Head-to-head reliability
Acura RLX vs Toyota Camry
How the Acura RLX 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
Acura RLX vs Toyota Camry: the RLX logged 112 complaints over 7 years (about 16 per year) with 13 recalls, while the Camry logged 2,056 over 10 years (about 206 per year) with 31 recalls. RLX reports center on steering and suspension; Camry reports span power train, engine, and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Acura RLX or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Acura RLX
The Acura RLX is a low-volume luxury sedan, and its complaint record reflects that: about 16 complaints per year over seven years, with 13 recalls. The pattern is unusually concentrated in steering and suspension, where owners describe the rear-wheel steering system (P-AWS) failing and the car jerking or pulling to one side. For a buyer, the concern is less about volume and more about the type of failure, since steering problems affect how the car tracks and feels at speed.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry sells in huge numbers, and its complaint volume is correspondingly large: about 206 complaints per year over ten years, with 31 recalls and 171 crash-related reports. The complaints spread across many systems, with power train, engine, brakes, and electrical issues all appearing. Owners describe stalling or shuddering, delayed throttle response, a stuck ignition key, and electronic parking brake faults. The breadth matters more than any single defect for a used buyer.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Acura RLX | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 112 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 13 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 16.0 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 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.
Acura RLX
- 01STEERING59
- 02SUSPENSION23
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14
- 04ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)13
- 05ENGINE11
Owners report the Precision All-Wheel Steer rear toe actuators failing, plus abrupt jerks to the right and a warning for the lane-keeping system. Some describe the wheels and steering wheel going out of sync in turns, making the car briefly hard to steer.
Complaints tie creaking sounds while turning and a persistent pull to the right to the same rear steering hardware, with owners replacing brake pads and rotors repeatedly. This suggests a wear item that can affect tire wear and handling.
The lane-keeping warning and the jerking behavior are also filed here, meaning the driver-assist electronics can misbehave rather than simply switch off. A buyer should confirm these systems actually work.
Owners link stability control complaints to the same out-of-sync steering feel in left turns. Because stability control intervenes during evasive moves, a fault here deserves a test drive on varied roads.
“I purchased a 2014 Acura RLX. It had a LKAS Problem warning when purchased. I thought that meant that feature would be disabled. No big deal. In stead I have experienced the car making abrupt jerks to the right on multiple occasions. One instance, I turned on…”
“My 2014 Acura RLX has experienced a severe failure of the Precision All-Wheel Steer (P-AWS) Rear Toe Control (RTC) Actuators. The vehicle and its components are currently located at the Hiley Acura of Fort Worth dealership and are fully available for inspecti…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of recent Camrys report the ignition key sticking in the ignition even when the dash shows Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on.
Complaints describe a several-second delay between pressing the accelerator and the car moving, reported repeatedly. That kind of lag can matter when pulling into traffic.
Owners report the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that dealers attribute to the ABS system. Both affect confidence in normal braking.
One owner reported multiple systems failing at once, including stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping. A buyer should verify all driver aids and warning lights before purchase.
“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 RLX — 13 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Acura MDX 2WD and AWD, RLX and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles. In certain driving conditions, the Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) may incorrectly interpret certain roadside objects such as metal fences or metal gu…
The risk: If the CMBS unexpectedly applies emergency braking force while driving, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the CMBS software, free of charge. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Acura customer service at 1-800-382-2238. Honda's numbers for this recall is JQ4, JQ5 and JQ6.
The defect: American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured November 22, 2012, to January 30, 2014, 2015 Acura RLX vehicles manufactured June 4, 2014, to November 18, 2014, and 2014 Acura RLX Hybrid vehicles manufactured November 5, 2013, to July 25, 2014.…
The risk: Delamination of the aluminum film may diminish output of the headlight, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace both of the headlights, free of charge. The recall began February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-310-783-2000. Honda's number for this recall is JN2.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
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
Acura RLX or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Acura RLX averages about 16 complaints per year versus roughly 206 for the Camry, so per vehicle-year the RLX generates far fewer reports. In practice, the RLX concentrates its problems in steering and suspension, while the Camry spreads them across power train, engine, brakes, and electronics. Fewer complaints does not mean trouble-free, so the type of failure still matters.
Key differences
- The RLX's complaints cluster in steering and suspension, with owners describing rear toe actuator failure and jerking or pulling; the Camry's spread across power train, engine, brakes, and electrical systems.
- Camry owners report a stuck ignition key and delayed throttle response; RLX owners report steering that goes out of sync in turns.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related reports and 158 injuries in the data, while the RLX shows 2 crash-related and 1 injury, though volumes differ greatly.
- Both have recalls touching safety systems: the RLX lists fuel pump and forward collision braking recalls, while the Camry lists air bag occupant sensor and seat recalls.
- Test the rear steering: drive at low and highway speeds and check for jerking to the right, a pull, or creaking while turning, and confirm no lane-keeping warning is lit.
- Ask for service records on the P-AWS rear toe actuators and check tire wear for uneven patterns that suggest a steering or suspension fault.
- Check the ignition key releases cleanly in Park and that the car moves promptly when you press the accelerator, watching for hesitation or shuddering.
- Test the electronic parking brake engages and releases, listen for clicking or vibration at the brake pedal, and confirm all driver-assist systems and warning lights behave.
Before you buy
- Run a vehicle history report and confirm any open recalls were completed, especially fuel pump and collision braking on the RLX and air bag sensor and seat recalls on the Camry.
- Take a test drive on both city streets and highway speeds, watching for steering pull or jerk on the RLX and throttle lag or shudder on the Camry.
- Have a mechanic inspect the steering and suspension hardware on the RLX and the brakes, ignition, and electronic systems on the Camry.
- Scan for stored trouble codes and verify every warning light and driver-assist feature works before agreeing on a price.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, particularly brake and steering repairs, and factor likely repairs into your offer.
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 | Acura RLX | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 274 |
| 2019 | 0 | 395 |
| 2018 | 6 | 744 |
| 2017 | 3 | 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 Acura RLX or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Acura RLX vs Toyota Camry
- Acura RLX total complaints
- 112
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Acura RLX total recalls
- 13
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Acura RLX avg complaints/year
- 16.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Acura RLX
- Acura RLX top complaint area
- STEERING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN