Head-to-head reliability
Volkswagen Beetle vs Toyota Camry
How the Volkswagen Beetle 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 Beetle averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Volkswagen Beetle has 45 complaints and 12 recalls on record; Toyota Camry has 2,015 complaints and 27 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volkswagen Beetle | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 45 Better | 2,015 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 27 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 175 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 4.5 Better | 201.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| 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 Beetle
- 01AIR BAGS13
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER11
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
- 04ENGINE3
- 05SUSPENSION2
“The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Beetle. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and there was smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle before the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that several unknown warning l…”
“I've owned this car for nearly two years. On April 3, 2025, I took my car to Niello VW. A service person told me he'd just had a VW Beetle with the same problem, just the passenger's side. Since there was nothing jamming the glide rails, there was no reason f…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN368
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER316
- 03ENGINE307
- 04SERVICE BRAKES284
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM223
“The vehicle allows the engine to be turned off, key removed, while the vehicle is still in drive with no warning lights or sounds. I have tested and the vehicle can roll away. Complained to the toyota dealership and they said the service tech consulted with t…”
“Transmission (UB80E) 2023 Toyota Camry; when pushing on the gas pedal there is a whining/whistling sound: vehicle shutters and all at once takes off like an airplane; gear shifting is not right. Inspected 0n 6/8/2026 by Toyota Dealer - noise coming from the t…”
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 Beetle — 12 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas, Passat, Beetle, Beetle Convertible, Golf, Golf SportWagen and GTI and Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake caliper pistons on these vehicles may have insufficient coating, potentially reducing the brake perfor…
The risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners. Audi dealers will bleed the rear brakes. Volkswagen dealers will bleed the front and rear brake calipers. Note: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the brake system has been ch…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2019 GTI, 2015-2016 and 2018-2019 Golf, 2012-2019 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2017-2019 Golf SportWagen and 2011-2018 Jetta vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, manual handbrake and keyless entry. A build-up of…
The risk: Removing the key while the shift lever is in a position other than "Park" increases the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional switch and circuit board, free of charge. The recall began November 19, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for t…
The defect: Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake flu…
The risk: If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of char…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Beetle, Beetle Convertible, 2012-2014 Passat, 2017 Passat Wagon, and 2006-2007 Passat Sedan vehicles. The driver's side frontal air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver's side front air bag module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 4, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall ar…
Toyota Camry — 27 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 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 2025-2026 Camry Hybrid and 2026 Corolla Cross Hybrid vehicles. A bolt inside the inverter may not have been tightened properly, causing incomplete contact at the inverter terminal.
The risk: Incomplete contact can cause a loss of motive power, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, a loose bolt can cause an electrical short while the vehicle is powered on, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the inverter assembly, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed March 11, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy becomes available, anticipated in late Ma…
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 Beetle | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 69 |
| 2025 | 0 | 130 |
| 2024 | 0 | 44 |
| 2023 | 0 | 57 |
| 2022 | 0 | 56 |
| 2021 | 0 | 151 |
| 2020 | 0 | 260 |
| 2019 | 14 | 378 |
| 2018 | 16 | 722 |
| 2017 | 15 | 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 Volkswagen Beetle or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volkswagen Beetle vs Toyota Camry
- Volkswagen Beetle total complaints
- 45
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,015
- Volkswagen Beetle total recalls
- 12
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 27
- Volkswagen Beetle avg complaints/year
- 4.5
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 201.5
- More reliable overall
- Volkswagen Beetle
- Volkswagen Beetle top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN