Head-to-head reliability
Aston Martin DBS vs Toyota Camry
How the Aston Martin DBS 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 DBS vs Toyota Camry: The DBS has 0 complaints over 10 years but 18 recalls, while the Camry has 2,077 complaints (207.7/yr) and 27 recalls. Camry owners report dangerous issues like engine turning off in Drive and unintended braking. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Aston Martin DBS or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Aston Martin DBS
The Aston Martin DBS is a high-performance luxury grand tourer with zero owner complaints on record over 10 years, suggesting very few buyers report issues to NHTSA. However, it has 18 recalls covering latches, transmission control modules, seat heaters, and accelerator pedals, indicating that while owners may not complain, the manufacturer has identified and addressed multiple safety-related defects. For a buyer, this means the car has a clean complaint history but requires checking that all recall repairs have been performed.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mass-market sedan with 2,077 complaints over 10 years, averaging 207.7 per year, with top issues in powertrain, engine, brakes, and electrical systems. Owners report problems like the engine turning off while in drive, stuck ignition keys, spontaneous moonroof shattering, and unintended braking. With 27 recalls and 177 crash-related complaints, the Camry shows a pattern of real-world failures that affect daily driving safety and reliability.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Aston Martin DBS | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 2,077 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 18 Better | 27 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 177 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 207.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 161 |
| 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 DBS
No component data available.
Recalls address latches/locks/linkages, but no owner complaints detail specific failures. This suggests potential issues with door or hood latches that could affect security or access, but the lack of reports means it's not a common owner concern.
Recalls for the transmission control module indicate possible software or hardware faults that could affect shifting or drivability. Without owner complaints, the real-world impact is unclear, but recall repairs are essential.
Recalls for seat heater/cooler systems suggest potential fire or malfunction risks. Owners should verify that any recall work has been completed to avoid electrical issues.
Recalls for the accelerator pedal could involve sticking or unintended acceleration risks. This is a critical safety area; ensure recall repairs are done.
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN383
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER331
- 03ENGINE309
- 04SERVICE BRAKES288
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM233
Owners report that the engine can be turned off and key removed while the vehicle is still in Drive, allowing it to roll away. Also, the ignition key gets stuck even when the dash shows Park, requiring battery disconnect to remove. These are serious safety defects that could lead to unintended movement.
The moonroof spontaneously shatters while driving, sounding like a gunshot, with no external cause. This poses a risk of injury from falling glass and distraction. Also, advanced driver-assist systems may malfunction, causing unexpected behavior.
Owners report excessive engine noise, musty smells in the trunk, and rust spots. A vibration sound occurs when braking, and dealers often fail to diagnose it. These issues suggest poor build quality or premature wear.
Thumping noises from the driver's side and grinding rear brakes are common. More critically, the braking system erroneously activates, causing unintended deceleration, which could lead to rear-end collisions.
“The vehicle allows the engine to be turned off, key removed, while the vehicle is still in drive with no warning lights or sounds. I have tested and the vehicle can roll away. Complained to the toyota dealership and they said the service tech consulted with t…”
“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…”
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 DBS — 18 recalls
The defect: Aston Martin Lagonda of North America (Aston Martin) is recalling certain model year 2010-2015 DB9, 2010-2012 DBS, 2010-2016 V8 Vantage, 2012 Virage, 2010-2016 Rapide, 2014-2016 Vanquish, 2011-2016 V12 Vantage, and 2012-2013 V12 Zagato vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with interior door…
The risk: If the doors cannot be opened by an occupant from inside the vehicle, they may be trapped inside, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will disable the double locking feature by reprogramming the software, free of charge. The recall began August 10, 2016. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston…
The defect: Aston Martin The Americas (Aston Martin) is recalling certain 2009-2016 DB9, 2009-2012 DBS, 2010-2015 Rapide, 2012 Virage, and 2014 Vanquish vehicles equipped with a 6-Speed Touchtronic II Automatic Transmission. A communication error between the Engine Control Module (ECM) and the Transmission Con…
The risk: If the park pawl does not engage and the vehicle is stopped on a slope and exited without the parking brake being applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will update the TCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 1, 2018. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service at 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's number for this…
The defect: Aston Martin Lagonda of North America (Aston Martin) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 DB9, V12 Vantage, V8 Vantage, DBS, and Virage vehicles manufactured July 3, 2006, to November 5, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the electronic control module for the driver and front passenger seat heate…
The risk: If the electronic control module fails, the seat heater could get hot enough that areas of the seat may overheat and smolder, increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional module to the circuit that can interrupt the power to the seat heaters in case the electronic control module for the seat heaters fails, free of charge. The recall beg…
The defect: Aston Martin Lagonda of North America (Aston Martin) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 DB9 and V8 Vantage, 2009-2012 DBS, 2010-2012 Rapide, 2014 Rapide S, 2011-2012 V12 Vantage, 2011-2014 V8 Vantage S and 2012 Virage vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the accelerator pedal arm may brea…
The risk: If the accelerator pedal arm breaks, the engine will return to idle and the driver will be unable to maintain or increase engine speed, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Aston Martin will notify owners, and dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assemblies. The recall began on February 11, 2014. Owners may contact Aston Martin customer service by calling 1-888-923-9988. Aston Martin's recall number is…
Toyota Camry — 27 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 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner…
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charg…
Buyer analysis
Aston Martin DBS or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Aston Martin DBS has zero complaints per year, far fewer than the Camry's 207.7 per year, but its 18 recalls indicate latent defects. In practice, the DBS offers a trouble-free owner-reported experience if recalls are addressed, while the Camry has frequent real-world failures that affect safety and usability.
Key differences
- The DBS has zero owner complaints, while the Camry has 2,077, with 177 crash-related incidents.
- The DBS has 18 recalls covering latches, transmission, seats, and accelerator; the Camry has 27 recalls covering wheels, air bags, and electrical systems.
- Camry owners report dangerous failures like engine turning off in Drive and unintended braking; DBS owners report no such issues.
- The Camry's top complaint areas are powertrain, engine, and brakes; the DBS has no complaint data to compare.
- Verify all 18 recalls have been performed, especially for latches, transmission control module, seat heaters, and accelerator pedal.
- Inspect for any signs of unrepaired recall issues, such as sticky latches or transmission hesitation.
- Check for ignition key sticking or engine turning off while in Drive; test by shifting to Park and removing key.
- Listen for brake thumping or grinding, and test for unintended braking by driving at low speeds and observing sudden deceleration.
Before you buy
- Obtain the VIN and check NHTSA recall status for both vehicles; ensure all recalls are completed.
- For the Camry, test the ignition key removal in Park and Drive positions to detect stuck key or roll-away risk.
- For the Camry, drive at various speeds and brake gently to feel for unintended braking or unusual noises.
- For the DBS, inspect seat heater operation and check for any warning lights related to transmission or accelerator.
- Review service history for both vehicles, focusing on any prior complaints or repairs related to top components.
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 DBS | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 46 |
| 2023 | 0 | 60 |
| 2022 | 0 | 57 |
| 2021 | 0 | 154 |
| 2020 | 0 | 263 |
| 2019 | 0 | 387 |
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 DBS or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Aston Martin DBS vs Toyota Camry
- Aston Martin DBS total complaints
- 0
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,077
- Aston Martin DBS total recalls
- 18
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 27
- Aston Martin DBS avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 207.7
- More reliable overall
- Aston Martin DBS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN