Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Frontier vs Toyota Camry
How the Nissan Frontier 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 Frontier vs Toyota Camry: The Frontier has fewer complaints (473 vs 2143 over 10 years) but reports sudden electrical shutdowns and transmission lock-ups. The Camry has more frequent issues, including sudden acceleration and brake failure. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan Frontier or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan Frontier
The Nissan Frontier is a midsize pickup with a decade of complaints averaging about 47 per year. Owners report sudden electrical shutdowns while driving, transmission issues under load, and brake problems that can be alarming. These failures suggest a vehicle that may be less predictable in daily use, especially for those who rely on it for work or towing.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, a popular sedan, has a higher complaint volume at about 214 per year, but many issues are less severe, like HVAC odors and rock-damaged condensers. However, there are serious reports of sudden acceleration and brake failure, which are critical safety concerns. Overall, the Camry shows a mix of minor annoyances and occasional major failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Frontier | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 473 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 22 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 32 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 47.3 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 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 Frontier
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM120
- 02POWER TRAIN113
- 03SERVICE BRAKES81
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER72
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE63
Owners report complete power and ignition failures while driving, sometimes leading to crashes or even a death. This is the most frequent complaint area, indicating a serious reliability risk.
Transmission problems include hesitation when accelerating from a stop and the transmission locking in third gear when towing, which can be dangerous in traffic.
Brake issues are often linked to electrical failures, with reports of warning lights and speedometer malfunctions, suggesting a broader electronic problem affecting braking.
“Issue: engine and electric system completely shut off randomly while vehicle is driving. Cannot reliably reproduce, but all electric is lost and engine shuts off or at best resets in low gear until things come back alive. This has happened about 4 times to me…”
“Complete power/ignition failure resulting in death of driver on [XXX] while driving at night in the rain in a 2017 Nissan Frontier Pickup 4 door. The TDPS in McKinney, TX is pulling the black box for testing. 2 weeks before the accident the same vehicle (2017…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission grinding and the need for replacement are reported, especially in newer models. Some owners also describe sudden acceleration incidents, which are extremely concerning.
Engine issues include sudden unintended acceleration and a coolant valve bypass problem that triggers maintenance lights, potentially affecting engine performance and safety.
Brake failure reports include a complete loss of braking on a downhill curve, which is a critical safety issue. Other complaints mention brake assist problems in parking lots.
“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 Frontier — 22 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over t…
The risk: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additio…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over t…
The risk: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Nissan Frontier vehicles. Due to a software logic error, the daytime running lights may dim unexpectedly when the idle start-stop feature cycles the engine from off to on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of F…
The risk: Daytime running lights that dim unexpectedly may cause confusion to other vehicles or pedestrians, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the engine control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 17, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number for this recall is R25C3.
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 Frontier or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Nissan Frontier has fewer complaints per year (47 vs 214), but its issues are more likely to be catastrophic, like sudden shutdowns. The Camry has more complaints but a wider range of severity, with some serious safety concerns. In practice, the Frontier may be riskier for unexpected failures, while the Camry has more frequent but often less severe problems.
Key differences
- The Frontier's electrical failures can cause complete shutdowns, while the Camry's issues are more varied, including transmission and engine problems.
- The Camry has a higher rate of crash-related complaints (181 vs 32), suggesting more incidents, but the Frontier's failures are often more severe.
- The Frontier's transmission locks up when towing, a specific issue for truck users, whereas the Camry's transmission grinding is more general.
- The Camry has more complaints about brakes and acceleration, which are critical safety systems, but the Frontier's brake issues are tied to electrical failures.
- Check for any history of electrical system failures or recalls related to ignition, as these can cause sudden shutdowns.
- Inspect the transmission for signs of slipping or hesitation, especially if you plan to tow.
- Look for any signs of unintended acceleration or brake issues, and verify that all recalls, especially those for airbags and seats, have been addressed.
- Check the transmission for grinding noises and ensure the coolant valve bypass recall has been performed if applicable.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to see if recalls were completed for the specific VIN.
- Test drive at highway speeds and during acceleration to feel for transmission hesitation or grinding.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system, especially on the Frontier, for any signs of intermittent failures.
- For the Camry, check the air conditioning system for odors and inspect the condenser for damage.
- Ask about any known issues with sudden acceleration or brake failure and how they were resolved.
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 Frontier | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 119 |
| 2025 | 14 | 153 |
| 2024 | 38 | 48 |
| 2023 | 128 | 62 |
| 2022 | 110 | 59 |
| 2021 | 34 | 155 |
| 2020 | 46 | 270 |
| 2019 | 28 | 393 |
| 2018 | 25 | 736 |
| 2017 | 38 | 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 Frontier or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Frontier vs Toyota Camry
- Nissan Frontier total complaints
- 473
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Nissan Frontier total recalls
- 22
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Nissan Frontier avg complaints/year
- 47.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Frontier
- Nissan Frontier top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN