Head-to-head reliability
Subaru Crosstrek vs Toyota Camry
How the Subaru Crosstrek 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 Crosstrek vs Toyota Camry: The Crosstrek averages 99.7 complaints per year with 16 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints and 31 recalls. The Camry also has more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 58). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Subaru Crosstrek or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Subaru Crosstrek
The Subaru Crosstrek is a compact SUV that averages about 100 complaints per year over the past decade, with 16 recalls. The most common owner complaints involve windshield and wiper problems, electrical glitches, and engine noises. While it has a lower complaint rate than the Camry, the issues reported can be frustrating, such as windshields cracking on new vehicles and seat heaters turning on by themselves.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with about 206 complaints per year, more than double the Crosstrek's rate, and 31 recalls. Owners frequently report power train problems like shuddering and key removal issues, as well as brake noises and electrical malfunctions. The higher complaint volume suggests that while the Camry is popular, it may require more attention to potential defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Subaru Crosstrek | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 997 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 58 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 99.7 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 34 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.
Subaru Crosstrek
- 01VISIBILITY/WIPER287
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER229
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM154
- 04ENGINE115
- 05POWER TRAIN79
Owners report windshields cracking spontaneously, sometimes on brand-new vehicles with low mileage, and often from the inside. This is a safety concern because a cracked windshield can impair visibility and may worsen over time.
Complaints include seat heaters activating without being turned on and getting dangerously hot, as well as loud roaring noises when starting the engine. These electrical glitches can be annoying and potentially hazardous if they affect critical functions.
Some owners describe a loud roaring sound at startup and issues with the auto start/stop feature, such as the engine not restarting when the door is opened. These problems can leave drivers stranded or cause unexpected behavior in traffic.
Reports include a high-frequency whining noise at highway speeds and sunroofs shattering suddenly. These issues are alarming and can distract the driver, though the exact cause is often unclear.
“The component that is compromised on my '23 Subaru Crosstrek Sport is the windshield. My vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Monday, Jan 13, 2025, a crack formed on my windshield. The crack happened on the inside of the vehicle. It was positione…”
“Overall I’m disappointed in the quality of the manufactured parts and accessories. It leads me to believe low grade materials were used in manufacturing this vehicle. My vehicle is brand new and has 2500 miles on it and the front windshield has a crack that i…”
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 experience hesitation and shuddering while driving, which can be dangerous in traffic.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with several seconds of lag before the car moves. This can be a safety risk when merging or crossing intersections.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area. Brake issues are critical for safety and should be addressed immediately.
Multiple systems such as stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction simultaneously. This can overwhelm the driver and increase the risk of a crash.
“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.
Subaru Crosstrek — 16 recalls
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
The risk: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing…
The risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
The defect: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2024 Crosstrek, Impreza, 2023-2024 Forester, and 2023 WRX vehicles. The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
The risk: A broken driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power while driving or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake engaged. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and right front driveshafts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. 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 2024 Crosstrek and Impreza vehicles. Due to insufficient clearance, the instrument panel harness may contact the steering beam bracket, damaging the wire insulation and causing a short circuit.
The risk: A short circuit may cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the harness and install an additional clamp on the steering beam bracket. If damage is found, dealers will add protective tape or replace the instrument panel harness, as necessary. Repairs will be performed free of ch…
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
Subaru Crosstrek or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Subaru Crosstrek has fewer issues per year (about 100 vs. 206 for the Camry) and fewer recalls (16 vs. 31). In practice, this means a Crosstrek owner might encounter fewer overall problems, but the Camry's higher complaint count includes more power train and brake issues that could be more severe.
Key differences
- The Crosstrek has about half the annual complaint rate of the Camry (99.7 vs. 205.6), but both have notable issues.
- Crosstrek complaints often center on windshields cracking and electrical glitches, while Camry complaints more often involve power train shuddering and brake problems.
- The Camry has nearly twice as many recalls (31 vs. 16) and more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 58).
- Camry owners report more injuries (158 vs. 34) and one death, while the Crosstrek has zero deaths in the data.
- Inspect the windshield for any cracks or chips, especially on newer models, as spontaneous cracking is a common complaint.
- Test the heated seats to ensure they do not turn on unexpectedly or get excessively hot without the button pressed.
- Check that the ignition key can be easily removed when the car is in Park; if it sticks, it could be a recurring power train issue.
- Test the electronic parking brake to ensure it disengages properly and listen for any clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on both models.
- During a test drive, listen for unusual noises such as whining at highway speeds (Crosstrek) or shuddering (Camry).
- Verify that all electrical components work, including seat heaters, sunroof, and infotainment systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brakes, especially the electronic parking brake on the Camry.
- For the Crosstrek, inspect the windshield carefully and consider a pre-purchase inspection focusing on glass and electrical systems.
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 Crosstrek | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 0 |
| 2025 | 44 | 163 |
| 2024 | 119 | 50 |
| 2023 | 34 | 64 |
| 2022 | 31 | 61 |
| 2021 | 115 | 157 |
| 2020 | 69 | 274 |
| 2019 | 284 | 395 |
| 2018 | 194 | 744 |
| 2017 | 97 | 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 Subaru Crosstrek or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Subaru Crosstrek vs Toyota Camry
- Subaru Crosstrek total complaints
- 997
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Subaru Crosstrek total recalls
- 16
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Subaru Crosstrek avg complaints/year
- 99.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Subaru Crosstrek
- Subaru Crosstrek top complaint area
- VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN