Head-to-head reliability
Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry
How the Honda Accord 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
Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry: The Accord has 4,524 complaints over 10 years (452/year) and 38 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints (206/year) and 31 recalls. Both show engine, electrical, and brake issues, but the Camry's lower complaint rate may mean fewer problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan that has generated 4,524 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 452 per year. Owners frequently report engine and electrical problems, including loss of power, warning lights, and electronic steering or braking failures. The high number of forward collision avoidance complaints suggests that advanced driver-assistance features can be a source of frustration. With 38 recalls and 3 deaths reported, buyers should be aware of potential safety issues and check for open recalls.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a well-known midsize sedan with 2,056 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 206 per year. Power train issues, such as hesitation, shuddering, and key removal problems, are common owner reports. Brake and electrical complaints also appear, but the overall complaint volume is lower than the Accord's. With 31 recalls and 1 death, the Camry shows a somewhat less troubled record in this data.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Accord | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4,524 | 2,056 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 38 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 162 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 452.4 | 205.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 146 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 1 Better |
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.
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises during acceleration, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden loss of power with multiple warning lights. These issues can leave a driver stranded or unable to maintain highway speeds, so a thorough test drive and diagnostic check are wise.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. Such failures can be terrifying and dangerous, so buyers should have the electrical system and tire pressure monitoring checked.
Owners describe the system braking unexpectedly or failing to respond, sometimes with adaptive cruise control engaged. This can cause near-collisions or loss of control, so it's important to test these features and ensure any recalls are addressed.
There are 602 complaints about fuel or propulsion issues, though specific examples are not provided. These could involve fuel pump failures or hybrid system problems, which may cause stalling or poor performance.
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
“Vehicle makes rattling noises while accelerating similar to a diesel engine also rough transitions between EV mode and Gas mode also when you press the charge button the engine makes a very noticeable jerk once it’s on ,Honda does not want to fix my issue and…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove, and hesitation or shuddering with the check engine light on. These problems can prevent the car from starting or cause unsafe driving conditions.
Complaints include delayed throttle response, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second lag before the car moves. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic, so buyers should test acceleration carefully.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area. Brake issues are safety-critical, so a mechanic should inspect the system.
Multiple systems, including stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring, can malfunction simultaneously. This suggests potential electrical gremlins that could be costly to diagnose and repair.
“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.
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
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
Honda Accord or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has fewer complaints per year (about 206) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452), suggesting the Camry may have fewer reported issues overall. However, both vehicles have notable safety-related complaints, so the difference means the Camry might require less frequent trips to the shop, but neither is free from serious problems.
Key differences
- The Accord has more than twice as many complaints per year (452 vs. 206), with engine and electrical issues being the most common.
- The Camry's top complaint area is the power train, including key removal and hesitation problems, while the Accord's top area is engine issues like rattling and power loss.
- The Accord has more crash-related complaints (162 vs. 171) and injuries (146 vs. 158) but fewer deaths (3 vs. 1) in this data.
- Both have recalls for air bag sensors and electrical systems, but the Accord also has recalls for fuel pumps and hybrid power control software.
- Check for any open recalls, especially the hybrid power control unit software and fuel pump recalls, as these can cause stalling or loss of power.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system and adaptive cruise control for unexpected braking or failure to respond, and listen for engine rattles during acceleration.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park and ensure it doesn't get stuck, as this is a reported power train defect.
- Inspect the electronic parking brake operation and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which may indicate ABS issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all safety recalls have been performed by a dealer.
- Take a lengthy test drive that includes highway speeds, acceleration, braking, and use of driver-assistance features.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, electrical system, and brakes for signs of the reported issues.
- For the Accord, specifically check the hybrid system if equipped, and for the Camry, check the electronic parking brake and key removal.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and be wary if there are repeated repairs for the same component.
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 | Honda Accord | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 0 |
| 2025 | 109 | 163 |
| 2024 | 219 | 50 |
| 2023 | 226 | 64 |
| 2022 | 252 | 61 |
| 2021 | 234 | 157 |
| 2020 | 362 | 274 |
| 2019 | 691 | 395 |
| 2018 | 1884 | 744 |
| 2017 | 537 | 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 Honda Accord or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN