Head-to-head reliability
Volkswagen Tiguan vs Toyota Camry
How the Volkswagen Tiguan 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 Tiguan vs Toyota Camry: The Tiguan averages 132 complaints per year with 42 recalls, while the Camry averages 206 complaints per year with 31 recalls. Both have 1 death reported. The Tiguan's issues often involve engine shutdowns and brake engagement; the Camry's include key stuck and brake noise. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volkswagen Tiguan or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volkswagen Tiguan
The Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact SUV that, based on NHTSA data, has averaged about 132 complaints per year over the last decade, with 42 recalls. Owners frequently report engine and electrical problems, including unexpected shutdowns, electronic parking brake engagement, and infotainment glitches. These issues can be frustrating and potentially dangerous, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a long-standing reputation for reliability, but NHTSA data shows about 206 complaints per year over 10 years and 31 recalls. Common owner complaints involve power train hesitation, brake noises, and electrical malfunctions. While the Camry has more complaints overall, many are for less severe issues, but some, like key stuck and brake problems, require attention.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volkswagen Tiguan | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,319 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 42 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 32 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 131.9 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 35 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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 Tiguan
- 01ENGINE392
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM293
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER276
- 04POWER TRAIN154
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE132
Owners report unexpected engine shutdowns while driving at low speeds, sometimes with the vehicle shifting into Park on its own. This can leave you stranded or cause a loss of power in traffic.
Complaints include the infotainment system randomly disconnecting from wireless CarPlay and showing Wi-Fi errors. More seriously, some owners say the electronic parking brake engages without input, which can suddenly stop the vehicle.
The electronic parking brake may engage on its own and the vehicle can shift into Park unexpectedly. This is a recurring safety defect that could lead to loss of control.
Owners have reported steering wheel misalignment and even a sunroof shattering spontaneously. These defects affect steering control and can cause unexpected glass breakage.
“On August 14, 2026, I brought my Volkswagen, with approximately 7,500 miles and still under warranty, to Bay Ridge Volkswagen, an authorized Volkswagen dealership in Brooklyn, NY. At approximately 8:00 AM, the dealer informed me that my vehicle had an applica…”
“This is an additional complaint concerning the same vehicle previously reported under ODI XXX. On XXX, while the vehicle was in Drive and moving at approximately 5 mph in [XXX], it unexpectedly shut off and shifted itself into Park. On XXX, while reversing, t…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Some owners report the ignition key gets stuck and cannot be removed even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection. Others experience hesitation and shuddering while driving, often with the check engine light on.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, causing a several-second lag before the car moves. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
Owners report the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow. Also, a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is common, attributed to the ABS system.
Multiple systems like stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction simultaneously. This can make the car hard to control and disable safety aids.
“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 Tiguan — 42 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. A tie rod bolt on the rear axle assembly may be loose, which can lead to a loss of vehicle control.
The risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the affected tie rod bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 5, 2025. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42E7.
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. A software error may cause the body control module (BCM) system to reset. This may result in the ignition switching off, resulting in an engine stall. It can also lead to a loss of certain controls, warning li…
The risk: An unexpected engine stall, loss of exterior lighting or warning lights, or failure of the rearview camera system can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the body control module (BCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 6, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for th…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2025 Tiguan vehicles. The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.
The risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to allow occupants to sit in the front passenger seat until the remedy is complete. Dealers will repair the affected wiring harness in the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed…
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…
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 Tiguan or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Volkswagen Tiguan has fewer complaints per year (about 132) than the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Tiguan's issues often involve sudden engine shutdowns and brake engagement, which are severe. The Camry's higher complaint count includes many less critical problems, but some, like key stuck and brake noise, still need attention. In practice, the Tiguan may have fewer reported problems, but they can be more dangerous.
Key differences
- The Tiguan has fewer complaints per year (132 vs 206) but more recalls (42 vs 31).
- Tiguan owners report sudden engine shutdowns and electronic parking brake engagement, while Camry owners report key stuck and brake noise.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (171 vs 32) and injuries (158 vs 35), though the Tiguan has one death and the Camry one death.
- Tiguan top issues are engine and electrical; Camry top issues are power train and unknown/other.
- Check for any history of unexpected engine shutdowns or electronic parking brake activation; test drive at low speeds and listen for infotainment disconnects.
- Inspect the sunroof for cracks or signs of shattering, and verify steering wheel alignment.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; ensure it doesn't stick. Also listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
- Check for hesitation or shuddering during acceleration and ensure all safety systems (stability control, blind spot monitoring) function properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any sudden power loss, brake noises, or warning lights.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electronic parking brake system, especially on the Tiguan.
- For the Camry, test the key removal and check for throttle response delays.
- Verify that all safety features (forward collision avoidance, lane keeping) work as expected.
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 Tiguan | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 30 | 0 |
| 2025 | 49 | 163 |
| 2024 | 71 | 50 |
| 2023 | 68 | 64 |
| 2022 | 269 | 61 |
| 2021 | 141 | 157 |
| 2020 | 140 | 274 |
| 2019 | 192 | 395 |
| 2018 | 284 | 744 |
| 2017 | 75 | 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 Tiguan or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volkswagen Tiguan vs Toyota Camry
- Volkswagen Tiguan total complaints
- 1,319
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Volkswagen Tiguan total recalls
- 42
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Volkswagen Tiguan avg complaints/year
- 131.9
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- Volkswagen Tiguan top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN