Head-to-head reliability

Isuzu Ascender vs Toyota Camry

How the Isuzu Ascender and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Isuzu Ascender309 complaints · 18 recalls Fewer issues per year
Toyota Camry2,132 complaints · 31 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Isuzu Ascender averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Isuzu Ascender has 309 complaints and 18 recalls on record; Toyota Camry has 2,132 complaints and 31 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryIsuzu AscenderToyota Camry
Total complaintsAll model years combined309 Better2,132
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns18 Better31
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints10 Better181
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years51.5 Better213.2
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints6 Better163
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better1

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.

Isuzu Ascender

  1. 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM119
  2. 02FUEL SYSTEM81
  3. 03GASOLINE63
  4. 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING33
  5. 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM31
In owners' words — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

“HAD AUTO TOWED TO MIDAS AFTER INABILITY TO START, ATTEMPTED JUMP START, UNSUCCESSFUL. BATTERY REPLACED ON 12/28/15. DROVE AUTO NEXT SEVERAL DAYS AND ON 12/30/15 DROVE TO PICK UP MY HUSBAND, SHUT OFF CAR IN PARK. UNABLE TO START VEHICLE AGAIN, KEYS COULD NOT B…”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 ISUZU ASCENDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAUGES AND LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE CONTR…”

Toyota Camry

  1. 01POWER TRAIN392
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER340
  3. 03ENGINE314
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES290
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM242
In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

“The vehicle allows the engine to be turned off, key removed, while the vehicle is still in drive with no warning lights or sounds. I have tested and the vehicle can roll away. Complained to the toyota dealership and they said the service tech consulted with t…”

“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…”

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.

Isuzu Ascender — 18 recalls

Equipment — Other — Owners/Service/Other Manual
#03V269000

The defect: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.

The risk: THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE STANDARD.

The fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. IT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTAC…

Visibility — Power Window Devices And Controls
#14V404000Feb 2014

The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corro…

The risk: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.

The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the part number on the door module, and install a new door module if necessary, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. An interim letter was mailed to owners in Aug…

Visibility — Power Window Devices And Controls
#14V404000Feb 2014

The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corro…

The risk: A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.

The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the part number on the door module, and install a new door module if necessary, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. An interim letter was mailed to owners in Aug…

Equipment — Other — Labels
#05V552000Jul 2005

The defect: CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABELS LISTING AN INACCCURATE VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.

The risk: A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECTED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. AT THE CUSTOMER'S OPTION, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-8…

Toyota Camry — 31 recalls

Seats
#24V128000

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…

Wheels — Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
#23V432000

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…

Seats
#24V128000

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…

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification
#23V865000

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…

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 Isuzu Ascender or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Isuzu Ascender — full reportIsuzu Ascender reliability & problems 309 complaints · all years · NHTSA
Toyota Camry — full reportToyota Camry reliability & problems 2,132 complaints · all years · NHTSA
Isuzu Ascender vs Toyota Camry — comparison facts
Comparison
Isuzu Ascender vs Toyota Camry
Isuzu Ascender total complaints
309
Toyota Camry total complaints
2,132
Isuzu Ascender total recalls
18
Toyota Camry total recalls
31
Isuzu Ascender avg complaints/year
51.5
Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
213.2
More reliable overall
Isuzu Ascender
Isuzu Ascender top complaint area
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Toyota Camry top complaint area
POWER TRAIN
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)