Head-to-head reliability
Nissan GT R vs Toyota Camry
How the Nissan GT R 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 GT R vs Toyota Camry: The GT R has 0 complaints over 10 years, while the Camry has 2,143, with 181 crashes and 1 death. Camry owners report transmission and brake failures, while GT R recalls focus on axle spindle and camera. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan GT R or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan GT R
The Nissan GT R is a high-performance sports car with a very low complaint rate, averaging zero per year over the past decade. This suggests that owners rarely report mechanical or safety issues to NHTSA, which is unusual for any vehicle. However, the lack of complaints also means there is little real-world data on common problems, so buyers should rely on professional inspections and recall history. The recalls focus on labels, backup camera, and rear axle spindle, indicating potential quality control or design issues that were addressed proactively.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 214 per year. Owners report a wide range of issues, with the most frequent being in the power train, engine, brakes, and electrical systems. Some complaints describe serious incidents like sudden acceleration and brake failure, which are concerning for safety. While many Camrys are reliable, the sheer number of complaints suggests that certain model years or components may have systemic problems. The recall history includes air bag sensors, seats, and wheel studs, indicating areas of concern.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan GT R | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Nissan GT R
No component data available.
A recall was issued for the rear axle spindle, which could fail and lead to loss of control. Owners should inspect for any signs of wear or damage and ensure the recall repair has been performed.
A recall for the backup camera system indicates potential display issues, which could reduce visibility when reversing. Check that the camera image is clear and that any recall software updates are applied.
Two recalls involve incorrect labels, which may not meet federal safety standards. While not a mechanical failure, it could affect compliance and information provided to the driver.
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises and transmission failures, with some requiring full replacement. This can be a costly repair and may indicate a design flaw in certain model years.
Sudden acceleration incidents are reported, which can lead to crashes. Also, engine maintenance lights and coolant valve issues are common, potentially affecting performance and safety.
Brake failure or reduced braking response is reported, especially on slopes. This is a critical safety concern that requires immediate attention and inspection.
Electrical issues may manifest as problems with sensors, warning lights, or other components, leading to intermittent failures that are hard to diagnose.
“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 GT R — 4 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 GT-R vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to June 16, 2015 to be sold in Puerto Rico. The affected vehicles have a Certification Label that is missing the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Ratin…
The risk: Due to the label missing the GVWR/GAWR information, the operator may overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will apply a corrected label, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
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 model year 2015-2016 GT-R vehicles manufactured February 24, 2014, to June 16, 2015 to be sold in Puerto Rico. The affected vehicles have a Certification Label that is missing the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Axle Weight Ratin…
The risk: Due to the label missing the GVWR/GAWR information, the operator may overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will apply a corrected label, free of charge. The recall began on December 23, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Nissan Murano, INFINITI QX60, 2021 Nissan GT-R, INFINITI QX50, and Q50 vehicles. The front steering knuckle or rear axle housing may have insufficient strength due to improper heat-treatment.
The risk: The steering knuckle or rear axle could deform upon impact, such as from hitting a curb, resulting in a loss of steering control, or possible wheel separation. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckle and rear axle housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2021. Nissan owners may contact customer service at 1-800-867-7669. INFINITI o…
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 GT R or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Nissan GT R has far fewer complaints per year (0.0) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the Camry's higher volume reflects its much larger sales base and may include more minor issues. In practice, the GT R appears to have fewer owner-reported problems, but buyers should still consider the cost and complexity of repairs for a high-performance vehicle.
Key differences
- The GT R has zero complaints over 10 years, while the Camry has over 2,000, showing a stark contrast in reported reliability.
- Camry owners report serious safety issues like sudden acceleration and brake failure, which are absent in GT R records.
- The GT R's recalls are minor (labels, camera, axle spindle), while the Camry's recalls include air bag sensors and wheel studs, which are more safety-critical.
- The Camry's top problem areas are power train and engine, with many complaints about transmission and engine performance, whereas the GT R has no specific problem areas.
- Check that all recalls, especially the rear axle spindle, have been completed, as failure could lead to loss of control.
- Inspect the backup camera for proper operation, as a recall indicates potential display issues.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on slopes, and listen for any grinding or unusual noises from the transmission.
- Check for any engine warning lights and verify if the vehicle has had the coolant valve recall addressed, as some owners report issues.
Before you buy
- For the GT R: verify recall completion for rear axle spindle and backup camera, and have a mechanic inspect the suspension and drivetrain.
- For the Camry: check the transmission for any signs of failure, such as slipping or grinding, and review the vehicle's service history for brake or engine repairs.
- For both: obtain a vehicle history report to see if any complaints or recalls are outstanding.
- Take a test drive that includes acceleration, braking, and turning to feel for any abnormalities.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a certified mechanic familiar with the specific model.
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 GT R | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 48 |
| 2023 | 0 | 62 |
| 2022 | 0 | 59 |
| 2021 | 0 | 155 |
| 2020 | 0 | 270 |
| 2019 | 0 | 393 |
| 2018 | 0 | 736 |
| 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 Nissan GT R or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan GT R vs Toyota Camry
- Nissan GT R total complaints
- 0
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Nissan GT R total recalls
- 4
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Nissan GT R avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Nissan GT R
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN