Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Nv200 vs Toyota Camry
How the Nissan Nv200 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 Nv200 vs Toyota Camry: The NV200 averages 8.7 complaints per year, while the Camry averages 214.3. NV200 owners report air bag deployments and fuel system issues, whereas Camry owners report transmission failures and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan Nv200 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan Nv200
The Nissan NV200 is a compact cargo van often used for commercial fleets, and its complaint history over the past decade shows a relatively low volume of issues, averaging under nine per year. The most frequent complaints involve air bags, with owners reporting unexpected deployments even at low speeds or when parked, which can be alarming and costly. Fuel system problems, including a recall for the fuel pump control module, and electrical issues that can lead to communication failures also appear. Overall, the NV200's reliability picture is mixed, with some serious but relatively rare problems that a buyer should investigate before purchase.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher volume of complaints, averaging over 214 per year, reflecting its large sales base. The dominant problem areas are the powertrain, engine, and service brakes, with owners reporting transmission grinding, sudden acceleration incidents, and brake failures. These are serious safety concerns that have led to numerous crashes and injuries. While the Camry has a reputation for reliability, this data shows that certain model years can experience significant mechanical and safety issues that warrant careful inspection.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Nv200 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 87 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 11 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 5 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 8.7 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 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 Nv200
- 01AIR BAGS26
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER21
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9
- 05ENGINE6
Owners report air bags deploying without a crash, such as at 5 mph or while parked, which can cause injuries and expensive repairs. This suggests a possible sensor or control module issue that may not be covered by recalls.
Complaints include a narrow fuel intake that causes fuel splashback during refueling, and a severe electrical failure inside the fuel tank linked to a recall for the fuel pump control module. This can pose a fire hazard and requires immediate attention.
There are reports of loss of communication with the ECM/PCM and transmission control systems, leading to potential safety concerns and reliability issues. This can cause stalling or other driveability problems.
“OUR COMPANY HAS A 2018 NV 200, A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE WITH 100,000 MILE BUMPER-TO-BUMPER COMMERCIAL NISSAN WARRANTY. THERE ARE ABOUT 58,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK. ON JANUARY, 26, 2021 WHILE DRIVING ON A SMALL RESIDENTIAL ROAD AT 5 MILES AN HOUR, THE PASSENGER SIDE…”
“2015 NISSAN NV200 SV 78,000 MILES. DRIVER HAD MOVED VEHICLE INTO GARAGE, PARKED VEHICLE WITH A SLIGHT ANGLE TO THE STEERING. DRIVER COULD NOT REMEMBER IF VEHICLE WAS RUNNING OR KEY IN IGNITION IN 'ON' POSITION. WEATHER STRIPPING ON DRIVER'S DOOR WAS LOOSE AND…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the transmission upon acceleration, often requiring complete transmission replacement. This is a costly repair and can leave you stranded if not addressed.
There are multiple reports of sudden unintended acceleration, leading to crashes and total loss of the vehicle. Also, some owners mention a coolant valve bypass issue that may not be covered by recall for their specific VIN.
Brake failure is reported, with the pedal going to the floor or no response when pressed, especially on hills. This is a critical safety issue that can lead to accidents.
“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 Nv200 — 11 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2021 NV200 Van, 2014-2017, 2019 NV200 Taxi, and 2015-2018 Chevrolet City Express vehicles. The Fuel Tank Temperature (FTT) sensor harness may have been incorrectly routed, damaging wires and causing a short circuit in the fuel pump fuse.
The risk: A blown fuel pump fuse can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reroute the FTT sensor harness or replace the fuel pump assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbe…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2021 NV200 Van, 2014-2017, 2019 NV200 Taxi, and 2015-2018 Chevrolet City Express vehicles. The Fuel Tank Temperature (FTT) sensor harness may have been incorrectly routed, damaging wires and causing a short circuit in the fuel pump fuse.
The risk: A blown fuel pump fuse can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reroute the FTT sensor harness or replace the fuel pump assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbe…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2021 NV200 Van, 2014-2017, 2019 NV200 Taxi, and 2015-2018 Chevrolet City Express vehicles. The Fuel Tank Temperature (FTT) sensor harness may have been incorrectly routed, damaging wires and causing a short circuit in the fuel pump fuse.
The risk: A blown fuel pump fuse can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reroute the FTT sensor harness or replace the fuel pump assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbe…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2021 NV200 Van, 2014-2017, 2019 NV200 Taxi, and 2015-2018 Chevrolet City Express vehicles. The Fuel Tank Temperature (FTT) sensor harness may have been incorrectly routed, damaging wires and causing a short circuit in the fuel pump fuse.
The risk: A blown fuel pump fuse can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reroute the FTT sensor harness or replace the fuel pump assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbe…
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 Nv200 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Nissan NV200 has far fewer complaints per year (8.7) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the NV200's air bag and fuel system problems are serious, while the Camry's higher volume includes many safety-critical failures. In practice, the NV200 may offer fewer headaches, but both require thorough pre-purchase inspections.
Key differences
- The NV200 has a much lower complaint rate (8.7/yr) than the Camry (214.3/yr), but the Camry's complaints are more numerous due to higher sales.
- NV200 owners report air bag deployments at low speeds or when parked, while Camry owners report sudden acceleration and brake failures.
- The NV200 has a recall for the fuel pump control module, while the Camry has recalls for air bag sensors and seat issues.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (181) and injuries (163) compared to the NV200 (5 and 8), indicating more severe safety events.
- Check for any prior air bag deployments or recalls; ask for service records and ensure the fuel pump recall (PMA56) has been performed.
- Inspect the fuel filler neck for signs of splashback damage and test the electrical system for any communication error codes.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during a test drive, especially on acceleration, and check for any pending transmission recalls.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including on a hill, and look for any signs of brake fluid leaks or warning lights.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for open recalls and past complaints.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the air bag system, fuel system, and electrical components for the NV200, and transmission, engine, and brakes for the Camry.
- Check the NHTSA website for any unrepaired recalls using the VIN.
- Test drive both vehicles in conditions similar to your daily use, including highway and city driving, and note any unusual noises or behaviors.
- Ask for maintenance records to see if the transmission fluid has been changed regularly on the Camry and if the fuel pump recall was completed on the NV200.
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 Nv200 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 48 |
| 2023 | 0 | 62 |
| 2022 | 0 | 59 |
| 2021 | 4 | 155 |
| 2020 | 1 | 270 |
| 2019 | 9 | 393 |
| 2018 | 14 | 736 |
| 2017 | 7 | 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 Nv200 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Nv200 vs Toyota Camry
- Nissan Nv200 total complaints
- 87
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Nissan Nv200 total recalls
- 11
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Nissan Nv200 avg complaints/year
- 8.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Nv200
- Nissan Nv200 top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN