Head-to-head reliability
Acura TL vs Toyota Camry
How the Acura TL 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 TL vs Toyota Camry: The TL averages 121.8 complaints per year with 39 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The TL's top issues are airbags and steering; the Camry's are power train and engine. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Acura TL or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Acura TL
The Acura TL is a luxury sedan that averages about 122 complaints per year over the past decade, with 39 recalls. The most common owner-reported issues involve airbag inflators, dashboard cracking, and steering failure. These problems can be expensive and safety-related, so a used TL demands careful inspection and recall verification.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream family sedan that averages about 206 complaints per year, with 31 recalls. Owners frequently report power train hesitation, engine shuddering, brake noise, and electrical glitches. While the volume of complaints is higher, many are drivability annoyances rather than catastrophic failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Acura TL | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,218 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 39 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 35 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 121.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 32 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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 TL
- 01AIR BAGS440
- 02STRUCTURE277
- 03STEERING153
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER147
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM121
Owners report Takata inflator recalls, with complaints about the repair process and temporary replacements. This matters because a defective inflator can rupture and cause injury, so buyers must confirm the recall was completed.
Many owners report large cracks developing on the dashboard, even on well-maintained cars. This is a cosmetic and potential safety concern because a cracked dash can affect airbag deployment and is costly to replace.
Complaints describe sudden electric power steering failure, where the steering wheel locks or becomes very hard to turn. This can happen at speed and may lead to loss of control, making it a critical issue to check.
Owners report various electrical glitches, including unknown issues that may affect multiple systems. These can be intermittent and hard to diagnose, leading to unexpected repair bills.
“TAKATA INFLATORS: I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH HOW HONDA/ACURA IS HANDLING THE RECALL OF THE 2014 ACURA TL AWD THAT I AM CURRENTLY LEASING. THE TWO OPTIONS THEY OFFERED IF I ACCEPT EITHER WILL END UP COSTING ME MORE MONEY AND PUTTING MORE CASH IN THEIR POCKET.…”
“TAKATA RECALL- TOOK CAR IN FOR BATTERY REPLACEMENT. INFORMED OF RECALL. TOLD REPLACEMENT COULDN'T TAKE PLACE UNTIL SOMETIME IN SUMMER. OFFERED A CAR AS TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT. IT WAS INDICATED CAR WOULDN'T BE OF QUALITY OF MINE, WOULD BE OF ENTERPRISE RENTAL Q…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent key-stuck issues where the key cannot be removed even in Park, and hesitation or shuddering while driving. These problems can leave you stranded or cause delayed acceleration, which is a safety risk in traffic.
Complaints include delayed throttle response and shuddering with the check engine light on. This can make merging or accelerating unpredictable and may indicate costly internal engine wear.
Owners describe the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow, and clicking or vibrating noises from the ABS system. These issues can prevent the car from moving or indicate brake system faults.
Multiple system malfunctions are reported, including stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring failing at once. This can overwhelm the driver and reduce confidence in the vehicle's reliability.
“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 TL — 39 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NG…
The risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for t…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NG…
The risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for t…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling specific 2003 Acura 3.2CL, 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2002-2003 3.2TL, 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TL, 2010-2013 ZDX and 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2003-2005 Civic Hybrid, 2001-2005 Civic GX NG…
The risk: An explosion of an inflator within the driver frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver, front seat passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began April 10, 2019. Honda owners may contact customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for t…
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 TL or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Acura TL has fewer complaints per year (about 122 vs. 206 for the Camry), but its issues often involve safety-critical systems like airbags and steering. The Camry's higher complaint count includes many drivability and brake annoyances. In practice, the TL may need fewer visits to the shop, but when problems occur they can be more severe.
Key differences
- The Acura TL has far more airbag complaints (440) and multiple Takata inflator recalls, while the Camry's airbag recalls involve occupant sensors, not inflators.
- Steering failure is a reported concern on the TL, with owners describing the wheel locking, whereas the Camry's steering issues appear mainly as part of broader electrical malfunctions.
- The Camry has significantly more power train and engine complaints, including hesitation and shuddering, which are not prominent in the TL data.
- Dashboard cracking is a common structural complaint on the TL, while the Camry's structural complaints are less frequent and not highlighted in the sample.
- Check for dashboard cracks, especially near the passenger airbag, as these are widely reported and can be expensive to fix.
- Test the steering at low and high speeds for any hesitation, locking, or warning lights, and confirm the Takata airbag recall was performed.
- Test the electronic parking brake repeatedly to ensure it disengages smoothly, as failures can leave the car immovable.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and check for any hesitation or shuddering during a test drive.
Before you buy
- Verify all open recalls are completed by checking the NHTSA website with the VIN, especially airbag recalls on the Acura TL.
- During a test drive, pay attention to steering feel, transmission shifting, and any warning lights on the dashboard.
- Have a mechanic inspect the dashboard for cracks on the Acura TL and the brake system on the Toyota Camry.
- Ask for maintenance records to see if common issues like power train hesitation or steering problems have been addressed.
- Check for any signs of electrical gremlins, such as flickering lights or malfunctioning driver-assist features, on both vehicles.
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 TL or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Acura TL vs Toyota Camry
- Acura TL total complaints
- 1,218
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Acura TL total recalls
- 39
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Acura TL avg complaints/year
- 121.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Acura TL
- Acura TL top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN