Head-to-head reliability
GMC Canyon vs Toyota Camry
How the GMC Canyon 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
GMC Canyon vs Toyota Camry: The Canyon averages 47.8 complaints per year with 15 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Camry has 171 crash-related reports and 1 death, versus 9 and 0 for the Canyon. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the GMC Canyon or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
GMC Canyon
The GMC Canyon is a midsize pickup that averages about 48 complaints per year over the past decade, with 15 recalls and 14 injuries reported. Owner complaints often center on exterior lighting problems like foggy lenses and uneven doors, plus electrical issues such as keys stuck in the ignition. Power train complaints include transmission shuddering and delayed shifting, which can affect daily driving. Overall, it's a truck with a moderate complaint rate for its class, but specific recurring faults are worth checking.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 206 per year—and 31 recalls, including 171 crash-related reports and one death. Owners frequently report power train hesitation and shuddering, brake noises, and electrical glitches in advanced driver aids. While the Camry has a strong reputation, the data shows a range of issues that buyers should be aware of. The higher complaint count may partly reflect its popularity, but the patterns are consistent.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | GMC Canyon | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 478 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 9 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 47.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 14 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.
GMC Canyon
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING170
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM91
- 03POWER TRAIN81
- 04ENGINE53
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER46
Owners report headlights and taillights becoming foggy to the point where the lights are hard to see, and some mention uneven or crooked doors that may not shut properly. This matters because poor lighting can reduce visibility and safety, and door alignment issues can lead to water leaks or wind noise.
A common complaint is that after shifting into Park and shutting off the engine, the ignition key cannot be removed, leaving the vehicle unable to be secured. This can strand owners and is a security concern. Other electrical issues include various sensor failures.
Owners describe transmission shuddering when accelerating or downshifting, and delayed or harsh gear changes. This can make the truck feel jerky and may indicate wear or software issues. It's a frequent complaint that affects drivability.
Reports include a failed engine coolant temperature sensor, which causes the check engine light to come on, inaccurate temperature readings, and the air conditioning to be disabled. This can lead to overheating if not addressed and affects comfort.
“Vehicle doors are uneven. Crooked. Headlights/taillights get foggy to the point where you cannot see the lights. Doors wont shut properly. Powertrain issues. Vibration after certain speeds. Transmission delays gear switching. Transmission kicking and banging.…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent ignition key stuck issues even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove the key. Also, hesitation and shuddering while driving with the check engine light on. These can leave drivers stranded or cause unsafe driving conditions.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with several seconds of lag before the car moves. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic. Some also report hesitation and shuddering linked to engine issues.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Owners also hear clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which the manufacturer attributes to the ABS system. These issues can affect braking confidence and lead to costly repairs.
Multiple advanced systems—smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. This is a significant safety concern as it disables driver aids without warning. Such failures can be intermittent and hard to diagnose.
“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.
GMC Canyon — 15 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024–2026 GMC Canyon AT4X AEV vehicles. Incorrect sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software may cause a second stage passenger air bag deployment when only a first stage is intended. As such, these vehicles fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Sa…
The risk: An air bag that deploys improperly increases the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the SDM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252533510. Vehicle Identification Num…
The defect: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Cou…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-970…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado vehicles equipped with a manual passenger seat. The front passenger seat may have a hook attachment that was not properly welded, allowing it to separate from the inboard track of the seat frame.
The risk: An improperly welded seat frame may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the front passenger seat and replace the cushion frame, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 6, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts m…
The risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet cust…
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
GMC Canyon or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The GMC Canyon has far fewer complaints per year (about 48) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Camry's higher volume may reflect its larger sales. In practice, the Canyon's issues are more focused on lighting and transmission, while the Camry's span power train, brakes, and electronics. Both have recalls and injuries, so neither is problem-free.
Key differences
- The GMC Canyon has 478 complaints over 10 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2056—over four times as many, though the Camry sells in higher volumes.
- Canyon owners frequently report exterior lighting fogging and door alignment problems; Camry owners more often report brake noises and electronic parking brake failures.
- Both have power train complaints: the Canyon for transmission shuddering, the Camry for hesitation and stuck ignition keys.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related reports and 1 death, versus the Canyon's 9 crash-related and 0 deaths, indicating a higher absolute number of severe incidents for the Camry.
- Check for transmission shuddering during test drive, especially when accelerating or downshifting—this is a common owner complaint.
- Test the ignition key removal after shutting off the engine in Park; if it sticks, it could be an electrical issue.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which may indicate ABS issues.
- Test all advanced driver aids (blind spot monitoring, lane keeping, etc.) for proper function, as multiple system failures have been reported.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website for the specific VIN.
- During a test drive, specifically test transmission shifting and listen for unusual noises in both vehicles.
- For the Canyon, inspect headlights and taillights for fogging and check door alignment.
- For the Camry, test the electronic parking brake and ensure it disengages properly, and check for delayed throttle response.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the reported problem areas for each model.
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 | GMC Canyon | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 | 0 |
| 2025 | 8 | 163 |
| 2024 | 206 | 50 |
| 2023 | 62 | 64 |
| 2022 | 26 | 61 |
| 2021 | 11 | 157 |
| 2020 | 14 | 274 |
| 2019 | 17 | 395 |
| 2018 | 52 | 744 |
| 2017 | 66 | 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 GMC Canyon or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- GMC Canyon vs Toyota Camry
- GMC Canyon total complaints
- 478
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- GMC Canyon total recalls
- 15
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- GMC Canyon avg complaints/year
- 47.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- GMC Canyon
- GMC Canyon top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN