Head-to-head reliability
Genesis G90 vs Toyota Camry
How the Genesis G90 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
Genesis G90 vs Toyota Camry: The G90 averages 6.7 complaints per year, while the Camry averages 214.3, but the G90's low sales volume means a higher per-car rate. G90 owners report electrical and engine issues, while Camry owners face transmission and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Genesis G90 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Genesis G90
The Genesis G90 is a luxury sedan that, despite its premium price and 10-year warranty, shows a reliability pattern centered on electrical gremlins and engine issues. Owners report burning odors, blue smoke, and repeated infotainment failures, suggesting that high-end features may come with persistent problems. With an average of 6.7 complaints per year, it's a low-volume vehicle with a relatively high complaint rate per unit sold, indicating that buyers should expect some visits to the dealer.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mass-market sedan with a high volume of complaints (214.3 per year), but this is partly due to its popularity. The top issues involve the powertrain, including transmission grinding and sudden acceleration reports, as well as brake failures and engine problems. While the sheer number of complaints is daunting, many are isolated incidents, and the Camry's reputation for reliability is still supported by its overall low complaint rate per vehicle sold.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Genesis G90 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 67 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 29 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 7 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 6.7 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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.
Genesis G90
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM17
- 02ENGINE14
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE6
Owners report a burning odor and blue smoke from under the hood, which could indicate electrical shorts or component failures. The infotainment display also fails repeatedly, requiring multiple replacements, which is frustrating in a luxury car.
There are complaints about engine failures that were previously addressed by recalls, but some owners say the fix didn't work or the dealer refused to repair. This suggests potential ongoing engine reliability issues.
The car sometimes fails to respond when pressing the gas pedal from a stop, which can be dangerous in traffic. This hesitation or loss of power is a serious safety concern.
“ON 06/10/2017 WE PURCHASED A G90 GENESIS FROM SOUTH CHARLOTTE HYUNDAI AT 8525 SOUTH BLVD CHARLOTTE NC. THE TEAM WAS VERY CONVINCING ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE VEHICLE & THE 10-YEAR WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE CAR COSTING $74,678.47, BUT WE WERE ASSUR…”
“The contact owns a 2019 Genesis G90. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact became aware of an abnormal burning odor. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was blue smoke coming from underneath the ho…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission issues are common, with grinding noises and the need for full transmission replacement. Some owners also report sudden unintended acceleration, which is alarming and could lead to crashes.
Brake failure is reported, including a complete lack of response when pressing the pedal, which is critical for safety. This could be due to brake system defects or maintenance issues.
Engine problems include a coolant valve bypass recall that some VINs don't cover, leading to safety warnings. There are also reports of sudden acceleration, which may be related to engine or throttle issues.
“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.
Genesis G90 — 29 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Genesis, 2017-2019 Genesis G80, Genesis G90, and 2019 Genesis G70 vehicles. Water may enter the starter solenoid and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will install a remedy relay kit in the engine junction box, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2024. Owne…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Genesis G80, 2017-2022 G90, and 2019-2022 G70 vehicles equipped with a 3.3-liter V6 turbocharged engine. The left turbocharger oil feed pipe may deteriorate and leak oil.
The risk: An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left turbocharger oil feed pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 019G. This rec…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Genesis G80, 2017-2022 G90, and 2019-2022 G70 vehicles equipped with a 3.3-liter V6 turbocharged engine. The left turbocharger oil feed pipe may deteriorate and leak oil.
The risk: An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the left turbocharger oil feed pipe, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 3, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 019G. This rec…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Genesis GV70, GV80, G80, and G90 vehicles. The fuel pump may fail, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 7, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 022G. This rec…
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
Genesis G90 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Genesis G90 has far fewer complaints per year (6.7) compared to the Camry (214.3), but it's a low-volume vehicle, so the rate per car is higher. In practice, the G90's issues are more concentrated in electrical and engine systems, while the Camry's are spread across many units. The Camry's higher absolute numbers are expected given its popularity, but the G90's problems may be more severe relative to its production numbers.
Key differences
- The G90 has a higher complaint rate per vehicle sold due to its low volume, while the Camry's high complaint count is diluted by its massive sales.
- G90 owners report luxury-specific issues like infotainment failures and burning smells, whereas Camry owners face more mainstream problems like transmission and brake failures.
- The G90 has fewer recalls (29) than the Camry (31), but the G90's recalls target critical engine and fuel systems, while the Camry's are less severe (airbags, seats, wheels).
- The G90 has no reported deaths, while the Camry has one, but the Camry's crash and injury counts are higher, reflecting its larger owner base.
- Check for any signs of electrical burning smells or blue smoke from the engine bay, which could indicate a serious electrical or engine issue.
- Test the infotainment system thoroughly, as repeated failures are common and may require costly replacements.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration, which could signal a need for a costly replacement.
- Test the brakes at various speeds, especially on hills, to ensure there is no loss of braking power.
Before you buy
- For the G90, verify that all recalls have been performed, especially those related to the engine and fuel system.
- For the Camry, check the transmission fluid and have a mechanic inspect the transmission for any signs of wear.
- For the G90, ask for service records showing any electrical or infotainment repairs.
- For the Camry, test the air conditioning for unusual odors, as this is a common complaint.
- For both, take a thorough test drive that includes stop-and-go traffic and highway speeds to feel for any hesitation or braking issues.
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 | Genesis G90 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 119 |
| 2025 | 2 | 153 |
| 2024 | 3 | 48 |
| 2023 | 5 | 62 |
| 2022 | 4 | 59 |
| 2021 | 5 | 155 |
| 2020 | 2 | 270 |
| 2019 | 6 | 393 |
| 2018 | 16 | 736 |
| 2017 | 24 | 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 Genesis G90 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Genesis G90 vs Toyota Camry
- Genesis G90 total complaints
- 67
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Genesis G90 total recalls
- 29
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Genesis G90 avg complaints/year
- 6.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Genesis G90
- Genesis G90 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN