Head-to-head reliability
Volkswagen E GOLF vs Toyota Camry
How the Volkswagen E GOLF 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 E GOLF vs Toyota Camry: The E Golf has 36 complaints over 6 years (6/year) and 10 recalls, while the Camry has 2056 complaints over 10 years (206/year) and 31 recalls. The E Golf's main issues are charging lockups and electrical shutdowns; the Camry's are power train and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volkswagen E GOLF or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volkswagen E GOLF
The Volkswagen E Golf is an electric hatchback with a relatively low complaint rate of 6 per year over six years, but the complaints cluster around charging and electrical shutdowns. Owners frequently report the charging connector locking onto the car and refusing to release, sometimes requiring a key or emergency procedure. There are also reports of the car shutting off while driving, which is alarming but appears less common. With 10 recalls and 2 injuries reported, it's a niche EV that demands careful inspection of its charging system and software updates.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 206 per year over ten years—but that reflects its huge sales numbers. The complaints span many systems, with power train, engine, and brake issues standing out. Owners describe problems like hesitation, shuddering, stuck ignition keys, and electronic parking brake failures. There are 31 recalls and 171 crash-related complaints, though not all crashes are caused by defects. Overall, it's a popular car with a wide range of reported issues, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volkswagen E GOLF | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 36 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 6.0 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 Better | 158 |
| 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 E GOLF
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM22
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM10
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER9
- 04ENGINE6
- 05POWER TRAIN5
Owners report the charging connector locks onto the car and won't release, sometimes requiring a key or emergency procedure. Others describe the car shutting off suddenly while driving, which can be dangerous. These electrical glitches are the most common complaint and can leave you stranded or unable to charge.
The charging plug remains locked after charging, and pressing the release button doesn't work. This can happen at public stations, causing major inconvenience. It's a recurring issue that affects daily usability.
A software update is needed to keep heating and cooling working on 2015 and older models; without it, defogging fails. Owners also report the charging port won't release the charger, a widely reported problem. These issues can affect comfort and safety in bad weather.
Some owners experience the car stopping without warning and displaying an 'Error: Electrical System' message, after which it won't move. This is a serious safety concern. It appears intermittent but should be checked.
“THE 2015 EGOLF LOCKS THE CHARGING CONNECTOR ONTO THE VEHICLE DURING CHARGING. THIS FUNCTIONALITY HAS TWO (AT LEAST) BENEFITS TO THE VEHICLE OPERATOR. ONE BENEFIT IS THAT THE (VERY EXPENSEIVE) CAR CHARGER'S POWER SUPPLY CAN'T EASILY BE STOLEN DURING CHARGING.…”
“I WAS DRIVING MY 5-MONTH OLD VW E-GOLF ON A CITY ROAD WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC AND TRAVELING ABOUT 35-40 MPH WHEN ALL OF SUDDEN MY ELECTRIC CAR SHUT OFF AND CAME TO A SHUDDERING STOP. IT FELT ALMOST LIKE ANOTHER CAR HAD HIT ME FROM BEHIND. THE ELECTRIC VW GOLF CAME…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key gets stuck and can't be removed even when the car is in Park, sometimes requiring battery disconnection. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving with the check engine light on. These issues can leave you unable to secure or drive the car reliably.
Multiple systems—smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. This suggests complex electronic integration problems. Such failures can compromise safety and are hard to diagnose.
Owners report delayed throttle response, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second delay before the car moves. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic. It's a recurring complaint that may indicate a software or sensor issue.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow and sometimes a new switch that doesn't fix it. Owners also hear clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area, which dealers call normal but owners find concerning. Brake problems are safety-critical and should be inspected.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
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 E GOLF — 10 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requi…
The risk: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
The fix: Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf and Golf R vehicles, and Audi A3 Sedan and RS3 vehicles. The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves may be incorrectly welded to the seat frame.
The risk: If the guide sleeves are incorrectly welded, in the event of a crash, the rear seat head restraints may have reduced stability, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners, and dealers will inspect the guide sleeves for incorrect welds, replacing the rear seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen cu…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period ma…
The risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
The fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer se…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 e-Golf vehicles manufactured May 21, 2014, to March 1, 2016. Oversensitive diagnostics for the high-voltage battery management system may falsely detect an electrical surge resulting in the vehicle's electric d…
The risk: An unexpected vehicle shutdown can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will update the battery management software, free of charge. The recall began March 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall…
Toyota Camry — 31 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 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…
Buyer analysis
Volkswagen E GOLF or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Volkswagen E Golf has far fewer complaints per year (6 vs. 206), but its issues tend to be severe, like sudden shutdowns and charging lockups. The Toyota Camry's higher volume reflects its popularity, but problems are spread across many systems. In practice, the E Golf may be less likely to leave you stranded overall, but when it does, it's often a critical electrical failure.
Key differences
- The E Golf's top complaint is the charging connector locking and not releasing, while the Camry's top complaint is power train issues like stuck ignition keys and hesitation.
- E Golf owners report sudden electrical shutdowns while driving; Camry owners report delayed throttle response and shuddering.
- The Camry has far more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 0) and injuries (158 vs. 2), though this may reflect sales volume.
- The E Golf has a known software update needed for heating/cooling on older models; the Camry has multiple recalls for air bag sensors and seats.
- Test the charging connector release multiple times—if it sticks or requires emergency release, that's a known problem.
- Check for any signs of electrical shutdowns or error messages; ask if the software update for heating/cooling has been applied.
- Try removing the ignition key in Park—if it sticks, that's a reported power train defect.
- Test the electronic parking brake and listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal; these are common complaints.
Before you buy
- For the E Golf, verify the charging system works flawlessly and that all software updates are installed.
- For the Camry, test the transmission for hesitation or shuddering and ensure the ignition key releases properly.
- Check recall history for both vehicles and confirm all recalls have been addressed.
- Take a test drive that includes braking, accelerating, and using electronic features to spot intermittent issues.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the specific systems mentioned in complaints before buying.
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 E GOLF | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 274 |
| 2019 | 6 | 395 |
| 2018 | 1 | 744 |
| 2017 | 1 | 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 E GOLF or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volkswagen E GOLF vs Toyota Camry
- Volkswagen E GOLF total complaints
- 36
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Volkswagen E GOLF total recalls
- 10
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Volkswagen E GOLF avg complaints/year
- 6.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Volkswagen E GOLF
- Volkswagen E GOLF top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN