Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Suburban vs Toyota Camry
How the Chevrolet Suburban 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 Suburban vs Toyota Camry: The Suburban averaged 87.8 complaints per year with 36 recalls, while the Camry averaged 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Suburban's top issue is engine problems, including seizures, whereas the Camry's top issue is power train complaints like stuck keys. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Suburban or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Suburban
The Chevrolet Suburban is a large SUV often used for family hauling and towing, and its complaint pattern suggests that engine and transmission problems can be a real ownership burden. Over 10 years, it averaged about 88 complaints per year, with the engine being the most complained-about area. Owners report serious issues like engine seizure and rough running, which can lead to expensive repairs and downtime. While it has fewer complaints per year than the Camry, the nature of the failures—especially engine and power train—can be more severe and costly.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan known for its reliability, but the data shows a higher volume of complaints per year—about 206—compared to the Suburban. The most common issues involve the power train, engine, and brakes, with owners reporting problems like hesitation, shuddering, and key removal difficulties. There are also more crash-related complaints and injuries reported for the Camry, though it has one death compared to none for the Suburban. Overall, the Camry's issues appear more frequent but may be less catastrophic than the Suburban's engine failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Suburban | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 878 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 36 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 27 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 87.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 25 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 Suburban
- 01ENGINE345
- 02POWER TRAIN202
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM117
- 04SERVICE BRAKES87
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER81
Owners report repeated jerking, shuddering, and flashing check engine lights, with one case of a 6.2L engine seizing at 15,000 miles. These symptoms can indicate serious internal damage and may lead to sudden loss of power, requiring costly repairs.
Complaints include rough running, loss of power, and transmission issues, sometimes accompanied by warning messages. These problems can affect drivability and may require dealer diagnosis and repair, potentially leaving the vehicle undrivable.
Owners report issues like trailer brake disconnection warnings that cause trailer brakes to lock up, and vehicles that crank but won't start due to electronic transmission problems. These faults can strand a driver and create safety hazards, especially when towing.
There are reports of brake failure, including a master cylinder failure that caused the vehicle to be unable to slow down. Such failures are critical safety concerns and may leave the vehicle inoperable while waiting for parts.
“7/13/25: Car repeatedly jerking/shuddering/rough ride. A flashing check engine light came on for 10 or 15 minutes. After stopping car and restarting it, the check engine light went off. 9/15/25: Car jerking and another flashing check engine light. Took to dea…”
“While driving down a two-lane blacktop road at 70 MPH (the posted speed limit) the engine, a 6.2 L L87 with a little over 15,000 miles, grenaded and seized. At the time I recall a warning message that said something like "engine shutdown". Fortunately the ele…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners describe intermittent issues like the ignition key getting stuck even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove. Others report hesitation and shuddering with check engine lights, which can affect driving confidence and lead to repairs.
Complaints include delayed throttle response, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second delay before the car moves. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic, and may indicate a persistent defect.
Owners report the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring towing, and clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area that are deemed common by the manufacturer. These issues can be annoying and potentially costly if they worsen.
Multiple system malfunctions are reported, including smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance failing simultaneously. Such widespread electrical glitches can compromise safety features and require extensive diagnostics.
“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 Suburban — 36 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing d…
The risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repai…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly…
The risk: A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate wh…
The risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chev…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing d…
The risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repai…
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 Suburban or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Suburban has fewer complaints per year (about 88) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Suburban's issues often involve severe engine and power train failures that can be catastrophic. The Camry's higher complaint rate suggests more frequent problems, though they may be less likely to cause sudden breakdowns. In practice, a buyer prioritizing lower overall complaint frequency might lean toward the Suburban, but should be aware of the potential for major repairs.
Key differences
- The Suburban's most common complaint area is the engine, with reports of seizure and rough running, while the Camry's top area is the power train, with issues like stuck keys and hesitation.
- The Camry has a higher rate of complaints per year (about 206 vs. 88 for the Suburban), but the Suburban's complaints include more catastrophic engine failures.
- The Suburban has 0 deaths reported in the data, while the Camry has 1 death, though both have crash-related complaints and injuries.
- Electrical system issues in the Suburban often involve towing-related brake failures, whereas the Camry's electrical complaints include multiple safety systems malfunctioning at once.
- Check for any signs of engine shuddering, jerking, or flashing check engine lights during a test drive, as these are common complaints that may indicate internal engine damage.
- Inspect the trailer brake system if equipped, as owners report disconnection warnings that can cause trailer brakes to lock up, and test the electronic transmission for starting issues.
- Test the ignition key removal to ensure it doesn't get stuck when the car is in Park, as this is a reported power train defect that may require battery disconnection.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and check that the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly, as failures can require towing.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially for engine and power train issues on both vehicles.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the engine, transmission, and brakes, and scan for any stored trouble codes.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any hesitation, shuddering, or unusual noises, and test all electrical systems including trailer brakes if applicable.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm that any previous repairs were done at a dealership or reputable shop.
- Verify that the vehicle starts reliably and that all warning lights function correctly, and consider a extended warranty for major components.
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 Suburban | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 0 |
| 2025 | 30 | 163 |
| 2024 | 42 | 50 |
| 2023 | 125 | 64 |
| 2022 | 124 | 61 |
| 2021 | 198 | 157 |
| 2020 | 44 | 274 |
| 2019 | 78 | 395 |
| 2018 | 81 | 744 |
| 2017 | 141 | 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 Suburban or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Suburban vs Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Suburban total complaints
- 878
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Chevrolet Suburban total recalls
- 36
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chevrolet Suburban avg complaints/year
- 87.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Suburban
- Chevrolet Suburban top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN