Head-to-head reliability
GMC Savana vs Toyota Camry
How the GMC Savana 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 Savana vs Toyota Camry: The Savana averaged 16.8 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Camry averaged 205.6. The Savana had 34 recalls and 8 injuries; the Camry had 31 recalls and 158 injuries. Both have reported safety issues, so inspect carefully. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the GMC Savana or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
GMC Savana
The GMC Savana is a full-size van often used for commercial work or family hauling. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 17 complaints per year, with 34 recalls. Owners report issues like hard transmission shifts, power steering hose failures, and trailer brake disconnections. These problems can affect drivability and towing safety, so a thorough inspection is wise.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan known for everyday comfort. It averages about 206 complaints per year over the same period, with 31 recalls. Common owner reports include transmission hesitation, engine shuddering, and brake system noises. The higher complaint volume suggests more frequent owner-reported issues, though many may be minor.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | GMC Savana | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 168 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 34 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 13 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 16.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 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 Savana
- 01POWER TRAIN33
- 02STEERING30
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28
- 04SERVICE BRAKES24
- 05ENGINE21
Owners report hard shifting and jerking, with some experiencing reduced acceleration above 50 MPH. These symptoms can indicate transmission problems that may be costly to repair.
Complaints include abnormal shaking at highway speeds over bumps and power steering hoses coming off, leading to loss of steering assist and brakes. This can be dangerous if it happens while driving.
Intermittent loss of trailer brake function is reported, with dashboard alerts that trailer brakes are disconnected. This can reduce braking capability when towing, posing a safety risk.
While towing, some owners experience sudden loss of about 75% of braking capability due to trailer brakes disconnecting. This is a serious concern for those who tow heavy loads.
“The contact owns a 2025 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that the transmission was shifting hard and was jerking while shifting gear. Additionally, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 50 MPH. The messages “Reduced Acceleration” and “DEF Low” were displa…”
“The contact owns a 2025 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that the transmission was shifting hard and was jerking while shifting gear. Additionally, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 50 MPH. The messages “Reduced Acceleration” and “DEF Low” were displa…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent ignition key stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnect to remove, and hesitation/shuddering with check engine light. These can leave you stranded or indicate engine issues.
Delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator is reported, with several seconds before the car moves. This can be frustrating and potentially risky in traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is common. These issues can lead to unexpected repair costs.
Multiple system malfunctions are reported, including stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance failing simultaneously. This can overwhelm the driver with warnings and reduce 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.
GMC Savana — 34 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Express Cutaway, and 2025-2026 Savana Cutaway vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with a tire with sidewall damage.
The risk: A tire with sidewall damage may experience sudden air loss or driver loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect all tire sidewalls and replace tires with sidewall damage, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. The gear shifter may provide inaccurate gear selection feedback to the driver due to an incorrectly manufactured steering column assembly.
The risk: Inaccurate gear selection may result in unexpected vehicle movement, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Until the remedy is performed, owners are advised to visually verify the shift position indicator each time a gear is selected and always use the parking brake when the vehicle is parked. Dealers will replace the transmission control on th…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Express, and 2025-2026 Savana vehicles. The steering gear assembly may have a nut that was not properly tightened.
The risk: A loose nut that separates from the steering gear assembly while driving can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-8…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. Incorrect software in the transmission control module (TCM) may result in harsh shifting, reduced power, unintended deceleration, rear wheel lockup, or cause the vehicle to move in an unintended direc…
The risk: Rear wheel lock-up or moving in an unintended direction can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the transmission control module software calibration, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-80…
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 Savana or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The GMC Savana has far fewer complaints per year (about 17) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 206). However, the Savana's issues often involve towing and steering, which can be critical for commercial use. The Camry's higher volume suggests more frequent but sometimes less severe problems.
Key differences
- The GMC Savana has 168 complaints over 10 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2056, indicating a much higher complaint rate for the Camry.
- Savana owners frequently report power steering hose failures and trailer brake disconnections, which can affect control and towing safety.
- Camry owners report ignition key stuck, throttle delay, and electronic parking brake failures, which can cause inconvenience and repair costs.
- The Savana has 13 crash-related complaints and 8 injuries, while the Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries, though these numbers don't account for vehicle population.
- Check for power steering hose condition and any signs of leakage or detachment, as this can cause sudden loss of steering and brakes.
- Test trailer brake operation if equipped, looking for intermittent disconnection alerts, as this can reduce braking capability while towing.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park to ensure it doesn't stick, as this can require battery disconnect to resolve.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and check electronic parking brake engagement, as these are common complaints.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and steering components, especially on the Savana.
- For the Camry, test drive at various speeds to check for hesitation or shuddering.
- Verify that all safety systems (brakes, stability control, trailer brakes if applicable) function correctly.
- Review NHTSA complaints for the specific model year you are considering to identify common 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 | GMC Savana | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 32 | 163 |
| 2024 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 0 | 64 |
| 2022 | 36 | 61 |
| 2021 | 10 | 157 |
| 2020 | 0 | 274 |
| 2019 | 26 | 395 |
| 2018 | 15 | 744 |
| 2017 | 49 | 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 Savana or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- GMC Savana vs Toyota Camry
- GMC Savana total complaints
- 168
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- GMC Savana total recalls
- 34
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- GMC Savana avg complaints/year
- 16.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- GMC Savana
- GMC Savana top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN