Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Azera vs Toyota Camry
How the Hyundai Azera 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
Hyundai Azera vs Toyota Camry: The Azera averages 32.5 complaints per year with 14 crash-related, while the Camry averages 205.6 with 171 crash-related. The Azera's issues cluster in steering and brakes; the Camry's are more varied. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Azera or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Azera
The Hyundai Azera is a full-size sedan with a relatively low complaint volume: 325 complaints over 10 years, averaging 32.5 per year. However, the pattern is concerning because steering and brake issues dominate, with owners describing sticky steering that doesn't respond immediately and brake problems that can lead to crashes. With 14 crash-related complaints, 13 injuries, and 1 death, plus 19 recalls, a used Azera demands careful inspection of these safety-critical systems.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint count: 2,056 over 10 years, averaging 205.6 per year. The complaints span many systems, but power train, engine, and brake issues are common, with owners reporting shuddering, hesitation, and electronic parking brake failures. Despite 31 recalls and 171 crash-related complaints, the Camry's issues are more varied and often less immediately dangerous than the Azera's steering and brake problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Azera | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 325 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 19 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 14 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 32.5 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 13 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.
Hyundai Azera
- 01STEERING97
- 02SERVICE BRAKES72
- 03ENGINE53
- 04HYDRAULIC44
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM38
Owners report the steering sticks or hesitates at highway speeds, then suddenly breaks loose, making it hard to keep the car in a straight line. This is the most common complaint (97) and can be terrifying in traffic.
Complaints include brake failure and electronic brake alerts, sometimes leading to crashes. With 72 complaints and multiple recalls for antilock/traction control, brake problems are a major safety concern.
Owners describe stalling while driving, with dashboard lights flashing, leaving them stranded. This can happen at speed and may require a tow, so check for any history of stalling or engine repairs.
Electrical issues (38 complaints) can cause a range of problems, from warning lights to component failures. These can be intermittent and hard to diagnose, so a thorough electrical check is wise.
“DURING OUR FIRST TRIP ON THE INTERSTATE I NOTICED THAT WHEN TRYING TO CORRECT THE STEERING, EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT, THE CAR WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND. THEN AFTER JUST A SECOND OR TWO SOMETHING WOULD BREAK LOOSE ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO RESPOND TO MY REQUEST.…”
“I'VE OWNED MY 2017 AZERA SINCE DEC 2018. I LOVE THE VEHICLE BUT THE STEERING STICKS AS MENTIONED IN OTHER COMPLAINTS AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY ONLY HAS 38K MILES AND I USE IT FOR THE MOST PART ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN AT SPEEDS OV…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck even when the car is in Park, and transmission shuddering or hesitation. These issues can leave you unable to shut off the car or cause rough driving.
Complaints include delayed throttle response and shuddering with the check engine light on. This can make merging or accelerating unpredictable, and may indicate costly repairs.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear clicking or vibrating from the ABS. Brake problems can be inconvenient and expensive to fix.
Multiple systems like stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction at once. This suggests complex electrical gremlins that may be difficult to trace.
“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.
Hyundai Azera — 19 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fe…
The risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Sonata, 2016-2018 Sonata Hybrid, 2018-2020 Accent, and 2016-2017 Azera vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fe…
The risk: A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the trunk latch base, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 208.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2006-2011 Hyundai Azera and 2006 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Water may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short .
The risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2018. Owners may call…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2006-2011 Hyundai Azera and 2006 Hyundai Sonata vehicles. Water may enter the Anti-lock Brake (ABS) Module and result in an electrical short .
The risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install a relay in the vehicle's main junction box to prevent the risk of an ABS short-circuit while the car is turned off, free of charge. The recall began on February 19, 2018. Owners may call…
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
Hyundai Azera or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Azera has far fewer complaints per year (32.5 vs. 205.6), but its issues are concentrated in steering and brakes, which are critical for safety. The Toyota Camry has more complaints overall, but they are spread across many systems, and some are less immediately dangerous. In practice, the Azera may have fewer problems, but when they occur, they can be more severe.
Key differences
- The Azera's top complaint is steering (97), with owners describing sticky, unresponsive steering at speed; the Camry's top complaint is power train (385), including key-stuck and shuddering issues.
- The Azera has 14 crash-related complaints and 13 injuries, while the Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries, but the Camry's higher sales volume means rates may be similar.
- The Azera has 19 recalls, including multiple for brakes and latches; the Camry has 31 recalls, covering air bags, seats, and wheels.
- Azera owners report sudden brake failures and engine stalling, while Camry owners more often report electronic parking brake failures and delayed acceleration.
- During a test drive, check for steering that feels sticky or doesn't respond immediately, especially at highway speeds.
- Ask for service records related to brakes and antilock system; listen for unusual noises or warning lights.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; if it sticks, it could be a recurring power train defect.
- Check the electronic parking brake operation and listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and look for repeated steering or brake repairs on the Azera.
- For the Camry, check for any transmission or engine shuddering during a test drive and scan for stored trouble codes.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Azera's steering column and brake system for recalls or pending fixes.
- On the Camry, verify that all electrical systems (stability control, blind spot monitoring) work properly.
- Confirm that all open recalls have been addressed on either vehicle by checking the NHTSA VIN lookup.
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 | Hyundai Azera | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0 | 744 |
| 2017 | 12 | 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 Hyundai Azera or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Azera vs Toyota Camry
- Hyundai Azera total complaints
- 325
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Hyundai Azera total recalls
- 19
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Hyundai Azera avg complaints/year
- 32.5
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Azera
- Hyundai Azera top complaint area
- STEERING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN