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 CBR500R has 0 complaints and 4 recalls over 10 years, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints, 31 recalls, and 171 crash-related reports. Camry owners report stuck keys, hesitation, and brake noises; the CBR500R has no complaint text. 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 midsize sport motorcycle with no owner complaints filed with NHTSA over the past decade, so there is no documented pattern of real-world failures from drivers. It has four recalls, all for hydraulic brakes or exterior lighting, which are safety-related but affect specific batches rather than every bike. In ownership terms, this suggests a mechanically simple machine with very little reported trouble, though the absence of complaints means you have fewer owner stories to learn from. Buyers should still verify that any open recalls have been fixed.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular family sedan with a huge volume of owner complaints—about 206 per year—and 31 recalls over the same period. Reported problems cluster around the power train, engine, brakes, and electrical system, with symptoms like hesitation, shuddering, stuck ignition keys, and brake noises. There are also 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and one death, which means some owners have experienced serious outcomes. This does not mean every Camry is unreliable, but it does mean you should check for common issues before buying.
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 | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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.
Honda Cbr500r
No component data available.
Two of the four recalls involve hydraulic brakes, which could affect braking performance if not repaired. Since no owner complaints describe the exact symptom, buyers should confirm the recall work was done and test the brakes carefully.
The other two recalls are for exterior lighting, which might mean lights that fail or don't meet safety standards. A buyer should check that all lights work and that any recall has been addressed.
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and not coming out even when the car is in Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, often with the check engine light on. These can leave you stranded or cause unsafe driving conditions.
Complaints include delayed throttle response—pressing the gas and waiting several seconds for the car to move—and repeated hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light. This can make merging or pulling out into traffic feel unpredictable.
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 say comes from the ABS system. These issues can prevent the car from moving or cause worry about brake reliability.
Multiple driver-assist systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction at once, according to one complaint. Another mentions subframe, driveline, and sensor problems. These failures can reduce safety features you may rely on.
“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 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 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.
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 Cbr500r or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Honda CBR500R has zero complaints per year over the last decade, while the Toyota Camry averages about 206 complaints per year. That means the motorcycle has far fewer reported problems, but it's a different type of vehicle with a much smaller owner base. In practice, a used Camry is more likely to have documented issues you'll need to check, while the CBR500R has almost no owner-reported failure history.
Key differences
- The CBR500R has 0 owner complaints and 4 recalls, all for brakes or lights, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints and 31 recalls covering many systems.
- Camry owners report real drivability problems like stuck ignition keys, hesitation, and shuddering; the CBR500R has no complaint text describing any failure.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and 1 death; the CBR500R has none of these reported.
- Camry issues often involve complex electronics and driver-assist systems, while the CBR500R's only known concerns are recall items for basic brake and lighting components.
- Check for open recalls on the hydraulic brakes and exterior lighting—if not fixed, they could affect stopping or visibility.
- Inspect the brake fluid level and feel for any sponginess in the brake lever, since hydraulic brake recalls are the main known issue.
- Test the ignition key: make sure it turns freely and can be removed when the car is in Park, as stuck keys are a reported power train complaint.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area and check that the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly, since owners report failures and noises.
Before you buy
- Ask for the VIN and check the NHTSA recall website to confirm all recalls are repaired on either vehicle.
- For the Camry, take a test drive that includes stops and starts to feel for hesitation, shuddering, or delayed throttle response.
- For the Camry, test every driver-assist feature (blind spot monitor, lane keeping, stability control) and the electronic parking brake.
- For the CBR500R, test the brakes at low speed and check that all lights work, including brake lights and turn signals.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic who knows the specific model, focusing on the systems mentioned in complaints and recalls.
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 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 | 163 |
| 2024 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 0 | 64 |
| 2022 | 0 | 61 |
| 2021 | 0 | 157 |
| 2020 | 0 | 274 |
| 2019 | 0 | 395 |
| 2018 | 0 | 744 |
| 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
- 2,056
- Honda Cbr500r total recalls
- 4
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Honda Cbr500r avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Honda Cbr500r
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN