Head-to-head reliability
ALFA Romeo Tonale vs Toyota Camry
How the ALFA Romeo Tonale 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
ALFA Romeo Tonale vs Toyota Camry: The Tonale has 1 complaint over 3 years (0.3/yr) and 10 recalls, while the Camry has 2,143 complaints over 10 years (214.3/yr) and 31 recalls. The Tonale's only issue is a sunroof shattering, but the Camry reports serious problems like brake failure and sudden acceleration. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the ALFA Romeo Tonale or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
ALFA Romeo Tonale
The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a compact luxury SUV that, in ownership terms, is relatively new to the market. With only one complaint over three years, it shows a very low rate of reported issues, but that single complaint involves a dramatic sunroof shattering while driving, which is a safety concern. The vehicle has had 10 recalls, indicating that the manufacturer has identified and addressed several potential defects, but the low complaint count suggests that owners have not yet encountered widespread problems.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a long history and high sales volume, reflected in its 2,143 complaints over 10 years. Owners report a wide range of issues, from transmission failures and engine problems to brake failures and electrical glitches. The high number of crash-related complaints (181) and injuries (163) suggests that some of these issues have led to accidents, making reliability a critical factor for buyers. Despite its reputation for dependability, the Camry's complaint data shows that it is not immune to serious mechanical problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | ALFA Romeo Tonale | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.3 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 163 |
| 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.
ALFA Romeo Tonale
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
The only reported complaint is a spontaneous sunroof shattering while driving at 40 mph, which could be a safety hazard if glass falls into the cabin. This suggests a potential defect in the sunroof glass or its installation.
“My sunroof on my 2025 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veroce spontaneously burst as I was driving about 40 mph. Nothing nearby or overhead. It was a loud cracking sound that was startling like a gunshot. Luckily, I had the mesh screen pulled shut so no glass fell on me. I…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front end upon acceleration, with dealerships confirming transmission issues that often require replacement. This is a major repair that can be costly and leave the vehicle out of service.
Complaints include AC condenser damage from rocks and recurring HVAC odors, which affect comfort and can lead to expensive repairs. The odor issue is particularly bothersome for daily use.
There are reports of uncontrollable sudden acceleration, which is a serious safety concern that has led to crashes. Also, engine maintenance lights and coolant valve bypass issues have been noted, indicating potential engine management problems.
Brake failure is reported, with no response when pressing the pedal, which is extremely dangerous. This can lead to accidents and injuries, as seen in the complaint data.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
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.
ALFA Romeo Tonale — 10 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale and 2023-2024 Dodge Hornet plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The 12-volt battery positive cable and/or high voltage connector cable may not be tightened properly, which can overheat the electrical connections and result in a fi…
The risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will inspect and tighten the cable connections as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 28, 2023…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Dodge Hornet and Alfa Romeo Tonale Plug-In Hybrid vehicles. The pedestrian alert siren may be missing or disconnected and fail to alert pedestrians when the vehicle is in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of F…
The risk: Failure to alert pedestrians when backing up increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear pedestrian siren connection and, if necessary, secure and/or replace the connector or siren, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 14, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer se…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Dodge Hornet and 2023-2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale vehicles. The rear outboard seat belts may become twisted and fail to retract properly.
The risk: A seat belt that does not retract may fail to restrain properly an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning September 24, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 84D.…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Dodge Hornet and 2023-2026 Alfa Romeo Tonale vehicles. The rear outboard seat belts may become twisted and fail to retract properly.
The risk: A seat belt that does not retract may fail to restrain properly an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning September 24, 2026. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 84D.…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
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…
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…
Buyer analysis
ALFA Romeo Tonale or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Alfa Romeo Tonale has far fewer complaints per year (0.3) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the Tonale's single complaint is a safety-related sunroof shattering, while the Camry's issues are more varied and include serious safety concerns like brake failure and sudden acceleration. In practice, the Tonale may offer a more trouble-free ownership experience based on complaint frequency, but the Camry's higher volume of data provides a more comprehensive picture of potential problems.
Key differences
- The Tonale has only 1 complaint over 3 years, while the Camry has 2,143 over 10 years, showing a stark difference in reported issue frequency.
- The Tonale's only complaint is a sunroof shattering, whereas the Camry has multiple serious issues like brake failure and sudden acceleration.
- The Camry has 181 crash-related complaints and 163 injuries, indicating that some of its issues lead to accidents, while the Tonale has none.
- The Tonale has 10 recalls, which is high for its low complaint count, suggesting proactive defect management, while the Camry has 31 recalls over a longer period.
- Inspect the sunroof for any signs of stress or damage, and check if the recall for the sunroof has been performed.
- Review the recall history and ensure all 10 recalls have been addressed by the dealer.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially at low speeds and on slopes, to check for any loss of braking power.
- Listen for grinding noises during acceleration and have the transmission inspected by a mechanic if any unusual sounds are present.
Before you buy
- Check the NHTSA recall status for both vehicles and ensure all recalls are completed.
- For the Tonale, ask about the sunroof and any warranty coverage for glass replacement.
- For the Camry, request a transmission fluid check and a brake system inspection.
- Take both vehicles for a test drive, including acceleration and braking, to feel for any issues.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic familiar with each brand.
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 | ALFA Romeo Tonale | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 119 |
| 2025 | 1 | 153 |
| 2024 | 0 | 48 |
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 ALFA Romeo Tonale or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- ALFA Romeo Tonale vs Toyota Camry
- ALFA Romeo Tonale total complaints
- 1
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- ALFA Romeo Tonale total recalls
- 10
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- ALFA Romeo Tonale avg complaints/year
- 0.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- ALFA Romeo Tonale
- ALFA Romeo Tonale top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN