Head-to-head reliability
FIAT 500E vs Toyota Camry
How the FIAT 500E 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 500E vs Toyota Camry: the 500E shows 5 complaints over 3 years (about 1.7 per year) and 3 recalls, while the Camry shows 2,056 complaints over 10 years (about 205.6 per year) and 31 recalls, including 171 crash-related reports. The 500E's complaints focus on charging and electrical faults; the Camry's on power train and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the FIAT 500E or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
FIAT 500E
The FIAT 500E is a small electric hatchback that, in NHTSA data, shows only 5 complaints over 3 years (about 1.7 per year) plus 3 recalls. The complaints cluster around charging failures that leave owners stranded, electrical glitches like windows and push-to-start issues, and a rear-view camera that freezes. Several owners also describe long dealership stays and difficulty getting recall work done, which matters for a buyer who depends on a single car. The low complaint count is reassuring on paper, but the individual stories point to downtime rather than minor annoyances.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume sedan with 2,056 complaints over 10 years (about 205.6 per year) and 31 recalls, including 171 crash-related reports, 158 injuries, and 1 death. Owner complaints center on power train behavior such as a stuck ignition key, hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light, and brake issues including an electronic parking brake that won't disengage. Multiple driver-assist systems malfunctioning at once also appears in the sample text. The volume reflects how many Camrys are on the road, but the pattern shows real drivability and brake concerns a used buyer should check.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | FIAT 500E | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 5 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.7 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 500E
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
- 03POWER TRAIN1
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
- 05FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1
Owners report windows that won't roll down, abnormal brake noise when the pedal is pressed, and a push-to-start button that needs repeated presses. Another owner says the car won't fully charge and shuts off without warning, leaving them stranded.
A repeated complaint is the vehicle failing to fully charge and stopping without notice, with one car sitting at a dealership for seven months unrepaired. This is the biggest practical risk because it can strand you and is hard to diagnose.
Owners describe a rear-view camera that freezes on a still frame while reversing several times a week, and difficulty finding a qualified service center to perform an active safety recall. Both affect day-to-day usability and recall follow-through.
One owner reports the car stalling twice while driving on a fully charged battery in one-pedal mode, with the steering wheel locking and loss of steering control. Even as a single report, a stall with steering loss is worth taking seriously.
“The contact leased a 2024 Fiat 500E. The contact stated that the windows failed to roll down and the brakes made an abnormal sound while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle required the Push to Start button to be pressed three t…”
“Vehicle is unable to fully charge. It stops without notice and has left us stranded. The car has been at the dealership for seven months. The dealership duplicated the problem, but has been unable to repair it. There are now six (6) other 2024 500e’s at Larry…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report an ignition key that gets stuck and can't be removed even though the dash shows Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering at various speeds with the check engine light on.
Complaints include a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the accelerator from a stop, reported more than once by the same owner. Hesitation and shuddering with a check engine light also appear under engine complaints.
One owner's electronic parking brake would not disengage and the car had to be towed; a switch replacement didn't fix it. Another reports a clicking, vibrating sound from the brake pedal area that the manufacturer attributes to the ABS system.
One owner reports the smart stop system, stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, secondary collision brake, and lane keeping all malfunctioning at once. Another lists subframe, driveline, and stability/traction control components as involved.
“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 500E — 3 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia, 2018-2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, 2019-2023 Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, and 2024 Fiat 500E vehicles. A seat belt buckle switch sensor may be improperly connected, preventing the front seat air bag from deploying as intended.
The risk: A front seat air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will repair the connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning August 27, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 82B.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Fiat 500e Battery Electric (BEV) vehicles. The headlight horizontal aim adjustment is not covered as intended, which can result in improperly adjusted headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehi…
The risk: Improperly adjusted headlights can reduce driver visibility or create a glare for oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install headlight adjustment plugs. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is A4C. Vehicle Identification Numbe…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Fiat 500e Battery Electric (BEV) vehicles. The headlight horizontal aim adjustment is not covered as intended, which can result in improperly adjusted headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehi…
The risk: Improperly adjusted headlights can reduce driver visibility or create a glare for oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install headlight adjustment plugs. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is A4C. Vehicle Identification Numbe…
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 500E or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The FIAT 500E has far fewer complaints per year (about 1.7 versus about 205.6 for the Camry), but that gap partly reflects how many Camrys are sold and driven. In practice, the 500E's small complaint set includes serious charging and stall reports, while the Camry's much larger set includes recurring power train, brake, and driver-assist problems. Fewer complaints per year does not automatically mean fewer things to check before buying.
Key differences
- The 500E's complaints center on charging failures and electrical glitches, while the Camry's center on power train hesitation, stuck keys, and brake problems.
- The 500E sample includes owners struggling to get recall repairs because no qualified service center is nearby; the Camry sample shows multiple driver-assist systems failing together.
- The Camry data includes 171 crash-related reports, 158 injuries, and 1 death over 10 years; the 500E data shows 0 crash-related, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths over 3 years.
- The 500E has 3 recalls (air bags and headlights), while the Camry has 31 recalls spanning wheels, seats, and occupant-classification air bag sensors.
- Ask for the full charging history and test a complete charge cycle; owners report the car stopping charging without notice and being left stranded.
- Check that any open recalls, including the air bag and headlight recalls, have been completed and confirm a qualified Fiat service center is within practical distance.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park and watch for hesitation or shuddering with the check engine light during a test drive.
- Check the electronic parking brake engagement and release, and listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area that may point to the ABS system.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls were repaired on the specific car you are buying.
- For the 500E, perform or request a full charge test and verify the rear-view camera does not freeze while in reverse.
- For the Camry, test key removal in Park, throttle response from a stop, and the electronic parking brake release.
- Have a independent mechanic scan for stored codes and inspect the brakes, charging system, and driver-assist sensors.
- Confirm warranty coverage and locate the nearest qualified service center before committing to either vehicle.
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 500E | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 | 163 |
| 2024 | 5 | 50 |
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 500E or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- FIAT 500E vs Toyota Camry
- FIAT 500E total complaints
- 5
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- FIAT 500E total recalls
- 3
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- FIAT 500E avg complaints/year
- 1.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- FIAT 500E
- FIAT 500E top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN