Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Versa vs Toyota Camry
How the Nissan Versa 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 Versa vs Toyota Camry: The Versa averages 47.9 complaints per year, while the Camry averages 214.3, but the Camry's higher volume reflects its popularity. Versa owners report engine shutdowns and transmission issues; Camry owners report brake failure and sudden acceleration. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan Versa or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan Versa
The Nissan Versa is a budget-friendly subcompact that, in ownership terms, shows a pattern of powertrain and engine troubles that can leave owners stranded. Complaints describe sudden loss of acceleration, complete inoperability, and electrical shutdowns, which are serious for a daily driver. While the complaint count is lower than the Camry's, the nature of the issues—like fuel injector cutoffs and total electrical failure—suggests potential reliability concerns that could affect safety and dependability.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, a midsize sedan, has a higher raw complaint count, but this is partly due to its larger sales volume. The complaints cluster around powertrain, brakes, and engine, with reports of transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, and brake failure. These are serious issues, but they appear less frequent per vehicle sold. The Camry also has more recalls, but many are for minor items like labels or seats, not necessarily major mechanical failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Versa | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 479 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 48 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 47.9 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 43 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 Versa
- 01ENGINE139
- 02POWER TRAIN134
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER92
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM88
- 05AIR BAGS62
Owners report sudden loss of acceleration, with the car unable to exceed 35 mph, as if fuel injectors are cut off. This can be dangerous in traffic and may indicate a fuel or electronic control issue.
Complaints include grinding noises when reversing and transmission problems that may require replacement. These issues can lead to costly repairs and affect drivability.
There are reports of the engine and all electrical systems shutting off while driving, including hazard lights failing. This is a critical safety concern as it can leave the driver without power or warning lights.
“I’m [XXX] with health issues and my mother is [XXX] we bought a car at ( Drive Time ) hoping we would get a good car to go to the dr , I have a [XXX] I can’t afford it though,in my opinion I felt drive time took advantage of us because I look Mexican and indi…”
“Driving down the road, the car enters a phase where you can not accelerate at all. It seems like the fuel injectors are cut off by 90% and you can only accelerate to about 35 mph. Although this has happened the whole life of the car 26,000 miles, today I was…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners describe grinding noises from the front end upon acceleration, with dealers confirming transmission issues that may require replacement. This is a major repair and can be expensive.
There are reports of uncontrollable sudden acceleration, which can lead to crashes. Also, engine maintenance lights come on due to coolant valve bypass issues, which may affect engine cooling and safety.
Brake failure is reported, with no response when pressing the pedal, especially on hills. This is a critical safety issue that could 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 Versa — 13 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Titan, Titan XD, and Versa vehicles. The front right and/or left turn signal bulb can crack and fail to illuminate.
The risk: Inoperable front turn signals cannot alert on-coming drivers and/or pedestrians that the vehicle will be turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the bulbs as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PM986 and P…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Versa and Kicks vehicles. An intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor can disable the power steering assist.
The risk: Loss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the steering column torque sensor lot code, and replace the column, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Versa and Kicks vehicles. An intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor can disable the power steering assist.
The risk: Loss of power steering assist can increase the steering effort required, especially at low speeds, and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the steering column torque sensor lot code and replace the steering column assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's cus…
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…
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 Versa or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Nissan Versa has fewer complaints per year (47.9) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), but the Camry's higher volume is partly due to its popularity. In practice, the Versa's issues are more likely to cause breakdowns, while the Camry's problems include safety-critical brake and acceleration failures. Neither is clearly 'safer,' but the Versa's lower complaint rate may suggest fewer overall issues per vehicle, though the severity of its electrical and engine problems is concerning.
Key differences
- The Versa has a higher proportion of engine and electrical complaints, including complete shutdowns, while the Camry has more brake and transmission issues.
- The Camry has more recalls (31 vs 13), but many are for minor items like labels and seats, whereas the Versa's recalls include steering and ignition.
- The Versa's complaints often describe the car becoming inoperable, while the Camry's include sudden acceleration and brake failure, both safety-critical.
- The Versa's lower complaint rate per year might be misleading due to lower sales, but the nature of its issues suggests a higher chance of breakdowns.
- Check for any signs of electrical issues, such as flickering lights or intermittent shutdowns, and have the battery and alternator tested.
- Inspect the transmission for smooth shifting and listen for grinding noises, especially when reversing or accelerating.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including on a hill, to ensure there is no loss of pressure or unresponsiveness.
- Listen for grinding noises from the front end during acceleration, which could indicate transmission problems.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine, transmission, brakes, and electrical system.
- Test drive both vehicles in various conditions, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to feel for any hesitation or unusual noises.
- Ask for maintenance records to see if any major repairs have been done, especially for the transmission or engine.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and recalls for the specific model year you are considering.
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 Versa | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 153 |
| 2024 | 95 | 48 |
| 2023 | 37 | 62 |
| 2022 | 20 | 59 |
| 2021 | 31 | 155 |
| 2020 | 64 | 270 |
| 2019 | 24 | 393 |
| 2018 | 55 | 736 |
| 2017 | 62 | 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 Versa or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Versa vs Toyota Camry
- Nissan Versa total complaints
- 479
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Nissan Versa total recalls
- 13
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Nissan Versa avg complaints/year
- 47.9
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Versa
- Nissan Versa top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN