Head-to-head reliability

Pontiac G3 vs Toyota Camry

How the Pontiac G3 and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Pontiac G319 complaints · 1 recalls Fewer issues per year
Toyota Camry2,128 complaints · 31 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Pontiac G3 averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Pontiac G3 has 19 complaints and 1 recalls on record; Toyota Camry has 2,128 complaints and 31 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryPontiac G3Toyota Camry
Total complaintsAll model years combined19 Better2,128
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns1 Better31
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints1 Better181
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years6.3 Better212.8
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints0 Better163
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better1

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.

Pontiac G3

  1. 01SERVICE BRAKES4
  2. 02ENGINE4
  3. 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
  4. 04POWER TRAIN4
  5. 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
In owners' words — SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 PONTIAC G3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY HAND BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO…

I HAD A COUPLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. FIST HAD TO REPAIR THE AC 3 TIMES, RADIO TWICE (REPLACED IT ON THE SECOND TIME). TWO MONTHS AGO BREAKING LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. WENT TO THE DEALER AND GOT IT FIXED (TOOK IT TO MIDAS BUT THEY COULD NOT FIG…

Toyota Camry

  1. 01POWER TRAIN391
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER340
  3. 03ENGINE312
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES290
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM241
In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

The vehicle allows the engine to be turned off, key removed, while the vehicle is still in drive with no warning lights or sounds. I have tested and the vehicle can roll away. Complained to the toyota dealership and they said the service tech consulted with t…

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…

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.

Pontiac G3 — 1 recall

Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Fluid
#14V460000

The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Chevrolet Aveo and 2009 Pontiac G3 vehicles. The vehicles may contain brake fluid which does not protect against corrosion of the valves inside the anti-lock brake system (ABS) module, affecting the closing motion of the valves.

The risk: If the ABS valve corrodes it may result in longer brake pedal travel or reduced performance, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS module, free of charge, in any vehicle that did not have its module replaced under a previous customer satisfaction campaign. The recall began in late September 2014. Owners may conta…

Toyota Camry — 31 recalls

Seats
#24V128000

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…

Wheels — Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
#23V432000

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…

Seats
#24V128000

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…

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification
#23V865000

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…

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 Pontiac G3 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Pontiac G3 vs Toyota Camry — comparison facts
Comparison
Pontiac G3 vs Toyota Camry
Pontiac G3 total complaints
19
Toyota Camry total complaints
2,128
Pontiac G3 total recalls
1
Toyota Camry total recalls
31
Pontiac G3 avg complaints/year
6.3
Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
212.8
More reliable overall
Pontiac G3
Pontiac G3 top complaint area
SERVICE BRAKES
Toyota Camry top complaint area
POWER TRAIN