Head-to-head reliability
KIA EV6 vs Toyota Camry
How the KIA EV6 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 EV6 vs Toyota Camry: The EV6 averages 108.6 complaints per year with 11 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The EV6's issues often involve electrical and charging systems, whereas the Camry's are more varied. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA EV6 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA EV6
The Kia EV6 is an electric SUV that has been on the road for about five years, with an average of 108.6 complaints per year. The most common trouble spots are the electrical system and the charging-related components, with owners reporting sudden warnings, loss of power, and repeated dealer visits. Many complaints reference a recall for the charging control unit, and some say the fix did not fully solve the problem. This suggests that living with an EV6 can mean ongoing attention to software and charging hardware.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a long-running midsize sedan with a much longer track record—ten years of data—and averages about 205.6 complaints per year. The complaints cover a wide range of systems, from the powertrain and engine to brakes and electrical features. Owners describe issues like hesitation, shuddering, stuck ignition keys, and brake noises. While the Camry has more total complaints, it also has far more vehicles on the road, so the per-vehicle rate may be lower.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA EV6 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 543 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 11 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 20 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 108.6 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 9 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 EV6
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM406
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM98
- 03POWER TRAIN96
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER68
- 05ENGINE40
Owners frequently report sudden electrical faults, including a 'pop' sound followed by multiple warning messages like 'Check Electric Vehicle System.' These issues often stem from the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU), which is the subject of a recall, but some owners say the software fix did not prevent recurrence.
Complaints in this area also center on the ICCU and charging problems, with some owners experiencing repeated visits to the dealership for serious EV system issues. This can mean unexpected downtime and uncertainty about the vehicle's reliability.
Power train complaints often mirror the electrical issues, with reports of sudden loss of power or multiple faults appearing while driving. These symptoms can be alarming and may require towing or dealer intervention.
Some owners report error messages after charging, such as 'Check Electric Vehicle System,' which may clear on their own but can recur. These vague warnings can be frustrating and may indicate underlying software or hardware glitches.
“2024 Kia EV6 leased January 2025. Vehicle is subject to NHTSA Recall 24V-867 / Kia campaign SC327 for the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU). The recall remedy was performed at an authorized Kia dealer in July 2025 (software / operational logic update).…”
“Driving with my wife and [XXX] child, there was a pop sound from under the car, and the car suddenly showed multiple faults, including "Check electric vehicle system”, which cleared on their own. I parked and turned the car off and on again and the faults rea…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent problems like the ignition key getting stuck in the ignition even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, often accompanied by a check engine light.
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 when merging or pulling out into traffic.
Some owners experience the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Others hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, which dealers attribute to the ABS system but owners find abnormal.
Multiple system malfunctions are reported, such as failures in the smart stop system, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance—sometimes all at once. This can make the car feel unpredictable and unsafe.
“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 EV6 — 11 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2024 EV6 vehicles. The Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) may become damaged and stop charging the 12-Volt battery, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the ICCU and its fuse, as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the ICCU software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 29, 2024. Ow…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2024 EV6 vehicles. The Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) may become damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the ICCU and its fuse, as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the ICCU software. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2024. Owners may co…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2024 EV6 and 2024 EV9 vehicles. The high voltage battery cells may contain misaligned electrodes, which can lead to a fire while parked or driving.
The risk: A fire increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and limit their charge to a maximum of 80% until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the high voltage battery system assembly, free of charge. Owner notification l…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Niro EV and 2023 EV6 vehicles. One of the drive shafts may have been improperly heat-treated, allowing it to break under load and resulting in a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the drive shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC295.
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 EV6 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Kia EV6 has fewer complaints per year (108.6) compared to the Toyota Camry (205.6), but the EV6's issues are concentrated in critical electrical and propulsion systems that can cause sudden power loss. The Camry's problems are more varied and include many that are annoying but less likely to strand you. In practice, the EV6 may require more frequent dealer visits for high-voltage system faults, while the Camry's issues are often mechanical and may be more familiar to independent mechanics.
Key differences
- The Kia EV6 has far fewer complaints per year (108.6 vs. 205.6), but its complaints are heavily concentrated in electrical and propulsion systems, often related to the ICCU recall.
- The Toyota Camry's complaints span many systems, including power train, engine, and brakes, with issues like stuck ignition keys and delayed throttle response.
- The EV6 has 11 recalls over 5 years, while the Camry has 31 recalls over 10 years, indicating different recall frequencies.
- Crash-related complaints are much higher for the Camry (171 vs. 20), but this may reflect the larger number of Camrys on the road and longer time period.
- Check for any outstanding recalls, especially the ICCU recall (24V-867), and confirm that the software update was performed and has not recurred.
- Test drive and look for any warning messages like 'Check Electric Vehicle System' or unusual noises from under the car, which could indicate charging or power train issues.
- Test the ignition key to ensure it can be removed easily when the car is in Park; a stuck key is a reported problem.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and check that the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been addressed, especially for the EV6's ICCU and the Camry's air bag sensors.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic experienced with the specific model, focusing on the electrical system for the EV6 and the power train and brakes for the Camry.
- During the test drive, pay attention to any hesitation, shuddering, or warning lights, and test all electronic features.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and check if the vehicle has been back to the dealer multiple times for the same issue.
- Verify the warranty status, especially for the EV6's high-voltage components, as repairs can be costly.
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 | KIA EV6 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 53 | 163 |
| 2024 | 76 | 50 |
| 2023 | 137 | 64 |
| 2022 | 277 | 61 |
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 EV6 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA EV6 vs Toyota Camry
- KIA EV6 total complaints
- 543
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- KIA EV6 total recalls
- 11
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- KIA EV6 avg complaints/year
- 108.6
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- KIA EV6
- KIA EV6 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN