Head-to-head reliability
Dodge Nitro vs Toyota Camry
How the Dodge Nitro 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
Dodge Nitro vs Toyota Camry: The Nitro averaged 242.7 complaints per year over 6 years, with 18 recalls, while the Camry averaged 205.6 per year over 10 years, with 31 recalls. The Nitro's top issues are electrical and fuel system; the Camry's are power train and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Dodge Nitro or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Dodge Nitro
The Dodge Nitro is a compact SUV that averaged about 243 complaints per year over six years, with electrical and fuel system issues dominating. Owners frequently report bizarre electrical glitches like horns blaring and wipers activating on their own, as well as fuel spills during refueling. These problems can be frustrating and potentially dangerous, requiring immediate attention. With 18 recalls, including multiple airbag inflator recalls, living with a Nitro means staying on top of safety fixes.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a lower complaint rate of about 206 per year over ten years, but it still has notable issues. Power train complaints include hesitation, shuddering, and key stuck problems, while brake and electrical gremlins also appear. The Camry has 31 recalls, covering seats, airbags, and wheels, so buyers should verify all recalls are addressed. Overall, it's a popular car with a mixed reliability record in this data.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Dodge Nitro | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,456 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 49 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 242.7 | 205.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 60 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.
Dodge Nitro
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM540
- 02FUEL SYSTEM223
- 03GASOLINE221
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM155
- 05POWER TRAIN144
Owners report random electrical chaos: the horn blares, wipers turn on, washer fluid sprays, and doors lock/unlock by themselves when using the remote. Others describe intermittent no-start conditions where the car only clicks, sometimes requiring 20+ attempts. These glitches can leave you stranded or distracted while driving.
A common and dangerous complaint is fuel backflow or overflow during refueling, with gasoline spewing onto the car, ground, and owner. Some report pressure buildup preventing fuel from entering the tank, traced to a failed fuel tank valve. This poses a serious fire and health hazard.
Similar to fuel system issues, owners describe gasoline backflow and overflow when pumping gas, often resulting in fuel spilling everywhere. This is not just a nuisance but a fire risk and environmental concern. The problem appears across multiple model years.
While less frequent than electrical and fuel issues, power train complaints exist, though specific patterns aren't detailed in the sample. Buyers should still check for transmission or drivetrain problems during a test drive.
“WHILE USING THE REMOTE KEY TO LOCK/UNLOCK THE CARE, THE HORN STARTS BLARING, THE WIPERS (FRONT AND REAR) START GOING, WASHER FLUID SHOOTS OUT, DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK INDEPENDENTLY. DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK/LOCK WITH REMOTE. THE LIGHTS START BLINKING. I HAVE TO PH…”
“I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING FOR ABOUT A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS. IT RANDOMLY WILL NOT START AND WILL ONLY CLICK WHEN YOU TRY TO START. IT STARTED OUT TURNING ON AFTER A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS AND HAS ESCALATED TO MORE THAN 20 ATTEMPTS BEFORE IT WOULD STA…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of recent Camrys report intermittent key-stuck issues where the key won't come out even in Park, requiring battery disconnection. Others experience hesitation and shuddering while driving, with the check engine light on. These can indicate transmission or engine management problems.
Complaints include delayed throttle response, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second lag before the car moves. This can be dangerous when merging or pulling out. The issue may be intermittent and hard to diagnose.
Some owners report the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow. Others hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, which dealers attribute to the ABS system. Brake issues are safety-critical and should be inspected.
Electrical complaints involve multiple systems malfunctioning at once, such as stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance. These failures can occur while driving, potentially compromising safety features.
“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.
Dodge Nitro — 18 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the dri…
The risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numb…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the dri…
The risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numb…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the dri…
The risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numb…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the dri…
The risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's numb…
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
Dodge Nitro or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has fewer complaints per year (about 206 vs. 243 for the Nitro), but it also has more recalls and a higher number of crash-related reports. The Nitro's issues are more concentrated in electrical and fuel systems, which can be severe. In practice, the Camry may have a broader range of problems, while the Nitro's problems are more predictable but potentially more dangerous.
Key differences
- The Nitro has a much higher rate of fuel system complaints, including dangerous fuel spills during refueling, while the Camry's fuel system is not a top complaint category.
- Electrical problems in the Nitro often involve bizarre symptoms like horn blaring and wipers activating randomly, whereas Camry electrical issues tend to affect multiple safety systems simultaneously.
- The Camry has more crash-related reports (171 vs. 49) and injuries (158 vs. 60), though the Nitro has zero deaths reported versus one for the Camry.
- The Nitro has 18 recalls, including multiple airbag inflator recalls, while the Camry has 31 recalls covering seats, airbags, and wheels.
- Check for fuel spills or strong gasoline odors when refueling; inspect the fuel tank and filler pipe for signs of overflow or damage.
- Test all electrical functions, especially remote keyless entry, horn, wipers, and door locks, for random activation or failure.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; if it sticks, it could indicate a power train defect requiring battery disconnection.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and check if the electronic parking brake disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all safety recalls have been performed, especially airbag inflator recalls on the Nitro and seat/airbag recalls on the Camry.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission shifting, engine hesitation, and any unusual noises from the brakes or suspension.
- For the Nitro, refuel the vehicle during the test drive to check for fuel backflow or spills.
- For the Camry, test all electronic features including stability control, lane keeping, and blind spot monitoring if equipped.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the specific problem areas identified for each model.
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 Dodge Nitro or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Dodge Nitro vs Toyota Camry
- Dodge Nitro total complaints
- 1,456
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Dodge Nitro total recalls
- 18
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Dodge Nitro avg complaints/year
- 242.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- Dodge Nitro top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN