Head-to-head reliability
KIA Stinger vs Toyota Camry
How the KIA Stinger 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 Stinger vs Toyota Camry: The Stinger averages 28.2 complaints per year over 6 years, while the Camry averages 205.6 per year over 10 years. The Stinger has 20 recalls and 1 death; the Camry has 31 recalls and 1 death. Stinger complaints include sudden power loss and failed fuel-pump fixes; Camry complaints include stuck keys and brake noise. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Stinger or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Stinger
The Kia Stinger is a sporty sedan that averages about 28 complaints per year over six years, with 20 recalls. Owners report serious issues like sudden loss of power while driving and a high-pressure fuel pump recall fix that didn't work. The pattern suggests you should be ready for engine and fuel-system problems that can leave you stranded.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has a much higher total complaint count—about 206 per year over ten years—but that reflects its huge sales volume. Owners describe intermittent problems like a stuck ignition key, delayed throttle response, and electronic parking brake failures. The complaints are spread across many systems, so while issues exist, they are not concentrated in one catastrophic area.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Stinger | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 169 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 20 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 6 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 28.2 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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 Stinger
- 01ENGINE48
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM35
- 03SERVICE BRAKES30
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM25
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER22
Owners report the car refusing to move from a stop with all dashboard lights on, and a recall software fix for the high-pressure fuel pump that owners say failed. These can cause sudden loss of power, which is dangerous in traffic.
Complaints include driver’s door switch lighting and ambient lighting colors changing unexpectedly. While less severe, these electrical gremlins can be annoying and costly to trace.
One owner reported a problem with the steering/braking/suspension system that a mechanic confirmed after a road test. Brake issues are safety-critical and should be checked carefully.
A brand-new car with just over 300 miles lost power suddenly and would not restart, nearly causing a rear-end collision. This points to a fuel delivery fault that can strand you without warning.
“I was sitting at a red light with my foot on the brake. When I took my foot off the brake when the light turned green, my car would not drive forward!! I checked to make sure my car was not in Park. All of the lights on the dash were on and the engine was no…”
“I am reporting a Failure of the Remedy for NHTSA Recall 23V634000 (Kia Recall SC281). The original recall attempted to "fix" a High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) issue via a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU). This remedy has failed. My vehicle is c…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck in the ignition even when the car is in Park, requiring a battery disconnect to remove. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on, which can indicate transmission or engine control issues.
Multiple systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—malfunctioned at once in one report. Another owner cited subframe, driveline, and stability control components, suggesting complex electronic or structural problems.
A several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the accelerator was reported three times by one owner. This lag can be a safety risk when merging or pulling out.
The electronic parking brake would not disengage, requiring a tow and a new switch that did not fix the problem. Another owner heard a clicking vibrating sound from the brake pedal area, which the manufacturer called common for the 2023 Camry.
“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 Stinger — 20 recalls
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Stinger vehicles. A software error in the instrument cluster may cause an inaccurate fuel gauge reading.
The risk: An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC219.
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Stinger vehicles. The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to the engine.
The risk: Insufficient fuel supply to the engine can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel pump and replace the jet nozzle housing assembly, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's n…
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) recalled certain 2019 Stinger vehicles equipped with 3.3L T-GDI engines on August 27, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Kia expanded the recall population and added certain 2018-2021 Stinger vehicles. While driving, an engine compartment fire may occur in the area where the Anti-…
The risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
The fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuse kit in the electrical junction box, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall beg…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Stinger vehicles. The fuel control valve plunger may stick inside the high pressure fuel pump, causing over-pressurization and loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the engine control unit software, inspect, and replace the fuel pump as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia…
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 Stinger or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Kia Stinger has far fewer complaints per year (28.2 vs. 205.6), but its issues are more often severe, like sudden power loss and failed recall remedies. The Camry’s higher volume means more total complaints, but many are intermittent annoyances rather than strandings. In practice, the Stinger may leave you stranded more often, while the Camry may have more frequent small headaches.
Key differences
- The Stinger has 28.2 complaints per year vs. the Camry’s 205.6, but the Stinger’s complaints include sudden loss of power and a failed fuel-pump recall fix.
- Camry owners report stuck ignition keys and delayed throttle response, while Stinger owners report the car refusing to move from a stop with all lights on.
- The Stinger has 20 recalls over 6 years; the Camry has 31 recalls over 10 years, including airbag sensor and seat issues.
- Camry brake complaints include electronic parking brake failure and a clicking/vibrating pedal noise; Stinger brake complaints include a steering/braking/suspension problem confirmed by a mechanic.
- Check for any open recall related to the high-pressure fuel pump (NHTSA 23V634000) and confirm the software update was actually performed and has not failed.
- Test-drive from a stop multiple times and listen for any hesitation or refusal to move; also check all dashboard lights for proper function.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park repeatedly; if it sticks, walk away or budget for repair.
- Test the electronic parking brake engagement and disengagement several times, and listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on both models, especially the Stinger’s fuel pump recall and the Camry’s airbag sensor recalls.
- Have a mechanic perform a thorough inspection, including a road test that mimics stop-and-go driving and checks for throttle response and brake noises.
- For the Stinger, specifically ask the seller for proof that the ECU software update for the fuel pump recall was done and has not caused issues.
- For the Camry, test all electronic systems: key removal, parking brake, stability control, and blind spot monitoring.
- Check the NHTSA website for any additional complaints or recalls specific to the exact model year you are considering.
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 Stinger | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | 64 |
| 2022 | 18 | 61 |
| 2021 | 17 | 157 |
| 2020 | 16 | 274 |
| 2019 | 44 | 395 |
| 2018 | 69 | 744 |
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 Stinger or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Stinger vs Toyota Camry
- KIA Stinger total complaints
- 169
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- KIA Stinger total recalls
- 20
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- KIA Stinger avg complaints/year
- 28.2
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- KIA Stinger
- KIA Stinger top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN