Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Sentra vs Toyota Camry
How the Nissan Sentra 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 Sentra vs Toyota Camry: The Sentra averages 116.2 complaints per year with 25 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. Both have 1 death, but the Camry has more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 99). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan Sentra or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan Sentra
The Nissan Sentra is a compact sedan that averages about 116 complaints per year over the past decade, with 25 recalls. Owners frequently report electrical glitches, transmission hesitation, and forward collision warnings that trigger without cause. While it has fewer annual complaints than the Camry, the Sentra's issues often involve frustrating electronic and powertrain behavior that can affect daily driving.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a long-standing reputation for dependability, but NHTSA data shows about 206 complaints per year over 10 years and 31 recalls. Common owner-reported problems include transmission shuddering, engine hesitation, and brake system noises. Despite the higher complaint count, many issues are addressed through recalls or dealer fixes, and the Camry remains a popular choice for buyers seeking a practical sedan.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Sentra | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,162 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 25 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 99 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 116.2 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 79 Better | 158 |
| 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 Sentra
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM259
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER226
- 03POWER TRAIN210
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE183
- 05STEERING165
Owners report static and audio cutouts when using Apple CarPlay, making phone calls unintelligible. Others describe early engine and electrical malfunctions at low mileage, which can leave drivers stranded or facing costly repairs.
Complaints include delayed acceleration after idling, creating a safety risk when merging or pulling out. Some owners also report engine and transmission issues at relatively low miles, suggesting potential premature wear.
Drivers experience intermittent dashboard and infotainment malfunctions, with diagnostic codes that dealers sometimes fail to resolve. This can undermine trust in the safety system and lead to repeated shop visits.
Although specific complaint text is not provided, steering is a top component with 165 complaints. Owners may report clicking noises or steering feel changes, which could indicate worn components and affect vehicle control.
“I am submitting a vehicle defect complaint pursuant to 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 regarding a potential safety related defect involving engine, electrical, and powertrain systems. The vehicle experienced early engine and electrical malfunction at relatively low mi…”
“When my iPhone is connected to Apple CarPlay in my vehicle, a loud static sound occurs during phone calls, and music playing. This static causes the audio to cut in and out, making conversations unintelligible. Because of this, I am unable to safely use the h…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and unable to be removed even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, often accompanied by a check engine light.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with several seconds of lag before the car moves. This can be dangerous when quick acceleration is needed, such as entering traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Owners also hear clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which dealers attribute to the ABS system but some find abnormal.
Multiple systems—including stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. This widespread electronic failure can compromise safety features and leave the driver with reduced vehicle control.
“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 Sentra — 25 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50, and 2023 Rogue vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb moisture, and cause the air bag to deploy improper…
The risk: An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD103, PD10…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Sentra vehicles. The driver's seat frame may not be fully secured to the outer side of the seat track. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 207, "Seating Systems,"…
The risk: An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's side lower seat frame assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 1, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Sentra vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Mat…
The risk: Reduced visibility while driving can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PMA58…
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…
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 Sentra or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Nissan Sentra has fewer complaints per year (about 116) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Camry's higher volume may reflect its larger sales. In practice, the Sentra's issues often involve electrical and transmission quirks, while the Camry's problems include key removal and brake system faults. Both have similar death counts (1 each) and injury counts (79 vs 158), so neither is clearly safer based on these numbers alone.
Key differences
- The Sentra has 116.2 complaints per year vs. the Camry's 205.6, but the Camry has more recalls (31 vs. 25).
- Sentra owners frequently report electrical static with Apple CarPlay and delayed acceleration, while Camry owners report stuck ignition keys and brake pedal noises.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 99) and injuries (158 vs. 79), though both have 1 death.
- Sentra's top issue is electrical system (259 complaints), while Camry's top issue is power train (385 complaints).
- Test the infotainment system with Apple CarPlay for static or audio cutouts during a test drive.
- Check for delayed acceleration by pressing the gas pedal after the car has been idling for a few minutes.
- Try removing the ignition key after parking to ensure it doesn't get stuck.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area when pressing the brakes.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to check for recurring electrical or powertrain repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and electrical system, especially for the Sentra's CarPlay issues and the Camry's key removal problem.
- Test all safety features, including forward collision warning and lane keeping, to ensure they function without false alerts.
- Check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN, as both models have multiple recalls.
- During a test drive, simulate stop-and-go traffic to feel for transmission hesitation or shuddering.
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 Sentra | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 | 0 |
| 2025 | 30 | 163 |
| 2024 | 41 | 50 |
| 2023 | 20 | 64 |
| 2022 | 81 | 61 |
| 2021 | 132 | 157 |
| 2020 | 205 | 274 |
| 2019 | 222 | 395 |
| 2018 | 185 | 744 |
| 2017 | 230 | 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 Sentra or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Sentra vs Toyota Camry
- Nissan Sentra total complaints
- 1,162
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Nissan Sentra total recalls
- 25
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Nissan Sentra avg complaints/year
- 116.2
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Sentra
- Nissan Sentra top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN