Head-to-head reliability

Honda Crf250l vs Toyota Camry

How the Honda Crf250l and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Honda Crf250l5 complaints · 3 recalls Fewer issues per year
Toyota Camry2,132 complaints · 31 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Honda Crf250l averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Honda Crf250l has 5 complaints and 3 recalls on record; Toyota Camry has 2,132 complaints and 31 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryHonda Crf250lToyota Camry
Total complaintsAll model years combined5 Better2,132
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns3 Better31
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints1 Better181
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years0.5 Better213.2
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints2 Better163
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better1

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 Crf250l

  1. 01ENGINE3
  2. 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
  3. 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
In owners' words — ENGINE

2014 HONDA CRF250L WITH 3512 MILES. FOUR MILE FROM HOME ON FREEWAY 405 SOUTH AS I WAS RIDING ABOUT 55 MPH AND SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE ENGINE SHUT OFF CAUSING THE BIKE TO STALLED ON A BUSY FREEWAY AND ALMOST GOT RAN OVER BY FAST COMING TRAFFIC. UNABLE…

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 HONDA CRF250L. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE MOTORCYCLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MOTORCYCLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FA…

Toyota Camry

  1. 01POWER TRAIN392
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER340
  3. 03ENGINE314
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES290
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM242
In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

The vehicle allows the engine to be turned off, key removed, while the vehicle is still in drive with no warning lights or sounds. I have tested and the vehicle can roll away. Complained to the toyota dealership and they said the service tech consulted with t…

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…

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 Crf250l — 3 recalls

Exterior Lighting
#21V382000

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.

Electrical System — Starter Assembly — Relay
#15V439000Aug 2015

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 ST1300PA, 2014-2015 CB500, CBR500, CRF250L, CBR650, CTX700, NSS300, VT750, VT1300, 2015 CB300F, CBR300, CBR600, and 2014-2016 NC700 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, sealant may have been incorrectly applied to the s…

The risk: A loss of electrical power may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace any affected starter relay switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is JS9 a…

Electrical System — Starter Assembly — Relay
#15V439000Aug 2015

The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 ST1300PA, 2014-2015 CB500, CBR500, CRF250L, CBR650, CTX700, NSS300, VT750, VT1300, 2015 CB300F, CBR300, CBR600, and 2014-2016 NC700 motorcycles. In the affected motorcycles, sealant may have been incorrectly applied to the s…

The risk: A loss of electrical power may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace any affected starter relay switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is JS9 a…

Toyota Camry — 31 recalls

Seats
#24V128000

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…

Wheels — Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
#23V432000

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…

Seats
#24V128000

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…

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification
#23V865000

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…

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.

YearHonda Crf250lToyota Camry
2024047
2023062
2022058
20210155
20200268
20190392
20170148
Years to scrutinize: the 2014 Honda Crf250l drew the most complaints (4); the 2018 Toyota Camry drew the most (734). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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 Crf250l or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Honda Crf250l vs Toyota Camry — comparison facts
Comparison
Honda Crf250l vs Toyota Camry
Honda Crf250l total complaints
5
Toyota Camry total complaints
2,132
Honda Crf250l total recalls
3
Toyota Camry total recalls
31
Honda Crf250l avg complaints/year
0.5
Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
213.2
More reliable overall
Honda Crf250l
Honda Crf250l top complaint area
ENGINE
Toyota Camry top complaint area
POWER TRAIN