Head-to-head reliability
FIAT 124 Spider vs Toyota Camry
How the FIAT 124 Spider 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
FIAT 124 Spider vs Toyota Camry: The FIAT has 65 complaints over 4 years (16.3/year) and 5 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. The FIAT’s top issue is airbags; the Camry’s is power train. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FIAT 124 Spider or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FIAT 124 Spider
The FIAT 124 Spider is a niche two-seat convertible with low annual mileage for many owners, but its complaint pattern shows recurring airbag, electrical, and seat belt problems. Over four years, 65 complaints and 5 recalls were recorded, with airbag issues dominating. Owners report long waits for recall parts and multiple electrical glitches. It can be a fun car, but buyers should expect to stay on top of recalls and small-system repairs.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume family sedan with a much larger complaint pool: 2,056 complaints over ten years, plus 31 recalls and 171 crash-related reports. Power train, engine, and brake complaints are common, including hesitation, shuddering, and electronic parking brake failures. While many individual cars are trouble-free, the data shows a broader range of potential issues than the FIAT. Buyers should prioritize a thorough inspection and service history.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FIAT 124 Spider | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 65 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 16.3 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.
FIAT 124 Spider
- 01AIR BAGS30
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
- 03SEAT BELTS8
- 04ENGINE7
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
Owners report airbag recall notices, especially for the restraint control module software, but parts may not be available for months. This matters because the airbag may not deploy correctly in a crash until the recall is done.
Complaints include abnormal rattling, multiple warning lights (check engine, keyfob, TPMS) coming on at once, and difficulty getting recalls fixed at distant dealers. These glitches can leave you unsure whether the car is safe to drive.
Both driver and passenger seat belt retractors are reported to fail, sometimes within months of purchase, and parts can take weeks to arrive. A non-retracting belt is a safety risk and a daily annoyance.
One owner found more than an ounce of oil in the intake at 15,595 miles, a sign of blow-by that can lead to carbon buildup. Another reported missed recall notifications due to dealer paperwork errors, so verify all recalls are completed.
“I am writing to formally express my concern and disappointment regarding the lack of transparency and communication surrounding the airbag recall for the Fiat 124, first issued in 2024. As of today, Fiat has not provided any meaningful updates, solutions, or…”
“The contact owns a 2017 Fiat 124 Spyder. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V694000 (AIR BAGS) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of 2023 Camrys report the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring a battery disconnect to remove it, and hesitation or shuddering with the check engine light on. These issues can strand you or make the car feel unreliable.
Complaints include delayed throttle response where pressing the gas does nothing for several seconds, and repeated hesitation/shuddering. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may not disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is reported as common. Brake problems directly affect stopping confidence.
Multiple systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction at once. This can overwhelm a driver with warnings and reduce driver assistance when needed.
“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.
FIAT 124 Spider — 5 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Sta…
The risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 26, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is A3B.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Fiat 124 Spider vehicles. The impeller inside the fuel pump may be deformed, potentially causing the fuel pump to fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety recall were mailed on January 6, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed July 5, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LL…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Sta…
The risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 26, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is A3B.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Fiat 124 Spider vehicles. A software error in the air bag control module may cause the front air bags to deploy with excessive force during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Sta…
The risk: An air bag that deploys with excessive force can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 26, 2025. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is A3B.
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
FIAT 124 Spider or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The FIAT 124 Spider has far fewer complaints per year (16.3) than the Toyota Camry (205.6), but the Camry is sold in much higher numbers, so per-vehicle rates are not directly comparable. In practice, the FIAT’s issues cluster around airbags, seat belts, and electrical glitches, while the Camry’s span power train, engine, and brakes. The Camry’s larger complaint volume means a buyer should expect more potential problem areas, but many individual Camrys still run well.
Key differences
- The FIAT 124 Spider’s top complaint area is airbags (30 complaints), often about recall parts not being available, while the Camry’s top area is power train (385 complaints), including stuck keys and hesitation.
- Camry owners report brake issues like the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, a problem not seen in the FIAT sample.
- FIAT seat belt retractor failures are a repeated owner complaint, whereas Camry complaints focus more on engine and transmission behavior.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related reports and 158 injuries in the data, while the FIAT has 1 crash-related report and no injuries, though these counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
- Check that the airbag recall (NHTSA Campaign 24V694000) has been completed; owners report parts may still be unavailable, so confirm with a dealer.
- Test both seat belt retractors for smooth, quick retraction; multiple owners report failures on both driver and passenger sides.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; if it sticks, it may need a battery disconnect, a reported power train defect.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area and check that the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm all open recalls are repaired before purchase.
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on the complaint areas above.
- For the FIAT, test the seat belts, all electrical accessories, and look for oil in the intake if possible.
- For the Camry, test drive at various speeds to feel for hesitation or shuddering, and check the parking brake and brake pedal feel.
- Request service records and verify the car’s ownership history, as some FIAT owners missed recall notices due to dealer paperwork errors.
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 | FIAT 124 Spider | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 | 274 |
| 2019 | 9 | 395 |
| 2018 | 16 | 744 |
| 2017 | 32 | 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 FIAT 124 Spider or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FIAT 124 Spider vs Toyota Camry
- FIAT 124 Spider total complaints
- 65
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- FIAT 124 Spider total recalls
- 5
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- FIAT 124 Spider avg complaints/year
- 16.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- FIAT 124 Spider
- FIAT 124 Spider top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN