Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Camry vs Nissan Altima
How the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Toyota Camry vs Nissan Altima: The Camry averages 214.3 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Altima averages 118.8. The Camry has more transmission and brake complaints, while the Altima has more electrical and stalling issues. Both have one reported death. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Camry or Nissan Altima more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, over the past decade, has accumulated a substantial number of complaints, averaging over 200 per year. Owners frequently report issues with the powertrain, engine, and brakes, including transmission failures and sudden acceleration incidents. While these reports are concerning, they represent a small fraction of total Camry owners, and the vehicle still maintains a reputation for overall reliability.
Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima shows a lower complaint rate, averaging about 119 per year, but its issues are often electrical or related to the powertrain. Owners describe sudden stalling, dashboard warning lights, and transmission problems, which can be alarming and potentially dangerous. The Altima's complaints, while fewer, often involve unexpected loss of power or control.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Camry | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,143 | 1,188 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 31 | 23 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 181 | 96 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 214.3 | 118.8 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 163 | 73 Better |
| 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.
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front end upon acceleration, with dealerships confirming transmission issues requiring replacement. Some also describe sudden acceleration incidents, leading to crashes.
Engine problems include sudden, uncontrollable acceleration and a specific coolant valve bypass issue that triggers a maintenance light, but is not covered by a recall for all VINs.
Brake failures are reported, such as a complete lack of response when pressing the pedal on a downhill slope, which can lead to loss of control.
“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…”
Nissan Altima
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER237
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM206
- 03POWER TRAIN193
- 04ENGINE157
- 05SERVICE BRAKES148
The Altima has reports of the car stalling while driving, with all dashboard lights coming on, and sometimes failing to restart. Electrical issues can also cause the car to die unexpectedly in parking lots.
Transmission problems include the gear shifter detaching from its housing, leaving the car stuck in Drive, and the car turning off mid-drive and restarting on its own.
Engine stalling is reported, especially in cold weather, with the car losing power at speed and warning lights flashing.
“I was driving to work. As I was doing so multiple lights came on my dashboard and it started dinging. At the same time my car immediately shot left so hard into the concrete median barrier at 70 mph. It all happened so fast I was not able to see what lights c…”
“When I first start the car the engine revs and the tachometer or the RPM reader stays above 2 while reving for over a minute which is too long. The needle eventually goes to 1 but it seems like when I change gears to drive it "hits hard" then almost skids out…”
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.
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…
Nissan Altima — 23 recalls
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…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima vehicles. The front passenger air bag and front passenger knee air bag may have been installed with incorrect mounting fasteners, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the air bag mounting fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 25, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan’s customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall i…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Altima vehicles. The bolts connecting the electronic power steering unit to the steering rack may loosen, resulting in a loss of steering control or steering lock-up.
The risk: A loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC997.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand…
The risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge.…
Buyer analysis
Toyota Camry or Nissan Altima: which should you buy?
The Nissan Altima has fewer complaints per year (118.8) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), but the nature of the Altima's issues—such as stalling and electrical failures—may be more concerning for safety. The Camry's higher complaint count is partly due to its larger sales volume, but both vehicles show significant problem areas.
Key differences
- The Camry has more complaints overall, but many are about transmission and brake issues, while the Altima's complaints are more evenly spread across electrical, powertrain, and engine.
- The Altima has a notable issue with sudden stalling and electrical failures, which can be dangerous if they occur at highway speeds.
- The Camry has a higher number of crash-related complaints (181 vs 96) and injuries (163 vs 73), but both have one reported death.
- Recalls differ: Camry recalls focus on air bag sensors, seats, and wheel lugs, while Altima recalls involve door latches, air bag fasteners, steering rack, and backup camera.
- Inspect the transmission for any signs of grinding or slipping, and check for any open recalls related to powertrain or engine.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on a slope, to ensure there is no loss of braking power.
- Check the electrical system for any intermittent issues, such as dashboard lights flickering or the car stalling during a test drive.
- Verify that the gear shifter is securely attached and that the car shifts smoothly into all gears.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for any open recalls or previous accident damage.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission, brakes, and electrical system.
- Test drive the vehicle in various conditions, including cold start and highway speeds, to check for stalling or unusual behavior.
- Ask the seller for service records to see if any known issues have been addressed.
- Check the NHTSA website for any outstanding recalls on the specific VIN.
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 | Toyota Camry | Nissan Altima |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 119 | 0 |
| 2025 | 153 | 6 |
| 2024 | 48 | 41 |
| 2023 | 62 | 29 |
| 2022 | 59 | 20 |
| 2021 | 155 | 69 |
| 2020 | 270 | 179 |
| 2019 | 393 | 229 |
| 2018 | 736 | 225 |
| 2017 | 148 | 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 Toyota Camry or Nissan Altima in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Camry vs Nissan Altima
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Nissan Altima total complaints
- 1,188
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Nissan Altima total recalls
- 23
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- Nissan Altima avg complaints/year
- 118.8
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Altima
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Nissan Altima top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER