Head-to-head reliability
Honda CR Z vs Toyota Camry
How the Honda CR Z 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 CR-Z vs Toyota Camry: The CR-Z has 67 complaints over 6 years (11.2/yr) and 10 recalls, while the Camry has 2143 complaints over 10 years (214.3/yr) and 31 recalls. The CR-Z's main issue is Takata airbags, while the Camry faces transmission and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda CR Z or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda CR Z
The Honda CR-Z is a compact hybrid coupe that, in ownership terms, is a niche, sporty commuter. Its complaint pattern is dominated by airbag recalls, specifically the Takata inflator issue, which has left some owners unable to drive for months due to part shortages. Beyond that, owners report structural issues like broken door handles that can trap them outside, and electrical gremlins such as traction control glitches and hybrid system warnings. Living with a CR-Z means dealing with a vehicle that has known safety recalls and some frustrating, but not widespread, mechanical quirks.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream midsize sedan with a high volume of complaints, reflecting its popularity. The complaint pattern shows a wide range of issues, but the most frequent are in the powertrain, with owners reporting transmission grinding and sudden acceleration incidents, as well as engine problems like coolant valve failures. Brake issues, including a scary loss of braking on a hill, and electrical problems also appear. While the Camry has more recalls and complaints overall, its sheer numbers are partly due to its large market presence, and many issues are isolated rather than universal.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda CR Z | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 67 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 7 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 11.2 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 7 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 CR Z
- 01AIR BAGS36
- 02STRUCTURE8
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 05POWER TRAIN6
The Takata recall is the biggest issue, with owners reporting that their VINs were not initially listed but later became affected, and parts were unavailable for months, leaving them unable to drive. Some owners also report airbags not deploying in crashes, which is a serious safety concern.
Owners report that the driver's side door handle breaks, making it impossible to open the door from the outside. This can delay entry in an emergency, and the problem worsens in direct sunlight, eventually affecting the passenger door too.
There are reports of the traction control light flashing rapidly and the car jolting, leading to loss of control and a crash. Also, the IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) light comes on, and diagnostics reveal a faulty clutch sensor, which can affect the hybrid system's operation.
“TAKATA RECALL LAST WEEK WE WERE NOTIFIED THAT OUR CAR HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL. UP UNTIL THAT TIME OUR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT LISTED AS HAVING BEEN AFFECTED. AS OF THE END OF MARCH 2016, WE ARE TOLD IT NOW IS. WE ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE…”
“TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM HONDA REGARDING THIS RECALL IN MARCH OF 2016. I CONSIDER MYSELF A REASONABLE MAN BUT ITS BEEN MORE THAN 5 MONTHS AND STILL NO PARTS AVAILABLE. THE LETTER STATES THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE SUMMER OF 2016. MY DEALE…”
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 the transmission needs replacement. Some also describe sudden, uncontrollable acceleration that led to a crash, which is a critical safety issue.
There are reports of sudden acceleration incidents, and also a specific engine code (P268115) related to a coolant valve bypass that has a recall for some 2022 Camrys but not all VINs, leaving owners with a potential safety defect.
A serious report describes a complete loss of brake response on a steep hill, requiring the driver to use other means to stop. Another owner reports that while braking gently in a parking lot, the car did not stop as expected, suggesting brake system issues.
“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 CR Z — 10 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013 Acura ILX, 2015 RDX, 2005-2010 and 2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL, 2010 and 2012 ZDX, 2007-2011 CR-V, 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Z, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013 Fit EV, 2010-2011 and 2013 Insight and 2007-2014 Ridgeline vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are S5B…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2010-2014 FCX, and Insight, 2009-2013 Fit, 2013-2014 Fit EV, 2007-2014 Ridgeline, 2013-2016 Acura ILX, 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, and 2010-2…
The risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.
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 CR Z or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Honda CR-Z has far fewer complaints per year (11.2 vs 214.3) and fewer recalls (10 vs 31), but its issues are more concentrated on safety-critical airbags and structural defects. The Camry's higher numbers reflect its popularity, but the nature of its problems, such as sudden acceleration and brake failure, are equally serious. In practice, the CR-Z may have fewer reported issues, but the Camry's problems are more varied and affect more owners.
Key differences
- The CR-Z has a dominant airbag recall issue (Takata) that can leave owners unable to drive for months, while the Camry has a broader range of issues but no single dominant recall.
- The CR-Z reports structural door handle failures that can trap occupants, whereas the Camry has more reports of sudden acceleration and brake loss, which are more immediately dangerous.
- The Camry has a much higher complaint volume, but that is partly due to its larger sales numbers; the CR-Z's lower volume may not reflect a lower rate of issues per vehicle sold.
- The CR-Z's electrical issues include traction control malfunctions leading to crashes, while the Camry's electrical problems are less prominent in the sample.
- Check if the Takata airbag recall has been completed; if not, be prepared for potential part delays and inability to drive.
- Inspect the driver's side door handle for any signs of weakness or breakage, especially if the car is often parked in direct sunlight.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on a hill, to ensure there is no loss of braking power.
- Listen for grinding noises during acceleration, which could indicate a transmission problem that may require replacement.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on the NHTSA website to check for open recalls on both vehicles.
- For the CR-Z, ask for proof that the Takata airbag recall was performed; if not, factor in the wait time.
- For the Camry, have a mechanic inspect the transmission and brakes, and test drive on a hill to check braking.
- Check the CR-Z's door handles by trying to open from outside in various conditions.
- For the Camry, ask about any engine codes like P268115 and verify if the coolant valve recall applies to that VIN.
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 CR Z or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda CR Z vs Toyota Camry
- Honda CR Z total complaints
- 67
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Honda CR Z total recalls
- 10
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Honda CR Z avg complaints/year
- 11.2
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Honda CR Z
- Honda CR Z top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN