Head-to-head reliability
Daewoo Leganza vs Toyota Camry
How the Daewoo Leganza 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
Daewoo Leganza vs Toyota Camry: the Leganza averages 122 complaints per year over 3 years, with 303 engine complaints and brake-lock reports; the Camry averages 206 per year over 10 years, led by 385 power train complaints. The Leganza's issues are fewer but more severe. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Daewoo Leganza or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Daewoo Leganza
The Daewoo Leganza is a discontinued sedan with a very high complaint rate for its short three-year sales window, averaging 122 complaints per year. Most owner reports center on engine and cooling problems, especially a camshaft position sensor recall that caused check engine lights and burning smells. Brake complaints describe ABS lights and front wheels locking during braking, including one reported crash. With only 8 recalls and limited parts availability, living with a Leganza means chasing unresolved safety issues.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has a much larger complaint volume over ten years, averaging about 206 complaints per year, but it also sold in far greater numbers. Owners report a wide range of issues, from transmission shuddering and delayed throttle response to electronic parking brakes that won't disengage and multiple dashboard system malfunctions. Recalls cover wheels, seats, and airbag occupant sensors. The pattern suggests many small-to-moderate problems rather than one dominant failure.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Daewoo Leganza | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 366 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 10 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 122.0 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 10 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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.
Daewoo Leganza
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING303
- 02SERVICE BRAKES27
- 03HYDRAULIC26
- 04AIR BAGS15
- 05POWER TRAIN10
Owners repeatedly report the check engine light coming on along with a burning smell, tied to a camshaft position sensor recall. Some say the problem persisted even after dealer visits, so a buyer should confirm the recall was actually performed and the light stays off.
Complaints describe the ABS light illuminating and the front wheels locking when the brake pedal is applied, including at highway speed and in one case a front-end collision. This is a serious safety concern that needs a thorough brake system inspection.
Owners report the airbag warning light staying on, with one dealer saying the airbag control module needed replacement. A persistent airbag light means the system may not deploy in a crash, so check for stored codes and recall completion.
There are fewer power train complaints, but they still appear in the top five components. Given the engine and brake issues dominate, any transmission or drivetrain noise should be treated as a sign of broader neglect.
“IN SEPTEMBER 2004 I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A RECALL RELATING TO THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR IN MY 2001 DAEWOO LEGANZA. THE FAULTY DEVICE WAS SUPPOSED TO CAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE (WHICH IT DID), AND A BURNING SMELL AND/OR VISIBLE…”
“RECALL 04V357000 CONCERNING CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING, AND A BURNING ODOR WAS SMELLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of recent Camrys report the ignition key getting stuck in Park and needing a battery disconnect to remove, plus hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on. These intermittent faults can be hard to reproduce, so a test drive should include stop-and-go driving and parking cycles.
Complaints list multiple driver-assist systems failing at once, such as stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping. This suggests electrical or software gremlins that may require dealer-level diagnostics.
Some owners report a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the accelerator from a stop, happening repeatedly. This lag can be a safety issue in traffic and should be checked during a test drive.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some report a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that the manufacturer calls normal. A buyer should test the parking brake repeatedly and listen for abnormal brake noises.
“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.
Daewoo Leganza — 8 recalls
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MAY MELT RESULTING IN A BURNING SMELL AND VISIBLE SMOKE, WHICH MAY SUBSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE MELTING OF THE CAMSHAFT COVER AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WIRE HARNESS.
The risk: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO AT 1-877-362-1234, OPTION 6, OR FIND A LOCAL DEALER THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.DAEWOOU…
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MAY MELT RESULTING IN A BURNING SMELL AND VISIBLE SMOKE, WHICH MAY SUBSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE MELTING OF THE CAMSHAFT COVER AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WIRE HARNESS.
The risk: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUSE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO PUERTO RICO AT 1-877-362-1234 OPTION 6.
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MAY MELT RESULTING IN A BURNING SMELL AND VISIBLE SMOKE, WHICH MAY SUBSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE MELTING OF THE CAMSHAFT COVER AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WIRE HARNESS.
The risk: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO AT 1-877-362-1234, OPTION 6, OR FIND A LOCAL DEALER THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.DAEWOOU…
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MAY MELT RESULTING IN A BURNING SMELL AND VISIBLE SMOKE, WHICH MAY SUBSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE MELTING OF THE CAMSHAFT COVER AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WIRE HARNESS.
The risk: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUSE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO PUERTO RICO AT 1-877-362-1234 OPTION 6.
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
Daewoo Leganza or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Daewoo Leganza has far fewer complaints per year (122 vs. 206 for the Camry), but its complaints cluster around serious engine and brake failures with unresolved recalls. The Camry's higher annual rate reflects a much larger population and a broader mix of issues, many of them electronic or intermittent. In practice, the Leganza carries a higher risk of a single catastrophic safety defect, while the Camry demands more vigilance for a variety of smaller faults.
Key differences
- The Leganza's dominant complaint is engine and cooling (303 of 366 complaints), often tied to a camshaft position sensor recall with burning smells and check engine lights; the Camry's top area is power train (385 of 2056), with key-stuck and shuddering issues.
- Leganza brake complaints include front wheels locking and a reported crash, while Camry brake complaints focus on electronic parking brake failure and pedal noise.
- The Leganza has only 8 recalls over 3 years, but some owners say problems persisted after recall work; the Camry has 31 recalls over 10 years, covering seats, wheels, and airbag sensors.
- Airbag warning lights and control module replacement appear in Leganza complaints, while Camry complaints more often involve multiple driver-assist systems failing together.
- Check that the camshaft position sensor recall (04V357000) was performed and that the check engine light does not return after a test drive; a burning smell is a red flag.
- Test the brakes at low speed and listen for ABS light warnings; if the front wheels lock or the ABS light stays on, walk away.
- Test the electronic parking brake by engaging and disengaging it several times; if it fails to release or makes a clicking noise, it may need an expensive switch or actuator.
- During a test drive, accelerate from a stop and note any delay or shudder; also check that the key can be removed easily when in Park.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check for open recalls on both vehicles, especially the Leganza's camshaft sensor and brake recalls and the Camry's seat, wheel, and airbag sensor recalls.
- Ask for service records showing recall completion and any repeat repairs for the same issue.
- Have a mechanic scan all computer codes, including airbag and ABS modules, and test all driver-assist systems on the Camry.
- On the Leganza, inspect brake pads, rotors, and ABS sensors, and confirm the airbag light goes off after startup.
- On the Camry, test the electronic parking brake, throttle response from a stop, and key removal in Park multiple times.
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 Daewoo Leganza or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Daewoo Leganza vs Toyota Camry
- Daewoo Leganza total complaints
- 366
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Daewoo Leganza total recalls
- 8
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Daewoo Leganza avg complaints/year
- 122.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Daewoo Leganza
- Daewoo Leganza top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN