Head-to-head reliability
Honda Metropolitan vs Toyota Camry
How the Honda Metropolitan 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 Metropolitan vs Toyota Camry: The Metropolitan has 0 complaints and 9 recalls over 10 years, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints, 31 recalls, and 171 crash-related reports. The Camry's higher complaint rate means more reported failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Metropolitan or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Metropolitan
The Honda Metropolitan is a small scooter, and in ownership terms it has a clean complaint record: zero owner complaints over ten years. That means no reported pattern of breakdowns or safety defects from drivers. However, it does have nine recalls, all for the driveline, which suggests a recurring factory defect that should have been fixed. For a buyer, this is a simple machine with no complaint history, but you must verify recall work was done.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize car with a very high complaint volume: 2,056 complaints over ten years, averaging about 206 per year. Owners report issues with the power train, engine, brakes, electrical system, and other areas, including 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries. The sample complaints describe real symptoms like a stuck ignition key, shuddering during driving, delayed acceleration, and brake noises. This is a mainstream vehicle with many reported problems, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Metropolitan | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 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 Metropolitan
No component data available.
All nine recalls for the Honda Metropolitan involve the driveshaft. This suggests a repeated defect in the driveline that could cause loss of power or mechanical failure. Buyers should confirm the recall repair was performed.
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 shuddering and hesitation while driving, often with the check engine light on. These issues can leave you stranded or cause unsafe driving conditions.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with the car taking several seconds to move. This lag can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic. The problem appears intermittent, making it hard to diagnose.
Owners report the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow. Others hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, which the manufacturer says is normal but owners find concerning. Brake problems directly affect stopping ability.
Multiple safety systems—smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction at once. This leaves the driver without key aids and can be frightening. Electrical gremlins are often hard to trace and expensive to fix.
“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 Metropolitan — 9 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2025 Metropolitan scooters. An improper seal between the transmission case and left-side crankcase may allow transmission fluid to leak.
The risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause the driveshaft bearings to fail, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the transmission case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KR…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2025 Metropolitan scooters. An improper seal between the transmission case and left-side crankcase may allow transmission fluid to leak.
The risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause the driveshaft bearings to fail, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the transmission case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KR…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2025 Metropolitan scooters. An improper seal between the transmission case and left-side crankcase may allow transmission fluid to leak.
The risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause the driveshaft bearings to fail, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the transmission case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KR…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2025 Metropolitan scooters. An improper seal between the transmission case and left-side crankcase may allow transmission fluid to leak.
The risk: A transmission fluid leak can cause the driveshaft bearings to fail, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the transmission case as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KR…
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 Metropolitan or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Honda Metropolitan has far fewer issues per year: zero complaints versus about 206 per year for the Toyota Camry. In practice, the Metropolitan is a simpler machine with no reported owner complaints, while the Camry has a wide range of reported failures. However, the Metropolitan's recalls mean you must check that driveline fixes were done.
Key differences
- The Honda Metropolitan has 0 owner complaints over 10 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056, including 171 crash-related and 158 injuries.
- The Metropolitan's only reported issue is a repeated driveline recall (9 recalls), whereas the Camry has complaints across power train, engine, brakes, electrical, and more.
- Camry owners describe specific dangerous symptoms like stuck ignition keys, shuddering, and delayed acceleration; the Metropolitan has no owner-reported symptoms.
- The Metropolitan is a scooter with limited use, while the Camry is a car with complex systems that generate many more potential failure points.
- Check for any open driveline recalls and confirm they were repaired by a Honda dealer.
- Inspect the driveshaft and related components for unusual noise or vibration during a test ride.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park and listen for any hesitation or shuddering during a test drive.
- Check the electronic parking brake operation and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- For the Metropolitan, verify all nine driveline recalls were completed with documentation.
- For the Camry, have a mechanic scan for stored trouble codes and test all electrical systems.
- During a Camry test drive, accelerate firmly to check for delayed throttle response and shuddering.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any brake or power train repairs have been done.
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 Metropolitan | 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 Metropolitan or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Metropolitan vs Toyota Camry
- Honda Metropolitan total complaints
- 0
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Honda Metropolitan total recalls
- 9
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Honda Metropolitan avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Honda Metropolitan
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN