Head-to-head reliability
Chrysler Crossfire vs Toyota Camry
How the Chrysler Crossfire 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
Chrysler Crossfire vs Toyota Camry: The Crossfire averaged 141.6 complaints per year over 5 years, with 2 recalls, while the Camry averaged 214.3 per year over 10 years, with 31 recalls. Crossfire issues often involve rear glass and structure; Camry issues include transmission and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chrysler Crossfire or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chrysler Crossfire
The Chrysler Crossfire is a low-volume, two-seat sports car that can be costly to keep on the road. Over five years, owners filed 708 complaints, averaging about 142 per year, with most issues involving the body structure and the convertible top or rear glass. Recalls are few (2), but the pattern of glass falling out and electrical damage suggests age-related failures that can be expensive and hard to source parts for.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume family sedan with a much larger complaint pool: 2,143 over ten years, or about 214 per year. Complaints span the powertrain, engine, brakes, and electrical systems, and there are 31 recalls. While the per-year rate is higher, the Camry's issues are often broader and sometimes tied to safety recalls, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is still essential.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chrysler Crossfire | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 708 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 9 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 141.6 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 14 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.
Chrysler Crossfire
- 01STRUCTURE227
- 02VISIBILITY176
- 03VISIBILITY/WIPER130
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM111
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER97
Owners report the rear glass on convertible models falling out or into the car, sometimes held only by the defogger cord. This can damage nearby electrical components and is a major water-leak and safety concern.
Complaints describe the rear window detaching or shattering, often while driving or after temperature changes. This affects rear visibility and can lead to costly repairs if the top mechanism is damaged.
Similar to visibility issues, owners hear scraping noises before the rear glass falls in. The wiper system itself may also fail, but the dominant problem is the rear glass assembly.
Some complaints involve airbag recall reimbursement disputes and electrical damage caused by falling glass. Electrical gremlins can be intermittent and expensive to trace in a low-production car.
“I OWN TWO CROSSFIRE CONVERTIBLES; A 2005 AND 2007. IN 2010 MY GLASS FELL OUT OF MY REAR TOP IN THE 2005 CROSSFIRE AT THE AIRPORT . WHEN I GOT BACK IT HAD FALLEN COMPLETELY OUT EXCEPT FOR THE CORD CONNECTING THE DEFOGGER. THIS DAMAGED A COMPUTER PART WHICH COS…”
“I'M "COPYING/PASTING" SOMEONE ELSE'S WORDS AS THEY HAVE DESCRIBED EXACTLY WHAT I'M EXPERIENCING! I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN SEPTEMBER, 2013 AND HAVE JUST NOW EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM. I'VE ALSO DONE AN ONLINE SEARCH & CAME ACROSS THIS SITE W/OTHER COMP…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front end during acceleration, often traced to transmission failure. Some mention recalls for similar issues on 2021 models, but parts can be on backorder, leaving cars undrivable for weeks.
Complaints include sudden, uncontrollable acceleration and coolant bypass valve failures (code P268115) that may not be covered by recall for certain VINs. These can lead to crashes or engine damage if ignored.
Drivers describe a complete lack of brake response when pressing the pedal, especially on slopes or at low speeds. This is a serious safety concern that requires immediate attention.
Common issues include AC condenser damage from road debris and persistent mildew or vinegar odors from the HVAC system. These are comfort and reliability annoyances rather than safety defects.
“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.
Chrysler Crossfire — 2 recalls
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Mati…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz…
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 ML320 BlueTec 4Matic, GL320 BlueTec 4Matic and R320 CDI 4Matic, 2011 E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet, 2009-2011 ML350, ML350 4Matic, ML550 4Matic, ML63 AMG, and C63 AMG, 2010-2011 ML450 4Matic Hybrid, E350 Coupe, E350 4Mati…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: MBUSA will their notify owners, and Fiat Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler owners. Dealers for the respective brands will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. This recall began November 2016. Mercedes-Benz…
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
Chrysler Crossfire or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Chrysler Crossfire has fewer complaints per year (about 142) than the Toyota Camry (about 214), but the Crossfire's issues are concentrated in structural and visibility failures that can be severe. The Camry's higher rate reflects its larger sales volume and broader range of problems, including powertrain and brake defects. In practice, the Crossfire may need more specialized, costly repairs, while the Camry may have more frequent but often better-supported fixes.
Key differences
- The Crossfire's top complaint areas are STRUCTURE and VISIBILITY, with reports of rear glass falling out; the Camry's top areas are POWER TRAIN and ENGINE, with transmission and acceleration complaints.
- The Crossfire has only 2 recalls over 5 years, while the Camry has 31 recalls over 10 years, covering airbags, seats, wheels, and labels.
- The Crossfire averages fewer complaints per year (141.6 vs 214.3), but its failures often involve expensive, hard-to-find parts.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (181 vs 9) and injuries (163 vs 14), though these numbers are not adjusted for sales volume.
- Inspect the convertible top and rear glass for separation, cracks, or signs of previous repairs; listen for scraping noises when opening or closing.
- Check for electrical issues, especially around the rear defogger and any aftermarket repairs, as falling glass can damage wiring and computers.
- Test drive at low speeds and on inclines to check for transmission grinding, hesitation, or sudden acceleration; ask for transmission service records.
- Check brake pedal feel and response, especially on slopes; look for recalls related to brakes and have any open recalls addressed before purchase.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and verify all open recalls are repaired, especially airbag recalls on both models.
- For the Crossfire, have a convertible-top specialist inspect the rear glass, seals, and electrical connections.
- For the Camry, have a mechanic check transmission fluid condition, scan for engine codes (like P268115), and test brakes on a downhill grade.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, focusing on transmission, brake, and cooling system services.
- Budget for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, as both cars have known costly failure points.
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 Chrysler Crossfire or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chrysler Crossfire vs Toyota Camry
- Chrysler Crossfire total complaints
- 708
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Chrysler Crossfire total recalls
- 2
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chrysler Crossfire avg complaints/year
- 141.6
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Chrysler Crossfire
- Chrysler Crossfire top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN