Head-to-head reliability
GMC Sonoma vs Toyota Camry
How the GMC Sonoma 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 Sonoma vs Toyota Camry: The Sonoma averages about 66 complaints per year with 7 recalls, while the Camry averages about 206 per year with 31 recalls. Sonoma complaints include brake failure and tailgate cable breaks; Camry issues lean toward power train hesitation and electronic parking brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the GMC Sonoma or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
GMC Sonoma
The GMC Sonoma is a compact pickup that shows a moderate complaint volume for its five-year span, averaging about 66 complaints per year. The pattern is dominated by structural and brake issues, with owners reporting tailgate cables breaking and, more seriously, brakes failing to stop the truck. Hydraulic complaints mirror the brake failures, and power train reports include differential problems from water intrusion. For a buyer, this suggests a truck that needs careful inspection of safety-critical systems before purchase.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has a much higher annual complaint rate—about 206 per year over ten years—but that reflects its huge production volume and long record. The complaints cluster around power train (hesitation, shuddering, stuck keys), engine throttle delay, and brake issues like the electronic parking brake not disengaging. Electrical and unknown-component complaints also appear, often involving multiple driver-assist systems malfunctioning at once. Overall, the Camry's issues are more numerous but tend to be drivability and electronic annoyances rather than sudden brake loss.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | GMC Sonoma | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 329 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 27 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 65.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 19 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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 Sonoma
- 01STRUCTURE89
- 02SERVICE BRAKES72
- 03HYDRAULIC62
- 04POWER TRAIN28
- 05LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES25
Owners report tailgate support cables breaking, sometimes with a service bulletin that doesn't cover their truck. This matters because a dropped tailgate can injure someone or damage the truck bed.
One owner described brakes failing completely while braking for a yield sign, with the pedal going to the floor and the truck running through the intersection. Such sudden loss of braking is a serious safety concern.
The same brake failure is also filed under hydraulic, and another owner reported a popping sound from the front end that led to ball joint replacements. These suggest the brake and suspension systems may need close inspection.
Owners report the rear differential vent tube lets water collect and destroy the oil, and one had a failing differential with paint deterioration. This can lead to costly rear-end repairs if not caught early.
“THE SUPPORT CABLES FOR THE TAILGATE ON MY 2004 GMC SONOMA BROKE. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR THIS BUT GM AND THE DEALER BOTH STATE IT DOESN'T COVER MY TRUCK. THE PARTS ARE THE EXACT SAME PARTS, SAME PART NUMBER AND ALL. CAMPAIGN - TAILGATE CABLE REPLA…”
“WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR UPCOMING LIGHT AND OUT THE CORNER OF MY EYE I SAW A DEER LEAP OVER TALL GRASS ON LEFT ONCOMING SIDE OF ROAD, WAS ALREADY AT 40 MILES HIT BRAKE TO HOPEFULLY NOT HIT HER SO BY THE TIME SHE AND I HAD IMPACT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING BOUT 35 MILE…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of 2023 Camrys report the ignition key getting stuck in Park and only coming out after disconnecting the battery, plus hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on. These can leave you stranded or cause delayed acceleration.
Some owners describe a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the gas pedal from a stop, happening repeatedly. This lag can be dangerous when merging or pulling out into traffic.
The electronic parking brake may not disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is reported as common on the 2023 Camry. These issues affect everyday usability and brake confidence.
One owner reported multiple systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—all malfunctioning at once. Such widespread electronic glitches can distract the driver and reduce safety aids.
“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 Sonoma — 7 recalls
The defect: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
The risk: SOME OF THESE VEHICLES INCLUDE INCORRECT STATEMENTS ON ONE OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS.
The fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
The defect: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
The risk: SOME OF THESE VEHICLES INCLUDE INCORRECT STATEMENTS ON ONE OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS.
The fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
The defect: CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
The risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The fix: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH INCORRECT PAYLOAD INFORMATION ON THE VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL. THE PAYLOAD SHOWN ON THE LABEL IS GREATER THAN THE MAXIMUM VALIDATED PAYLOAD. IF THE VEHICLE WERE LOADED TO THE INCORREC…
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE OR AN INABILITY TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHIN EXPECTED STOPPING DISTANCES.
The fix: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A NEW LABEL FOR INSTALLATION ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR OF THE VEHICLE.
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 Sonoma or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The GMC Sonoma has far fewer complaints per year (about 66 vs. 206 for the Camry), but its complaints include sudden brake failure and structural breaks that are immediate safety risks. The Camry's higher count reflects more electronic and drivability annoyances, yet it also has more recalls. In practice, the Sonoma demands more urgent pre-purchase safety checks, while the Camry may need more frequent attention to software and sensor issues.
Key differences
- The Sonoma's brake complaints include total brake failure, while the Camry's brake issues are mostly electronic parking brake and noise problems.
- Sonoma structure complaints center on tailgate cables breaking; Camry's top area is power train with stuck keys and hesitation.
- The Camry has 31 recalls versus 7 for the Sonoma, suggesting more frequent manufacturer fixes but also more potential issues.
- Sonoma hydraulic complaints mirror brake failures, while Camry's unknown/other complaints involve multiple driver-assist systems failing together.
- Test the brakes firmly at low speed and inspect for a spongy pedal or any sign of hydraulic leaks, given reports of complete brake failure.
- Check the tailgate support cables for fraying or breaks, and open and close the tailgate several times to ensure it stays up.
- Try starting the car and shifting in and out of Park repeatedly to see if the key sticks or the electronic parking brake fails to disengage.
- During a test drive, press the accelerator from a stop and note any hesitation or delayed throttle response, and listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models, especially the Camry's 31 recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Sonoma's brake lines, ball joints, and rear differential for leaks or water contamination.
- On the Camry, test all electronic features including parking brake, key removal, and driver-assist systems during the test drive.
- Ask for maintenance records showing regular brake fluid changes and differential service on the Sonoma.
- For the Camry, check for software updates or dealer service bulletins related to throttle response and parking brake fixes.
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 Sonoma or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- GMC Sonoma vs Toyota Camry
- GMC Sonoma total complaints
- 329
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- GMC Sonoma total recalls
- 7
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- GMC Sonoma avg complaints/year
- 65.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- GMC Sonoma
- GMC Sonoma top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN