as necessary. Dealers will also inspect and replace the pretensioner cable assembly, as necessary. Repai…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Caprice Police Pursuit vehicles (PPV) and SS vehicles. Corrosion of the connector between the electric power steering module and the torque sensor connector may cause a loss of electric power steering assist.
The risk: A greater steering effort would be needed to control the vehicle if power steering is lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N192285350.
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet SS vehicles that previously received an inspect-only remedy under recall 17V-382. Corrosion of the connector between the electric power steering module and the torque sensor connector may cause a loss of electric power steering assist.
The risk: A greater steering effort would be needed to control the vehicle if power steering is lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began December 27, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Chevrolet SS vehicles that previously received an inspect-only remedy under recall 17V-382. Corrosion of the connector between the electric power steering module and the torque sensor connector may cause a loss of electric power steering assist.
The risk: A greater steering effort would be needed to control the vehicle if power steering is lost, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began December 27, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GM customer service at 1-586-596-1733. GM's…
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 SS or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet SS has far fewer complaints per year (24.8) than the Toyota Camry (214.3), but the SS's issues are concentrated in steering and seat belts. The Camry's higher volume means more overall reports, including 181 crash-related complaints and 163 injuries. In practice, the SS may have fewer problems, but the Camry's issues are more widespread and include serious safety events.
Key differences
- The Chevrolet SS has 62 steering complaints, often about power steering loss, while the Toyota Camry has 395 power train complaints, including transmission grinding and sudden acceleration.
- The Camry has 181 crash-related complaints and 163 injuries, compared to 3 crash-related and 0 injuries for the SS, indicating a more severe safety pattern in the Camry reports.
- Seat belt and air bag issues are prominent in the SS, with tensioner cable failures, while the Camry's top issues are power train, engine, and brakes.
- The SS has 23 recalls in 4 years, while the Camry has 31 recalls in 10 years, but the Camry's recalls cover more vehicles and include air bag and seat issues.
- Check for any open recalls on the steering rack and seat belt tensioner cables; ask for proof of repair.
- Test the power steering at low speeds and listen for lifter tick or knock, as one owner reported collapsed lifters.
- Test the transmission for grinding noises during acceleration and check for any recall related to the coolant valve bypass.
- Test the brakes on a slope to ensure they respond; also check for sudden acceleration by test-driving at low speeds.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA's recall site to see if all recalls are completed, especially for steering and seat belts on the SS and power train and brakes on the Camry.
- Take a test drive that includes low-speed steering, braking on a hill, and acceleration to feel for grinding or hesitation.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes on the Camry and power steering repairs on the SS.
- Have a mechanic inspect the seat belt tensioners and air bag sensors on the SS, and the brake system and transmission on the Camry.
- Check for any warning lights on the dashboard, particularly air bag, check engine, or maintenance required lights.
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 SS | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 7 | 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 SS or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet SS vs Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet SS total complaints
- 99
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Chevrolet SS total recalls
- 23
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chevrolet SS avg complaints/year
- 24.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet SS
- Chevrolet SS top complaint area
- STEERING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN