Head-to-head reliability
Honda Odyssey vs Toyota Camry
How the Honda Odyssey 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 Odyssey vs Toyota Camry: The Odyssey has 3,399 complaints over 10 years (about 340 per year) and 81 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints (about 206 per year) and 31 recalls. Both show serious issues—Odyssey with electrical and forward collision problems, Camry with power train and brake complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Odyssey or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Odyssey
The Honda Odyssey is a minivan that owners rely on for family hauling, but NHTSA data shows a high volume of complaints—3,399 over 10 years, averaging about 340 per year. The most common trouble spots are the electrical system, forward collision avoidance, and engine, with reports of alarms that won't shut off, blank infotainment screens, and unexpected braking or acceleration failures. There are also 81 recalls and 123 injuries reported, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection and recall check are essential.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a lower complaint rate than the Odyssey—2,056 complaints over 10 years, or about 206 per year. Owners frequently report power train issues like a stuck ignition key or shuddering during acceleration, as well as brake problems such as the electronic parking brake failing to disengage. With 31 recalls and 158 injuries, it still demands careful attention, especially to safety systems and brakes.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Odyssey | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,399 | 2,056 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 81 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 49 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 339.9 | 205.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 123 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 3 | 1 Better |
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 Odyssey
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,036
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE721
- 03ENGINE714
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER583
- 05LANE DEPARTURE461
Owners report the alarm randomly activating and refusing to turn off for hours, as well as the infotainment screen going blank and disabling the backup camera. These glitches can leave you locked out or unable to see behind you, and they often require dealer visits to diagnose.
Complaints describe the vehicle braking on its own or failing to accelerate, sometimes accompanied by a forward collision sensor failure and limp mode on the highway. This can be frightening and dangerous, especially if it happens at speed.
Reports include engine failure requiring new ignition coils and spark plugs, followed by recurring acceleration issues, juddering, and check engine lights. Another owner described the power cutting out entirely while driving, leaving only steering and brakes.
This category repeats the same engine and infotainment complaints, suggesting owners are unsure where to file them. It highlights that electrical and engine problems are widespread enough to be reported under multiple categories.
“The contact owns a 2017 Honda Odyssey. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the alarm activated, and the contact attempted to turn off the alarm; however, the alarm failed to deactivate. The alarm went off for several hours before stopping. The co…”
“The infotainment screen will go blank and will no longer show the backup camera at all. The FAKRA recall was performed at the Honda dealership when I first purchased the car new. I did not have any significant issues until around July of 2026. First, the spea…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and unable to be removed even when the car is in Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering during acceleration with the check engine light on, pointing to transmission or engine management issues.
Complaints list multiple simultaneous failures—smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—all malfunctioning at once. Another owner cited subframe, driveline, and stability system problems, indicating complex electronic or structural faults.
A recurring complaint is a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the accelerator from a stop, which can be dangerous when merging. This hesitation has happened multiple times for some owners and may indicate a software or sensor issue.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow and sometimes a new switch that doesn't fix the problem. Owners also hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, which the manufacturer calls normal but owners find concerning.
“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 Odyssey — 81 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles. The second row outboard seats can slide sideways to one of two positions. If a seat is placed between either of the two positions when attaching the seat to the vehicle floor, the seat will not latch properly to…
The risk: If the seat tips forward during braking, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket to the second row outboard floor strikers, free of charge. The recall began April 2, 2018. Owners may contact American Honda Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138.…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Pilot, and 2019-2023 Passport vehicles. Due to a faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connector, the rearview camera image may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles…
The risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the MOST cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2023. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-21…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Odyssey and 2024 Acura RDX vehicles. The steering gear box assembly may not have been tightened properly, allowing water to enter the assembly and cause corrosion and binding gears.
The risk: Corroded and binding steering gears can result in a loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the electric power steering rack, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are LHU and FHT.
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 Odyssey or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has fewer complaints per year (about 206) than the Honda Odyssey (about 340), and fewer recalls (31 vs. 81). In practice, that means you're statistically less likely to encounter frequent repair visits with the Camry, but both vehicles have serious reported issues that require a careful inspection.
Key differences
- The Odyssey has far more electrical complaints, including alarms that won't stop and blank infotainment screens, while the Camry's top issue is power train problems like a stuck ignition key.
- Forward collision avoidance is a major Odyssey concern with reports of unintended braking and limp mode, whereas the Camry's safety system complaints involve multiple simultaneous malfunctions.
- The Odyssey has 81 recalls versus 31 for the Camry, meaning more potential safety fixes to track down.
- The Camry has a lower complaint rate per year, but its brake issues like the electronic parking brake failing to disengage can leave you stranded.
- Test the infotainment screen and backup camera thoroughly—look for blank screens or flickering, as owners report these failing.
- Check for any history of unintended braking or acceleration hesitation during a test drive, and ask if the forward collision avoidance system has been serviced.
- Try removing the key from the ignition multiple times to ensure it doesn't get stuck, especially after shifting into Park.
- Test the electronic parking brake by engaging and disengaging it several times, and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA's recall website to confirm all open recalls have been fixed, especially for the Odyssey's fuel pump and backup camera recalls.
- Ask for maintenance records showing regular oil changes and any repairs to ignition coils, spark plugs, or transmission components.
- During a test drive, pay attention to transmission shifting, acceleration response, and any warning lights on the dashboard.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the electrical system, brakes, and safety sensors for both models before purchase.
- Check for symptoms specific to each: Odyssey—alarm and infotainment glitches; Camry—key removal and parking brake operation.
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 Odyssey | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 38 | 0 |
| 2025 | 391 | 163 |
| 2024 | 109 | 50 |
| 2023 | 100 | 64 |
| 2022 | 136 | 61 |
| 2021 | 143 | 157 |
| 2020 | 474 | 274 |
| 2019 | 976 | 395 |
| 2018 | 993 | 744 |
| 2017 | 39 | 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 Odyssey or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Odyssey vs Toyota Camry
- Honda Odyssey total complaints
- 3,399
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Honda Odyssey total recalls
- 81
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Honda Odyssey avg complaints/year
- 339.9
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- Honda Odyssey top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN