Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs Toyota Camry
How the Hyundai Ioniq 9 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 Ioniq 9 vs Toyota Camry: The Ioniq 9 has 33 complaints per year, focusing on electrical and propulsion failures, while the Camry averages 214 complaints annually, including transmission and brake issues. The Ioniq 9's ICCU failures can leave you stranded, whereas the Camry's sudden acceleration is a safety risk. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Ioniq 9 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Ioniq 9
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is a new electric SUV that has been on sale for only about a year, and its complaint history is dominated by electrical and propulsion system issues. Owners report warning messages about the electrical system, sudden loss of power, and failures in the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU), which can leave you stranded or with a non-charging vehicle. While the sample size is small, the pattern suggests early reliability concerns that could affect daily usability and peace of mind.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a long-running sedan with a decade of data, showing a higher volume of complaints but spread across many model years. Owners report transmission grinding, sudden acceleration incidents, brake failures, and engine issues like coolant valve problems. With over 200 complaints per year on average, the Camry's issues are more numerous but also more varied, reflecting its longer production history and higher sales volume.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Ioniq 9 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 33 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 33.0 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 4 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.
Hyundai Ioniq 9
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM20
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM9
- 03POWER TRAIN6
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE5
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
Owners report the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) failing, leading to 'Check Electrical System' warnings and loss of charging capability. This can leave you unable to charge the vehicle and may require a trip to the dealer for a costly repair.
Several complaints describe sudden loss of propulsion while driving, sometimes accompanied by emergency braking. This is a serious safety concern as it can occur at highway speeds, potentially causing a collision.
The ICCU failure also manifests as a powertrain issue, with the car losing drive power. Additionally, drivers report that driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist deactivate unexpectedly, which can be disconcerting.
The automatic emergency braking system has both failed to activate when needed and activated unintentionally. Owners report near-misses due to the system not detecting obstacles, as well as sudden braking for no apparent reason, which can be dangerous.
“My 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 (Performance Calligraphy AWD), leased new in late April 2026 from Team Hyundai of Bend, OR, suffered an Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) failure at approximately 1500 miles in late June 2026, roughly two months into ownership. T…”
“On 8/3/26 my Ioniq 9 had a warning message to Check the Electrical System, but provided no additional information. I was able to drive the car home, anticipating that I be able to take it in to the Hyundai dealer where i purchased the vehicle. It should be no…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission issues are common, with owners reporting grinding noises and the need for transmission replacement. Some complaints mention a recall for the same issue, but parts may be on backorder, leaving you without a vehicle.
Air conditioning problems are frequent, including condensers damaged by rocks and recurring mildew odors from the vents. These are not safety-critical but can affect comfort and require repairs.
There are reports of sudden unintended acceleration, which is a serious safety issue. Additionally, engine maintenance lights come on due to a coolant valve bypass issue that may not be covered by a recall for your specific VIN, leading to potential engine damage.
Brake failures have been reported, including a complete lack of response when pressing the pedal. This is a critical safety concern that could lead to crashes.
“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 Ioniq 9 — 2 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025-2026 IONIQ 5 and 2026 IONIQ 9 vehicles. The high voltage battery system may contain an improperly tightened bus bar, which can cause a short-circuit.
The risk: An electrical short in the high voltage battery system increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the bus bar retention bolts and replace the battery system assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 3, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Ioniq 5 and 2026 Ioniq 9 vehicles. The fasteners for the rear suspension may loosen and detach, which can result in a loss of vehicle control.
The risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear suspension fasteners and perform a rear vehicle alignment, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 17, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer serv…
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 Ioniq 9 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Ioniq 9 has far fewer complaints per year (33 vs 214) but its issues are concentrated in critical systems like electrical and propulsion, which can be more dangerous. The Camry's higher volume is partly due to its longer sales history, but it also shows a wider range of problems. In practice, the Ioniq 9 may have a higher risk of a serious failure early in ownership, while the Camry's issues are more varied but include some equally serious ones.
Key differences
- The Ioniq 9 has a much lower complaint rate (33/year) but its complaints are heavily focused on electrical and propulsion failures, which can leave you stranded.
- The Camry has a higher complaint rate (214/year) but includes many minor issues like AC odors, alongside serious ones like unintended acceleration and brake failure.
- The Ioniq 9's recalls are for battery and suspension fasteners, while the Camry's recalls cover airbags, seats, and wheels, indicating different areas of concern.
- The Ioniq 9 is a new model with limited data, so reliability is less proven, whereas the Camry has a decade of data showing consistent issues.
- Check for any 'Check Electrical System' warnings or charging problems, as these may indicate ICCU failure.
- Test the automatic emergency braking and driver assistance features to ensure they work correctly and don't activate unexpectedly.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration, which could signal a need for replacement.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on hills, to ensure they respond properly and don't fail.
Before you buy
- For the Ioniq 9, ask for the service history and check if the ICCU has been replaced or updated.
- For the Camry, check if any recalls have been performed, especially for the transmission and airbags.
- Take both vehicles for a test drive that includes highway speeds and braking to feel for any issues.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the Ioniq 9's electrical system and the Camry's transmission and brakes.
- Check online forums and NHTSA data for the specific model year you're considering to see if issues have been resolved.
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 Ioniq 9 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 33 | 119 |
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 Ioniq 9 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Ioniq 9 vs Toyota Camry
- Hyundai Ioniq 9 total complaints
- 33
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Hyundai Ioniq 9 total recalls
- 2
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Hyundai Ioniq 9 avg complaints/year
- 33.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Ioniq 9
- Hyundai Ioniq 9 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN