Head-to-head reliability
Aston Martin DB11 vs Toyota Camry
How the Aston Martin DB11 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
Aston Martin DB11 vs Toyota Camry: The DB11 has zero complaints over 8 years, while the Camry has 2,143 over 10 years, including 181 crash-related incidents. The Camry's issues include transmission failures and brake loss, whereas the DB11's recalls focus on air bags. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Aston Martin DB11 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Aston Martin DB11
The Aston Martin DB11 is a low-volume luxury grand tourer, and its NHTSA record reflects that: zero owner complaints over eight years, which means no real-world failure patterns have been reported to regulators. However, it has seven recalls, all related to air bags and tire pressure monitoring systems, indicating that while owners haven't reported issues, the manufacturer has identified potential safety defects. For a buyer, this suggests a vehicle with a clean complaint history but one that has required official safety fixes, so you should verify all recall work was completed.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume sedan with a much longer and more detailed complaint history: 2,143 complaints over ten years, averaging 214 per year. Owners report real problems across the powertrain, engine, brakes, and electrical systems, including transmission failures, sudden acceleration incidents, brake loss, and HVAC odors. With 181 crash-related complaints and one death, these are not just nuisances—some involve safety-critical failures. The 31 recalls cover air bag sensors, seats, and wheel lugs, but the complaint data shows issues beyond those recalls.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Aston Martin DB11 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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.
Aston Martin DB11
No component data available.
No owner complaints are on record, but the DB11 has multiple recalls for air bags, including frontal air bags. This suggests a potential defect that could affect deployment in a crash, so a buyer should confirm all air bag recalls were performed.
A recall for the tire pressure monitoring system indicates a possible issue with warning the driver of low tire pressure, which could lead to underinflated tires and handling problems. No owner complaints, but the recall is a red flag to check.
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 require replacement. One complaint mentions a recall for the same issue on 2021 Camrys, and transmissions are on backorder, meaning long repair waits.
There are reports of uncontrollable sudden acceleration, leading to crashes and a totaled vehicle. Another owner got a code for a coolant valve bypass recall, but their VIN wasn't included, leaving a safety risk unaddressed.
Owners describe pressing the brake pedal with no response, such as on a steep hill, and another incident where added brake force didn't stop the car in a parking lot. These suggest potential brake system failures that could cause accidents.
While specific complaints aren't shown, the high count (246) indicates electrical issues that could affect various systems, from infotainment to safety features, adding to the ownership burden.
“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.
Aston Martin DB11 — 7 recalls
The defect: Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2017 DB11, 2019 DB11 V8 Volante and DBS Superleggera, 2019-2020 Vantage and 2020 Superleggera Volante vehicles. The front seat air bag fasteners may not have been tightened correctly.
The risk: Loose fasteners can cause the air bag to improperly deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will examine and, if necessary, secure the front seat air bag fasteners, free of charge. The recall began November 5, 2020. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. As…
The defect: Aston Martin the Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2017 DB11 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that may be incorrectly calibrated, resulting in the low tire pressure warning tell-tale not illuminating at the required minimum activation pressure…
The risk: If the driver is not warned that a tire is under-inflated, continued use may result in tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. The recall began July 18, 2017. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's number for this recall is RA-13-…
The defect: Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2017-2018 DB11 V12 Coupe and DB11 V8 Coupe vehicles. The driver's frontal air bag may unexpectedly deploy due to insufficient grounding of the steering components if an electrostatic discharge occurs and the air bag clockspring is broken.
The risk: If the driver air bag inadvertently deploys, it can increase the risk of injury and a crash.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will add sufficient grounding to the steering components, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 2018. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988.
The defect: Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2017 DB11, 2019 DB11 V8 Volante and DBS Superleggera, 2019-2020 Vantage and 2020 Superleggera Volante vehicles. The front seat air bag fasteners may not have been tightened correctly.
The risk: Loose fasteners can cause the air bag to improperly deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will examine and, if necessary, secure the front seat air bag fasteners, free of charge. The recall began November 5, 2020. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. As…
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
Aston Martin DB11 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Aston Martin DB11 has zero complaints per year, while the Toyota Camry averages 214 per year, making the DB11 appear far more reliable in terms of owner-reported issues. However, the Camry's high volume and detailed complaints reveal real safety concerns, whereas the DB11's recalls suggest potential defects that haven't surfaced in complaints. In practice, the DB11 offers a trouble-free ownership experience based on data, but the Camry's issues are more common and can be severe.
Key differences
- The DB11 has zero complaints, while the Camry has thousands, including 181 crash-related incidents.
- Camry owners report transmission failures requiring replacement, sudden acceleration, and brake loss—none of which appear for the DB11.
- The DB11's recalls focus on air bags and tire pressure, while the Camry's recalls cover air bag sensors, seats, and wheel lugs, but complaints go beyond recalls.
- The Camry has 163 injuries and 1 death linked to complaints, whereas the DB11 has none.
- Verify that all seven recalls, especially air bag and tire pressure monitoring recalls, have been performed on the specific DB11 you're considering.
- Since there are no complaints, check for any open recalls and ensure the dealer has documentation of completed fixes.
- Inspect the transmission for any signs of grinding or slipping, and ask for service records related to transmission repairs or replacements.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including on a slope, and check for any warning lights or unusual pedal feel that could indicate brake system issues.
Before you buy
- For the DB11, obtain the VIN and check NHTSA's recall database to confirm all recalls are closed.
- For the Camry, ask for a transmission fluid change history and any transmission-related repairs.
- On a test drive of the Camry, accelerate and brake hard to listen for grinding and ensure brakes respond consistently.
- Check the Camry's VIN for any open recalls, especially the coolant valve bypass and air bag sensor recalls.
- For both, get a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic familiar with the 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 | Aston Martin DB11 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 48 |
| 2023 | 0 | 62 |
| 2022 | 0 | 59 |
| 2021 | 0 | 155 |
| 2020 | 0 | 270 |
| 2019 | 0 | 393 |
| 2018 | 0 | 736 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 Aston Martin DB11 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Aston Martin DB11 vs Toyota Camry
- Aston Martin DB11 total complaints
- 0
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Aston Martin DB11 total recalls
- 7
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Aston Martin DB11 avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Aston Martin DB11
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN