Head-to-head reliability
GMC Suburban vs Toyota Camry
How the GMC Suburban 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 Suburban vs Toyota Camry: The Suburban has 16 complaints per year and 2 recalls, while the Camry has 214 per year and 31 recalls. Suburban owners report brake failure and tire blowouts; Camry owners report transmission issues and sudden acceleration. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the GMC Suburban or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
GMC Suburban
The GMC Suburban, based on NHTSA data, shows a relatively low complaint rate but with serious brake and tire issues. Owners report brake pedal going to the floor with no response, and tires that can blow out or come apart, leading to loss of control. Suspension problems cause pulling and vibration at highway speeds, making the vehicle tiring and potentially unsafe to drive. Overall, it's a large SUV that demands careful inspection of its braking and tire systems before purchase.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has a much higher complaint volume, but that's partly due to its popularity and longer data span. The complaints cluster around the powertrain, engine, and brakes, with reports of transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, and brake failure. There are also many reports of air conditioning odors and condenser damage. While the Camry is generally reliable, these issues suggest that some models may have significant mechanical and safety problems that need attention.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | GMC Suburban | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 16 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 16.0 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
GMC Suburban
- 01SERVICE BRAKES4
- 02HYDRAULIC4
- 03TIRES3
- 04SUSPENSION3
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
Owners describe the brake pedal moving to the floor with no braking effect, especially in traffic or on hills. This can lead to rear-end collisions, as one owner reported hitting the car ahead. The problem may require pumping the brakes to get a response, indicating a potential loss of hydraulic pressure.
Reports include tires coming apart internally, causing rough rides and blowouts at highway speeds. One owner experienced a front-left tire blowout that led to loss of control and veering across lanes. This suggests possible tire defects or improper maintenance.
Multiple owners report the vehicle pulling to the right and vibrating severely between 55-70 mph, interfering with steering. Despite multiple dealer visits, the issue persisted, indicating a possible alignment or component defect that affects stability.
“CONSUMER WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, AND HE SAID THAT TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF HIM CAME TO A STAND STILL. HE WAS WITHIN TWO CAR LENGTHS BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. ALSO HAD PROBLEM…”
“CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 25MPH, GOING DOWN A HILL, APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL MOVED. BUT, THERE WAS NO REACTION TO THE BRAKES. IF BRAKES ARE NOT BROUGHT UP AND REAPPLIED THERE IS NO BRAKING. *AK *ML”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front end upon acceleration, with dealers confirming transmission issues that require replacement. Some mention recalls for the same problem, but parts may be on backorder, leaving owners without a timely fix.
There are reports of sudden unintended acceleration, leading to crashes and total loss. Additionally, some owners get engine maintenance warnings related to a coolant valve bypass that is under recall for some VINs but not theirs, causing safety concerns.
Brake failure is reported, such as pressing the pedal with no response on a steep hill, forcing the driver to take evasive action. This is a critical safety issue that could lead to accidents.
Many complaints involve HVAC issues: a strong vinegar/mildew smell from vents and AC condensers damaged by rocks due to inadequate shielding. While not safety-critical, these affect comfort and can be costly to repair.
“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.
GMC Suburban — 2 recalls
The defect: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EX…
The risk: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REAS…
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH VACUUM POWER, 4-WHEEL DISC BRAKES. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH A KINKED BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY HOSE.
The risk: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105.
The fix: DEALERS WILL RE-ROUTE THE BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM SUPPLY HOSE.
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
GMC Suburban or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The GMC Suburban has far fewer complaints per year (16 vs 214), but its issues are concentrated in safety-critical areas like brakes and tires. The Toyota Camry has a higher complaint rate, but many are non-safety related, though it also has serious brake and acceleration problems. In practice, the Suburban may have a lower risk of frequent issues, but the Camry's problems are more varied and include some severe safety concerns.
Key differences
- The Suburban's complaints are dominated by brake failures and tire blowouts, while the Camry has a broader range including transmission, engine, and HVAC issues.
- The Suburban has only 1 crash-related complaint, whereas the Camry has 181, suggesting more severe incidents in the Camry's data.
- The Camry has 31 recalls over 10 years, compared to 2 for the Suburban, indicating more widespread factory issues.
- The Suburban's suspension problems cause highway vibration, while the Camry's sudden acceleration is a more alarming safety concern.
- Test the brakes thoroughly: check for pedal feel and any loss of braking, especially after repeated stops.
- Inspect tires for any signs of uneven wear, bulges, or previous repairs, and consider replacing them if they are old or have unknown history.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration and check for any pending recalls on the VIN.
- Test the brakes on a hill and be alert for any lack of response; also check for HVAC odors and inspect the condenser for damage.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both vehicles.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on brakes, tires, and suspension for the Suburban, and transmission, engine, and brakes for the Camry.
- Test drive at highway speeds to feel for vibrations or pulling in the Suburban, and listen for unusual noises in the Camry.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for brake and tire replacements on the Suburban, and transmission service on the Camry.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and recalls for the specific model year you're considering.
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 Suburban or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- GMC Suburban vs Toyota Camry
- GMC Suburban total complaints
- 16
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- GMC Suburban total recalls
- 2
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- GMC Suburban avg complaints/year
- 16.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- GMC Suburban
- GMC Suburban top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN