Head-to-head reliability
Honda Cbr650r vs Toyota Camry
How the Honda Cbr650r 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 Cbr650r vs Toyota Camry: The CBR650R has 3 complaints over 8 years (0.4/year) and 5 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. The CBR650R's main issue is E-Clutch jolting; the Camry's top areas are power train and engine. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Cbr650r or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Cbr650r
The Honda CBR650R is a sport motorcycle with very few reported problems: just 3 complaints over 8 years, or about 0.4 per year. The complaints center on the electronic clutch (E-Clutch) system, which owners say can malfunction and cause the bike to jolt or lurch unpredictably. There are also 5 recalls, mostly for electrical wiring, lighting, and the clutch lever. Overall, the complaint volume is low, but the E-Clutch issue is a recurring theme that could affect rideability.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 2,056 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 206 per year. The most common areas are the power train, engine, brakes, and electrical system, with owners reporting issues like a stuck ignition key, hesitation and shuddering, and multiple warning systems malfunctioning at once. There are also 31 recalls and 171 crash-related complaints, plus 158 injuries and 1 death reported. This suggests that while many Camrys are reliable, a notable number of owners experience serious problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Cbr650r | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.4 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 Cbr650r
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
- 02POWER TRAIN1
Owners report the E-Clutch warning lights flicker and the bike jolts uncontrollably for about 3 seconds, happening at random—even mid-turn. Another owner describes constant E-Clutch failures since purchase, requiring repeated dealer visits. For a buyer, this means the electronic clutch may be unpredictable and costly to fix.
One owner found the gear shifter loose and sliding back and forth while parked, traced to a dealer-diagnosed issue. A loose shifter can make shifting unreliable and potentially unsafe if it fails while riding.
“Vehicle E-Clutch system malfunctioning. When riding the e-clutch warning lights will flicker and cause the bike to jult uncontrollably for about 3 seconds. It happens at random, no one situation is the same, it could be in the middle of a turn, it could be at…”
“My motorcycle, which has presented constant failures with the e clutch system since the beginning of the purchase in October 2024 to the present date, having reported this many times to the dealership RAZEE Motorcycle Center. At first it was thought it could…”
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 shows it's in Park; the only workaround is disconnecting the battery. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on. These issues can leave you stranded or cause unpredictable acceleration.
Complaints include a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the accelerator, and repeated hesitation and shuddering at various speeds. This delayed reaction could be dangerous when merging or pulling out.
Owners report the electronic parking brake (EPB) failing to disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that the manufacturer calls normal for the 2023 Camry. A parking brake that won't release can strand you, and brake noises may signal ABS issues.
One owner had the smart stop, stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, secondary collision brake, and lane keeping all malfunction at once. Another cited subframe, driveline, and stability/traction control problems. Simultaneous failures of safety aids reduce driver confidence and may be hard to diagnose.
“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 Cbr650r — 5 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2024 CB650R and CBR650R motorcycles. The fasteners of the gear shift arm may loosen and detach, resulting in the inability to shift gears.
The risk: The inability to shift gears while riding increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the gear shift arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 31, 2025. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KR7.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2024-2025 CBR650R motorcycles. Engine vibration may cause the turn signal switch wire harness to become damaged, which can cause an electrical short circuit and blown fuse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal…
The risk: A blown fuse will cause a loss of turn signal, brake light, speedometer, and horn function, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the turn signal switch wire harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for th…
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 2024-2025 CBR650R motorcycles. Engine vibration may cause the turn signal switch wire harness to become damaged, which can cause an electrical short circuit and blown fuse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal…
The risk: A blown fuse will cause a loss of turn signal, brake light, speedometer, and horn function, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the turn signal switch wire harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for th…
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 Cbr650r or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Honda CBR650R has far fewer issues per year (0.4 vs. 205.6 for the Camry), but it's a motorcycle with a much smaller owner population, so the comparison isn't apples-to-apples. In practice, the Camry's higher complaint volume means you're more likely to encounter a problem, but many are covered by recalls or warranties. The CBR650R's low count is reassuring, yet the E-Clutch complaints suggest a specific weak point to watch.
Key differences
- The CBR650R has only 3 complaints total, while the Camry has 2,056—but the Camry is a mass-market car with many more units on the road.
- The CBR650R's main reported issue is the E-Clutch system causing jolts; the Camry's top issues are power train (stuck key, hesitation) and engine (delayed throttle).
- The Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries reported, while the CBR650R has none—though this may reflect exposure and reporting differences.
- Both have recalls: the CBR650R's are for electrical wiring, lighting, and clutch lever; the Camry's include seats, air bag sensors, and wheel lugs.
- Test ride the bike and specifically check for any flickering E-Clutch warning lights or sudden jolts; ask the seller for service records related to the E-Clutch.
- Inspect the gear shifter for looseness or excessive play, and confirm it shifts smoothly through all gears.
- Check that the ignition key turns freely and can be removed in Park; try it multiple times.
- Test the electronic parking brake by engaging and disengaging it several times, and listen for abnormal clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- For the CBR650R: request a pre-purchase inspection by a motorcycle mechanic familiar with Honda's E-Clutch system.
- For the Camry: run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm all recalls have been remedied.
- On the Camry, test drive at various speeds and pay attention to any hesitation, shuddering, or delayed throttle response.
- On both vehicles, ask for complete maintenance records and check for any outstanding technical service bulletins.
- Verify the model year and confirm the complaint patterns match the specific vehicle you're considering.
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 Cbr650r | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 | 163 |
| 2024 | 1 | 50 |
| 2023 | 1 | 64 |
| 2022 | 0 | 61 |
| 2021 | 0 | 157 |
| 2020 | 0 | 274 |
| 2019 | 0 | 395 |
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 Cbr650r or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Cbr650r vs Toyota Camry
- Honda Cbr650r total complaints
- 3
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Honda Cbr650r total recalls
- 5
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Honda Cbr650r avg complaints/year
- 0.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Honda Cbr650r
- Honda Cbr650r top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN