Head-to-head reliability
Hyundai Veracruz vs Toyota Camry
How the Hyundai Veracruz 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 Veracruz vs Toyota Camry: The Veracruz averaged 94.1 complaints per year over 7 years, while the Camry averaged 214.3 over 10 years. Both have about 30 recalls. The Camry had 181 crash-related complaints and 1 death; the Veracruz had 14 and 0. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Hyundai Veracruz or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Hyundai Veracruz
The Hyundai Veracruz is a mid-size SUV that averaged about 94 complaints per year over seven years, with 30 recalls. Owners frequently report electrical glitches, engine stalling, and brake problems, often tied to recalls for oil leaks and hydraulic brakes. Many complaints mention warning lights and stalling while driving, which can be unsettling. Overall, it demands vigilance and regular recall checks.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan with about 214 complaints per year over ten years and 31 recalls. Complaints cover power train, engine, brakes, and electrical issues, including transmission grinding and sudden acceleration. Some owners also report air conditioning odors and brake failures. While common, many issues are addressed by recalls, but the volume suggests a need for thorough inspection.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Hyundai Veracruz | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 659 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 30 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 14 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 94.1 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 25 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 Veracruz
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM185
- 02ENGINE178
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING153
- 04SERVICE BRAKES91
- 05ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)51
Owners report multiple warning lights (ABS, seatbelt) illuminating and the vehicle stalling at speeds like 40-45 MPH. This can leave you stranded and points to underlying wiring or sensor faults that may be costly to trace.
Complaints describe unusual noises, sudden slowing, and stalling while driving, often with warning lights. Recalls for engine oil/lubrication seal leaks suggest a pattern of oil loss that can lead to engine damage if ignored.
Similar to engine complaints, owners report stalling and warning lights, with recalls addressing engine cooling issues. Overheating or coolant leaks can result in expensive repairs if not caught early.
Owners mention brake system leaks and recall notices for hydraulic brakes, with parts sometimes unavailable. Brake failure is a serious safety concern, so any soft pedal or fluid loss should be investigated immediately.
“I have received three recall letters form Hyundai VeraCruz regarding an interim recall in January 2021, March 2021 and May 2021. I had the vehicle in for mechanical repairs to the rear brake system in Late February 2021 and was informed there was several leak…”
“The contact owns a 2009 Hyundai Veracruz. The contact stated that while driving at 40-45 MPH, the ABS warning light, seatbelt warning light, and other unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The contact veered to the side of the road but…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front during acceleration, often diagnosed as transmission failure requiring replacement. Some also describe sudden acceleration incidents, which can lead to crashes. These are major, costly repairs.
Complaints include sudden uncontrollable acceleration and coolant valve bypass issues (code P268115) that may not be covered by recall for certain VINs. This can cause safety hazards and expensive engine work.
Owners report brake pedal going to the floor with no response, especially on hills, and brake issues in parking lots. This suggests potential master cylinder or ABS problems that compromise stopping ability.
While not detailed in samples, electrical complaints are common (246 total). Issues may include warning lights, sensor failures, or battery drains, which can be intermittent and frustrating to diagnose.
“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 Veracruz — 30 recalls
The defect: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles that were previously recalled under recall number 14V-415. Oil may leak from the front cylinder bank cover gasket, potentially dripping onto the alternator and causing the charging system to become inoperative.
The risk: An inoperative charging system can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the valve cover gasket and repair it as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 7, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's n…
The defect: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles manufactured from December 26, 2006, through July 24, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an oil leak from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket. If there is a sufficient amount of oil dropped on…
The risk: If the alternator is damaged, the charging system warning lamp in the instrument cluster will illuminate, and the engine will lose power and the vehicle will eventually stop operating while being driven. An unexpected failure of motive pow…
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect/repair or replace the alternator and the front valve cover gasket, free of charge. Hyundai sent out an interim letter to owners on September 3, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer…
The defect: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles manufactured from December 26, 2006, through July 24, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an oil leak from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket. If there is a sufficient amount of oil dropped on…
The risk: If the alternator is damaged, the charging system warning lamp in the instrument cluster will illuminate, and the engine will lose power and the vehicle will eventually stop operating while being driven. An unexpected failure of motive pow…
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect/repair or replace the alternator and the front valve cover gasket, free of charge. Hyundai sent out an interim letter to owners on September 3, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer…
The defect: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Veracruz vehicles manufactured from December 26, 2006, through July 24, 2012. The affected vehicles may experience an oil leak from the front cylinder bank valve cover gasket. If there is a sufficient amount of oil dropped on…
The risk: If the alternator is damaged, the charging system warning lamp in the instrument cluster will illuminate, and the engine will lose power and the vehicle will eventually stop operating while being driven. An unexpected failure of motive pow…
The fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect/repair or replace the alternator and the front valve cover gasket, free of charge. Hyundai sent out an interim letter to owners on September 3, 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer…
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 Veracruz or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Hyundai Veracruz has fewer complaints per year (94.1 vs. 214.3) and fewer crash-related reports (14 vs. 181), but both have similar recall counts. In practice, the Veracruz may have fewer overall owner-reported issues, but the Camry's higher volume means more data and potentially more widespread problems. Neither is clearly trouble-free; both require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Veracruz has far fewer complaints per year (94.1) than the Camry (214.3), but both have around 30 recalls.
- Camry owners report sudden acceleration and transmission grinding, while Veracruz owners report stalling and warning lights.
- Brake issues appear in both: Veracruz with hydraulic leaks and unavailable recall parts; Camry with brake pedal failure on hills.
- The Camry has 181 crash-related complaints and 1 death, versus 14 crash-related and 0 deaths for the Veracruz, though these numbers don't prove cause.
- Check for illuminated ABS, seatbelt, or other warning lights, and ask if the vehicle has ever stalled at speed—common in complaints.
- Inspect for oil leaks around engine seals and gaskets, and confirm all engine and brake recalls have been performed.
- Listen for grinding noises from the front during acceleration, which may indicate transmission problems requiring replacement.
- Test the brakes on a hill or slope for any pedal fade or lack of response, as owners report brake failure.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to check for open recalls on both models, especially engine, brake, and electrical campaigns.
- Take a test drive that includes highway speeds and steep hills to check for stalling, warning lights, and brake response.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission (Camry) and engine seals (Veracruz) for leaks or unusual noises.
- Ask for maintenance records to see if oil changes and brake fluid services were done regularly.
- Check for any aftermarket repairs or pending recall parts that may not have been installed.
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 Veracruz or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Hyundai Veracruz vs Toyota Camry
- Hyundai Veracruz total complaints
- 659
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Hyundai Veracruz total recalls
- 30
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Hyundai Veracruz avg complaints/year
- 94.1
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Hyundai Veracruz
- Hyundai Veracruz top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN