Head-to-head reliability
Volkswagen Arteon vs Toyota Camry
How the Volkswagen Arteon 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
Volkswagen Arteon vs Toyota Camry: The Arteon averages 20.6 complaints per year with 6 recalls, while the Camry averages 214.3 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Arteon has 0 injuries and 0 deaths in the data; the Camry has 163 injuries and 1 death. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volkswagen Arteon or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volkswagen Arteon
The Volkswagen Arteon is a low-volume sedan, averaging about 21 complaints per year over five years. Most owner reports center on tires delaminating and driver-assist systems flashing 'Travel assist unavailable' at random times. There are also electrical complaints about unintended acceleration, though no injuries or deaths are recorded in this data. Overall, the Arteon's issues are fewer in number but can be annoying and potentially costly.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume sedan with about 214 complaints per year over ten years. Owners report a wide range of problems, from transmission grinding and sudden acceleration to brake failure and AC odors. The data includes 163 injuries and one death, plus 181 crash-related complaints. This suggests that while many Camrys are on the road, some owners experience serious safety defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volkswagen Arteon | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 103 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 20.6 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Volkswagen Arteon
- 01TIRES45
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE27
- 03LANE DEPARTURE15
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
- 05WHEELS12
Owners report tire delamination, where the tread separates from the tire body. This can cause vibration, loss of traction, and blowouts, making the car hazardous to drive.
The 'Travel assist unavailable' warning sounds and flashes unpredictably, often during turns after a stop. This means the automatic braking and collision warning may not work when needed.
The same 'Travel assist unavailable' message also disables lane-keeping assistance. Drivers cannot rely on the system to help keep the car in its lane, especially during sudden maneuvers.
At least one owner reported unintended acceleration, where the car sped up without pressing the gas. This is a serious safety concern that could lead to a crash.
“Several of the tires showing delamination according to the dealership. Extremely hazardous to drive on tires as is. Manufacturer (Continental) advised me on 9/25/2025 they would replace 5 tires (car purchased new, came with full size spare). Continental repre…”
“Several of the tires showing delamination according to the dealership. Extremely hazardous to drive on tires as is. Manufacturer (Continental) advised me on 9/25/2025 they would replace 5 tires (car purchased new, came with full size spare). Continental repre…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners describe grinding noises from the front during acceleration, often traced to the transmission. Some dealers recommend a full transmission replacement, and parts may be on backorder.
Reports include sudden, uncontrollable acceleration that led to a crash, as well as coolant valve issues that trigger a maintenance light. These can be dangerous and expensive to fix.
Drivers report the brake pedal going to the floor with no response, especially on hills or when slowing gently. This loss of braking can cause collisions.
Common complaints include AC condenser damage from road debris and a persistent mildew or vinegar smell from the vents. These are comfort and repair-cost issues rather than immediate safety risks.
“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…”
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.
Volkswagen Arteon — 6 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Arteon vehicles. The pressure input rod connection on the brake booster may be loose and could detach.
The risk: A detached pressure input rod will cause the brake pedal to fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the pressure input rod connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 28, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 47R…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Arteon vehicles. The electronic brake booster pressure input rod may be installed incorrectly, possibly causing an increased actuating force or a disconnected input rod. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirem…
The risk: An increased actuating force or a disconnected input rod may affect braking, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the mounting of the pressure rod only or replace the electronic brake booster and mounting of the pressure rod, depending of the inspection results, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Arteon vehicles. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors were incorrectly calibrated and may not detect the position of a wheel sensor after tire rotation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirement…
The risk: The TPMS may misidentify a tire with low air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wheel electronics and tire valves, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volksw…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Atlas Cross Sport, Tiguan LWB, Jetta NF, Jetta GLI, Golf GTI, Atlas FL and Arteon vehicles. The rear view camera could malfunction during an ignition cycle, leading to a black screen or infotainment system freeze. As such, the…
The risk: A black or frozen rear view image reduces the driver's visibility when reversing, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the infotainment system software, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2020. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this rec…
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…
Buyer analysis
Volkswagen Arteon or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Volkswagen Arteon has far fewer complaints per year (about 21) than the Toyota Camry (about 214). However, the Camry's larger numbers include many minor issues, while the Arteon's smaller set includes serious tire and driver-assist problems. In practice, the Arteon may have fewer overall problems, but the Camry's issues are more varied and sometimes severe.
Key differences
- The Arteon's top complaint is tire delamination, a physical safety risk, while the Camry's top complaint is power train issues like transmission grinding.
- The Arteon has 0 injuries and 0 deaths in the data, but the Camry has 163 injuries and 1 death, though the Camry's much larger sales volume must be considered.
- Driver-assist warnings ('Travel assist unavailable') are a recurring theme for the Arteon, while the Camry has reports of sudden acceleration and brake failure.
- The Arteon has 6 recalls over 5 years, including brake and tire pressure issues; the Camry has 31 recalls over 10 years, covering air bags, seats, and wheels.
- Inspect all tires for signs of delamination, such as cracks, bubbles, or separation in the tread. Ask if the tires have been replaced under the Continental program mentioned in complaints.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and lane departure systems during a test drive. Watch for any 'Travel assist unavailable' messages, especially when turning after a stop.
- Listen for grinding noises from the front end during acceleration, which may indicate transmission problems. Check for any transmission-related recalls or service records.
- Test the brakes on a downhill slope or in a parking lot to ensure the pedal feels firm and the car stops reliably. Any sponginess or lack of response is a red flag.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the tires, brakes, transmission, and driver-assist systems before purchase.
- During a test drive, deliberately trigger the forward collision warning and lane departure systems to see if they work without error messages.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and brake repairs.
- For the Camry, check for any signs of unintended acceleration by testing slow-speed maneuvers and ensuring the pedal returns properly.
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 | Volkswagen Arteon | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 39 | 62 |
| 2022 | 12 | 59 |
| 2021 | 42 | 155 |
| 2020 | 2 | 270 |
| 2019 | 8 | 393 |
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 Volkswagen Arteon or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volkswagen Arteon vs Toyota Camry
- Volkswagen Arteon total complaints
- 103
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Volkswagen Arteon total recalls
- 6
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Volkswagen Arteon avg complaints/year
- 20.6
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Volkswagen Arteon
- Volkswagen Arteon top complaint area
- TIRES
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN