Head-to-head reliability
Infiniti QX4 vs Toyota Camry
How the Infiniti QX4 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 QX4 vs Toyota Camry: The QX4 averages 41.8 complaints per year with 17 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 per year with 31 recalls. QX4 issues often involve suspension and structural rust; Camry complaints span power train and engine. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Infiniti QX4 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Infiniti QX4
The Infiniti QX4 is a used SUV with a relatively low complaint volume—about 42 per year over four years—but the pattern is serious. Owners frequently report structural rust and suspension noises, especially on older models, which can be expensive to repair. With 17 recalls, including airbag inflator issues, it demands careful inspection before purchase.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has a much higher complaint rate—about 206 per year over ten years—but that reflects its huge popularity and longer production span. Complaints span the power train, engine, brakes, and electrical systems, with many reports of hesitation, shuddering, and electronic glitches. Recalls address seats and airbag sensors, but the volume of complaints suggests a wide range of potential problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Infiniti QX4 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 167 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 15 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 41.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 11 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 QX4
- 01SUSPENSION44
- 02STRUCTURE36
- 03STEERING20
- 04EQUIPMENT20
- 05AIR BAGS10
Owners report popping sounds from the front suspension during turns, often linked to worn components. In one case, a severe vibration led to the discovery of a corroded inner apron, indicating rust can compromise suspension mounting points.
Rust is a major concern: owners describe frame rail corrosion near the control arm and inner apron corrosion that can weaken the vehicle's body. This is critical because structural rust can affect safety and repair costs.
Complaints include popping noises during turns and persistent squeaking from the steering column that repeated repairs fail to fix. These noises may signal worn steering components, which can affect control.
Recalls for airbag inflator modules on both driver and passenger sides indicate a risk of improper deployment. Buyers should verify that recall work has been completed.
“AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, I WAS TAKING A LEFT HAND TURN INTO A DRIVEWAY GOING APPROXIMATELY 5-10MPH WHEN I HEARD A "POPPING" SOUND COME FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR AS I WAS TURNING. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE SOUND WOULD OCCUR WHEN TAKING A RIGHT…”
“WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 INFINITI QX4 ON THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED A SEVERE VIBRATION COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND TIRE. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SERVICE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOOK OFF MY LEFT FRONT TIRE AND SAW WHERE MY INNER APRON WAS SEVERELY CORRODED,…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent issues like the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on, pointing to transmission or engine control problems.
Complaints include delayed throttle response—pressing the accelerator and waiting several seconds before the car moves—and shuddering during driving. These symptoms can be dangerous in traffic and may indicate sensor or software faults.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that the manufacturer calls normal. Such issues can leave the car immobile or cause concern.
Multiple systems—including stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously, as reported by one owner. This suggests complex electronic vulnerabilities that may be hard to diagnose.
“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 QX4 — 17 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles ar…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 o…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may caus…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed…
The defect: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK,…
The risk: THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RE…
The fix: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
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 QX4 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Infiniti QX4 has far fewer complaints per year (about 42 vs. 206 for the Camry), but its issues are often structural rust and suspension problems that can be costly. The Camry's higher rate reflects its larger population and longer span, with complaints spread across many systems. In practice, the QX4 may need fewer visits but potentially more serious repairs, while the Camry could have more frequent but varied issues.
Key differences
- The QX4's top complaints are suspension and structure (rust), while the Camry's are power train and engine (hesitation, shuddering).
- QX4 has 17 recalls including airbag inflators; Camry has 31 recalls including seats and airbag sensors.
- QX4 averages 41.8 complaints per year; Camry averages 205.6 per year, but over different time spans.
- QX4 reports 0 deaths and 11 injuries; Camry reports 1 death and 158 injuries, though exposure differs.
- Inspect the frame rails and inner aprons for rust, especially around suspension mounting points—owners report severe corrosion.
- Listen for popping or squeaking noises from the suspension and steering during turns; these may indicate worn parts or column issues.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park and check for any sticking; also watch for hesitation or shuddering during a test drive.
- Verify that the electronic parking brake engages and disengages smoothly, and listen for abnormal clicking from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially airbag inflator recalls on the QX4.
- Have a mechanic inspect the QX4's undercarriage for rust, focusing on frame rails and suspension mounts.
- For the Camry, test drive at various speeds to detect hesitation, shuddering, or delayed throttle response.
- Check the Camry's electronic systems: key removal, parking brake, and warning lights for stability control and steering.
- Review NHTSA complaints for the specific model year to identify common issues before negotiating.
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 QX4 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Infiniti QX4 vs Toyota Camry
- Infiniti QX4 total complaints
- 167
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Infiniti QX4 total recalls
- 17
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Infiniti QX4 avg complaints/year
- 41.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Infiniti QX4
- Infiniti QX4 top complaint area
- SUSPENSION
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN