Head-to-head reliability
Volkswagen ID4 vs Toyota Camry
How the Volkswagen ID4 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 ID4 vs Toyota Camry: The ID4 averages 167.5 complaints per year with 41 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The ID4 has 72 injuries and 0 deaths; the Camry has 158 injuries and 1 death. Both have safety-related issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volkswagen ID4 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volkswagen ID4
The Volkswagen ID4 is an electric SUV that has been on the road for about six years. Owners have filed an average of 167.5 complaints per year, with the most common issues involving the electrical system, forward collision avoidance, and vehicle speed control. Many complaints describe serious problems like sudden unintended acceleration, loss of braking, and high-voltage battery defects. While there have been no reported deaths in the data, 72 injuries and 110 crash-related complaints suggest these are not minor annoyances.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a long-running midsize sedan with a reputation for dependability, but NHTSA data shows an average of 205.6 complaints per year over ten years. The most frequent problem areas are the power train, engine, and service brakes. Owners report issues like delayed throttle response, shuddering, and electronic parking brake failures. There has been one death and 158 injuries linked to complaints, indicating that some defects can have severe consequences.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volkswagen ID4 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,005 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 41 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 110 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 167.5 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 72 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 ID4
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM504
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER228
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE151
- 04VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL123
- 05STRUCTURE117
Owners report high-voltage battery defects, including misaligned electrodes and shifted cathodes, which can lead to battery failure or fire risk. There are also complaints about 12V battery problems and software glitches that cause the car to lose power or fail to start.
Complaints describe sudden unintended acceleration and complete loss of braking, sometimes resulting in crashes. The forward collision avoidance system may also falsely detect obstacles, causing the vehicle to brake unexpectedly.
Drivers have experienced sudden unintended acceleration, where the car accelerates on its own, even when parked or during slow maneuvers. This can lead to loss of control and crashes, and owners often seek buybacks or replacements.
Recall subjects include door handle and airbag inflator issues, which could affect occupant safety in a crash. Complaints also mention structural problems that may compromise the vehicle's integrity.
“I own one of 311 vehicles specifically identified in this recall regarding "misaligned electrodes" and "shifted cathodes" in the high-voltage battery. I am formally requesting that Volkswagen replace all battery modules within the high-voltage pack of the aff…”
“On 9/2/25, I gave my car to my local dealership to complete routine maintenance and to remedy a safety recall that had been initiated a few months prior. It was supposed to take one day to complete, but I was told that they were having trouble with a certain…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent ignition key sticking, where the key cannot be removed even in Park, requiring battery disconnection. Others describe hesitation and shuddering during driving, often accompanied by a check engine light.
Complaints include 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 intersections.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring towing and switch replacement. Some owners also hear clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which dealers attribute to the ABS system.
Multiple systems, such as stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring, can malfunction simultaneously. This suggests underlying electrical or software issues that could affect safety.
“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 ID4 — 41 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2023-2024 ID.4 vehicles. The interior sunshade for the panoramic glass roof may be insufficiently fire retardant. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 302, "Fl…
The risk: In a fire, fabric that is not fire retardant may further fuel a fire, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will apply flame retardant to the sunshade fabric, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2023. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (VW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 ID4 vehicles. The fasteners securing the passenger frontal air bag inflator may be loose.
The risk: An improperly secured air bag inflator may not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagens number for this recall is 69…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021-2024 ID.4 vehicles. The door handles may allow water to enter the circuit board assembly, which can cause the doors to open unexpectedly.
The risk: A vehicle door that opens unexpectedly while driving increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Volkswagen dealers will inspect and replace the door handles as necessary, and update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 27, 2024. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2024-2025 AUDI Q4 E-Tron SUV, AUDI Q4 E-Tron Sportback, and 2024 ID.4 vehicles. The on-board charger (OCDC) may fail and stop charging the 12-volt battery, which can result in a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the OCDC, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 20, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for thi…
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 ID4 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Volkswagen ID4 has fewer complaints per year (167.5) than the Toyota Camry (205.6), but the ID4's issues are more often tied to severe safety defects like unintended acceleration and battery problems. The Camry's higher annual complaint rate reflects a broader range of issues, though many are less catastrophic. In practice, the ID4 may require more urgent attention to safety recalls, while the Camry may have more frequent but less critical repairs.
Key differences
- The ID4 has a higher proportion of complaints about electrical system and forward collision avoidance, including sudden unintended acceleration and braking loss, while the Camry's top issues are power train, engine, and service brakes.
- The ID4 has 41 recalls over 6 years, compared to 31 recalls for the Camry over 10 years, indicating a higher recall rate per year for the ID4.
- The Camry has 1 death and 158 injuries reported, while the ID4 has 0 deaths and 72 injuries, but the ID4's injuries are spread over fewer years.
- Owner complaints for the ID4 often mention high-voltage battery defects and software glitches, whereas Camry complaints frequently involve mechanical issues like key sticking and brake noise.
- Check for any open recalls related to the high-voltage battery, as some owners report misaligned electrodes and shifted cathodes that can lead to battery failure or fire.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and braking systems thoroughly, looking for any sudden unintended acceleration or loss of braking during test drives.
- Test the ignition key removal and electronic parking brake operation, as owners report keys getting stuck and parking brakes failing to disengage.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which may indicate ABS issues that some dealers consider normal but owners find concerning.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any outstanding recalls on both models, prioritizing safety-related recalls.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the high-voltage battery and electrical system on the ID4, and the power train and brakes on the Camry.
- During a test drive, specifically test acceleration, braking, and parking brake functions to detect any hesitation, unintended acceleration, or brake noise.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and any documentation of previous repairs, especially for recalls or known issues.
- Consider an extended warranty that covers electrical components for the ID4 and powertrain for the Camry, given the common complaint areas.
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 ID4 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 27 | 163 |
| 2024 | 48 | 50 |
| 2023 | 459 | 64 |
| 2022 | 136 | 61 |
| 2021 | 335 | 157 |
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 ID4 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volkswagen ID4 vs Toyota Camry
- Volkswagen ID4 total complaints
- 1,005
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Volkswagen ID4 total recalls
- 41
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Volkswagen ID4 avg complaints/year
- 167.5
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Volkswagen ID4
- Volkswagen ID4 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN