Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Camry vs Toyota Prius
How the Toyota Camry and Toyota Prius 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 Toyota Prius: The Camry has 209.9 complaints per year, with major issues in powertrain and brakes, while the Prius has only 27.3 per year, with electrical and visibility problems. The Prius offers fewer reported problems, but the Camry provides more space. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Camry or Toyota Prius more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, a midsize sedan, shows a high volume of owner complaints over the past decade, averaging about 210 per year. The most frequent issues involve the powertrain, engine, and brakes, with owners reporting transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, and brake failures. These reports suggest that while the Camry is generally reliable, some models may experience serious mechanical problems that could affect safety and require costly repairs.
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius, a hybrid compact car, has a much lower complaint rate, averaging about 27 per year. Owners report issues with the electrical system, brakes, and visibility, including loud speaker noises, 12-volt battery problems, and spontaneous window shattering. Despite fewer complaints, the Prius has its own set of quirks, particularly with its hybrid-specific components and electronics.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Camry | Toyota Prius |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,099 | 273 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 | 20 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 177 | 42 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 209.9 | 27.3 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 161 | 23 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 TRAIN389
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER336
- 03ENGINE309
- 04SERVICE BRAKES288
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report grinding noises from the front end upon acceleration, with dealerships confirming transmission issues that often require replacement. This can lead to expensive repairs and potential safety concerns if the transmission fails while driving.
There are reports of uncontrollable sudden acceleration, which can lead to crashes and total loss of the vehicle. Additionally, some owners receive engine maintenance warnings related to a coolant valve bypass recall, but their specific VINs are not included, leaving them with unresolved safety risks.
Brake failure is reported, such as no response when pressing the pedal on a downhill slope, which can be terrifying and dangerous. This suggests potential issues with the brake system that need immediate attention.
“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…”
Toyota Prius
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER52
- 02SERVICE BRAKES45
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM43
- 04VISIBILITY/WIPER31
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL27
Owners report extremely loud, ear-piercing noises from the speakers when starting the vehicle, which can be painful and alarming. There are also issues with the hood latch not working, making it difficult to open the hood for maintenance.
Low 12-volt battery can cause the car to indicate 'ready' but fail to shift into gear, leaving the driver stranded. This is a hybrid-specific issue that can be confusing and inconvenient.
The driver's side window can spontaneously shatter while driving, covering the driver with glass and posing a safety hazard. Windshields can also crack from temperature changes, which is a costly repair.
“Extremely loud, ear-piercing noise from speakers when the vehicle is started. Lasts about two to three seconds. My ears have been damaged by it. My young boys cried while in their car seats and said that their ears hurt. Noise occurs randomly. Dealer states t…”
“My 2022 Prius LE hood latch does not work. It does not click and hood stays locked. They told me at Walmart that the hood latch is probably corroded somewhere or defective. It takes two people to open the hood. My vehicle has 54,490mi. This has happened twice…”
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 — 26 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 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner…
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charg…
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…
Toyota Prius — 20 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles. Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open unexpectedly.
The risk: A door that unexpectedly opens while the vehicle is moving or during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace both right and left rear door opener switches, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB06 and 24T…
The defect: Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain Toyota 2023 GR Supra, 2024 4 Runner, Corolla, Grand Highlander, Grand Highlander Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Tacoma, Tacoma Hybrid, 2023-2024 BZ4X, Corolla Cross Hybrid, GR Corolla, GR86, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius Prime, Sequoia…
The risk: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GST will mail new labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 16, 2024. Owners may contact GST customer service at 1-800-444-1074. GST's number for this recall is 24R2.
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Prius Prime, 2023-2026 Prius, and 2025-2026 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. Water may enter the rear door switch and cause a short circuit, allowing an unlocked rear door to open unexpectedly.
The risk: A door that unexpectedly opens while the vehicle is moving increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will modify the rear door switch circuits, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed July 13, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB03 and 26TA03. This recall…
Buyer analysis
Toyota Camry or Toyota Prius: which should you buy?
The Toyota Prius has significantly fewer complaints per year (27.3) compared to the Camry (209.9), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. In practice, this means Prius owners are less likely to encounter major mechanical failures, but they may still face quirky electrical and visibility problems. The Camry's higher complaint volume suggests a greater risk of serious powertrain and brake issues.
Key differences
- The Camry has far more complaints about powertrain and engine issues, including transmission failure and sudden acceleration, while the Prius has fewer such reports.
- The Prius has unique electrical problems like loud speaker noises and 12-volt battery drain, which are not common in the Camry.
- The Camry has more brake-related complaints, including complete brake failure, whereas the Prius's brake issues are often linked to the hybrid system's 12-volt battery.
- The Prius has visibility problems like spontaneous window shattering, which is not reported for the Camry.
- Check the transmission for any grinding noises during acceleration, and verify if any recalls apply to the specific VIN.
- Inspect the brake system thoroughly, especially if the car has been driven on hills, and ask for maintenance records.
- Test the audio system for any loud pops or static on startup, and check the 12-volt battery health.
- Inspect all windows for stress cracks or signs of previous shattering, and ensure the hood latch operates smoothly.
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 transmission and brakes for the Camry, and the electrical system and battery for the Prius.
- Test drive both vehicles, paying attention to any unusual noises, vibrations, or warning lights.
- Ask for service records, especially for any transmission or brake work on the Camry, and any electrical or battery replacements on the Prius.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and recalls for the specific model years 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 | Toyota Camry | Toyota Prius |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 106 | 9 |
| 2025 | 141 | 15 |
| 2024 | 46 | 22 |
| 2023 | 60 | 18 |
| 2022 | 58 | 24 |
| 2021 | 154 | 6 |
| 2020 | 267 | 14 |
| 2019 | 388 | 29 |
| 2018 | 731 | 35 |
| 2017 | 148 | 101 |
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 Toyota Prius in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Camry vs Toyota Prius
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,099
- Toyota Prius total complaints
- 273
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 26
- Toyota Prius total recalls
- 20
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 209.9
- Toyota Prius avg complaints/year
- 27.3
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Prius top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER