Head-to-head reliability
JEEP Cherokee vs Toyota Camry
How the JEEP Cherokee 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
JEEP Cherokee vs Toyota Camry: The Jeep Cherokee averages 740 complaints per year and has 59 recalls, while the Toyota Camry averages 206 complaints per year and has 31 recalls. Both have crash-related complaints, but the Camry's lower volume suggests fewer overall issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the JEEP Cherokee or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
JEEP Cherokee
The Jeep Cherokee is a compact SUV that, based on NHTSA data, has a high rate of owner complaints—averaging about 740 per year over the past decade. The most common trouble spots are the power train, engine, and electrical system, with many reports of sudden stops, transmission jolts, and battery drain. With 59 recalls and 180 crash-related complaints, it demands careful inspection and a thorough service history before purchase.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a much lower complaint rate—about 206 per year—and fewer recalls (31) than the Jeep. However, owners still report issues such as transmission hesitation, key removal problems, and brake noise. The Camry's overall complaint volume is lower, but specific problems like electronic parking brake failures and throttle delay can be frustrating.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | JEEP Cherokee | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 7,397 | 2,056 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 59 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 180 | 171 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 739.7 | 205.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 153 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.
JEEP Cherokee
- 01POWER TRAIN3,688
- 02ENGINE1,629
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,563
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,408
- 05SERVICE BRAKES465
Owners report harsh jolts during acceleration, rolling backwards at stoplights, and unexpected emergency braking that lights up the dashboard. These transmission and braking issues can make the vehicle feel unpredictable and may lead to costly repairs.
Complaints include a sudden drop in fuel economy (from 27-29 mpg to 22-24 mpg) and excessive soot in the tailpipes, often requiring dealer diagnosis. This suggests potential fuel system or emissions problems that could affect performance and longevity.
Drivers describe the vehicle suddenly stopping while driving, with alarms and error messages, as well as batteries dying after just a few days of being parked. These electrical gremlins can be dangerous and difficult to diagnose.
Some owners report that the brake and gas pedals are so close together that their foot scrapes the brake when switching, causing unintended braking or acceleration. This design flaw can lead to loss of control and is a safety concern.
“on May 3 at approx. 4:00 pm I was sitting at a stop light and when it turned green I started to accelerate the jolt was so hard that I thought the car behind me had hit me.When I went to go again it started rolling backwards and I applied the brakes.I could n…”
“On [XXX], we were traveling from Seattle to Portland on [XXX] in my 2022 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk with the cruise control set at around 75 mph. Suddenly the emergency collision braking system applied and all of the lights on my vehicle lit up. While the brakin…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and unable to be removed even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection. Others experience hesitation and shuddering during acceleration, which can be alarming in traffic.
Complaints include delayed throttle response—pressing the gas pedal results in a several-second delay before the car moves. This lag can be dangerous when merging or crossing intersections.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Also, a clicking or vibrating sound from the brake pedal area is common, which some dealers say is normal but owners find concerning.
Multiple system malfunctions are reported, including failures of stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance—all at once. This can leave the driver with reduced control and safety features disabled.
“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.
JEEP Cherokee — 59 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
The risk: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed Jun…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The turn signal self-canceling feature may not function properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equ…
The risk: Turn signals that do not function properly may fail to indicate the driver's intention to change vehicle direction, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering column control module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 8, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recal…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2026 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The brake system control module may fail to operate properly, which can cause a loss of anti-lock brakes (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC).
The risk: A loss of anti-lock brakes or electronic stability control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the brake system control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 29D. Vehicle Id…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
The risk: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed Jun…
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
JEEP Cherokee or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has far fewer complaints per year (about 206 vs. 740 for the Jeep Cherokee) and fewer recalls, suggesting it may be less troublesome overall. However, both vehicles have notable issues, so a pre-purchase inspection is crucial regardless of choice.
Key differences
- The Jeep Cherokee has over three times as many complaints per year as the Toyota Camry (740 vs. 206), indicating a higher rate of owner-reported issues.
- Jeep Cherokee complaints often involve severe power train jolts and sudden electrical stops, while Camry issues are more often transmission hesitation and electronic parking brake failures.
- The Jeep Cherokee has 59 recalls compared to the Camry's 31, meaning more potential safety fixes.
- Both vehicles have crash-related complaints and injuries, but the Jeep has 180 crashes and 153 injuries, while the Camry has 171 crashes and 158 injuries—similar in that regard.
- During a test drive, accelerate from a stop and listen for harsh jolts or hesitation; also check for any warning lights related to the transmission or brakes.
- Inspect the battery and charging system; ask if the battery has been replaced, as owners report dead batteries after short periods.
- Test the ignition key removal multiple times to ensure it doesn't stick, and check for any delay in throttle response when pressing the gas pedal.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and test the electronic parking brake to ensure it disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on transmission, electrical, and brake systems.
- Test drive for at least 20 minutes, including highway and stop-and-go traffic, to replicate common complaint scenarios.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and battery replacements.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been addressed by checking the NHTSA website with the VIN.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | JEEP Cherokee | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 0 |
| 2023 | 3 | 64 |
| 2022 | 51 | 61 |
| 2021 | 166 | 157 |
| 2020 | 309 | 274 |
| 2019 | 1648 | 395 |
| 2018 | 686 | 744 |
| 2017 | 1335 | 148 |
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 JEEP Cherokee or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- JEEP Cherokee vs Toyota Camry
- JEEP Cherokee total complaints
- 7,397
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- JEEP Cherokee total recalls
- 59
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- JEEP Cherokee avg complaints/year
- 739.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- JEEP Cherokee top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN