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/year) and 0 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (206/year) and 31 recalls. The G20 reports 3 crash-related complaints and 2 injuries; the Camry reports 171 crashes and 158 injuries. 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 luxury sedan with a modest complaint record: 24 complaints over three years, averaging 8 per year, and no recalls. Owners most often report engine and cooling issues, air bag sensor faults, and brake problems. With only 3 crash-related complaints and 2 injuries, the G20 appears to have fewer reported safety incidents than the Camry, but the low volume means patterns are less clear.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream midsize sedan with a much larger complaint volume: 2,056 complaints over ten years, averaging about 206 per year, plus 31 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the power train, engine, and brakes, with 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries reported. This suggests that while many Camrys are on the road, owners have reported a wide range of issues, from transmission shuddering to brake noise.
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 | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 8.0 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 Better | 158 |
| 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
- 04POWER TRAIN2
- 05VISIBILITY2
Owners report a persistent sulfur or rotten-egg smell from the exhaust, sometimes requiring multiple dealer visits. This can indicate catalytic converter or fuel system issues, which may be costly to diagnose and fix.
The passenger-side air bag warning light may flash due to a faulty sensor, often appearing just after warranty expires. A non-functional air bag sensor could mean the air bag won't deploy in a crash, so this is a safety concern.
Complaints include screeching noises, glazed or grooved rotors, and cracked brake pads. In one case, both front and rear brakes failed shortly after purchase, highlighting the need for a thorough brake inspection.
One owner reported the engine revving uncontrollably while in reverse with the brakes applied, suggesting a possible throttle or transmission control glitch. Such sudden acceleration can be dangerous in tight spaces.
“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 TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners describe intermittent issues like the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove, and hesitation or shuddering while driving. These problems can leave you stranded or cause unsafe driving conditions.
Reports include delayed throttle response, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second lag before the car moves. This can be a safety risk when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area linked to the ABS system. Brake issues can affect stopping reliability.
Multiple systems—such as stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—have malfunctioned simultaneously in some vehicles. This suggests potential electrical or software gremlins that are hard to pinpoint.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
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 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…
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…
Buyer analysis
Infiniti G20 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Infiniti G20 has far fewer complaints per year (8 vs. 206) and no recalls, while the Toyota Camry has a much higher volume of complaints and 31 recalls. In practice, this means the G20 may have fewer reported problems overall, but its low numbers could also reflect lower sales. The Camry's higher counts indicate more owners are reporting issues, but many are on newer models with advanced electronics.
Key differences
- The Infiniti G20 has 0 recalls and 24 complaints over 3 years, while the Toyota Camry has 31 recalls and 2,056 complaints over 10 years.
- Infiniti G20 owners frequently report sulfur smells and air bag sensor failures, whereas Camry owners report transmission shuddering, key-stuck issues, and brake noise.
- The Camry has far more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 3) and injuries (158 vs. 2), though this is partly due to its much larger population.
- The G20's problems tend to be mechanical and sensor-related, while the Camry's include complex electronic system malfunctions affecting multiple safety features.
- Check for a flashing passenger air bag warning light, which indicates a faulty sensor that may prevent air bag deployment.
- Listen for screeching or grinding noises when braking, and inspect rotors for glazing or grooves, as owners report premature brake wear.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; if it sticks, it could be a sign of a transmission range sensor or shift interlock problem.
- During a test drive, feel for hesitation or shuddering during acceleration, and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to check for open recalls, especially on the Camry.
- Have a mechanic inspect the air bag system on the G20 and the electronic parking brake on the Camry.
- Test drive both cars extensively, including highway merging and parking maneuvers, to feel for transmission or throttle delays.
- Check for sulfur or rotten-egg smells from the exhaust on the G20, which may indicate catalytic converter issues.
- Verify that all electronic safety systems (stability control, blind spot monitoring, etc.) function correctly on the Camry.
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
- 2,056
- Infiniti G20 total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Infiniti G20 avg complaints/year
- 8.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti G20
- Infiniti G20 top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN