Head-to-head reliability
KIA Sportage vs Toyota Camry
How the KIA Sportage 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 Sportage vs Toyota Camry: The Sportage has fewer complaints per year (122) but more engine-related issues, while the Camry has more total complaints (2143) with a broader spread. Both have brake and electrical problems, but the Sportage's engine failures and the Camry's transmission issues are key concerns. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Sportage or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Sportage
The KIA Sportage, over the past decade, has accumulated a substantial number of complaints, with engine issues dominating the list. Owners frequently report sudden loss of power, stalling, and even complete engine failure, often leading to dangerous situations. Electrical system problems, including instrument cluster malfunctions, add to the ownership concerns. Brake complaints, such as premature rotor wear and brake booster failure, further contribute to a pattern of reliability issues that could affect safety and cost of ownership.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, while having a higher total number of complaints, shows a more balanced distribution across components. Powertrain issues, particularly transmission problems like grinding noises and the need for replacement, are prominent. Engine complaints include sudden acceleration incidents, which are alarming but relatively rare. Brake issues, such as loss of braking on hills, and electrical problems also appear, but the overall pattern suggests a vehicle with typical used-car concerns rather than a single dominant failure mode.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Sportage | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,221 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 25 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 82 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 122.1 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 70 Better | 163 |
| 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 Sportage
- 01ENGINE513
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER247
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM212
- 04SERVICE BRAKES111
- 05POWER TRAIN102
Owners report the engine can stall or lose power while driving, sometimes leaving the vehicle stuck in gear or unable to move. Some complaints mention the engine failing entirely, requiring major repairs or replacement, which is a serious safety and financial concern.
The instrument cluster screen may randomly go into a 'system check' mode, blanking out speed and tachometer for several seconds while driving. This can be disorienting and potentially dangerous if it happens at speed.
Brake issues include premature rotor wear requiring resurfacing, and in one case, a defective brake booster causing complete brake failure. Such failures are critical safety risks and demand immediate attention.
“We were getting in our car to drive home from a restaurant. We attempted to start our car like any other day, and the car started. However, our car was stuck in gear, it was in parking but also not in parking. The car was not moving, the gear was in “park”, t…”
“This is an issue of nonconformity according the Florida Lemon Law: "Florida's Lemon Law protects consumers who buy or lease new or demonstrator vehicles with persistent, significant defects, known as nonconformities, within the first 24 months of ownership."…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission problems are common, with owners reporting grinding noises upon acceleration and, in some cases, the need for complete transmission replacement. This is a costly repair and indicates a potential weakness in the drivetrain.
Some owners have experienced sudden, uncontrollable acceleration, leading to crashes. Others report engine warning lights and codes related to a coolant valve bypass, which may not be covered by recall for all VINs, causing confusion and potential overheating issues.
Brake failure has been reported, such as the pedal going to the floor with no response when descending a steep hill. This is a critical safety issue that could lead to accidents.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
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 Sportage — 25 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to co…
The risk: An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tow hitch harness control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC359. Vehicle…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
The risk: A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2024 Kia Sportage vehicles. The circuit board in the motor-driven power steering assembly may short circuit, resulting in a loss of power steering assist.
The risk: A loss of power steering assist can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the motor-driven power steering electric power pack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 19, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC31…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Sportage Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and 2024-2025 Sportage vehicles equipped with a 4.2" screen and a Genuine Kia tow hitch harness accessory. Due to a software error, the instrument panel screen may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to co…
The risk: An instrument panel screen that fails to display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tow hitch harness control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 13, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC359. Vehicle…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
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…
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…
Buyer analysis
KIA Sportage or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The KIA Sportage has fewer complaints per year (122.1) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), but the nature of the Sportage's engine and electrical issues may be more severe. The Camry's higher complaint count is partly due to its larger sales volume, but its problems are more varied. In practice, the Sportage may require more frequent and costly engine-related repairs, while the Camry might have more transmission and brake concerns.
Key differences
- The Sportage has a dominant engine problem area (513 complaints), while the Camry's top issue is powertrain (395) but with more spread across other components.
- Sportage owners report sudden engine stalling and electrical screen failures, whereas Camry owners report transmission grinding and sudden acceleration incidents.
- Brake issues are significant in both, but Sportage includes a brake booster failure, while Camry has reports of complete brake loss on hills.
- The Camry has a higher number of crash-related complaints (181) and injuries (163) compared to the Sportage (82 and 70), but also has one death versus zero for the Sportage.
- Inspect the engine for any signs of stalling or rough idling, and check for any open recalls related to engine or electrical systems.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially for any sponginess or unusual noises, and check the rotors for excessive wear.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration and check the transmission fluid condition.
- Test the brakes on a hill to ensure they respond properly, and check for any warning lights related to the engine or brakes.
Before you buy
- Check the vehicle's recall status on the NHTSA website and ensure all recalls have been addressed.
- Have a mechanic perform a compression test and scan for engine codes on the Sportage.
- For the Camry, have the transmission inspected and test drive at various speeds to detect any shuddering or noises.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for brake and engine services.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a certified mechanic specializing in the brand.
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 Sportage | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 32 | 119 |
| 2025 | 49 | 153 |
| 2024 | 68 | 48 |
| 2023 | 187 | 62 |
| 2022 | 46 | 59 |
| 2021 | 50 | 155 |
| 2020 | 159 | 270 |
| 2019 | 69 | 393 |
| 2018 | 162 | 736 |
| 2017 | 399 | 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 KIA Sportage or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Sportage vs Toyota Camry
- KIA Sportage total complaints
- 1,221
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- KIA Sportage total recalls
- 25
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- KIA Sportage avg complaints/year
- 122.1
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- KIA Sportage
- KIA Sportage top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN