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 with 8 injuries, while the Camry averaged 206 complaints per year with 158 injuries and 1 death. Both have serious reported issues, but the Trooper's lower volume may mean fewer but severe problems. 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, based on owner complaints, can be a handful to live with. Over three years, it averaged 30 complaints per year, with the most common issues involving the engine, power train, and vehicle speed control. Owners report serious problems like unintended acceleration, transmission failure, and excessive oil consumption, which can lead to expensive repairs and safety concerns.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan with a generally strong reliability reputation, but NHTSA data shows a higher volume of complaints due to its widespread use. Over ten years, it averaged about 206 complaints per year, with power train, engine, and brake issues being the most frequent. While many complaints involve advanced electronic systems, some owners report persistent problems like hesitation, shuddering, and brake noise.
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 | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 8 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 30.0 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 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 Trooper
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING35
- 02POWER TRAIN17
- 03VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11
- 04SERVICE BRAKES9
- 05FUEL SYSTEM9
Owners report excessive oil consumption, needing to add 1-2 quarts every couple thousand miles without visible leaks, and check engine lights often related to emissions sensors. This can indicate worn engine components and lead to costly repairs or engine failure if ignored.
Complaints include transmission failure, with warning lights coming on before breakdowns, and sudden unintended acceleration when shifting into reverse or drive. These issues can cause loss of control and expensive transmission replacements.
Owners describe unwanted acceleration, such as the engine revving at stoplights or the vehicle accelerating without pressing the gas pedal. This poses a serious safety risk and can be difficult to diagnose, as dealers may not find a fix.
Reports include extreme heat from the engine area and brake-related issues, sometimes linked to faulty transmission components. Brake problems can compromise stopping ability and may require immediate attention.
“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 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, and hesitation or shuddering while driving with the check engine light on. These can be frustrating and may indicate electronic or transmission problems.
Complaints include delayed throttle response, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second delay before the car moves. This can be a safety concern in traffic and may be related to electronic throttle control issues.
Some owners experience the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring towing, and clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area that are attributed to the ABS system. These issues can affect vehicle usability and braking confidence.
Multiple advanced systems, such as stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring, can malfunction simultaneously, often due to electronic or sensor faults. These failures can reduce driver assistance and require complex diagnostics.
“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 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 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 Trooper or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Isuzu Trooper has far fewer complaints per year (30 vs. 206 for the Camry), but its issues tend to be more severe, involving unintended acceleration and transmission failure. The Camry's higher complaint volume reflects its larger sales base, yet many problems are electronic and may be less catastrophic. In practice, the Trooper may need more urgent repairs, while the Camry could have more frequent but less dangerous annoyances.
Key differences
- The Isuzu Trooper has reports of unintended acceleration and transmission failure, while the Toyota Camry's power train complaints often involve key stuck and hesitation.
- Trooper owners frequently mention excessive oil consumption and engine warning lights; Camry owners report delayed throttle response and shuddering.
- Brake issues on the Trooper include extreme heat and potential transmission-related problems, whereas Camry brake complaints focus on electronic parking brake failure and ABS noise.
- The Camry has a much higher complaint volume but also more recalls (31 vs. 3), suggesting broader but perhaps less severe issues.
- Check for excessive oil consumption by asking about oil top-off frequency and inspecting for blue exhaust smoke.
- Test drive at low speeds and during gear changes to detect any unintended acceleration or transmission slipping.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park to ensure it doesn't stick, and check for any hesitation or shuddering during acceleration.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and verify the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to see if recalls were addressed, especially for the Trooper's engine and fuel system recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and engine for the Trooper, focusing on oil consumption and shift quality.
- For the Camry, check for software updates or recalls related to the power train and brake systems.
- Test all electronic features on the Camry, including stability control, parking brake, and driver assistance systems.
- During the test drive, replicate stop-and-go traffic and parking maneuvers to uncover any unintended acceleration or brake issues.
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
- 2,056
- Isuzu Trooper total recalls
- 3
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Isuzu Trooper avg complaints/year
- 30.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Isuzu Trooper
- Isuzu Trooper top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN