Head-to-head reliability
KIA Amanti vs Toyota Camry
How the KIA Amanti 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
KIA Amanti vs Toyota Camry: The Amanti averaged 41.2 complaints per year over 6 years, with 22 crash-related reports, while the Camry averaged 205.6 per year over 10 years, with 171 crash-related reports. The Amanti's complaints often involve unintended acceleration, a severe safety risk. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Amanti or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Amanti
The KIA Amanti is a large sedan that was sold in low numbers, and its owner complaints show a pattern of serious issues. Over six years, it averaged about 41 complaints per year, with 22 crash-related reports and 21 injuries. The most common complaint area is vehicle speed control, where owners describe unintended acceleration and braking failures. Electrical problems like dead batteries and sunroofs opening on their own also appear. These are not minor annoyances; they can affect control of the car.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher total complaint count, but that's partly because far more were sold. Over ten years, it averaged about 206 complaints per year, with 171 crash-related reports and 158 injuries. The most frequent complaints involve the power train, engine, and brakes, with owners reporting shuddering, delayed acceleration, and brake noises. Many complaints are about newer models, so not all apply to older used Camrys. Still, the volume of reports suggests a range of issues to check.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Amanti | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 247 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 22 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 41.2 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 21 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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.
KIA Amanti
- 01VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL56
- 02AIR BAGS39
- 03POWER TRAIN38
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM34
- 05ENGINE24
Owners report sudden acceleration when braking, such as while parking, and instances where the car would not stop, leading to running red lights or hitting objects. This is a critical safety concern because it can cause loss of control.
Complaints include the airbag warning light staying on, often with dealerships saying the recall does not cover the vehicle. This means the airbag may not deploy in a crash, leaving occupants unprotected.
Owners describe transmission shifting problems, the check engine light coming on, and the engine dying at highway speeds without warning. These issues can leave you stranded or cause a sudden loss of power in traffic.
Reports include the battery draining when the car sits, the sunroof opening by itself, and the electronic panel failing. These electrical gremlins can be frustrating and expensive to diagnose and fix.
“THE DATE BELOW REFERS TO MOST RECENT EVENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AROUND 10 TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE (2007 KIA AMANTI PURCHASED NEW). IN THE MOST RECENT EVENT I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR FROM RUNNING A RED LIGHT, ENTERING AN INTERSECTION AND NEARLY HAD A…”
“When pulling into a parking spot and with my foot on the break, the car suddenly accelerated. The car did not react to my breaking. The car kept moving forward over a sidewalk, over the curb on the street, into the back end of a pickup parked on the road I wa…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of newer Camrys report the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove, and shuddering or hesitation while driving with the check engine light on. These can be inconvenient or indicate transmission issues.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the gas pedal, with the car taking several seconds to move. This hesitation can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
Owners report the electronic parking brake not disengaging, requiring a tow, and clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area that dealers say is normal for the 2023 Camry. Brake problems can affect stopping confidence.
Multiple system malfunctions are reported, such as failures in stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance all at once. These electronic failures can make the car unpredictable to drive.
“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.
KIA Amanti — 4 recalls
The defect: HUYNDAI-KIA IS RECALLING 139,844 MY 2006-2007- SEDONA, SPORTAGE, SORENTO AND MY RONDO AND AMANTI VEHICLES. THE STOP LAMP SWITCH IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION. A MALFUNCTIONING STOP LAMP SWITCH MAY CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED OR MAY CAUSE THE…
The risk: ANY OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, ALONE OR IN COMBINATION, MAY LEAD TO A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STOP LAMP SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 17, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA'S CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
The defect: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 201…
The risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved…
The fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's…
The defect: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 201…
The risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved…
The fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's…
The defect: Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2007-2010 Rondo, model year 2007-2011 Sedona, Sorento and Sportage, model year 2010-2011 Soul, model year 2008-2011 Optima, model year 2010 Forte, model year 2007-2009 Amanti, and model year 2009 Borrego vehicles. Originally, in April 201…
The risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved…
The fix: Kia will send an interim notification to owners in May 2013. When parts are available, owners will receive a second notification and dealers will replace the stop lamp switch, free of charge. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's…
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
KIA Amanti or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The KIA Amanti has far fewer complaints per year (about 41) than the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Amanti's complaints often involve severe safety issues like unintended acceleration. The Camry's higher volume is partly due to many more vehicles on the road, and its issues are more varied. In practice, the Amanti may have a higher risk of a catastrophic failure, while the Camry may have more frequent but less immediately dangerous problems.
Key differences
- The KIA Amanti has a high proportion of complaints about unintended acceleration and braking failures, which are immediate safety risks, while the Camry's top complaints are about transmission shuddering and brake noises.
- The Amanti has only 4 recalls, all for brake light switches, whereas the Camry has 31 recalls covering seats, air bag sensors, and wheels, indicating a wider range of potential defects.
- The Amanti's electrical complaints include sunroofs opening on their own and batteries draining, while the Camry's electrical issues often involve multiple driver-assist systems failing together.
- The Camry has a much higher total complaint count, but that is expected given its far higher sales volume; the Amanti's lower count still includes 22 crash-related reports and 21 injuries.
- During a test drive, check for any sudden acceleration or hesitation when braking, especially at low speeds, as owners report unintended acceleration.
- Inspect the airbag warning light; if it stays on, verify whether any recall applies, as owners report the light staying on without a covered fix.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; if it sticks, it could be a sign of the reported defect requiring battery disconnection.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal and check if the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to see if recalls were performed, especially for the Amanti's brake light switch and the Camry's air bag sensors.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and engine for the Amanti's power train complaints and the Camry's shuddering or hesitation issues.
- Test all electrical components, including sunroof, windows, and driver-assist systems, for the Amanti's electrical gremlins and the Camry's multiple system failures.
- During a test drive, specifically try braking firmly from low speeds to check for unintended acceleration in the Amanti and brake noises in the Camry.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and check for any outstanding recalls by providing the VIN to a dealership.
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 KIA Amanti or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Amanti vs Toyota Camry
- KIA Amanti total complaints
- 247
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- KIA Amanti total recalls
- 4
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- KIA Amanti avg complaints/year
- 41.2
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- KIA Amanti
- KIA Amanti top complaint area
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN