Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Camry
How the Nissan Pathfinder 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 Pathfinder vs Toyota Camry: The Pathfinder averages 77.4 complaints per year with 16 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Pathfinder has 0 deaths and 22 injuries in the data, compared to 1 death and 158 injuries for the Camry. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan Pathfinder or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder is a three-row SUV that averages about 77 owner complaints per year over the past decade, with 16 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the engine, brakes, and electrical system, and owners describe stalling, jerking, and warning lights that can leave them stranded. It can be a practical family hauler, but the complaint pattern suggests you should budget for more frequent shop visits than you might expect.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan that averages about 206 owner complaints per year over the past decade, with 31 recalls. The most common trouble spots are the power train, engine, and brakes, and owners report issues like a stuck ignition key, hesitation, and brake noises. It remains a popular choice, but the higher complaint volume means you should check for these specific problems before buying.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Pathfinder | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 774 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 27 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 77.4 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 22 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.
Nissan Pathfinder
- 01ENGINE186
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER176
- 03SERVICE BRAKES142
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM128
- 05POWER TRAIN110
Owners report a 'running too lean' condition and repeated emissions failures because the oxygen sensor monitor won't set to ready, even without a check-engine light. This can mean failed inspections and expensive diagnostics.
The forward emergency braking and ABS systems are a recurring complaint, with warning lights coming back after repairs and the system needing repeated replacement. This matters because it affects a key safety feature you rely on daily.
Owners describe the car stalling and dying in traffic, sometimes requiring police to push it off the road, as well as doors locking unexpectedly with the key fob inside. These electrical gremlins can be dangerous and hard to diagnose.
Complaints include jerking, shuddering, and shaking while accelerating, and even a panoramic sunroof that exploded and shattered glass onto occupants. These are alarming symptoms that can affect confidence in the vehicle.
“On April 7, 2025, the dealership attempted to sell me a vehicle that was experiencing an engine condition running too lean. I declined that vehicle due to safety concerns. On April 8, 2025, the salesperson contacted me again and stated that a different vehicl…”
“I own a 2020 Nissan Pathfinder with approximately 55,000 miles. The vehicle repeatedly failed Indiana emissions testing because the oxygen sensor monitor would not set to “ready,” despite multiple complete drive cycles and no check‑engine light or stored faul…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and not coming out even when the car is in Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect to release it. This is a daily annoyance that can leave you unable to secure the vehicle.
Complaints include hesitation and shuddering at various speeds with the check-engine light on, and a delayed throttle response when pressing the gas. These can make merging or accelerating feel unpredictable.
The electronic parking brake may not disengage, requiring a tow, and owners hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that the manufacturer calls normal. This can be frustrating and costly if the brake system fails to release.
Multiple systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction at once, and there are reports of subframe and driveline issues. These widespread electronic faults can be distracting and expensive to fix.
“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.
Nissan Pathfinder — 16 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Murano, Pathfinder, and INFINITI QX60 vehicles. One or both front brake caliper assemblies may have reduced strength and could break. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard n…
The risk: A broken front brake caliper can cause a loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front brake caliper assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 9, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or INFINITI's customer servi…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The lap belt pretensioner in the left-side front seat belt assembly may be improperly secured, due to a missing rivet. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor V…
The risk: An unsecured lap belt pretensioner will not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the left-side front lap seat belt pretensioner assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. O…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2022 Pathfinder vehicles. Insufficient welds may allow the secondary hood latch retainer bracket to detach from the front bumper assembly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard n…
The risk: A detached secondary hood latch may allow the hood to open if the primary hood latch is not engaged, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the secondary hood latch bracket as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 17, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for thi…
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-…
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
Nissan Pathfinder or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Nissan Pathfinder has far fewer complaints per year (about 77) than the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Camry has more recalls and a higher total complaint count. In practice, the Pathfinder may need less frequent attention overall, while the Camry's higher volume means specific problems like stuck keys and brake noises are more commonly reported. Neither is trouble-free, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential for both.
Key differences
- The Pathfinder averages about 77 complaints per year, while the Camry averages about 206, meaning the Camry has more than double the annual complaint rate.
- Pathfinder owners frequently report engine running lean and emissions monitor problems, while Camry owners more often report a stuck ignition key and delayed throttle response.
- Brake complaints on the Pathfinder center on the forward emergency braking and ABS warning lights, whereas Camry brake complaints involve the electronic parking brake not disengaging and pedal noises.
- The Pathfinder has 16 recalls and 0 deaths in the data, while the Camry has 31 recalls and 1 death, showing different recall and outcome profiles.
- Check for any history of the forward emergency braking or ABS warning lights coming on, and ask if the ABS/AEB module has been replaced—owners report repeat failures.
- Test the sunroof for any signs of weakness or prior repair, as some owners reported the panoramic roof shattering unexpectedly.
- Try removing the ignition key multiple times to ensure it doesn't get stuck, especially after shifting into Park—this is a common owner complaint.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and test the electronic parking brake to make sure it disengages properly, as some owners needed a tow.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on both the Pathfinder and Camry using the NHTSA VIN lookup.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the brakes, including the ABS and emergency braking systems, and scan for any stored trouble codes.
- During a test drive, accelerate at various speeds to feel for hesitation, shuddering, or delayed throttle response, and test all electrical features like door locks and windows.
- For the Pathfinder, specifically test the sunroof operation and look for any cracks or prior repairs; for the Camry, repeatedly remove and insert the ignition key to check for sticking.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any repairs related to the engine, transmission, or brake systems, and confirm the vehicle has passed any required emissions tests.
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 Pathfinder | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 0 |
| 2025 | 51 | 163 |
| 2024 | 82 | 50 |
| 2023 | 104 | 64 |
| 2022 | 135 | 61 |
| 2021 | 0 | 157 |
| 2020 | 53 | 274 |
| 2019 | 76 | 395 |
| 2018 | 77 | 744 |
| 2017 | 186 | 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 Pathfinder or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Camry
- Nissan Pathfinder total complaints
- 774
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Nissan Pathfinder total recalls
- 16
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Nissan Pathfinder avg complaints/year
- 77.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Nissan Pathfinder top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN