Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Camry vs Toyota Tacoma
How the Toyota Camry and Toyota Tacoma 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 Tacoma: The Camry has 2113 complaints over 10 years (211/yr) and 26 recalls, while the Tacoma has 270 complaints (27/yr) and no recalls. The Camry reports transmission and brake failures, while the Tacoma has power loss and door handle issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Camry or Toyota Tacoma more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, with over 2,100 complaints in a decade, shows a pattern of powertrain and engine issues, including transmission failures and sudden acceleration reports. Brake problems and electrical glitches also appear, making it a car that may require frequent dealer visits. Despite its reputation for reliability, owners report significant mechanical concerns that could affect safety and ownership costs.
Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma, with only 270 complaints over the same period, has far fewer reported issues, but those that exist are notable: transmission shuddering, loss of power, and interior door handle failures. With no recalls on record, the Tacoma appears more reliable overall, but the reported problems can be serious, especially the power loss incidents.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Camry | Toyota Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,113 | 270 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 | 0 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 179 | 29 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 211.3 | 27.0 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 162 | 36 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 2 |
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 TRAIN391
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER338
- 03ENGINE311
- 04SERVICE BRAKES288
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM240
Owners report grinding noises from the front end and transmission failures requiring replacement, sometimes linked to recalls. This suggests a potential for costly repairs and drivability concerns.
Sudden acceleration incidents have been reported, leading to crashes and total loss. Also, engine maintenance lights and coolant valve bypass issues have been noted, indicating possible engine management problems.
Brake failure reports include a complete loss of braking response on a downhill slope, which is a serious safety concern. Other complaints mention brake issues in low-speed maneuvers.
Electrical problems are common, though specific details are sparse. These could manifest as warning lights or other malfunctions, adding to the overall reliability concerns.
“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 Tacoma
- 01POWER TRAIN51
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER37
- 03STRUCTURE35
- 04ENGINE30
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM29
Transmission shuddering or vibration during deceleration is reported, along with a drive shaft failure in 4WD, which can leave you stranded. These issues point to potential drivetrain weaknesses.
Loss of power while driving, especially during passing or from a standstill, has been reported, creating dangerous situations. This could be due to engine or fuel system problems.
Interior door handles are breaking, making it difficult to exit the vehicle, which is a safety hazard in emergencies. This is a common complaint across multiple reports.
Electrical issues are less frequent but still present, possibly affecting various systems. Specifics are limited, but they contribute to the overall reliability picture.
“MY 2025 TACOMA is part of a recall by Toyota, I was notified of the potential issue on early November 2025 and told Toyota was working on a remedy. On December 3rd, 2025 while using 4-wheel drive during a snow storm the drive shaft (recall issue) broke. On De…”
“I have a 2026 Toyota Tacoma 850 miles on it. I had a problem at about 200 miles that the transmition started to shutter or vibrate as it was slowing down around 26 miles an hour to 10 not exactly that every time but close and as it slowed down it had this dis…”
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 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…
Toyota Tacoma
No recalls on record.
Buyer analysis
Toyota Camry or Toyota Tacoma: which should you buy?
The Toyota Tacoma has significantly fewer complaints per year (27 vs 211), indicating a more reliable ownership experience. While the Camry has more reported issues, the Tacoma's problems, such as power loss, are serious. In practice, the Tacoma may require fewer repairs, but the Camry's issues are more varied and frequent.
Key differences
- The Camry has over 7 times more complaints per year than the Tacoma, indicating a higher rate of reported issues.
- The Camry has 26 recalls, while the Tacoma has none, suggesting better initial quality control for the Tacoma.
- The Camry's complaints include sudden acceleration and brake failure, which are safety-critical, whereas the Tacoma's most serious issue is loss of power.
- The Tacoma's door handle failures are a unique structural issue, while the Camry's problems span multiple systems.
- Inspect the transmission for any signs of grinding or slipping, and check for any open recalls related to powertrain.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on slopes, and be alert for any loss of braking response.
- Check the interior door handles for any looseness or failure, as they are prone to breaking.
- Test the transmission for shuddering during deceleration, and verify the drive shaft integrity if the vehicle has 4WD.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for any open recalls or previous complaints.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission and brakes for the Camry, and the door handles and drivetrain for the Tacoma.
- Test drive both vehicles under various conditions, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to feel for any unusual vibrations or power loss.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest recall information and complaint trends for the specific model year you're considering.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records to see if any major repairs have been done.
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 Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 114 | 5 |
| 2025 | 144 | 79 |
| 2024 | 47 | 0 |
| 2023 | 60 | 51 |
| 2022 | 58 | 57 |
| 2021 | 154 | 78 |
| 2020 | 268 | 0 |
| 2019 | 389 | 0 |
| 2018 | 731 | 0 |
| 2017 | 148 | 0 |
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 Tacoma in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Camry vs Toyota Tacoma
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,113
- Toyota Tacoma total complaints
- 270
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 26
- Toyota Tacoma total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 211.3
- Toyota Tacoma avg complaints/year
- 27.0
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Tacoma
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Tacoma top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN