Head-to-head reliability
Jaguar XJR vs Toyota Camry
How the Jaguar XJR 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
Jaguar XJR vs Toyota Camry: the XJR has 3 complaints over 8 years (0.4/year) and 1 recall, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. The XJR's few reports include sudden power loss and a timing chain warning; the Camry's many reports include stuck keys, shuddering, and brake noise. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Jaguar XJR or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Jaguar XJR
The Jaguar XJR is a low-volume luxury sedan with very few complaints filed—only 3 over 8 years, or about 0.4 per year. The pattern is not about frequency but severity: owners describe sudden loss of power and brake vibration, plus a timing chain tensioner concern on 1998–2000 V8s. Living with one means watching for expensive, intermittent failures rather than routine wear.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume sedan with 2,056 complaints over 10 years—about 206 per year—and 31 recalls. Owners report a wide range of issues, from stuck ignition keys and shuddering power trains to brake noises and multiple electronic systems malfunctioning at once. The volume reflects how many are on the road, but the variety of complaints means many different parts can act up.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Jaguar XJR | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.4 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.
Jaguar XJR
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 02SERVICE BRAKES1
- 03HYDRAULIC1
- 04ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
Owners report sudden loss of all power at highway speed, leaving the engine coasting with no power steering or brakes. Another complaint warns that 1998–2000 V8s without the updated timing chain tensioner are 'ticking time bombs,' so buyers should confirm the retrofit.
One owner describes heavy shaking and vibration through the brake pedal and steering wheel when braking, which persisted after three dealer visits. This points to warped rotors or hydraulic issues that can make braking feel unstable.
The same timing chain tensioner warning appears under engine complaints: without the latest tensioner design, the V8 can suffer chain failure. That is a major engine-out repair, so service records matter.
“JAGUAR IS A GREAT CAR MANUFACTURE BUT I BELIEVE ALL 98-2000 JAGUAR V8'S SHOULD BE CONSIDERED LEMON'S IF THEY HAVE NOT YET BEEN RETROFITTED WITH THE LATEST TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER DESIGN JAGUAR CURRENTLY USES. THESE CARS ARE TICKING TIME BOMB'S IF THEY HAVE NOT…”
“I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A 5 LANE FREEWAY AT 65MPH WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING I LOST ALL POWER AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO COAST AT 15MPH. WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO GET TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY DEA…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck in the ignition even when the dashboard shows Park, requiring a battery disconnect to remove it. Others describe hesitation and shuddering at various speeds with the check engine light on.
Complaints include a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the accelerator from a stop, and repeated hesitation/shuddering with the check engine light. These can affect drivability and may point to sensor or software issues.
One owner had the electronic parking brake fail to disengage, requiring a tow and a new switch that did not fix the problem. Another reports a clicking, vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that the manufacturer calls a common ABS characteristic.
A single complaint lists multiple systems—smart stop, stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, secondary collision brake, and lane keeping—all malfunctioning at once. This suggests that electronic gremlins can cascade across safety aids.
“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.
Jaguar XJR — 1 recall
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON C…
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
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
Jaguar XJR or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Jaguar XJR has far fewer complaints per year (0.4 vs. 205.6), but its small sample includes severe events like sudden power loss and a known timing chain risk. The Camry's much higher volume brings many more reported problems, though most are drivability and electronic annoyances rather than total failures. In practice, the XJR demands careful inspection of a few big-ticket items, while the Camry means sorting through a long list of possible small faults.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: XJR averages 0.4 per year vs. Camry's 205.6 per year, but the XJR's few reports include sudden power loss and a timing chain warning.
- Crash/injury reports: Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries; XJR has 0 crash-related, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths in its 3 complaints.
- Recalls: Camry has 31 recalls (including airbag sensor, seats, and wheel studs); XJR has 1 recall for the fuel system.
- Failure style: XJR complaints cluster around electrical power loss and brake vibration; Camry complaints span power train (stuck key, shudder), engine hesitation, brake noise, and multiple electronic systems failing together.
- Ask for proof that the timing chain tensioner was updated to the latest design on 1998–2000 V8 models; without it, owners describe the engine as a 'ticking time bomb.'
- Test-drive and brake firmly from highway speed to check for pedal and steering wheel shake, which one owner reported persisting after three dealer visits.
- Check that the ignition key releases freely in Park and does not require a battery disconnect; a stuck key is a reported power train complaint.
- During the test drive, listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area and confirm the electronic parking brake engages and disengages without a tow.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full service history and specifically confirm the Jaguar's timing chain tensioner retrofit if considering a 1998–2000 V8.
- On the Camry, test the ignition key removal in Park, scan for stored check-engine codes, and feel for hesitation or shudder during acceleration.
- Brake test both cars from highway speed to detect vibration or noise, and inspect rotors and ABS function.
- Verify all recalls were performed—especially the Camry's airbag sensor, seat, and wheel stud recalls, and the XJR's fuel system recall.
- Have a mechanic inspect the XJR's electrical system and the Camry's electronic parking brake, stability control, and power steering aids for stored faults.
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 Jaguar XJR or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Jaguar XJR vs Toyota Camry
- Jaguar XJR total complaints
- 3
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Jaguar XJR total recalls
- 1
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Jaguar XJR avg complaints/year
- 0.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Jaguar XJR
- Jaguar XJR top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN