Head-to-head reliability
Isuzu I 290 vs Toyota Camry
How the Isuzu I 290 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 290 vs Toyota Camry: The Isuzu I 290 has 15 complaints over 2 years (about 7.5 per year) and 2 recalls, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (about 206 per year) and 31 recalls. The Isuzu's complaints center on no-start and stalling; the Camry's include 171 crash-related reports. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Isuzu I 290 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Isuzu I 290
The Isuzu I 290 is a compact pickup truck with a low complaint volume—15 over two years—but the pattern shows recurring no-start and stalling problems. Owners repeatedly describe a Passlock II ignition lockout that leaves the truck unable to start, often intermittently at first and then daily. Engine and power train complaints also cluster around a 'reduced power' mode and sudden shutdowns, which can strand a driver. With only 2 recalls and no reported crashes or injuries in this data, the main ownership burden is diagnostic uncertainty and repeat dealer visits.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume sedan with 2,056 complaints over ten years, averaging about 206 per year, and the data includes 171 crash-related reports, 158 injuries, and 1 death. The most common complaint areas are power train, engine, service brakes, and electrical system, with owners describing shuddering and hesitation, a stuck ignition key, and electronic parking brake failures. Recalls cover seats, air bag occupant sensors, and wheel lugs, suggesting several safety-related campaigns. This is a much larger and more varied complaint pool than the Isuzu, so a buyer should expect more potential systems to check.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Isuzu I 290 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 15 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.5 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 290
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
- 02ENGINE4
- 03ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
- 04POWER TRAIN3
- 05STEERING2
Owners report the Passlock II system locking out the ignition so the truck will not start, often intermittently at first and then daily. The dealer may not be able to duplicate it, leaving the owner without a clear fix.
Complaints describe a 'reduce power' light, speed limited to about 15 mph, and the engine killing while driving or idling. This can leave the truck undrivable and is a serious safety concern in traffic.
Owners report a crank-but-no-start condition after refueling that becomes more frequent over time. This points to a fuel or ignition-related no-start pattern that can strand a buyer at the pump.
One owner reported the vehicle shutting off while slowing to about 5 mph, and another noted a GM dealership was aware of related issues. Sudden shutdowns can happen at low speed and affect control.
“THE PASSLOCKII SYSTEM LOCKS OUT THE IGNITION SO IT WON'T START. THIS WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST BUT HAS BECOME A DAILY OCCURRENCE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT WHEN WE TOOK IT TO THEM. THIS SYSTEM IS FAULTY AND THE MANUFACTURER KNEW IT WHEN THEY MADE THE…”
“THIS TRUCK HAS DEVELOPED AN INTERMITTEN STARTING PROBLEM. AMBIENT TEMPERTURE SEEMS TO HAVE SOME BEARING ON THE FREQUENCY OF THE OCCURANCE, FOR EXAMPLE WHEN I VISITED COLORODO HAVING MUCH LOWER TEMPERATURE THAN IN SOUTH TEXAS, I HAD ZERO OCCURANCES AND WHEN I…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report an intermittent stuck ignition key that cannot be removed even when the dashboard shows Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on.
Complaints include a several-second delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, and hesitation/shuddering at various speeds. These can make merging or pulling out feel unpredictable.
Owners report the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow and a new switch that did not always fix it. Another complaint describes a clicking/vibrating sound from the brake pedal area tied to the ABS system.
One owner reported multiple systems malfunctioning at once, including stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping. Such simultaneous failures can overwhelm a driver and complicate diagnosis.
“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 290 — 2 recalls
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…
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 290 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Isuzu I 290 has far fewer complaints per year (about 7.5) than the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Isuzu's pattern centers on no-start and stalling faults that can leave you stranded. The Camry's much larger complaint pool includes more crash-related reports and injuries, so the lower-volume Isuzu may be simpler to live with if you can verify the starting system.
Key differences
- The Isuzu's complaints are dominated by no-start and stalling issues (Passlock II, reduced power, engine kill), while the Camry's top areas are power train, engine, brakes, and electrical with a wider variety of symptoms.
- The Camry data includes 171 crash-related reports, 158 injuries, and 1 death, whereas the Isuzu data shows 0 in each of those categories.
- The Isuzu has 2 recalls (both brake light switch), while the Camry has 31 recalls covering seats, air bag occupant sensors, and wheel lugs.
- The Isuzu averages about 7.5 complaints per year versus about 206 for the Camry, but the Isuzu's low volume still includes daily no-start reports.
- Test the ignition repeatedly, including after the truck sits and in different temperatures, because owners report intermittent Passlock II lockout that becomes daily.
- Check for a 'reduce power' light and any history of the engine killing while driving or idling, as this was reported even under warranty at about 68,000 miles.
- Try removing the ignition key in Park multiple times and check for any stuck-key history, since owners report the key cannot be removed without disconnecting the battery.
- Test the electronic parking brake engagement and release, and listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area that owners link to the ABS system.
Before you buy
- Ask for a cold-start demonstration and test the ignition several times on the Isuzu to check for Passlock II lockout.
- On the Camry, test the key removal in Park and the electronic parking brake release before buying.
- Request a pre-purchase inspection that scans for stored power train and brake codes on either vehicle.
- Verify that all recalls have been performed, especially brake light switch on the Isuzu and seat/air bag sensor recalls on the Camry.
- Take a test drive that includes slow-speed stops and acceleration to feel for shuddering, hesitation, or sudden shutdown.
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 290 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Isuzu I 290 vs Toyota Camry
- Isuzu I 290 total complaints
- 15
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Isuzu I 290 total recalls
- 2
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Isuzu I 290 avg complaints/year
- 7.5
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Isuzu I 290
- Isuzu I 290 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN