Head-to-head reliability
Isuzu Trooper vs Toyota Camry
How the Isuzu Trooper 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 Trooper vs Toyota Camry: The Trooper averaged 30 complaints per year over 3 years, while the Camry averaged 214.3 per year over 10 years. Both have reports of unintended acceleration and brake issues, but the Camry has more recalls (31 vs 3). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Isuzu Trooper or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Isuzu Trooper
The Isuzu Trooper is a rugged SUV that can be costly to maintain as it ages. Over three years, owners filed 90 complaints, averaging 30 per year, with engine and power train issues dominating. Reports include sudden acceleration, oil consumption, and transmission failure, which can lead to expensive repairs and safety risks. With only 3 recalls, the Trooper's reliability picture is mixed, requiring careful inspection before purchase.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular sedan with a generally strong reliability reputation, but it is not trouble-free. Over ten years, owners filed 2,143 complaints, averaging about 214 per year, covering power train, engine, brakes, and electrical systems. Some reports describe serious issues like unintended acceleration and brake failure, though many complaints involve less critical problems like AC odors. With 31 recalls, buyers should verify that all recall work has been completed.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Isuzu Trooper | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 90 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 8 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 30.0 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 Better | 163 |
| 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 Trooper
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING35
- 02POWER TRAIN17
- 03VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11
- 04SERVICE BRAKES9
- 05FUEL SYSTEM9
Owners report excessive oil consumption without visible leaks, requiring adding 1-2 quarts every few thousand miles, and check engine lights often indicate emissions sensor failures. Some also describe sudden, unintended acceleration when shifting into reverse, which could cause a crash.
Transmission failures are common, with reports of the transmission light and engine light coming on before breakdowns, leading to costly replacements. One owner also noted a bad U-joint and faulty transmission accumulator, contributing to drivability and safety concerns.
Owners describe unwanted acceleration, such as the engine revving at a stop and the vehicle lunging forward or maintaining speed without pressing the accelerator. This can be frightening and may require constant braking to control the vehicle.
Complaints include extreme heat from the engine area and brake issues that may be linked to transmission problems. One owner reported a faulty transmission accumulator and bad U-joint, which could affect braking and overall control.
“MY SUV , ISUZU TROOPER OF 10YEARS, WAS PARKED IN A LIBRARY PARKING GARAGE AND AFTER IGNITION TURNED ON, I PUT IT IN REVERSE GEAR TO GET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND THE CAR RAPIDLY REVERSED AND BEFORE I COULD FIGURE OUT AND REACT, THE CAR SHOT LIKE A ROCKET TOW…”
“WE HAVE HAD TO ADD 1-2 QTS OF OIL EVERY COUPLE THOUSAND MILES ALTHOUGH WE DID NOT SEE AN OIL LEAK (NO MARKS ON THE DRIVEWAY) MECHANIC COULD FIND NO OIL LEAK OR PROBLEM OUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON,AND MECHANIC SAID WE NEEDED EMISSIONS SENSOR REPLACED. W…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front upon acceleration, often diagnosed as transmission failure requiring replacement. Some note that recalls exist for similar issues on certain model years, but their VIN may not be covered, leaving them with expensive repairs.
Sudden, uncontrollable acceleration has been reported multiple times, sometimes resulting in crashes. Another owner cited a coolant valve bypass issue that was subject to a recall but not covered for their VIN, indicating potential gaps in recall coverage.
One owner described complete brake failure while driving down a steep hill, with no response from the pedal. Another reported difficulty braking in a parking lot, requiring extra force, which could lead to collisions in tight spaces.
Recurring HVAC odors, such as a vinegar-like or mildew smell from the vents, are a common annoyance. Additionally, AC condenser damage from road debris can cause refrigerant leaks and costly repairs.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder 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 Trooper — 3 recalls
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS BUILT WITH TOD (TORQUE-ON-DEMAND). IN CERTAIN HIGH SPEED, FRONTAL CRASHES, MOVEMENT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS CAN CAUSE THE POTENTIAL FOR FUEL LEAKAGE.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW, REINFORCED FUEL HOSE ASSEMBLY. NOTE: THE FUEL LEAKAGE ISSUE IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN IS NOT THE SAME AS THE ONE ADDRESSED IN THEIR PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN 00V-253.
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS BUILT WITH TOD (TORQUE-ON-DEMAND). IN CERTAIN HIGH SPEED, FRONTAL CRASHES, MOVEMENT OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS CAN CAUSE THE POTENTIAL FOR FUEL LEAKAGE.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW, REINFORCED FUEL HOSE ASSEMBLY. NOTE: THE FUEL LEAKAGE ISSUE IN THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN IS NOT THE SAME AS THE ONE ADDRESSED IN THEIR PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN 00V-253.
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS BUILT WITH TOD (TORQUE-ON-DEMAND). IN CERTAIN HIGH SPEED FRONTAL CRASHES, AN INTERIOR FUEL LINE AND FUEL HOSE CAN BE SEPARATED, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL FUEL SYSTEM SHIELDS.
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
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…
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…
Buyer analysis
Isuzu Trooper or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Isuzu Trooper has far fewer complaints per year (30) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), but the Trooper's issues often involve severe safety concerns like sudden acceleration and transmission failure. The Camry's higher complaint volume includes many less critical problems, but it also has reports of unintended acceleration and brake failure. In practice, the Trooper may have fewer overall complaints, but each could be more serious, while the Camry's higher rate means more frequent visits to the shop.
Key differences
- The Isuzu Trooper averages 30 complaints per year, while the Toyota Camry averages 214.3 per year, indicating the Camry has more frequent owner-reported issues.
- Trooper complaints often involve sudden acceleration and transmission failure, whereas Camry complaints include unintended acceleration, brake failure, and HVAC odors.
- The Trooper has only 3 recalls over 3 years, while the Camry has 31 recalls over 10 years, suggesting the Camry has had more widespread safety-related fixes.
- Both vehicles have reports of unintended acceleration, but the Trooper's are often linked to engine and speed control, while the Camry's are tied to engine and power train.
- Check for excessive oil consumption by asking the owner about oil top-off frequency and inspecting for blue exhaust smoke or low oil levels.
- Test drive at low speeds and in reverse to detect any unintended acceleration or transmission slipping, and listen for unusual noises from the transmission.
- During a test drive, gently apply the brakes at various speeds to check for responsiveness and any grinding or fading, as brake failure has been reported.
- Inspect the AC system for odors and check the condenser for damage from road debris, as this can lead to costly repairs.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to see if all recalls have been performed, especially for the Camry's many recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and engine for the Trooper, and the brakes and HVAC for the Camry.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions, including highway, stop-and-go, and parking lot maneuvers, to feel for acceleration or braking anomalies.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly for oil changes and transmission service, to gauge how well the vehicle was cared for.
- Check for any outstanding recalls by using the NHTSA VIN lookup tool and confirm they are addressed before purchase.
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 Trooper or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Isuzu Trooper vs Toyota Camry
- Isuzu Trooper total complaints
- 90
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Isuzu Trooper total recalls
- 3
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Isuzu Trooper avg complaints/year
- 30.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Isuzu Trooper
- Isuzu Trooper top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN