Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti G20 vs Toyota Camry
How the Infiniti G20 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
Infiniti G20 vs Toyota Camry: The G20 has 24 complaints over 3 years (8/yr) and no recalls, while the Camry has 2143 complaints over 10 years (214/yr) and 31 recalls. The G20's issues include sulfur smells and airbag sensors; the Camry has transmission and brake failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti G20 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti G20
The Infiniti G20 is a compact sedan from the early 2000s that, based on owner complaints, tends to develop a few nagging issues as it ages. The most common complaints involve a persistent rotten egg/sulfur smell from the exhaust, which some owners say dealers couldn't fix, and airbag sensor problems that often surface after the warranty expires. Brake issues, such as screeching and premature wear, also appear, along with minor annoyances like wind noise from the mirrors. Overall, the G20 shows a pattern of moderate, but not catastrophic, reliability concerns that a buyer should be aware of.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, a popular midsize sedan, has a much higher volume of complaints, but that's partly because it's been sold in large numbers for many years. Owners report a wide range of issues, with the most frequent being transmission problems, including grinding noises and failures, as well as engine concerns like sudden acceleration and coolant valve issues. Brake failures, including a complete loss of braking, are also reported, along with electrical glitches and HVAC odors. While the Camry has more recalls and incidents, its overall reliability is still considered decent, but the sheer number of complaints suggests that some model years have significant problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti G20 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 24 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 8.0 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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.
Infiniti G20
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
- 02AIR BAGS4
- 03SERVICE BRAKES3
- 04VISIBILITY2
- 05POWER TRAIN2
Owners report a strong rotten egg/sulfur smell from the exhaust, which some dealers couldn't fix. This suggests a possible catalytic converter issue, which can be costly to repair.
The passenger airbag warning light flashes due to a faulty sensor, often after the warranty expires. This means the airbag may not deploy in a crash, a serious safety concern.
Brakes can fail suddenly, with reports of front and rear brakes going out, and also screeching noises due to glazed rotors and cracked pads. This indicates potential brake system weaknesses.
“SULPHER SMELL INSIDE CAR: THE DEALER TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT. EVENTUALLY THE SMELL WENT AWAY BY ITSELF, OR WHAT EVER SMELLED LIKE SULPHUR WHILE IT WAS BURNING FINALLY BURNT UP.*AK HERE IS A LIST OF OTHER REPAIRS THE DEALER HAS MADE: NEW ALTINAT…”
“CONSUMER STATES FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS THERE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH A ROTTEN EGG/SULFUR SMELL COMING OUT OF THE EXHAUST, CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 3 TIMES TO TRY AND GET THE PROBLEM RESOLVED, CONSUMER HAS BEEN TOLD THAT THE…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission issues are common, with grinding noises and failures reported, sometimes requiring full replacement. This can be a very expensive repair.
Some owners report sudden unintended acceleration, which is extremely dangerous. Others mention engine maintenance lights related to coolant valve recalls, indicating potential engine cooling problems.
There are reports of complete brake failure, where the pedal goes to the floor with no response, leading to crashes. This is a critical safety issue.
“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.
Infiniti G20
No recalls on record.
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
Infiniti G20 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Infiniti G20 has far fewer complaints per year (8.0) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), but the Camry's numbers are inflated by its popularity and longer production run. In practice, the G20 may have fewer reported issues, but the Camry's problems are more varied and include serious safety concerns like sudden acceleration and brake failure. Neither is perfect, but the G20's lower complaint rate suggests it might be less troublesome on a per-vehicle basis.
Key differences
- The G20 has a persistent sulfur smell from the exhaust, while the Camry has more reports of sudden acceleration and transmission failures.
- The G20's airbag sensor issues are a common complaint, whereas the Camry has more brake failures that can lead to crashes.
- The Camry has many more recalls (31) compared to the G20 (0), indicating more widespread safety issues.
- The G20's complaints are fewer but focused on engine and airbag problems, while the Camry's complaints span many systems.
- Check for a sulfur smell from the exhaust, which may indicate a failing catalytic converter.
- Verify that the airbag warning light is off and the system has been inspected for sensor faults.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration, and check for any transmission fluid leaks.
- Test the brakes at various speeds to ensure there is no loss of pressure or unusual noises.
Before you buy
- Have a mechanic inspect the catalytic converter and exhaust system on the G20 for signs of failure.
- On the G20, check the airbag system for any stored codes and ensure the sensor is functioning.
- For the Camry, ask for service records related to transmission recalls or replacements.
- On the Camry, test drive at highway speeds to check for any hesitation or surging that could indicate engine issues.
- For both, get a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic, focusing on brakes and safety systems.
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 Infiniti G20 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti G20 vs Toyota Camry
- Infiniti G20 total complaints
- 24
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Infiniti G20 total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Infiniti G20 avg complaints/year
- 8.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti G20
- Infiniti G20 top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN