Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Tracker vs Toyota Camry
How the Chevrolet Tracker 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 Tracker vs Toyota Camry: The Tracker averaged 38.6 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the Camry averaged 205.6 complaints per year and had 31 recalls. Tracker owners often report rusted suspension crossmembers, whereas Camry owners cite power train and electrical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Tracker or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Tracker
The Chevrolet Tracker is a small SUV that, based on owner complaints, can develop serious rust-related structural problems as it ages. Over 10 years, it averaged 38.6 complaints per year, with suspension and structure issues dominating. Owners frequently report front crossmember rust that can break and cause loss of control. There are no recalls on record, so any fixes are likely out-of-pocket.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—205.6 per year—but also 31 recalls, meaning many issues may be addressed by the manufacturer. Complaints span power train, engine, and electrical systems, often involving hesitation, shuddering, and electronic malfunctions. While the Camry has more reported problems overall, the recall activity suggests some safety defects are being remedied.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Tracker | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 386 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 63 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 38.6 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 58 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 Tracker
- 01SUSPENSION93
- 02STRUCTURE70
- 03AIR BAGS43
- 04SERVICE BRAKES41
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING39
Owners report the front crossmember rusting and breaking, which can disconnect the lower control arm and cause uncontrollable shaking or loss of control. This is a critical safety concern, especially at highway speeds.
The same rusted front crossmember is often cited under structure complaints, with owners describing it as corroded and cracked in half, making the vehicle undrivable. This suggests a systemic corrosion issue that can compromise the vehicle's integrity.
Some owners report air bag malfunctions, including the driver-side airbag popping out repeatedly or deploying unexpectedly. One complaint describes a loud bang and loss of control, raising concerns about air bag reliability.
Complaints include rotted brake lines and corroded rear brake dust shields that become unavailable. This can lead to brake failure or difficulty repairing the braking system, affecting safety and maintenance.
“2001 CHEVY TRACKER WITH RUSTED FRONT CROSS MEMBER. THE CROSS MEMBER RUSTED AND BROKE LEAVING THE LOWER A ARM DISCONNECT FROM THE FRAME ON ONE END. THIS CAUSES AN UNCONTROLLABLE SHAKE AND TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHW…”
“MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER IS RUSTED TO THE POINT THE IT WILL SNAP OFF. WHEN I MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN OR GO OVER BUMPS I CAN HEAR CRACKING NOISES. CONTACTED CHEVY (GM) WAS ADVISED THAT I AM 4 YEARS TOO LATE IN CONTACTING THE…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent issues like the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on, indicating potential transmission or engine management problems.
Complaints include delayed throttle response, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second delay before the car moves. This can be a safety risk 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 reported, which the manufacturer says is common but owners find abnormal.
Multiple electronic systems—such as stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. This suggests complex electrical issues that may be difficult to diagnose and repair.
“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 Tracker
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 Tracker or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Tracker has far fewer complaints per year (38.6 vs. 205.6), but its issues often involve severe rust and structural failures that can be dangerous. The Toyota Camry has more complaints but also many recalls, meaning some defects may be fixed for free. In practice, the Tracker may be cheaper to buy but riskier due to corrosion, while the Camry may have more frequent but potentially addressable problems.
Key differences
- The Tracker's most common complaint is suspension rust leading to crossmember failure, while the Camry's top issue is power train problems like key stuck and hesitation.
- The Tracker has zero recalls, so safety defects may not be covered, whereas the Camry has 31 recalls, including for air bag sensors and wheels.
- The Tracker averages 38.6 complaints per year, much lower than the Camry's 205.6, but the Tracker's issues are often severe structural corrosion.
- The Camry has 1 death reported in complaints, while the Tracker has 0 deaths but 58 injuries, indicating different risk profiles.
- Inspect the front crossmember and undercarriage for rust, especially in areas with road salt; look for cracks or corrosion that could lead to breakage.
- Check brake lines and fuel lines for rust, as owners report rotted undercarriage components that can cause leaks or failure.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park and check for any hesitation or shuddering during a test drive, as these are common power train complaints.
- Verify that the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly, and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- For the Tracker, have a mechanic inspect the front crossmember and entire undercarriage for rust before purchase.
- For the Camry, check for open recalls by providing the VIN to a Toyota dealer and ensure all recall work is completed.
- Test drive both vehicles extensively, including highway speeds, to detect shaking, hesitation, or brake noises.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for brake and suspension repairs, to gauge past issues.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic familiar with these models' common problems.
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 Tracker | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 274 |
| 2019 | 0 | 395 |
| 2018 | 0 | 744 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 Tracker or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Tracker vs Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Tracker total complaints
- 386
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Chevrolet Tracker total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chevrolet Tracker avg complaints/year
- 38.6
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet Tracker
- Chevrolet Tracker top complaint area
- SUSPENSION
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN