Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet TRAX vs Toyota Camry
How the Chevrolet TRAX 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 TRAX vs Toyota Camry: The TRAX averages 73 complaints per year, while the Camry averages 214, but the Camry's issues include transmission and brake failures. The TRAX has had a rear axle separation report, and the Camry has sudden acceleration reports. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet TRAX or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet TRAX
The Chevrolet TRAX is a subcompact crossover that, in ownership terms, has been a source of frequent electrical and engine troubles. Owners report sudden turbocharger failures, infotainment glitches, and even a rear axle separation, suggesting that while it may be economical to buy, it can be costly to maintain. The complaint rate of about 73 per year over the last decade indicates a moderate but persistent level of issues, with several recalls addressing suspension and electrical components.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, a midsize sedan, shows a higher raw number of complaints (over 2,100 in 10 years) but that's partly due to its popularity. Owners frequently report transmission grinding, sudden acceleration incidents, and brake failures, which are serious safety concerns. However, the Camry's recalls focus on airbags, seats, and wheel studs, not the drivetrain, suggesting that some of the most alarming complaints may not be widespread. Overall, the Camry presents a mixed picture: it has more complaints per year, but its issues are more varied and less concentrated in a single system.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet TRAX | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 734 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 52 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 73.4 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 55 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 TRAX
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM198
- 02ENGINE198
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER125
- 04SUSPENSION74
- 05SERVICE BRAKES70
Owners report sudden turbocharger failures without warning, as well as infotainment screen glitches and a vehicle cockpit unit that flickers or goes blank. These issues can leave you without critical vehicle information or with unexpected power loss.
Engine problems include turbocharger failures and communication errors between the engine and transmission, sometimes described as 'hardware melting.' This can lead to stalling or a complete loss of power while driving.
A serious complaint involves the rear axle separating from the vehicle, which also affected braking ability. This is a rare but catastrophic failure that could cause a crash.
Brake issues include grinding noises when parked on an incline, suggesting potential brake component wear or malfunction. This could affect your ability to stop safely.
“The Turbo Charger failed suddenly without a prior display of a warning light and was replaced by an independent service center in June 2025. I received a letter from GM in November 2025 stating there was a known "condition" that may cause the Turbo Charger to…”
“At roughly 20,000 miles, my cars' carplay connection begain to intermittently disconnect. Never could get it to reproduce the same results when at the dealership. At roughly 60,000 miles the VCU (vehicle cockpit unit) began glitching. It would flicker, go bla…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front end upon acceleration, with dealers confirming transmission issues that often require replacement. This is a costly repair and can leave you stranded.
There are reports of uncontrollable sudden acceleration, leading to crashes, as well as engine maintenance warnings related to a coolant valve bypass. These issues pose serious safety risks.
Brake failure is reported, such as no response when pressing the pedal on a downhill slope, which can lead to loss of control. This is a critical safety concern.
Electrical issues include problems with the air conditioning condenser being damaged by rocks, and recurring HVAC odors. While less severe, they affect comfort and can be annoying.
“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 TRAX — 8 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. A joint in one or both of the front lower-control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle.
The risk: A partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle could cause the attached front wheel to toe outward, impacting the vehicle's handling and steering and increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 14, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Buick Encore GX, Envista, and Chevrolet Trax vehicles. The software in the Virtual Cockpit Unit Module (VCU) may cause the instrument panel display to intermittently go blank at vehicle startup or while driving.
The risk: A blank instrument panel will not show critical information, such as vehicle speed and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The VCU software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2023. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet custome…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
The risk: If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-22…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. A joint in one or both of the front lower-control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle.
The risk: A partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle could cause the attached front wheel to toe outward, impacting the vehicle's handling and steering and increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 14, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number…
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 TRAX or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet TRAX has fewer complaints per year (73.4) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), but its issues are more concentrated in critical systems like the engine and suspension. The Camry's higher complaint count is partly due to its popularity, but it also has serious safety-related complaints. In practice, the TRAX may be less troublesome on a per-vehicle basis, but the Camry's issues are more varied and include some alarming safety concerns.
Key differences
- The TRAX has a higher proportion of electrical and engine complaints, including turbocharger failures and infotainment glitches, while the Camry has more transmission and brake complaints.
- The Camry has a higher overall complaint rate, but that may reflect its larger sales volume; the TRAX's issues are more concentrated in fewer systems.
- The Camry has had recalls for airbags and seats, while the TRAX has had recalls for suspension ball joints and instrument clusters, indicating different areas of concern.
- The TRAX has a report of a rear axle separation, a rare but severe safety issue, whereas the Camry has reports of sudden acceleration, which is also extremely dangerous.
- Inspect the turbocharger for any signs of failure, as owners report sudden failures without warning.
- Check the rear axle and suspension components for any play or damage, given the report of axle separation.
- Test the transmission for any grinding or hesitation during acceleration, as owners report the need for replacement.
- Verify the brake system's responsiveness, especially on slopes, due to reports of brake failure.
Before you buy
- For the TRAX, ask for service records related to turbocharger and electrical system repairs.
- For the Camry, request a transmission inspection and check for any open recalls.
- Take both vehicles for a test drive that includes acceleration and braking on a hill.
- Check the NHTSA website for any unrepaired recalls on the specific VIN.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic familiar with these models.
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 TRAX | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 13 | 119 |
| 2025 | 81 | 153 |
| 2024 | 169 | 48 |
| 2023 | 0 | 62 |
| 2022 | 9 | 59 |
| 2021 | 24 | 155 |
| 2020 | 94 | 270 |
| 2019 | 133 | 393 |
| 2018 | 100 | 736 |
| 2017 | 111 | 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 TRAX or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet TRAX vs Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet TRAX total complaints
- 734
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Chevrolet TRAX total recalls
- 8
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chevrolet TRAX avg complaints/year
- 73.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet TRAX
- Chevrolet TRAX top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN