Last updated: 2026-10-10
Chevrolet Camaro vs Toyota GR86: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Camaro
Toyota GR86
The Toyota GR86 edges the Chevrolet Camaro on reliability by a slight margin. Fewer recalls and no crash-linked complaint area in the data decide it. The GR86 does draw more complaints per car sold, mostly about engine oil starvation, so the lead is narrow.
How Do the Chevrolet Camaro and Toyota GR86 Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota GR86 is more reliable than the Chevrolet Camaro, scoring 79/100 vs 75/100.
Slight edge to the GR86. Federal recall records show 3 recalls across its five model years, against 7 across six for the Camaro. None of its problem areas is flagged as crash-linked, while the Camaro's transmission complaints include four that are. The lead is narrow. The GR86 draws more complaints per car sold, and its engine reports describe sudden failures from oil starvation. The Camaro's trouble is broader, with shuddering, lost gauges, and steering assist that cuts out.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota GR86 scores 4 points higher in reliability
- 2Toyota GR86 has 4 fewer total recalls
- 3Chevrolet Camaro has 3.9 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Camaro vs Toyota GR86: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Camaro | Toyota GR86 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 75/100 | 79/100 |
| Years Tracked | 6 | 5 |
| Total Recalls | 7 | 3 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 1.8 | 5.7 |
| Year Wins | 1 (1 tied) | 1 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Camaro and Toyota GR86?
Engine failure is the GR86's worst pattern. Owners blame excess sealant at the oil pan that clogs the oil pickup, causing knocking, a late or missing oil light, and abrupt power loss. One car caught fire at about 6,700 miles. Fuel lines rubbing the hood are a second worry, though no leak is reported. The Camaro spreads trouble across systems. Its 8-speed automatic shudders between 25 and 80 mph, and four of those complaints are crash-linked. Steering assist can drop out mid-drive, and the instrument cluster can go blank at highway speed.
| Component | Chevrolet Camaro | Toyota GR86 |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 0.2Very Low | 2.2Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 1.1Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.2Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.6Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Chevrolet Camaro vs Toyota GR86 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Camaro | Toyota GR86 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 77/1000R / 4C | 77/1001R / 3C | Tie |
| 2023 | 81/1000R / 0C | 77/1001R / 9C | Chevrolet Camaro |
| 2022 | 75/1001R / 10C | 76/1001R / 21C | Toyota GR86 |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Chevrolet Camaro scored 81/100 and the 2024 Toyota GR86 scored 77/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Who Should Buy the Chevrolet Camaro vs the Toyota GR86?
Chevrolet Camaro vs Toyota GR86: Common Questions
- Is the Toyota GR86 more reliable than the Chevrolet Camaro?
- Slightly, yes. The GR86 has fewer federal recalls and no crash-linked complaint area in the data. The Camaro has four crash-linked transmission complaints. The GR86 has a higher complaint rate per car sold, though, so the gap is small and its engine oil starvation reports matter.
- Which has more recalls, the GR86 or the Camaro?
- The Camaro has more. Federal recall records show 7 recalls across its six model years from 2018 to 2024. The GR86 has 3 across its five model years from 2022 to 2026. Check any specific car's VIN for open recalls before you buy.
- What is the biggest GR86 problem?
- Engine failure from oil starvation. Many owners blame excess sealant at the oil pan that breaks loose and clogs the oil pickup. Symptoms include knocking, a late or missing oil light, and sudden power loss. Some owners found silicone on the dipstick before anything failed.
- What goes wrong with the Camaro's automatic transmission?
- The 8-speed automatic shudders under light throttle and while cruising, usually between 25 and 80 mph. Owners also report hard shifts, slipping, and getting stuck in one gear. Symptoms often start around 30,000 miles and worsen. A GM service bulletin covers the shudder.
- Which Camaro and GR86 years should I avoid?
- For the Camaro, be careful with 2018 and 2020, the weakest years. Prefer 2023 or 2024. For the GR86, 2022 and 2024 are the weakest years. The 2025 and 2026 cars look strongest but are newer, so they have had less time to collect complaints.
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Decided between Chevrolet Camaro and Toyota GR86? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Chevrolet Camaro and Toyota GR86
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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