Head-to-head reliability
Volkswagen TAOS vs Toyota Camry
How the Volkswagen TAOS 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 TAOS vs Toyota Camry: The TAOS has 495 complaints over 5 years (99/year) and 9 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (206/year) and 31 recalls. Both show engine and brake issues, but the Camry also has many power train complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volkswagen TAOS or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volkswagen TAOS
The Volkswagen TAOS is a compact SUV that has been on the road for five years, accumulating 495 complaints—about 99 per year. Owners frequently report engine stalls, hard starting, and brake problems, with some incidents leading to crashes. The data shows nine recalls and two injuries, suggesting that while not every TAOS has issues, the potential for serious safety problems exists.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a long history, but over the past ten years it has generated 2,056 complaints—roughly 206 per year. Power train, engine, and brake issues are common, and the 171 crash-related reports and 158 injuries indicate that some problems can have severe consequences. With 31 recalls, the Camry has been subject to frequent safety fixes.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volkswagen TAOS | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 495 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 9 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 99.0 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 TAOS
- 01ENGINE199
- 02SERVICE BRAKES116
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM99
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM73
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER72
Owners report engine stalling while accelerating, sometimes shutting off completely, and hard starting with warning lights like the EPC light. These issues can leave you stranded or cause a loss of power in traffic, which is a serious safety concern.
Complaints include rear brake problems and sudden unintended acceleration combined with automatic emergency braking failure. One owner reported a crash, so brake performance is critical to check.
Electrical issues often tie into engine stalls and warranty disputes over catastrophic engine failures at low mileage. This suggests that electrical faults can be both frustrating and expensive if not covered.
Hard starting and fuel pump failures are reported, with trouble codes like P0148. A failing fuel pump can cause stalling or prevent the car from starting, leaving you stuck.
“I have brough my vehicle into the dealership on 3 separate occasions, all of which were the same safety issue - the engine would stall while accelerating and would shut off. However the 3rd incident was the most dangerous. On [XXX], I was driving southbound o…”
“Incident 1: Noticed hard starting one morning. After stopping for gas various engine warning lights illuminated (including EPC light). Took to VW dealer few days later, found trouble codes stored (P0148). Fuel pump replaced few days after diagnosis. Incident…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners describe intermittent key stuck in ignition, hesitation, and shuddering with check engine lights. These issues can affect drivability and may require costly repairs.
Delayed throttle response and hesitation when accelerating are common, with some cases diagnosed as engine problems. This can make merging or accelerating feel unpredictable.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear clicking or vibrating from the ABS system. Brake issues can be inconvenient and potentially unsafe.
Multiple system malfunctions—including stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring—are reported, sometimes all at once. These electronic glitches can overwhelm a driver and reduce confidence in the car.
“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 TAOS — 9 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Jetta and Taos vehicles. The instrument panel may fail to display warning lights or gauges. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Display…
The risk: An instrument panel that does not display critical safety information, such as the speedometer or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software and replace the instrument panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 22, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswa…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Taos vehicles. In the event of a rear-end crash, the fuel pressure sensor may dislodge or separate from the fuel tank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard…
The risk: A fuel tank with a dislodged or separated fuel pressure sensor can leak fuel after a rollover crash, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a fuel pressure sensor wiring harness extension, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recal…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Taos vehicles. In the event of a rear-end crash, the fuel pressure sensor may dislodge or separate from the fuel tank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard…
The risk: A fuel tank with a dislodged or separated fuel pressure sensor can leak fuel after a rollover crash, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install a fuel pressure sensor wiring harness extension, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recal…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Taos vehicles. The underhood fuel supply quick-connector may detach from the fuel supply line causing a fuel leak in the engine compartment.
The risk: A fuel leak may cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A fuel leak also increases the risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the connection and replace the fuel supply line and connector as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 31, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volk…
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 TAOS or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Volkswagen TAOS has far fewer complaints per year (99 vs. 206 for the Camry), but both have serious safety-related reports. The TAOS's issues are more concentrated in engine and brakes, while the Camry's are spread across power train and electronics. In practice, the TAOS may have fewer overall problems, but the Camry's higher volume means you're more likely to find a well-documented history.
Key differences
- The TAOS has about 99 complaints per year, while the Camry averages 206 per year, but the Camry's data covers twice as many years.
- TAOS owners frequently report engine stalls and brake problems, whereas Camry owners report power train issues like key stuck and hesitation.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related reports and 158 injuries, compared to 9 crashes and 2 injuries for the TAOS, though these numbers are not adjusted for vehicle population.
- Both have recalls: 9 for the TAOS and 31 for the Camry, covering areas like fuel system and air bags.
- Check for any signs of engine stalling or hard starting, especially during a test drive; listen for unusual noises and ask for service records related to fuel pump or ECU software updates.
- Inspect the rear brakes for wear and test the automatic emergency braking system if equipped; any vibration or unusual noise could indicate a problem.
- Test the ignition key to ensure it doesn't get stuck, and check for any hesitation or shuddering during acceleration; a check engine light could indicate a power train issue.
- Verify that the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly, and listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area, which may signal ABS issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website for both models.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on engine, transmission, and brake systems.
- During a test drive, pay attention to acceleration response, braking feel, and any warning lights on the dashboard.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for oil changes and any repairs related to the reported problem areas.
- For the Camry, test all electronic features like blind spot monitoring and lane keeping assist; for the TAOS, check the infotainment and electrical systems.
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 TAOS | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 0 |
| 2025 | 11 | 163 |
| 2024 | 55 | 50 |
| 2023 | 109 | 64 |
| 2022 | 317 | 61 |
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 TAOS or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volkswagen TAOS vs Toyota Camry
- Volkswagen TAOS total complaints
- 495
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Volkswagen TAOS total recalls
- 9
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Volkswagen TAOS avg complaints/year
- 99.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Volkswagen TAOS
- Volkswagen TAOS top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN