Head-to-head reliability
Isuzu I 280 vs Toyota Camry
How the Isuzu I 280 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
Isuzu I 280 vs Toyota Camry: the Isuzu has 11 complaints over 1 year (11.0/yr) and 2 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6/yr) and 31 recalls. The Camry also shows 171 crash-related reports and 158 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Isuzu I 280 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Isuzu I 280
The Isuzu I 280 is a compact pickup with a very small complaint footprint—only 11 complaints over one year—but those complaints cluster around electrical gremlins and brake-light failures. Owners report blowing fuses, losing brake lights and cruise control, and anti-theft systems that won't let the truck start. The two recalls both involve the brake-light switch, so check that the recall work was actually done.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has a much larger complaint volume—2,056 over ten years—with 171 crash-related reports and 158 injuries, so it's not a trouble-free car. The pattern is broad: power-train shuddering and key-stuck issues, engine hesitation, brake noises, and electrical/software glitches. Recalls cover seats, air-bag sensors, and wheel studs, meaning several safety systems have needed correction.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Isuzu I 280 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 11 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 11.0 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Isuzu I 280
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
- 05AIR BAGS1
Owners report complete loss of brake lights and cruise control, often with fuses blowing repeatedly. One owner was turned away by a dealer despite an open recall, so verify the brake-light switch recall was performed.
Complaints include an anti-theft lock device that prevents starting for over 20 minutes and dimming interior lights. This can leave you stranded and points to a need for a thorough electrical check.
A strong gasoline odor traced to a leak at the top of the fuel tank is reported, and the owner noted similar complaints on the Chevy Colorado. A fuel leak is a fire risk and should be inspected immediately.
One owner had to replace a front-left hub wheel assembly affecting the drive shaft, ABS, and emergency brake, then heard clicking noises. These vague but costly repairs suggest checking front-end and ABS function.
“COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS / CRUISE CONTROL / KEEPS BLOWING FUSES. LEARNED OF RECALL ID # 52989 DATED 7/29/2009 - SO I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ( COURTESY GMC - 205.836.2000 ) THEIR SERVICE MANAGER SENT ME AWAY - SAID TRUCK HAD RECALL #06030 PERFORMED ON 11/…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ISUZU I280. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND A MESSAGE DISPLAYED FAULTY BRAKES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WOULD MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED. THERE WAS A RE…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent key-stuck-in-ignition even when the dash shows Park, and shuddering/hesitation with the check-engine light on. These can strand you or signal transmission trouble.
Complaints describe a several-second delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, happening repeatedly. This hesitation is a safety concern when merging or pulling out.
The electronic parking brake may not disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is reported as ABS-related. Both affect brake reliability and repair costs.
Multiple systems—stability control, power steering, blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping, and secondary collision brake—malfunctioned at once in one report. This suggests complex electronics that can fail together.
“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.
Isuzu I 280 — 2 recalls
The defect: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS MAY EXPERIENCE THE PERMANENT LOSS OF BRAKE LAMP FUNCTION OR BRAKE LAMPS THAT ARE ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE CENTER HIGH-MOUNTED STOP LAMP (CHMSL) IS AFFECTED IN BOTH INSTANCES. ALSO, IF EQUIPPED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL BECOME INOPERATIVE. ANY TRAILER BRAKE LAMPS WHICH ARE…
The risk: A FOLLOWING DRIVER MAY NOT KNOW WHEN THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN APPLIED, AND A REAR-END CRASH COULD OCCUR WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
The defect: GM IS RECALLING 185,903 MODEL YEAR 2004-2009 COLORADO, GMC MODEL YEAR 2009-2004 CANYON, MODEL YEAR 2006 I-280, I-350, MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 I-290, AND I-370, PASSENGER VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSI…
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE SIMULTANEOUS LOSS OF ALL BRAKE LAMPS OR CAUSE ALL OF THE BRAKE LAMPS TO STAY ON CONTINUOUSLY. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD FAIL TO WARN OTHERS OF THE DRIVER'S INTENTIONS AND COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE NECESSARY COMPONENTS AS SPECIFIED IN THE RECALL BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE. GM ANTICIPATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY JUNE 2010. A SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR VEHICLES REGISTERED IN ALL OTHER STATES WILL BE…
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
Isuzu I 280 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Isuzu I 280 has far fewer complaints per year (11 vs. 205.6), but its small sample makes the pattern less statistically solid. The Camry's much higher volume includes crash-related reports and injuries, so the difference means the Camry has more documented safety events even though it is a more common vehicle.
Key differences
- The Isuzu I 280's complaints center on brake-light switch failures and electrical no-starts, while the Camry's top area is power-train shuddering and key-stuck issues.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related reports and 158 injuries in the data; the Isuzu has zero of each, though its sample is tiny.
- The Isuzu has two recalls both for the brake-light switch; the Camry has 31 recalls covering seats, air-bag sensors, and wheel studs.
- Camry owners report complex multi-system electronic malfunctions (stability, steering, blind-spot, lane-keep), while Isuzu owners report simpler fuse-blowing and fuel-leak symptoms.
- Check that both brake-light switch recalls were performed and test brake lights, cruise control, and fuse condition.
- Inspect the top of the fuel tank for gasoline odor or seepage, and verify the anti-theft system allows prompt starting.
- Test the electronic parking brake for disengagement and listen for clicking/vibrating from the brake pedal area.
- During a test drive, watch for delayed throttle response, shuddering, and check that the ignition key releases freely in Park.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check for open recalls on both vehicles, especially the Isuzu brake-light switch and Camry seat/air-bag/wheel recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Isuzu's fuel tank top, brake-light function, and anti-theft starting behavior.
- On the Camry, scan for stored power-train and ABS codes and test the electronic parking brake and throttle response.
- Verify the Isuzu's recall repair paperwork from a dealer, since one owner was turned away despite an open recall.
- Test-drive the Camry at various speeds to feel for hesitation or shuddering, and check all dashboard warning lights.
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 I 280 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Isuzu I 280 vs Toyota Camry
- Isuzu I 280 total complaints
- 11
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Isuzu I 280 total recalls
- 2
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Isuzu I 280 avg complaints/year
- 11.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Isuzu I 280
- Isuzu I 280 top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN