Head-to-head reliability
Subaru Ascent vs Toyota Camry
How the Subaru Ascent 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
Subaru Ascent averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Subaru Ascent has 1,019 complaints and 25 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.
| Category | Subaru Ascent | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,019 Better | 2,128 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 25 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 32 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 127.4 Better | 212.8 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 26 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.
Subaru Ascent
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM290
- 02POWER TRAIN182
- 03VISIBILITY/WIPER152
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER150
- 05ENGINE104
“2023 Subaru Ascent, under manufacturer basic warranty. Factory OEM battery has repeatedly failed. Voltage drops below 11.5V in normal use. Three documented failures in six weeks. SAFETY INCIDENT: Vehicle died on a public street and became completely immobiliz…”
“31 May 2026 (AM) Operating vehicle north on MD Rte 147 traveling appr. 45 MPH when vehicle started experiencing uncontrolled electrical activation of features e.g., heat, air, radio, main display. This proceed a shuddering in the drive train like one would ex…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN391
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER340
- 03ENGINE312
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM241
“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…”
“I have a 2024 Toyota Camry with a ua80 transmission and started having problems around 92000 miles and I'm starting to have a lot more at 109,000 miles which is a little ridiculous for a transmission that is way too early very concerned for my safety on a pre…”
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.
Subaru Ascent — 25 recalls
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2026 Crosstrek Hybrid, 2025-2026 Forester Hybrid, Forester, and 2019-2026 Ascent vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured with an incorrect Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) on the certification label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with…
The risk: An incorrect GAWR label may lead to an overloaded vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Subaru will mail a new certification label to owners, free of charge. Owners may also choose to have a dealer install the new label, free of charge. Letters informing owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed August 25, 2026. Add…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Ascent vehicles equipped with 20-inch wheels. The internal tire bead may have been damaged during the wheel mounting process.
The risk: A damaged tire may experience a sudden loss of air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace all four tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 6, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-23.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Ascent vehicles. The left or right front lower control arm may have an improperly tightened ball joint castle nut which can result in retention pin failure and separation of the ball joint from the lower control arm.
The risk: Ball joint separation while the vehicle is in motion can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 30, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for…
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2023 Outback, Legacy, Ascent, and Impreza vehicles. The center support bolts for the driveshaft may loosen, resulting in the disconnection of the front end of the driveshaft.
The risk: Separation of the front end of the driveshaft increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will clean the bolt mounting surfaces of the center support brace and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2023. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Suba…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
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 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…
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 | Subaru Ascent | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 116 |
| 2025 | 14 | 152 |
| 2024 | 48 | 47 |
| 2023 | 43 | 62 |
| 2022 | 55 | 58 |
| 2021 | 100 | 155 |
| 2020 | 319 | 268 |
| 2019 | 439 | 390 |
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 Subaru Ascent or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Subaru Ascent vs Toyota Camry
- Subaru Ascent total complaints
- 1,019
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,128
- Subaru Ascent total recalls
- 25
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Subaru Ascent avg complaints/year
- 127.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 212.8
- More reliable overall
- Subaru Ascent
- Subaru Ascent top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN