Head-to-head reliability

GMC Sierra vs Toyota Camry

How the GMC Sierra and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

GMC Sierra3,655 complaints · 90 recalls
Toyota Camry2,015 complaints · 27 recalls Fewer issues per year

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Toyota Camry averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. GMC Sierra has 3,655 complaints and 90 recalls on record; Toyota Camry has 2,015 complaints and 27 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryGMC SierraToyota Camry
Total complaintsAll model years combined3,6552,015 Better
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns9027 Better
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints96 Better175
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years365.5201.5 Better
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints55 Better160
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better1

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 Sierra

  1. 01ENGINE1,243
  2. 02POWER TRAIN932
  3. 03SERVICE BRAKES569
  4. 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM565
  5. 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER321
In owners' words — ENGINE

On or about 12/14/25 at approximately 2,000 miles my engine began smoking to the point that it was pushing in to the interior of the cabin and created a cloud like atmosphere that smelled of burning oil. There were no warning messages in the vehicle or in the…

I am the owner of a 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali Ultimate equipped with the 6.2L V8 L87 engine (VIN: [XXX] ), purchased new approximately three months ago. I am filing this complaint proactively. I have experienced no engine failure or symptoms to date. Howeve…

Toyota Camry

  1. 01POWER TRAIN368
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER316
  3. 03ENGINE307
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES284
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM223
In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

The vehicle allows the engine to be turned off, key removed, while the vehicle is still in drive with no warning lights or sounds. I have tested and the vehicle can roll away. Complained to the toyota dealership and they said the service tech consulted with t…

Transmission (UB80E) 2023 Toyota Camry; when pushing on the gas pedal there is a whining/whistling sound: vehicle shutters and all at once takes off like an airplane; gear shifting is not right. Inspected 0n 6/8/2026 by Toyota Dealer - noise coming from the t…

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 Sierra — 90 recalls

Equipment — Other — Owners/Service/Other Manual
#26V114000

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…

Power Train — Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
#26V289000Jul 2026

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yuko…

The risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 22, 2026. Ow…

Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump — Control/Drive Module
#26V129000May 2026

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks (RPOs L8T and N2N). The rear fuel pump may not transfer adequate fuel to the front tank, causing an engine stall.

The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: The vehicle's engine control module (ECM) will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782…

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) — Control Module — Software
#25V594000Nov 2025

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV electric vehicles. After experiencing an electronic stability control (ESC) system malfunction, the ESC malfunction warning light may not illuminate on the next key cycle. As such, these vehicles fail to com…

The risk: An indicator light that does not illuminate may fail to warn the driver of an ESC system issue, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: The EBCM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 15, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or G…

Toyota Camry — 27 recalls

Wheels — Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
#23V432000

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…

Seats
#24V128000

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…

Back Over Prevention — Display Function
#25V744000

The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…

The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…

Hybrid Propulsion System — Inverter
#25V869000

The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Camry Hybrid and 2026 Corolla Cross Hybrid vehicles. A bolt inside the inverter may not have been tightened properly, causing incomplete contact at the inverter terminal.

The risk: Incomplete contact can cause a loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a loose bolt can cause an electrical short while the vehicle is powered on, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix: Dealers will replace the inverter assembly, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed March 11, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy becomes available, anticipated in late Ma…

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.

YearGMC SierraToyota Camry
20266169
2025116130
202444444
202344557
2022056
2021563151
20200260
20191070378
2018359722
2017597148
Years to scrutinize: the 2019 GMC Sierra drew the most complaints (1,070); the 2018 Toyota Camry drew the most (722). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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 Sierra or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

GMC Sierra vs Toyota Camry — comparison facts
Comparison
GMC Sierra vs Toyota Camry
GMC Sierra total complaints
3,655
Toyota Camry total complaints
2,015
GMC Sierra total recalls
90
Toyota Camry total recalls
27
GMC Sierra avg complaints/year
365.5
Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
201.5
More reliable overall
Toyota Camry
GMC Sierra top complaint area
ENGINE
Toyota Camry top complaint area
POWER TRAIN