Head-to-head reliability
Lexus GX vs Toyota Camry
How the Lexus GX 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
Lexus GX vs Toyota Camry: The GX averages 5.4 complaints per year with 6 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The GX has 3 crash-related complaints and 2 injuries; the Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus GX or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus GX
The Lexus GX is a low-volume luxury SUV with only 54 complaints over 10 years, averaging 5.4 per year. Owners report brake vibrations on steep grades, a sharp parking brake pedal edge, and occasional electrical glitches like 'Low Steering Power' warnings. The GX has 6 recalls, 3 crash-related complaints, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths. Overall, it shows fewer reported issues per year than the Camry, but some brake and electrical problems can be safety-relevant.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume sedan with 2,056 complaints over 10 years, averaging 205.6 per year. Common owner reports include transmission shuddering, delayed throttle response, and brake system noises. It has 31 recalls, 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and 1 death. The sheer number of complaints means many owners experience problems, though not every car will.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus GX | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 54 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.4 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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.
Lexus GX
- 01SERVICE BRAKES13
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER10
- 03ENGINE8
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7
- 05POWER TRAIN6
Owners report violent shaking on steep descents, feeling like the car might not stop, and a sharp metal edge on the parking brake pedal that can cut a foot. These issues matter because brake problems directly affect stopping safety.
Complaints describe rough shifting and a harsh downshift jerk when slowing to a stop, even after a software update. This can make daily driving uncomfortable and may signal transmission wear.
Some owners see a 'Low Steering Power' warning at startup, and one reported a screech before the wheel jerked. Electrical glitches can disable power steering assist, making the vehicle hard to control.
Reports include a driver-side window cracking suddenly without impact and the 'Low Steering Power' message. These unexplained failures can be frustrating and costly to diagnose.
“At approximately 6,000 miles we drove this vehicle from Chattanooga to Nashville and back. The interstate has one steep grade. On the decent home the vehicle was violently shaking. It felt as if the car might not be able to stop or something had been broken.…”
“Parking brake foot pedal on my GX460 has a very sharp edge on the metal piece on the back side of it. In disengaged position, it sits directly above the left footrest position. If I slight lift my left feet or stretch the foot on a drive, it hits the back sid…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring a battery disconnect, and hesitation/shuddering with the check engine light on. These issues can leave you stranded or cause delayed acceleration.
Complaints include several seconds of delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, and hesitation/shuddering at various speeds. This lag can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may not disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is common. These problems add inconvenience and potential repair costs.
Multiple systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction at once. Such widespread electronic failures can overwhelm a driver and reduce safety.
“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.
Lexus GX — 6 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Toyota Tundra, Tacoma Hybrid, Tacoma, RAV4 Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Lexus GX550, 2024-2026 Tundra Hybrid, 2025 Sequoia Hybrid, Crown Signia, Grand Highlander, Lexus TX500 Hybrid, Lexus NX350 Hybrid, 2025-2026 Grand…
The risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the load carrying capacity modification label, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 26, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26LB04, 26LA04…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Toyota Tundra, Lexus LX, and 2024 Lexus GX vehicles equipped with a V35A engine. Debris from the manufacturing process may contaminate the engine and cause the main bearings to fail, which can result in an engine stall…
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will perform an inspection on the #1 main bearing using vehicle inspection software and drive data, and if necessary, replace the engine. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 28, 2026. Owners m…
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
Lexus GX or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Lexus GX has far fewer issues per year (5.4 vs. 205.6), meaning you are much less likely to encounter complaints. However, the Camry's higher volume means more reported problems overall, but also more widespread parts and service availability. In practice, the GX offers a lower chance of frequent repairs, while the Camry may have more documented issues but is cheaper to fix.
Key differences
- The Lexus GX averages 5.4 complaints per year, while the Toyota Camry averages 205.6—a huge gap in reported problem frequency.
- GX owners report brake vibrations and a sharp parking brake pedal; Camry owners report stuck ignition keys and delayed throttle response.
- The Camry has 31 recalls and 171 crash-related complaints, versus 6 recalls and 3 crash-related complaints for the GX.
- Camry complaints often involve multiple electronic systems failing at once, while GX complaints are more isolated to brakes, engine, and electrical.
- Test the brakes on a steep descent for violent shaking or vibration, as owners report this at low mileage.
- Check the parking brake pedal for a sharp metal edge that could cut your foot when disengaged.
- Try removing the ignition key after parking; if it sticks, it may need a battery disconnect to release.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area and test the electronic parking brake for proper disengagement.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed.
- Take a test drive that includes steep grades and stop-and-go traffic to check for brake shaking or transmission shudder.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brakes, transmission, and electrical system for the specific issues reported.
- For the Camry, test the key removal, throttle response, and electronic parking brake multiple times.
- For the GX, check the parking brake pedal edge and look for any 'Low Steering Power' warnings on startup.
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 | Lexus GX | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 13 | 163 |
| 2024 | 19 | 50 |
| 2023 | 6 | 64 |
| 2022 | 7 | 61 |
| 2021 | 3 | 157 |
| 2020 | 5 | 274 |
| 2019 | 0 | 395 |
| 2018 | 0 | 744 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 Lexus GX or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus GX vs Toyota Camry
- Lexus GX total complaints
- 54
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Lexus GX total recalls
- 6
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Lexus GX avg complaints/year
- 5.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Lexus GX
- Lexus GX top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN