Head-to-head reliability
Chevrolet VOLT vs Toyota Camry
How the Chevrolet VOLT 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 VOLT vs Toyota Camry: The Volt averaged 206.6 complaints per year over 9 years, while the Camry averaged 214.3 over 10 years. The Camry has 31 recalls and 181 crash-related complaints, versus 12 and 39 for the Volt. Both show serious issues like brake failure and sudden acceleration. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chevrolet VOLT or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chevrolet VOLT
The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in hybrid that blends electric and gas power, but owner complaints suggest it can be finicky. Over nine years, it averaged about 207 complaints per year, with electrical and fuel/propulsion issues dominating. Many owners report sudden loss of propulsion, brake problems, and error messages that reduce power, which can be alarming. While it has fewer recalls than the Camry, the nature of the complaints points to complex electronic and hybrid system faults that may require specialized repairs.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream midsize sedan known for reliability, but NHTSA data shows a range of issues. It averaged about 214 complaints per year over ten years, with power train, engine, and brake problems frequently cited. Owners describe transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, and brake failure, along with air conditioning odors and condenser damage. The Camry has more recalls and crash-related complaints than the Volt, indicating that even popular models can have significant safety-related defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chevrolet VOLT | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,859 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 39 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 206.6 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 37 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 VOLT
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM700
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM495
- 03POWER TRAIN429
- 04ENGINE366
- 05AIR BAGS310
Owners report braking problems where the pedal feels unresponsive, like braking on ice, and sudden power loss with messages like 'Propulsion Power Reduced.' These issues can leave a driver unable to stop or accelerate, posing a serious safety risk.
Complaints include stalling while driving, even with fuel and battery charge remaining, and 'Service High Voltage Charging' warnings. Such failures can strand a driver and indicate hybrid system faults that are costly to diagnose.
Reports of the car not starting, EV battery drain, and sudden stalls with 'Shift to Park' messages. These problems suggest failures in the hybrid powertrain that can leave the vehicle immobile.
Owners mention brake issues with check engine lights and traction control disabled, plus high voltage charging warnings. These can lead to reduced braking power and potential engine shutdowns.
“Was approaching an intersection with a stoplight that was red. Another car stopped at light. Applied brakes, but car slowed down only slightly, no matter how hard the brake pedal was applied. It was like braking on black ice, even though the cars wheels were…”
“Mileage: 38523 Engine Not Available Service Soon Propulsion Power Is Reduced Fuel Range Low: 3/4 Tank full of gas [XXX] - I was driving Northbound on [XXX] South of Castlewood in Northern California. I was driving 70 mph when I suddenly received the error mes…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the transmission, requiring replacement, and sudden acceleration incidents. These can lead to loss of control and expensive repairs.
Complaints include uncontrollable sudden acceleration and coolant valve bypass issues (code P268115) that may not be covered by recalls. Sudden acceleration is a severe safety concern.
Reports of brake pedal going to the floor with no response, especially on hills, and braking issues in parking lots. Brake failure can cause crashes and injuries.
Air conditioning problems like condenser damage from rocks and persistent mildew odors. While not safety-critical, 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 VOLT — 12 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insu…
The risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrole…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly pre…
The risk: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet custom…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Volt vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, to June 26, 2013. If the driver exits the vehicle without turning off the electrical system, the battery may drain low enough that the gasoline engine will automatically start itself to rec…
The risk: If the engine runs for an extended period of time in an enclosed space, there may be a build up of carbon monoxide, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine management software to limit the time that the stationary vehicle can be left in the ON position, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet custo…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado, and 2016 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may improperly inflate during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.
The risk: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8…
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 VOLT or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Chevrolet Volt has a slightly lower average annual complaint rate (about 207 per year) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 214 per year), but the Volt's complaints often involve sudden power loss and brake failures. The Camry has more recalls and crash-related complaints, including one death. In practice, both have serious issues, but the Volt's problems may be more electronic and hybrid-specific, while the Camry's are more mechanical and widespread.
Key differences
- The Volt has 1,859 complaints over 9 years, while the Camry has 2,143 over 10 years, but the Camry has more than double the crash-related complaints (181 vs. 39).
- Volt owners frequently report sudden power loss and brake unresponsiveness, whereas Camry owners report transmission grinding and sudden acceleration.
- The Camry has 31 recalls versus 12 for the Volt, including air bag and seat issues, but the Volt's recalls include brake and ignition defects.
- The Camry has 163 injuries and 1 death reported, compared to 37 injuries and 0 deaths for the Volt, though these numbers don't account for unreported incidents.
- Check for any history of brake pedal feeling soft or unresponsive, and test braking on different surfaces; listen for unusual noises.
- Ask about hybrid system warnings, especially 'Propulsion Power Reduced' or 'Service High Voltage Charging,' and have the battery and charging system inspected.
- Test drive at various speeds and listen for grinding or whining from the transmission, especially during acceleration.
- Check for sudden acceleration by gently pressing the gas from a stop and ensuring the pedal returns properly; also inspect brake pedal firmness.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the hybrid system for the Volt and transmission/brakes for the Camry.
- During the test drive, deliberately test braking from different speeds and listen for abnormal noises.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any repairs related to the complaints listed above.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been addressed and ask for documentation.
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 VOLT | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 34 | 393 |
| 2018 | 222 | 736 |
| 2017 | 695 | 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 VOLT or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chevrolet VOLT vs Toyota Camry
- Chevrolet VOLT total complaints
- 1,859
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Chevrolet VOLT total recalls
- 12
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chevrolet VOLT avg complaints/year
- 206.6
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Chevrolet VOLT
- Chevrolet VOLT top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN