Head-to-head reliability
AUDI RS 3 vs Toyota Camry
How the AUDI RS 3 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
AUDI RS 3 vs Toyota Camry: The RS 3 has 4 complaints over 9 years (0.4/year) and 0 crash-related, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6/year) and 171 crash-related. The Camry also reports 158 injuries and 1 death. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the AUDI RS 3 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
AUDI RS 3
The Audi RS 3 is a high-performance compact sedan with very few reported issues over nine years—only 4 complaints total, averaging 0.4 per year. The main pattern involves a 2025 model unexpectedly shifting into park and engaging the electronic parking brake at low speeds, plus a wiper quirk where wipers pause when stopped. Recalls focus on airbag occupant sensors and rear seat assembly. For a buyer, this suggests a low-volume, specialized car with infrequent but potentially serious electronic glitches.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 2,056 complaints over ten years, averaging 205.6 per year. Owners report power train issues like stuck ignition keys and hesitation, engine shuddering, brake noises, and multiple system malfunctions. There are also 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and 1 death, plus 31 recalls covering wheels, seats, and airbag sensors. This indicates a widely owned vehicle with a broad range of reported problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | AUDI RS 3 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.4 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
AUDI RS 3
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
- 02SERVICE BRAKES1
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1
- 04VISIBILITY/WIPER1
- 05ENGINE1
One owner of a 2025 RS 3 reported the car unexpectedly shifting into park and engaging the electronic parking brake while moving at low speeds. This happened multiple times and could be dangerous if it occurs in traffic.
The same 2025 RS 3 complaint about unintended park engagement also involves the electronic parking brake, which is part of the brake system. A buyer should be aware that this issue may require repeated dealer visits.
The forward collision avoidance system was cited in the same complaint where the car shifted into park unexpectedly. This suggests a possible electronic glitch affecting multiple safety systems at once.
An owner reported that the windshield wipers stop clearing rain when the car is stopped, then resume after a 2-3 second delay when moving. This could reduce visibility in heavy rain at stoplights.
“My 2025 Audi RS3 unexpectedly shifts into park and engages the electronic parking brake while the vehicle is in motion at low speeds. This issue has occurred multiple times, has been documented on at least nine occasions, and has undergone four (4) separate s…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of 2023 Camrys report intermittent issues like the ignition key getting stuck and not coming out even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, with the check engine light on.
Some 2023 Camry owners experienced a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the accelerator, making the car slow to move. This hesitation was reported multiple times and could be a safety concern when merging.
Complaints include the electronic parking brake not disengaging, requiring a tow, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that the manufacturer calls normal for the 2023 Camry. Buyers should test the brakes carefully.
One owner reported multiple systems failing at once: smart stop, stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, secondary collision brake, and lane keeping assistance. This suggests potential electrical or software issues affecting many safety features.
“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.
AUDI RS 3 — 6 recalls
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and de…
The risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen e-Golf and Golf R vehicles, and Audi A3 Sedan and RS3 vehicles. The rear seat frame head restraint guide sleeves may be incorrectly welded to the seat frame.
The risk: If the guide sleeves are incorrectly welded, in the event of a crash, the rear seat head restraints may have reduced stability, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volkswagen and Audi will notify their owners, and dealers will inspect the guide sleeves for incorrect welds, replacing the rear seat frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 28, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen cu…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Audi A3 sedan and RS3 vehicles. The latching pins for the center rear seat head restraint may be missing.
The risk: In the event of a crash, the head restraint may detach and cause injury to the vehicle occupants.
The fix: Audi has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the head restraints, replacing any that are missing pins, free of charge. The recall began on March 7, 2019. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for t…
The defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Audi S3 Sedan, 2015-2019 A3 Sedan and A3 Cabriolet, 2016-2018 A3 e-tron, and 2017-2019 RS3 vehicles. An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and de…
The risk: A deactivated passenger air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector and reroute the cable, free of charge. The recall began September 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is…
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
AUDI RS 3 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Audi RS 3 has far fewer issues per year (0.4 vs. 205.6 for the Camry), but both have reported problems. In practice, the Camry's higher volume means you're more likely to encounter a complaint, while the RS 3's low volume means issues are rare but may be serious when they occur.
Key differences
- The Audi RS 3 has only 4 complaints over 9 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056 over 10 years—a massive difference in reported problem volume.
- Camry complaints include 171 crash-related reports, 158 injuries, and 1 death; the RS 3 has 0 in each of those categories.
- RS 3 owners report a specific electronic glitch causing the car to shift into park unexpectedly; Camry owners report power train issues like stuck ignition keys and hesitation.
- Both have recalls for airbag occupant sensors, but the Camry also has recalls for wheels and seats, while the RS 3 has rear seat assembly recalls.
- Test the electronic parking brake and gear engagement at low speeds to ensure the car does not unexpectedly shift into park.
- Check windshield wiper operation when stopped—ensure they do not pause for 2-3 seconds when you need them most.
- Try removing the ignition key after parking to ensure it does not get stuck; if it does, that's a known complaint.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and test the electronic parking brake for proper disengagement.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Take a test drive that includes low-speed maneuvers, braking, and parking to check for the specific issues reported.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for electronic and brake system repairs.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the car, focusing on the components mentioned in complaints (electrical, power train, brakes).
- For the Camry, specifically test the ignition key removal and throttle response from a stop.
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 | AUDI RS 3 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 163 |
| 2024 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 0 | 64 |
| 2022 | 0 | 61 |
| 2020 | 1 | 274 |
| 2019 | 0 | 395 |
| 2018 | 0 | 744 |
| 2017 | 1 | 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 AUDI RS 3 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- AUDI RS 3 vs Toyota Camry
- AUDI RS 3 total complaints
- 4
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- AUDI RS 3 total recalls
- 6
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- AUDI RS 3 avg complaints/year
- 0.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- AUDI RS 3
- AUDI RS 3 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN