Head-to-head reliability
Ferrari California T vs Toyota Camry
How the Ferrari California T 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
Ferrari California T vs Toyota Camry: The Ferrari has 1 complaint over 9 years (0.1/year) and 12 recalls, with no crashes or injuries. The Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6/year), 31 recalls, 171 crash-related reports, and 158 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Ferrari California T or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Ferrari California T
The Ferrari California T is a low-volume exotic, so it sees very few complaints—just 1 over 9 years, or about 0.1 per year. That single complaint is about the Takata airbag recall, where the owner complained the manufacturer took too long to complete the repair. With 12 recalls but no crashes, injuries, or deaths reported, the main ownership concern is staying on top of recall notices, not frequent breakdowns.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume family sedan, and its complaint record reflects that: 2,056 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 206 per year. Owners report issues across the power train, engine, brakes, and electrical systems, with 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and 1 death. While many complaints are about drivability and warning lights, the volume and severity mean a used Camry needs a careful mechanical inspection.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Ferrari California T | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.1 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.
Ferrari California T
- 01AIR BAGS1
The only owner complaint is about the Takata airbag recall, specifically that the manufacturer took too long to supply parts for the passenger-side inflator. For a buyer, this means checking that all recall work, especially the airbag inflator, has been completed.
A recall exists for hydraulic service brakes, though no owner complaints describe the exact symptom. A buyer should verify the recall was performed and have the brake system inspected for leaks or soft pedal feel.
Another recall covers the air bag restraint control module. If this module fails, airbags may not deploy correctly in a crash. Confirm the recall remedy was applied and that no airbag warning light is on.
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 FERRARI CALIFORNIA T. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V006000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. FERRARI OF…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and not releasing even when the car shows it is in Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving with the check engine light on. These can leave you stranded or point to costly transmission or engine work.
Complaints include delayed throttle response—pressing the gas and waiting several seconds for the car to move—and repeated hesitation with the check engine light. This affects everyday drivability and may signal sensor or fuel system problems.
Owners report the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that dealers call normal for the ABS system. A stuck parking brake can prevent the car from moving, and brake noises can indicate worn or faulty components.
Multiple driver-assist systems—smart stop, stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction at once, often with warning lights. This can reduce safety features and make the car unpredictable to drive.
“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.
Ferrari California T — 12 recalls
The defect: Ferrari North America (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2014 Ferrari California, 2014-2015 Ferrari 458 Italia, 458 Spider, 2014-2016 Ferrari FF, 2014-2017 Ferrari F12, 2015-2018 Ferrari California T, 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale A, 2016 Ferrari F60 America, 2016-2017 Ferrari F12 tdf, 2016-2018 Ferrari 48…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2019. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-866-551-2828. Ferrari's number for this recall is…
The defect: Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2018 488 Spider, 488 Pista, 2015 458 Speciale A, 2016-2018 488 GTB, 2015-2017 F12 Berlinetta, 2016 F12 tdf, and 2016-2018 Carlifornia T vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may malfunction, possibly causing the non-deployment…
The risk: In the event of a crash, air bags and/or seat belt pretensioners that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag ECU, free of charge. The recall began August 2, 2019. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-201-816-2668. Ferrari's number for this recall is 70.
The defect: Ferrari North America, Inc. (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2005-2009 430, 2019-2020 488 Pista, 2016 F60 America, 2005-2011 612 Scaglietti, 2010-2011 612, 2018-2022 812, 2020-2022 F8 Spider, 2020-2022 F8 Tributo, 2021-2022 Roma, 2009-2017 California, 2015-2017 California T, 2013-2017 F12 Berlinetta,…
The risk: A loss of brake function can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap and update the software to provide a new warning message for low brake fluid, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed September…
The defect: Ferrari North America (Ferrari) is recalling certain 2014 Ferrari California, 2014-2015 Ferrari 458 Italia, 458 Spider, 2014-2016 Ferrari FF, 2014-2017 Ferrari F12, 2015-2018 Ferrari California T, 2015 Ferrari 458 Speciale A, 2016 Ferrari F60 America, 2016-2017 Ferrari F12 tdf, 2016-2018 Ferrari 48…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2019. Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-866-551-2828. Ferrari'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
Ferrari California T or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Ferrari California T has far fewer issues per year (0.1 vs. 205.6) and no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths, while the Toyota Camry has thousands of complaints and hundreds of crash-related reports. In practice, the Ferrari is a low-volume car with recall-related owner frustration, whereas the Camry is a mass-market sedan with a wide range of reported mechanical and electrical problems.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: Ferrari California T has 1 complaint over 9 years; Toyota Camry has 2,056 over 10 years.
- Crash and injury reports: Ferrari has 0 crash-related complaints, 0 injuries, 0 deaths; Camry has 171 crash-related, 158 injuries, 1 death.
- Reported failure types: Ferrari's only owner complaint is about a Takata airbag recall delay; Camry owners report stuck ignition keys, hesitation, brake noise, and multiple electrical system malfunctions.
- Recall count: Ferrari has 12 recalls (mostly airbags and brakes); Camry has 31 recalls (including wheels, seats, and airbag sensors).
- Check that the Takata airbag inflator recall (NHTSA campaign 19V006000) has been completed; an open recall means the passenger airbag may not work properly.
- Inspect for any airbag warning lights and confirm the restraint control module recall was performed, as a faulty module can prevent airbags from deploying.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park—if it sticks, you may need to disconnect the battery to shut off the car, a reported power train defect.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal and check that the electronic parking brake engages and disengages smoothly; owners report it can fail and require a tow.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to see all open recalls for the specific car and confirm they were fixed.
- For the Ferrari, ask for proof the Takata airbag recall and brake recalls were completed.
- For the Camry, test-drive at various speeds to feel for hesitation or shuddering and check for a check engine light.
- On the Camry, try starting and shutting off the car several times to see if the key ever gets stuck in the ignition.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the brakes, electrical system, and transmission on the Camry, and the airbag system on the Ferrari.
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 | Ferrari California T | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Ferrari California T or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Ferrari California T vs Toyota Camry
- Ferrari California T total complaints
- 1
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Ferrari California T total recalls
- 12
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Ferrari California T avg complaints/year
- 0.1
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Ferrari California T
- Ferrari California T top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN