Head-to-head reliability

Acura ADX vs Toyota Camry

How the Acura ADX and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Acura ADX5 complaints · 0 recalls Fewer issues per year
Toyota Camry2,056 complaints · 31 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Acura ADX vs Toyota Camry: The ADX has 5 complaints over 2 years and 0 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years and 31 recalls. ADX issues include sunroof shattering and lock failures; Camry issues include transmission and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The picture

Is the Acura ADX or Toyota Camry more reliable?

A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.

Acura ADX

The Acura ADX is a newer, low-volume model with only 5 complaints over 2 years and no recalls. Owners report issues like a panoramic sunroof glass shattering or leaking, and inconsistent walk-away door locks. With so few reports, it's hard to call it a pattern, but these are the kinds of problems that can be annoying and costly if they happen to you.

Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is a high-volume, long-running model with 2,056 complaints over 10 years and 31 recalls. Owners report a wide range of issues, from transmission hesitation and engine shuddering to brake noises and electrical glitches. The sheer number of reports means you're more likely to find information about common problems, but also that some cars may have recurring faults.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryAcura ADXToyota Camry
Total complaintsAll model years combined5 Better2,056
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns0 Better31
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints0 Better171
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years2.5 Better205.6
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints0 Better158
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better1

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.

Acura ADX

  1. 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
  2. 02VISIBILITY1
  3. 03LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES1
  4. 04STRUCTURE1
  5. 05PARKING BRAKE1
What these mean
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners report the panoramic sunroof glass spontaneously shattering and blowing inward, and water leaking through the roof speaker. These are serious because they can happen while driving and may require expensive repairs.

VISIBILITY

The automatic walk-away door lock feature sometimes fails to lock the car after you exit. This is a security concern because you might think the car is locked when it isn't.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

Same walk-away lock issue is also filed under latches/locks, meaning the failure can leave the vehicle unlocked. Buyers should test this feature carefully.

STRUCTURE

The sunroof glass shattering is also categorized as a structure problem, indicating the roof panel itself can fail. This could lead to injury from flying glass or water damage.

In owners' words — UNKNOWN OR OTHER

“1. The failed component was the panoramic sunroof glass. The glass spontaneously shattered and blew inward into the cabin while the vehicle was in normal operation. Yes — the vehicle and the remaining glass fragments are available for inspection upon request.…”

“The car has been leaking water it has been coming through the speaker that’s in the roof. The car has a sunroof and is at the dealership for the second time for the same issue. First time it was there for 5 days and they can’t replicate the problem. The car s…”

Toyota Camry

  1. 01POWER TRAIN385
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
  3. 03ENGINE315
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES285
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
What these mean
POWER TRAIN

Owners report the ignition key gets stuck and can't be removed even when the car is in Park, and some experience hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on. These can leave you stranded or require costly transmission work.

ENGINE

Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, and shuddering with the check engine light. This affects drivability and may signal bigger engine problems.

SERVICE BRAKES

The electronic parking brake sometimes won't disengage, requiring a tow, and owners hear clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area. Brake issues are safety-critical and should be checked immediately.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Multiple systems like stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction at once. This can make the car unpredictable and hard to control.

In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

“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.

Acura ADX

No recalls on record.

Toyota Camry — 31 recalls

Wheels — Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
#23V432000

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…

Seats
#24V128000

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…

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification
#23V865000

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…

Seats
#24V128000

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

Acura ADX or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?

The Acura ADX has far fewer complaints per year (2.5 vs. 205.6) and no recalls, while the Toyota Camry has many more reports and 31 recalls. In practice, the ADX may have fewer known problems simply because it's newer and less common, but the Camry's issues are well-documented and may be easier to research. Neither is problem-free, but the ADX appears less likely to have a widespread defect based on current data.

Recommendation. If you prioritize a lower reported complaint rate and don't mind a newer model with less history, the Acura ADX may be worth considering. If you want a car with a long track record and more available repair information, the Toyota Camry could be a better fit, but be prepared to inspect for transmission, brake, and electrical issues. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a trusted mechanic.

Key differences

  • The Acura ADX has 5 complaints over 2 years and 0 recalls, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years and 31 recalls.
  • ADX owners report sunroof glass shattering and water leaks; Camry owners report transmission hesitation, stuck ignition keys, and brake problems.
  • The Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries reported, while the ADX has none in its data.
  • ADX issues are mostly trim and lock related; Camry issues often involve major systems like power train, engine, and brakes.
Watch on Acura ADX
  • Inspect the panoramic sunroof glass for any cracks or signs of stress, and ask if it has ever shattered or leaked.
  • Test the walk-away automatic door lock feature multiple times to ensure it consistently locks the vehicle.
Watch on Toyota Camry
  • Check for transmission shuddering or hesitation during a test drive, and ensure the ignition key can be removed easily when in Park.
  • Test the electronic parking brake to make sure it disengages properly, and listen for any clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal.

Before you buy

  • Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially on the Camry.
  • Have a certified mechanic inspect the sunroof and door locks on the ADX, and the transmission, brakes, and electrical systems on the Camry.
  • During a test drive, pay attention to any hesitation, shuddering, or unusual noises in both vehicles.
  • Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any reported issues have been repaired.
  • Verify that all safety features, including automatic locks and parking brakes, function correctly before purchase.

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.

YearAcura ADXToyota Camry
202600
20255163
Years to scrutinize: the 2018 Toyota Camry drew the most (744). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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 Acura ADX or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Acura ADX vs Toyota Camry — comparison facts
Comparison
Acura ADX vs Toyota Camry
Acura ADX total complaints
5
Toyota Camry total complaints
2,056
Acura ADX total recalls
0
Toyota Camry total recalls
31
Acura ADX avg complaints/year
2.5
Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
205.6
More reliable overall
Acura ADX
Acura ADX top complaint area
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Toyota Camry top complaint area
POWER TRAIN