Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Altima vs Toyota Camry
How the Nissan Altima 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
Nissan Altima vs Toyota Camry: The Altima averages 118.8 complaints per year, while the Camry averages 214.3. Altima owners report sudden stalling and gear shifter detachment, while Camry owners report transmission grinding and brake failure. Both have serious safety concerns. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan Altima or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima, over the past decade, has accumulated a substantial number of complaints, averaging nearly 119 per year. Owners frequently report sudden electrical failures, including stalling and dashboard warning lights, as well as transmission issues like the gear shifter detaching. These problems often occur at highway speeds, raising safety concerns. While not every car will experience these issues, the pattern suggests a need for careful inspection and maintenance.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, with over 214 complaints per year, shows a higher volume of reported issues, but many are less severe, such as HVAC odors and transmission grinding. However, there are serious reports of sudden unintended acceleration and brake failure, which are critical safety concerns. The Camry's higher complaint count may reflect its larger sales volume, but the nature of some complaints warrants attention.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Altima | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,188 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 23 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 96 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 118.8 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 73 Better | 163 |
| 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.
Nissan Altima
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER237
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM206
- 03POWER TRAIN193
- 04ENGINE157
- 05SERVICE BRAKES148
Owners report sudden stalling while driving, often accompanied by dashboard warning lights, and in some cases, the car dies completely. This can happen at highway speeds, creating a dangerous situation.
There are reports of the gear shifter detaching from its housing, leaving the car stuck in Drive and unable to shift to Park or Neutral. This is a serious mechanical failure that compromises control.
Engine stalling is a recurring theme, with some incidents occurring in cold weather or at low mileage. Owners describe the car suddenly losing power and all dashboard lights illuminating.
“I was driving to work. As I was doing so multiple lights came on my dashboard and it started dinging. At the same time my car immediately shot left so hard into the concrete median barrier at 70 mph. It all happened so fast I was not able to see what lights c…”
“When I first start the car the engine revs and the tachometer or the RPM reader stays above 2 while reving for over a minute which is too long. The needle eventually goes to 1 but it seems like when I change gears to drive it "hits hard" then almost skids out…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission issues are common, with grinding noises on acceleration and, in some cases, the need for complete transmission replacement. This can be a costly repair.
There are alarming reports of sudden unintended acceleration, leading to crashes. Additionally, some owners mention engine warning lights related to a coolant valve bypass, which may not be covered by recall for their VIN.
Brake failure is reported, with owners experiencing no response when pressing the pedal, particularly on hills. This is a critical safety issue that requires immediate attention.
“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.
Nissan Altima — 23 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Mot…
The risk: A door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the door strikers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD185 and PMA61. Vehicle Iden…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima vehicles. The front passenger air bag and front passenger knee air bag may have been installed with incorrect mounting fasteners, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the air bag mounting fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 25, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan’s customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall i…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Altima vehicles. The bolts connecting the electronic power steering unit to the steering rack may loosen, resulting in a loss of steering control or steering lock-up.
The risk: A loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC997.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand…
The risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge.…
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
Nissan Altima or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Nissan Altima has fewer complaints per year (118.8) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), but the Altima's issues are more likely to involve sudden stalling or transmission failure. The Camry's higher complaint count includes many minor issues, but it also has serious reports of unintended acceleration and brake failure. In practice, the Altima may have a lower frequency of problems, but the severity of its reported failures is a significant concern.
Key differences
- The Altima has a higher proportion of electrical and powertrain complaints that lead to sudden stalling or loss of control, while the Camry's complaints are more evenly spread across systems.
- Camry owners report transmission grinding and replacement needs, whereas Altima owners report gear shifter detachment, a more immediate safety hazard.
- Both have reports of sudden acceleration, but the Camry's are more frequent and have led to crashes.
- The Altima has fewer complaints per year, but the Camry's complaints include many minor issues like AC odors, which may not affect safety.
- Inspect the transmission and gear shifter for any looseness or signs of detachment, as this has been a reported failure.
- Check the electrical system for any history of stalling or dashboard warning lights, and have the battery and alternator tested.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on hills, to ensure there is no loss of braking power.
- Listen for any grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration, and check for any pending recalls related to the transmission or engine.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the specific VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission, brakes, and electrical system.
- Test drive the car at highway speeds to see if any stalling or warning lights occur.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and brake inspections.
- Research common issues for the specific model year and compare with the complaint patterns.
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 | Nissan Altima | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 119 |
| 2025 | 6 | 153 |
| 2024 | 41 | 48 |
| 2023 | 29 | 62 |
| 2022 | 20 | 59 |
| 2021 | 69 | 155 |
| 2020 | 179 | 270 |
| 2019 | 229 | 393 |
| 2018 | 225 | 736 |
| 2017 | 390 | 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 Nissan Altima or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Altima vs Toyota Camry
- Nissan Altima total complaints
- 1,188
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Nissan Altima total recalls
- 23
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Nissan Altima avg complaints/year
- 118.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Altima
- Nissan Altima top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN