Head-to-head reliability
KIA Borrego vs Toyota Camry
How the KIA Borrego 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 Borrego vs Toyota Camry: The Borrego averaged 30 complaints per year over 3 years, while the Camry averaged about 206 per year over 10 years. The Borrego has 7 recalls and 3 injuries; the Camry has 31 recalls and 1 death. Both show serious brake and power train issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Borrego or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Borrego
The KIA Borrego is a body-on-frame SUV sold for only a few model years, and owner complaints suggest it can become a money pit as it ages. Over three years, NHTSA logged 90 complaints—about 30 per year—with power train, electrical, and brake problems leading the list. Some owners report repeated, unresolved repairs, including transmission shifting issues and brake warning lights. With 7 recalls and 3 injuries reported, it's a vehicle that demands a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream midsize sedan with a long production history and a huge owner base, which partly explains its higher complaint totals. Over ten years, NHTSA recorded 2,056 complaints—roughly 206 per year—spanning power train, engine, brakes, and electrical systems. Many complaints involve newer models with issues like hesitant acceleration, stuck ignition keys, and electronic parking brake failures. With 31 recalls and 1 death reported, it's important to check for open recalls and test drive carefully.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Borrego | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 90 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 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 | 3 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.
KIA Borrego
- 01POWER TRAIN18
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16
- 03SERVICE BRAKES16
- 04SEAT BELTS11
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER10
Owners report erratic transmission shifting, such as holding third gear and refusing to upshift or downshift properly. Some specifically mention the ZF 6-speed transmission in V8 models as a known problem, which can lead to expensive repairs.
Complaints include the starter engaging unexpectedly while the key is in the ignition, even in Park or Neutral. One owner described ongoing electrical gremlins that cost thousands without a clear fix, suggesting diagnostic headaches.
Drivers report multiple warning lights (ABS, ESC, emergency brakes) coming on while driving, and in one case a complete loss of braking without warning. A shop diagnosed a failed master cylinder, indicating a serious safety concern.
There are reports of front seat belts unlatching independently while driving at 35 MPH, even after being re-latched. This is a critical safety issue that could increase injury risk in a crash.
“THIS PAST TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2016, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING BECAME ERRATIC, IN PARTICULAR, AND AMONG OTHER ISSUES, HOLDING ON TO 3RD GEAR AND REFUSING TO UP SHIFT OR DOWN SHIFT PROPERLY. THERE WERE A FEW TIMES IN WHICH WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STAND-STILL '…”
“I NOW FIND MYSELF DEALING WITH AN ISSUE THAT I NOW KNOW IS A WELL-KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THE ZF 6-SPEED TRANSMISSION USED IN THIS PARTICULAR V8 MODEL. THIS PAST WEEK, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING BECAME ERRATIC, IN PARTICULAR, AND AMONG OTHER ISSUES,…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of 2023 Camrys report the ignition key becoming stuck and unable to be removed even when the dashboard shows Park; disconnecting the battery is sometimes needed. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on.
Complaints include delayed throttle response—pressing the accelerator and waiting several seconds before the car moves. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic, and may be accompanied by hesitation and shuddering.
The electronic parking brake (EPB) may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Owners also report a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, which dealers attribute to the ABS system.
Multiple driver-assist systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. This suggests complex electronic issues that may be difficult to diagnose and repair.
“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 Borrego — 7 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may…
The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Borrego vehicles. The headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
The risk: A headliner plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 30, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC286.
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may…
The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Borrego vehicles. The headliner plates may not be secured properly, which can result in the plates detaching in the event of a side curtain air bag deployment.
The risk: A headliner plate that detaches during a crash may strike an occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will secure the headliner plates, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 30, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC286.
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 Borrego or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The KIA Borrego has far fewer complaints per year (30) than the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Borrego's complaints often involve severe safety issues like brake failure and seat belts unlatching. The Camry's higher volume reflects its much larger sales and longer production run, yet it also has more recalls and a reported death. In practice, the Borrego may be cheaper to buy but riskier per mile; the Camry is more common but requires careful recall checks.
Key differences
- The Borrego has 90 complaints over 3 years (30/year) versus the Camry's 2,056 over 10 years (206/year), but the Borrego's issues often involve brakes and seat belts failing while driving.
- Borrego owners report transmission shifting problems and unexpected starter engagement, while Camry owners report stuck ignition keys and delayed acceleration.
- The Camry has 31 recalls and 1 death reported; the Borrego has 7 recalls and 3 injuries, so both have safety-related recall histories.
- Camry complaints frequently involve electronic driver-assist malfunctions, while Borrego complaints include brake warning lights and master cylinder failure.
- During a test drive, check for erratic transmission shifting—especially holding gears or refusing to shift—and listen for the starter engaging unexpectedly when the key is in the ignition.
- Inspect the brakes for warning lights (ABS, ESC) and test the seat belts to ensure they latch securely and don't unlatch while driving.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park and check for any hesitation or shuddering during acceleration, which could indicate power train or engine issues.
- Verify the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly, and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the transmission, brakes, and electrical system, focusing on the specific failure patterns reported for each model.
- During a test drive, simulate stop-and-go traffic and highway merging to check for transmission shifting issues and delayed acceleration.
- Test all seat belts, the ignition key removal, and the electronic parking brake to ensure they function correctly.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and brake repairs, and be wary of a history of repeated electrical fixes.
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 Borrego or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Borrego vs Toyota Camry
- KIA Borrego total complaints
- 90
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- KIA Borrego total recalls
- 7
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- KIA Borrego avg complaints/year
- 30.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- KIA Borrego
- KIA Borrego top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN