Head-to-head reliability
Honda Cbr500r vs Toyota Camry
How the Honda Cbr500r 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 CBR500R vs Toyota Camry: The Honda has zero complaints over 10 years, while the Camry has 2,143 complaints, including 181 crashes and 1 death. The Camry's issues span powertrain, engine, and brakes, whereas the Honda's recalls are not backed by owner complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Cbr500r or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Cbr500r
The Honda CBR500R is a sport motorcycle with a very clean reliability record over the past decade. With zero owner complaints filed, there are no recurring problem areas reported to NHTSA. Its recalls focus on brakes and lighting, which are important safety systems but have not generated owner complaints. For a buyer, this suggests a generally trouble-free ownership experience, though the lack of complaints means less real-world data to gauge long-term issues.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 214 complaints per year. Owners report issues across multiple systems, including powertrain, engine, brakes, and electrical. Some complaints describe serious incidents like sudden acceleration and brake failure, contributing to crash and injury counts. While the Camry has more recalls, the sheer number of complaints indicates a more problematic ownership experience compared to the Honda.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Cbr500r | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Honda Cbr500r
No component data available.
Recalls have been issued for hydraulic brakes, but no owner complaints detail specific failures. This suggests potential issues with brake components that may require inspection, though the lack of complaints indicates they may not be widespread.
Two recalls address exterior lighting, but no owner complaints describe actual failures. This could involve malfunctioning lights, which are critical for visibility and safety, but the absence of complaints suggests the issue may be rare or quickly addressed.
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front end upon acceleration, with dealerships confirming transmission issues that sometimes require replacement. Some mention recalls for the same issue on certain model years, indicating a known problem that can be costly.
Complaints include uncontrollable sudden acceleration leading to crashes, and engine maintenance warnings related to a coolant valve bypass recall that may not cover all VINs. These are serious safety concerns that can result in loss of control.
Owners describe brake pedal going to the floor with no response, especially on hills, leading to near-misses or crashes. This suggests potential brake system failures that compromise stopping ability.
Reports include AC condenser damage from rocks and recurring HVAC odors (vinegar/mildew) from vents. While not safety-critical, these affect comfort and can be annoying to fix.
“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.
Honda Cbr500r — 4 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 CB500X and CBR500R ABS motorcycles. Excessive grease in the ABS modulator may collect debris, which can get stuck in the check valve and cause a brake fluid leak.
The risk: A brake fluid leak can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the lot number on the ABS modulator, and replace the modulator as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact Honda Powersports customer service at 1-866-784-…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Super Cub C125, CB500X, CB650R, CBR300R, CBR500R, CBR650R, Rebel 300, Rebel 500, Monkey, 2020 CRF250L, GROM, 2021 CRF300L, and CB500F motorcycles. The rear reflector lens may not reflect brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to…
The risk: A dim rear reflector may reduce the visibility of the motorcycle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear reflector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KM3.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Super Cub C125, CB500X, CB650R, CBR300R, CBR500R, CBR650R, Rebel 300, Rebel 500, Monkey, 2020 CRF250L, GROM, 2021 CRF300L, and CB500F motorcycles. The rear reflector lens may not reflect brightly enough. As such, these vehicles fail to…
The risk: A dim rear reflector may reduce the visibility of the motorcycle to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear reflector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KM3.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2019-2020 CB500X and CBR500R ABS motorcycles. Excessive grease in the ABS modulator may collect debris, which can get stuck in the check valve and cause a brake fluid leak.
The risk: A brake fluid leak can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the lot number on the ABS modulator, and replace the modulator as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 12, 2021. Owners may contact Honda Powersports customer service at 1-866-784-…
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
Honda Cbr500r or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Honda CBR500R has zero complaints per year, while the Toyota Camry averages over 214 complaints per year. This stark difference indicates the Honda is far less likely to have reported issues, making it a more reliable choice in terms of owner-reported problems. However, the Camry's higher sales volume and different vehicle type should be considered.
Key differences
- The Honda has zero complaints over 10 years, while the Camry has over 2,000, indicating a vast difference in reported reliability.
- Camry owners report serious safety issues like sudden acceleration and brake failure, which are absent in Honda's record.
- The Camry has multiple problem areas (powertrain, engine, brakes) with frequent complaints, while the Honda's recalls are not backed by owner complaints.
- The Camry's complaints include transmission replacements and AC issues, which are not mentioned for the Honda.
- Inspect the brake system for any signs of wear or malfunction, given the recalls on hydraulic brakes.
- Check that all exterior lights function properly, as recalls have been issued for lighting issues.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on slopes, for any loss of pedal pressure or responsiveness.
- Listen for grinding noises during acceleration that could indicate transmission problems, and check for any open recalls related to powertrain.
Before you buy
- For the Honda, verify that all recalls have been performed, especially brake and lighting recalls.
- For the Camry, check the vehicle's VIN for any outstanding recalls, particularly those related to powertrain or brakes.
- Take the Camry on a test drive that includes acceleration and braking on a hill to feel for any issues.
- Ask for maintenance records for the Camry to see if transmission or brake repairs have been done.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic for both vehicles, focusing on the areas mentioned.
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 Cbr500r | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 119 |
| 2025 | 0 | 153 |
| 2024 | 0 | 48 |
| 2023 | 0 | 62 |
| 2022 | 0 | 59 |
| 2021 | 0 | 155 |
| 2020 | 0 | 270 |
| 2019 | 0 | 393 |
| 2018 | 0 | 736 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 Cbr500r or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Cbr500r vs Toyota Camry
- Honda Cbr500r total complaints
- 0
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Honda Cbr500r total recalls
- 4
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Honda Cbr500r avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Honda Cbr500r
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN