Head-to-head reliability
Honda Vtx1800 vs Toyota Camry
How the Honda Vtx1800 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 Vtx1800 vs Toyota Camry: The VTX1800 averages 18.9 complaints per year, with rear bearing failures a common issue, while the Camry averages 214.3 complaints per year, including transmission and brake problems. The VTX1800 has 3 recalls, the Camry 31. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Honda Vtx1800 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Honda Vtx1800
The Honda VTX1800 is a large cruiser motorcycle that owners tend to keep for years, but the complaint record shows a persistent weak point in the rear wheel bearing assembly. Many owners report discovering failed bearings during routine tire changes, often at relatively low mileage, which can lead to unsafe riding conditions if not caught early. The bike also has some engine stalling reports and a few recalls, but the rear bearing issue dominates the ownership experience.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan with a high volume of complaints, but that's partly because so many are on the road. The complaints cover a wide range of issues, from transmission noises and sudden acceleration reports to brake failures and air conditioning problems. While some issues are serious, many are isolated or tied to specific model years, and the recall list includes items like air bag sensors and wheel lug nuts that are less critical than engine or brake failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Honda Vtx1800 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 132 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 18.9 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 | 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 Vtx1800
- 01POWER TRAIN37
- 02SUSPENSION34
- 03WHEELS21
- 04ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12
- 05STRUCTURE11
Owners report rear driven flange bearing failure, where the small bearings in the rear wheel hub become rough, hard to spin, or completely destroyed, sometimes with metal pieces and seal bulging. This can lead to wheel wobble or seizing, a serious safety risk.
Many complaints about rear bearing failure are filed under suspension because the issue affects wheel stability. Owners note premature wear at low mileage (e.g., 13,500 miles) and that the inner bearing can be completely destroyed, requiring replacement.
Odd tire wear, such as tread worn down to cords on one side, is reported, often linked to the failing flange bearing. This can cause a blowout risk if not addressed promptly.
Some owners report the motorcycle stalling at highway speeds, such as at 70 mph, which can be dangerous if it happens in traffic. The cause isn't detailed in the sample, but it's a notable engine issue.
“(1) 2003 HONDA VTX 1800C MOTORCYCLE REAR DRIVEN FLANGE BEARING FAILURE. WHEN REMOVING TIRE/WHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT, (2) I DISCOVERED THE SMALL BEARINGS PRESSED INTO THE DRIVEN FLANGE (MOUNTED ON REAR WHEEL) WERE VERY ROUGH AND HARD TO SPIN, USING…”
“I WAS REMOVING REAR WHEEL ON MY 2003 HONDA VTX C MODEL TO REPLACE WORN TIRE AND WITH THE WHEEL OFF I DID A CHECK OF THE WHEEL BEARINGS. I FREQUENTLY VISIT THE HONDA VTX OWNERS SITE TO KEEP UP ON MAINTENANCE ISSUES AND HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OTHER OWNER HAVE HAD…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Complaints include grinding noises from the front end upon acceleration, with dealers confirming transmission issues that may require replacement. Some owners mention recalls for similar problems on certain model years, but not all VINs are covered.
Air conditioning problems are common, including condenser damage from rocks and a recurring vinegar/mildew odor from the vents. These are not safety issues but can be annoying and costly to fix.
There are reports of sudden unintended acceleration, which is alarming, but these are relatively rare. Also, some owners get engine codes like P268115 related to a coolant valve bypass, which may be a recall issue but not for their specific VIN.
Some owners report a complete loss of brake response, such as when pressing the pedal on a hill and getting no braking action. This is a critical safety concern, though it appears to be sporadic.
“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 Vtx1800 — 3 recalls
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. A TRANSMISSION CIRCLIP WAS NOT SEATED CORRECTLY AND COULD ALLOW GEARS TO LOCK.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A REAR-WHEEL LOCKUP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION ON THESE MOTORCYCLES. ALL OWNERS WERE CONTACTED BY TELEPHONE AND ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THIS CAMPAIGN IS 100% COMPLETED.
The defect: HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 VTX1800 MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 14 AND OCTOBER 4, 2001. THE SWINGARM MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY WELDED.
The risk: THE SWINGARM COULD BREAK WHILE RIDINGCAUSING THE RIDER TO LOSE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN CRASH.
The fix: HONDA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELD AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE SWINGARM FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA MOTORCYCLE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-866-784-1870.
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, THE WASHER FOR THE SIDE STAND SPRING BOLT DOES NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT HARNESS AND COULD DEFORM, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO FLEX AND EVENTUALLY BREAK DURING SIDE STAND OPERATION.
The risk: A RETRACTED SIDE STAND COULD DROP WHILE RIDING, POSSIBLY ACTIVATING THE SIDE STAND IGNITION CUT-OFF SYSTEM. IF THE IGNITION IS CUT, THE ENGINE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED WASHER AND A NEW SPRING BOLT AND NUT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 30, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-866-784-1870.
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 Vtx1800 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Honda VTX1800 has far fewer complaints per year (18.9 vs 214.3), but its issues are concentrated on a single critical component—the rear wheel bearing—which can lead to dangerous failures. The Camry has more complaints overall, but they are spread across many systems, and while some are serious, they are less predictable. In practice, the VTX1800 requires vigilant rear bearing checks, while the Camry demands attention to a broader range of potential problems.
Key differences
- The VTX1800's most common issue is rear flange bearing failure, which can cause wheel seizure; the Camry's top issues include transmission noises and brake loss, but they are less frequent relative to the number of vehicles.
- The VTX1800 has only 3 recalls, while the Camry has 31, but the Camry's recalls are mostly for non-critical items like air bag sensors and labels.
- The VTX1800 has 2 deaths reported, the Camry has 1, but the VTX1800's deaths are likely linked to the bearing failures; the Camry's single death is not clearly tied to a specific defect.
- The VTX1800's complaints are heavily concentrated in power train and suspension (71 of 132), whereas the Camry's are more evenly distributed across many categories.
- Inspect the rear wheel bearings for roughness, play, or signs of grease leakage; many owners found failures during tire changes.
- Check for uneven rear tire wear, which can indicate bearing problems.
- Listen for grinding noises from the front end during acceleration, which could signal transmission trouble.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on a hill, to ensure there's no loss of pressure or response.
Before you buy
- For the VTX1800: have a mechanic remove the rear wheel and spin the bearings; replace them if they feel rough or have any play.
- For the VTX1800: check the rear tire for uneven wear patterns and replace if worn to cords.
- For the Camry: ask for service records related to transmission recalls or repairs; check if the VIN is covered by any open recalls.
- For the Camry: test the air conditioning for odors and have the condenser inspected for damage.
- For both: get a pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic who knows these vehicles.
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 Vtx1800 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Honda Vtx1800 vs Toyota Camry
- Honda Vtx1800 total complaints
- 132
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Honda Vtx1800 total recalls
- 3
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Honda Vtx1800 avg complaints/year
- 18.9
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Honda Vtx1800
- Honda Vtx1800 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN