Last updated: 2026-03-04
Hyundai Sonata vs Toyota Camry: Reliability Compared
Hyundai Sonata
Toyota Camry
Choosing between the Hyundai Sonata 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 midsize sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota Camry currently leads with an average score of 77/100 compared to 67/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Camry is more reliable than the Hyundai Sonata, scoring 77/100 vs 67/100.
The Toyota Camry demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 88/100 compared to the Hyundai Sonata's 69/100. Despite having more recalls, the Camry has a lower owner complaint rate of 2.1 per 10,000 units sold, versus the Sonata's 3.7. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates for the Camry are relatively low at $388 annually, though no comparative figure is available for the Sonata. Overall, the Camry's combination of a higher reliability score and lower complaint rate makes it the more dependable choice.
Key Differences
- 1Hyundai Sonata has 15 fewer total recalls
- 2Toyota Camry scores 10 points higher in reliability
- 3Toyota Camry has 1.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Hyundai Sonata vs Toyota Camry: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Hyundai Sonata | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 67/100 | 77/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 20 | 35 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 3.7 | 2.1 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 (1 tied) | 6 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry?
The Toyota Camry and Hyundai Sonata exhibit distinct reliability profiles, with the Camry having a higher total number of complaints. The Camry's most significant issue lies in the power train, with 291 complaints, including 6 linked to crashes, whereas the Sonata's primary concern is the engine, with 239 complaints, yet only 2 crash-linked. Notably, the Camry's air bags are a critical concern with 58 crash-linked complaints out of 189, while the Sonata shows a higher rate of complaints in electrical systems and unknown categories relative to its total, but with fewer crash implications. Both vehicles have a comparable number of power train and steering complaints when adjusted for the total number of issues, though the Camry presents a slightly higher risk in crash-linked incidents across multiple components.
| Component | Hyundai Sonata | 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 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Hyundai Sonata or Toyota Camry?
How Does Hyundai Sonata vs Toyota Camry Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Hyundai Sonata | Toyota Camry | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 76/1000R / 16C | 76/1004R / 6C | Tie |
| 2024 | 73/1001R / 41C | 83/1002R / 35C | Toyota Camry |
| 2023 | 62/1002R / 87C | 79/1004R / 47C | Toyota Camry |
| 2022 | 65/1003R / 95C | 84/1002R / 47C | Toyota Camry |
| 2021 | 64/1004R / 151C | 82/1002R / 144C | Toyota Camry |
| 2020 | 62/1005R / 163C | 75/1005R / 253C | Toyota Camry |
| 2019 | 71/1000R / 144C | 70/1008R / 364C | Hyundai Sonata |
| 2018 | 61/1003R / 353C | 65/1008R / 708C | Toyota Camry |
| 2026(predicted) | 70/100(predicted) | 79/100(predicted) | Toyota Camry |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Hyundai Sonata scored 76/100 and the 2022 Toyota Camry scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Hyundai Sonata vs the Toyota Camry?
Hyundai Sonata vs Toyota Camry: Common Questions
- Is the Hyundai Sonata more reliable than the Toyota Camry?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Camry is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 67/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Sonata or the Toyota Camry?
- The Toyota Camry has more recalls (35) compared to the Hyundai Sonata (20). 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 Sonata 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 Sonata. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Hyundai Sonata or Toyota Camry safer?
- Both the Hyundai Sonata 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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