Last updated: 2026-03-04
Hyundai Elantra vs Toyota Camry: Reliability Compared
Hyundai Elantra
Toyota Camry
Choosing between the Hyundai Elantra and the Toyota Camry? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Hyundai Elantra currently leads with an average score of 78/100 compared to 77/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Camry Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Hyundai Elantra is more reliable than the Toyota Camry, scoring 78/100 vs 77/100.
The Hyundai Elantra slightly edges out the Toyota Camry in terms of average reliability score, with a 90/100 compared to the Camry's 88/100. However, the Camry has a lower owner complaint rate at 2.1 per 10,000 sold versus the Elantra's 3.7, suggesting higher customer satisfaction. Additionally, the Camry benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $388 compared to the Elantra's $452. While both vehicles have similar recall numbers, the Camry's lower complaint rate and repair costs make it the more reliable choice overall.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Camry costs $64 less per year to repair
- 2Hyundai Elantra has 2 fewer total recalls
- 3Hyundai Elantra has 2% lower major repair risk
Category Scoreboard
Hyundai Elantra vs Toyota Camry: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Hyundai Elantra | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 78/100 | 77/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 33 | 35 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 3.7 | 2.1 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $452/yr | $388/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 9% | 11% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 4 | 4 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Camry?
The Toyota Camry and Hyundai Elantra exhibit distinct problem profiles in terms of component reliability. The Camry faces significant issues with its power train, amassing 291 complaints, 6 of which are crash-linked, and air bags, with 189 complaints and a notable 58 linked to crashes, indicating potential safety concerns. In contrast, the Elantra's most frequent issue lies with the engine, accounting for 273 complaints but only 3 crash-linked, suggesting less severe safety implications. While both vehicles encounter electrical system issues, the Elantra has a slightly higher number of complaints in this category compared to the Camry, but the latter has more crash-linked incidents across various components, particularly in air bags and service brakes.
| Component | Hyundai Elantra | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 0.8Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.6Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.4Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Hyundai Elantra or Toyota Camry?
How Does Hyundai Elantra vs Toyota Camry Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Hyundai Elantra | Toyota Camry | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 87/1000R / 21C | 76/1004R / 6C | Hyundai Elantra |
| 2024 | 85/1001R / 50C | 83/1002R / 35C | Hyundai Elantra |
| 2023 | 75/1004R / 146C | 79/1004R / 47C | Toyota Camry |
| 2022 | 74/10013R / 139C | 84/1002R / 47C | Toyota Camry |
| 2021 | 75/10010R / 147C | 82/1002R / 144C | Toyota Camry |
| 2020 | 72/1003R / 212C | 75/1005R / 253C | Toyota Camry |
| 2019 | 78/1001R / 195C | 70/1008R / 364C | Hyundai Elantra |
| 2018 | 76/1001R / 309C | 65/1008R / 708C | Hyundai Elantra |
| 2026(predicted) | 82/100(predicted) | 79/100(predicted) | Hyundai Elantra |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Hyundai Elantra scored 87/100 and the 2022 Toyota Camry scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Hyundai Elantra vs the Toyota Camry?
Hyundai Elantra vs Toyota Camry: Common Questions
- Is the Hyundai Elantra more reliable than the Toyota Camry?
- Based on our data, the Hyundai Elantra is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 77/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Elantra or the Toyota Camry?
- The Toyota Camry has more recalls (35) compared to the Hyundai Elantra (33). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Hyundai Elantra or the Toyota Camry?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Camry has a lower complaint rate at 2.1 per 10,000 sold versus 3.7 for the Hyundai Elantra. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Hyundai Elantra or the Toyota Camry?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Camry is cheaper to maintain at $388/year versus $452/year for the Hyundai Elantra.
- Is the Hyundai Elantra or Toyota Camry safer?
- Both the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Camry received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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