Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Elantra GT vs Toyota Camry
How the Hyundai Elantra GT 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 Elantra GT vs Toyota Camry: The Elantra GT averages 292 complaints per year, with engine issues like oil consumption and knocking, while the Camry averages 214 per year, with brake and transmission problems. The Camry has more recalls but fewer annual complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Elantra GT or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Elantra GT
The Hyundai Elantra GT, a compact hatchback, shows a heavy concentration of engine-related complaints, with owners reporting ticking or knocking noises, excessive oil consumption, and stalling. These issues often lead to costly repairs like catalytic converter failure and can affect drivability and safety. Electrical system problems, such as warning lights and infotainment glitches, add to the ownership burden, making this a vehicle that demands careful inspection and maintenance history review.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, a midsize sedan, has a broader but lower annual complaint rate, with issues spread across powertrain, brakes, and engine. Owners report transmission grinding, brake failures, and occasional sudden acceleration incidents, though these are less frequent per year. The Camry also has more recalls, but many are for minor issues like seat components or labels. Overall, it presents a more predictable ownership experience, though not without its own concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Elantra GT | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,169 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 65 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 292.3 | 214.3 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 42 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 1 Better |
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 Elantra GT
- 01ENGINE485
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER166
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM155
- 04STRUCTURE135
- 05POWER TRAIN114
Owners report ticking or knocking noises from the engine, often followed by stalling or loss of power. Excessive oil consumption is a common theme, leading to catalytic converter and emissions system failures. This can result in expensive repairs and potential safety hazards if the engine fails while driving.
Multiple warning lights (ABS, cruise control, auto hold) illuminate unexpectedly, and the infotainment system may stay on after shutdown, draining the battery. These issues can be intermittent and difficult to diagnose, causing frustration and potential starting problems.
Many complaints are filed under this category but describe the same engine oil consumption and stalling issues, indicating a systemic problem that may not be easily categorized. This suggests a lack of clear resolution from the manufacturer.
“Engine, power train, malfunction changing my speed control. No warning lights, first ticking noise from engine then knocking loud noise from engine. Noticed ticking about 4 days ago at first, today on freeway going 60-70 mph just changed to loud knocking, imm…”
“The vehicle is experiencing engine-related excessive oil consumption, which has led to failure of the catalytic converter and emissions system. The root issue appears to be an internal engine defect causing oil to burn during operation. Yes, the vehicle is av…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission issues are prominent, with owners reporting grinding noises and the need for complete transmission replacement. Some mention recalls for similar problems, but not all vehicles are covered, leaving owners with costly repairs.
Sudden acceleration incidents are reported, which can lead to crashes. Additionally, engine maintenance lights come on due to coolant valve bypass issues, but some VINs are not included in recalls, causing safety concerns.
Brake failure is reported, with the pedal going to the floor or providing no response, especially on hills. This is a critical safety issue that requires immediate attention.
Air conditioning condenser damage from rocks and recurring mildew odors from the HVAC system are common annoyances, affecting comfort but not safety.
“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.
Hyundai Elantra GT — 1 recall
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT vehicles. The panoramic sunroof motor may be incorrectly programmed, preventing the sunroof from detecting an obstacle while closing.
The risk: If the sunroof does not detect an obstacle while closing and then retract, there could be an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the panoramic sunroof, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 5, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for t…
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
Hyundai Elantra GT or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has fewer complaints per year (214.3) compared to the Hyundai Elantra GT (292.3), indicating a lower frequency of issues. However, the Camry's complaints include more severe safety-related problems like brake failure and sudden acceleration, so the difference in numbers doesn't necessarily mean it's safer. In practice, the Camry may offer more predictable reliability, but both require thorough pre-purchase inspections.
Key differences
- The Elantra GT has a higher annual complaint rate (292.3 vs 214.3) and a dominant engine problem (oil consumption, knocking) that can lead to catastrophic failure.
- The Camry has more recalls (31 vs 1) but many are for minor issues; however, it has serious brake and sudden acceleration complaints.
- Electrical system issues are more prominent in the Elantra GT, while the Camry's issues are spread across multiple systems.
- The Camry's transmission problems are notable, with some owners needing full replacements, whereas the Elantra GT's engine issues are more frequent.
- Check for engine ticking or knocking noises during a test drive, and review oil consumption records—excessive oil use is a common precursor to engine failure.
- Look for any warning lights on the dashboard, especially ABS or cruise control, and test the infotainment system to ensure it shuts off properly.
- Test the brakes on a hill to ensure they respond firmly; any sponginess or lack of response is a serious red flag.
- Listen for grinding noises during acceleration, which could indicate transmission problems, and check if any transmission recalls apply to the VIN.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on engine and transmission for the Elantra GT, and brakes and transmission for the Camry.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially oil change history for the Elantra GT to spot oil consumption issues.
- Test drive both vehicles on varied roads, including hills, to assess braking and acceleration behavior.
- Check the NHTSA website for the specific VIN to see if any complaints or recalls match the vehicle you're considering.
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 Elantra GT | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 191 | 270 |
| 2019 | 195 | 393 |
| 2018 | 49 | 736 |
| 2017 | 734 | 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 Elantra GT or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Elantra GT vs Toyota Camry
- Hyundai Elantra GT total complaints
- 1,169
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Hyundai Elantra GT total recalls
- 1
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Hyundai Elantra GT avg complaints/year
- 292.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- Hyundai Elantra GT top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN