Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Toyota Camry
How the Chevrolet Trailblazer 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 Trailblazer vs Toyota Camry: The Trailblazer averages 277.3 complaints per year, with fuel system issues dominating, while the Camry averages 214.3, with power train and engine problems being most common. The Camry has more crash-related complaints (181 vs 86) and injuries (163 vs 93), but the Trailblazer has more electrical complaints (703 vs 246). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet Trailblazer or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet Trailblazer
The Chevrolet Trailblazer, in ownership terms, is a compact SUV that has generated a high volume of complaints, averaging over 277 per year over the last decade. The dominant issue is the fuel system, with many complaints about gasoline-related problems, which can be concerning for a first-time buyer. Electrical system failures are also prominent, often leading to warnings about charging and potential stalling, which can undermine confidence in the vehicle's reliability. The exterior lighting complaints, particularly about LED headlights being too bright, are a unique annoyance that affects nighttime driving comfort and safety.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, a midsize sedan, has a lower complaint rate, averaging about 214 per year, but it still has significant issues. The most common complaints involve the power train, with owners reporting grinding noises and transmission failures that may require replacement. Engine problems, including sudden acceleration incidents, are alarming and have led to crashes. Brake failures, where the pedal goes to the floor with no response, are also reported, posing serious safety risks. These patterns suggest that while the Camry has fewer complaints overall, the nature of some issues is severe.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet Trailblazer | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,773 | 2,143 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 86 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 277.3 | 214.3 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 93 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 18 | 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 Trailblazer
- 01FUEL SYSTEM952
- 02GASOLINE773
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM703
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING336
- 05POWER TRAIN182
Owners report frequent fuel system issues, with many complaints about gasoline-related problems. This can manifest as fuel leaks, strong fuel odors, or stalling, which are not only inconvenient but also pose fire and safety risks.
Electrical failures are common, with owners describing sudden loss of critical safety systems, battery not charging properly, and warnings that the vehicle may stall. These issues can leave drivers stranded or without functioning safety features.
The LED headlights are reported to be excessively bright, causing oncoming traffic to flash their high beams. This is a daily annoyance for owners and can create hazardous glare for other drivers, potentially leading to accidents.
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission problems are frequently reported, including grinding noises upon acceleration and the need for complete transmission replacement. This is a costly repair and can leave the vehicle undriveable.
Owners have reported uncontrollable sudden acceleration, which has led to crashes and total loss of the vehicle. Additionally, engine maintenance lights come on due to issues like a coolant valve bypass that may not be covered by recall for all VINs.
Brake failure is a serious concern, with reports of the brake pedal providing no response when pressed, especially on hills. This can lead to loss of control and accidents, making it a critical safety issue.
“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 Trailblazer — 18 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Buick Encore GX and 2021-2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The emergency jack, if not positioned as directed in the vehicle owner's manual, can fracture while in use.
The risk: A fractured jack can cause the vehicle to collapse, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the jack, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owner of the safety risk are expected to be mailed July 26, 2021. A second notice will be mailed once remedy parts become available. Owners may con…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Encore GX and 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles. The rear attachment bolts of one or both front seats may not have been installed.
The risk: If an occupied front seat is missing the rear attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing risk of injury to the occupant.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer vehicles factory-equipped with optional 17-inch sport terrain tires. The certification label on these vehicles does not provide the tire size and cold tire pressure information for front and rear tires, as required. As such, th…
The risk: If drivers are uninformed and overinflate or underinflate their tires, this may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and will mail corrected labels for customers to apply, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2020. Owners may call Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A202304070.
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac CT4, CT5 and XT4, 2021 Chevrolet Trailblazer, and 2020-2021 Buick Encore GX vehicles. Sensor connection contamination in the electronic brake boost system may cause an interruption of communication between the sensor…
The risk: If communication with the sensor is interrupted, the electronic brake boost assist could be lost. Extra pedal force will be required to slow and stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electronic brake boost module, free of charge. The recall began December 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4…
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 Trailblazer or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has fewer complaints per year (214.3) compared to the Chevrolet Trailblazer (277.3), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the Camry's complaints include more severe safety-related problems like sudden acceleration and brake failure, which are more alarming than the Trailblazer's fuel and electrical issues. In practice, the Trailblazer may have more frequent but less catastrophic problems, while the Camry's issues, though less common, can be more dangerous.
Key differences
- The Trailblazer has a much higher rate of fuel system complaints (952) compared to the Camry's power train issues (395), indicating different reliability weak points.
- The Camry has a higher number of crash-related complaints (181) and injuries (163) than the Trailblazer (86 and 93), suggesting more severe outcomes from its reported failures.
- Electrical system problems are more prevalent in the Trailblazer (703) than in the Camry (246), with owners experiencing loss of safety systems and charging issues.
- The Camry's engine complaints include sudden acceleration, a dangerous issue, while the Trailblazer's exterior lighting complaints are about glare, a less severe but annoying problem.
- Inspect the fuel system for any signs of leaks or odors, as fuel system complaints are the most common issue.
- Check the electrical system, especially the battery and charging system, for warnings or previous repairs, as electrical failures can lead to stalling.
- Test the transmission for any grinding noises or hesitation during acceleration, as transmission failure is a known issue.
- Verify that all recalls, especially those related to the engine and brakes, have been addressed for the specific VIN, as some issues may not be covered.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for any open recalls or previous complaints on the specific VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the fuel system and electrical components for the Trailblazer, and the transmission and brakes for the Camry.
- Test drive the vehicle at various speeds and on hills to check for transmission noises, brake responsiveness, and any unexpected acceleration.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for any repairs related to the top complaint areas.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest recall information and ensure all recalls have been completed.
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 Trailblazer | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 119 |
| 2025 | 20 | 153 |
| 2024 | 32 | 48 |
| 2023 | 66 | 62 |
| 2022 | 108 | 59 |
| 2021 | 191 | 155 |
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 Trailblazer or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet Trailblazer vs Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Trailblazer total complaints
- 2,773
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Chevrolet Trailblazer total recalls
- 18
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chevrolet Trailblazer avg complaints/year
- 277.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet Trailblazer top complaint area
- FUEL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN