Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai KONA vs Toyota Camry
How the Hyundai KONA 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 KONA vs Toyota Camry: The KONA averages 86.4 complaints per year, with engine issues like stalling, while the Camry averages 214.3, including brake failures. The KONA has 15 recalls, the Camry 31. Choose based on your tolerance for specific problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai KONA or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai KONA
The Hyundai KONA, a subcompact crossover, shows a high rate of owner complaints concentrated in the engine, with reports of sudden shutdowns, loss of power, and even engine seizure. Electrical and powertrain issues also surface, including false brake warnings and drivetrain jarring. While not all owners experience these problems, the pattern suggests potential reliability concerns that could affect daily driving and safety.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, a midsize sedan, has a higher total complaint count but over a longer period, averaging more complaints per year than the KONA. Its issues span powertrain, engine, and brakes, with reports of transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, and brake failure. These are serious but not universal, and the Camry's long-standing reputation for reliability is somewhat tempered by these owner experiences.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai KONA | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 778 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 45 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 86.4 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 48 Better | 163 |
| 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 KONA
- 01ENGINE400
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER136
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM136
- 04POWER TRAIN96
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE57
Owners report the engine shutting off randomly while driving, sometimes with a 'Turn off Engine and Restart Engine' message, leading to loss of power and steering lockup. Others describe engine seizure and poor acceleration after restarts, indicating potential engine control or mechanical failures.
Complaints include a liftgate bolt buckling due to a power liftgate malfunction, and broader drivetrain issues like loss of drive power and sluggish acceleration, suggesting electrical or sensor problems affecting vehicle operation.
The powertrain can 'roar up and drop,' causing jarring movements, and some owners report grinding and clanking noises with slower acceleration, pointing to transmission or drivetrain issues.
The forward collision warning system may trigger falsely on windy or pothole-filled roads, distracting the driver and potentially causing unnecessary braking, which could be a safety nuisance.
“The contact owns a 2024 Hyundai Kona. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message to “Turn off Engine and Restart Engine” was displayed and the engine seized. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving on a b…”
“The car shuts off at random times during me driving . Its like the car locks up steering and shuts completely down . Have to pull over and give the car time . And it shuts back on in and drives with poor accelerate after each issuse. The car is now shaking an…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission issues are prominent, with grinding noises upon acceleration and dealer recommendations for transmission replacement. Some owners note recalls for similar problems, indicating a known weakness.
Reports include uncontrollable sudden acceleration leading to crashes, and engine maintenance warnings related to a coolant valve bypass that may not be covered by recall for all VINs, posing safety risks.
Brake failure is reported, such as no response when pressing the pedal on a downhill slope, and other instances where braking is ineffective, which is critical for safety.
Issues like AC condenser damage from rocks and recurring HVAC odors are common, but these are less safety-critical, though they affect comfort and can be costly to fix.
“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 KONA — 15 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Kona Electric and 2024-2026 Kona vehicles. The seat belt buckle in the rear center seat may fail to properly restrain an occupant during a crash.
The risk: A seat belt buckle that fails to properly restrain an occupant in a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Passengers are advised not to use the rear center seat until the recall remedy is performed. Dealers will replace the seat belt buckle assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 11, 2026. Owner…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Kona vehicles. The seat belt assemblies in the right and left rear seats may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 208, "Occupation Crash Protecti…
The risk: A seat belt that does not function properly may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt retractor as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 21, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recal…
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Kona vehicles. The 12-Volt battery cables may chafe against the engine control module bracket and short circuit during a crash.
The risk: A short circuit increases the risk of an engine compartment fire.
The fix: Dealers will install sheathing over the wiring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 22, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 252.
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Elantra, Venue, and Kona vehicles. An electrical short circuit may occur in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve assembly, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the exhaust gas recirculation valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 28, 2024. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 260.
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 KONA or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Hyundai KONA has fewer complaints per year (86.4) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), suggesting a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the KONA's engine problems can be severe, while the Camry's issues are more varied but include critical safety concerns like brake failure. In practice, the KONA may have fewer overall problems, but both require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The KONA's engine complaints often involve sudden shutdowns and loss of power, while the Camry's engine issues include sudden acceleration and coolant valve problems.
- The Camry has more brake-related complaints, including total brake failure, whereas the KONA's brake issues are more about false ABS activation.
- The KONA's powertrain problems manifest as jarring and grinding, while the Camry's transmission issues often require replacement.
- The KONA has fewer complaints per year, but the Camry has more recalls (31 vs 15), indicating different approaches to addressing issues.
- Check for any engine warning messages or history of stalling, as owners report sudden shutdowns and engine seizure.
- Inspect the electrical system, especially the power liftgate and any signs of drivetrain power loss.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration, which could indicate a need for replacement.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including on a hill, to ensure there is no loss of braking power.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic perform a compression test and scan for engine codes on the KONA.
- For the Camry, test drive at various speeds and listen for transmission noises.
- Inspect the KONA's forward collision system for false activations on rough roads.
- Check the Camry's brake system for any signs of wear or previous complaints.
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 KONA | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 119 |
| 2025 | 28 | 153 |
| 2024 | 49 | 48 |
| 2023 | 63 | 62 |
| 2022 | 96 | 59 |
| 2021 | 115 | 155 |
| 2020 | 157 | 270 |
| 2019 | 187 | 393 |
| 2018 | 74 | 736 |
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 KONA or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai KONA vs Toyota Camry
- Hyundai KONA total complaints
- 778
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Hyundai KONA total recalls
- 15
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Hyundai KONA avg complaints/year
- 86.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai KONA
- Hyundai KONA top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN