Head-to-head reliability
Lexus LC vs Toyota Camry
How the Lexus LC 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
Lexus LC vs Toyota Camry: The LC has only 10 complaints over 9 years (1.1/yr) and no crashes, while the Camry has 2,143 complaints over 10 years (214.3/yr) with 181 crashes. The LC's main issue is door handles, while the Camry has transmission, brake, and engine problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus LC or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus LC
The Lexus LC is a low-volume luxury coupe/convertible with a very low complaint rate over its first nine years—about one per year. The few reports that exist cluster around door handles/actuators that can fail when water gets in, which could leave you unable to open a door. There are also isolated reports of a radiator vulnerability to rocks and a brief fuel-system stumble. Overall, it's a car that seems to be built well, but the door-handle issue is a known, recurring problem across many model years.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume sedan with a much higher complaint count—over 2,000 in ten years—but that's partly because so many are on the road. The complaints cover a wide range of issues, but the most frequent are in the powertrain (including transmission failures and grinding), engine (including sudden acceleration reports and coolant valve problems), and service brakes (including loss of braking). There are also many reports of HVAC odors and rock damage to the AC condenser. With 31 recalls and 181 crash-related complaints, it's a car that has had more safety-related issues reported.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus LC | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 10 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.1 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Lexus LC
- 01STRUCTURE5
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
- 04ENGINE1
Owners report that water intrusion can cause the door handles/actuators to fail, potentially leaving you unable to open the door from inside or outside. This is a known issue across 2018-2025 models, so it's worth checking on any LC you consider.
One owner reported that a rock can penetrate the large grille and puncture the radiator, leading to overheating on a busy highway. This suggests the front-end design may leave the cooling system exposed to debris.
A single report describes the car shuddering and almost stalling when pulling away from a gas station. While isolated, it hints at a possible fuel-delivery or engine-management glitch that could be unnerving.
“GOOD DAY GENTLEMEN: THIS REPORT IS CONCERNING A KNOWN, ONGOING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH LEXUS LC500 CARS FROM 2018 UP TO AND INCLUDING 2025 COUPES AND CONVERTIBLES. THE PROBLEM CONCERNS THE DOOR HANDLES/ACTUATORS. APPARENTLY WATER SEEMS TO BE TH…”
“GOOD DAY GENTLEMEN: THIS REPORT IS CONCERNING A KNOWN, ONGOING AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH LEXUS LC500 CARS FROM 2018 UP TO AND INCLUDING 2025 COUPES AND CONVERTIBLES. THE PROBLEM CONCERNS THE DOOR HANDLES/ACTUATORS. APPARENTLY WATER SEEMS TO BE TH…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Many owners report grinding noises from the front end during acceleration, with dealers confirming the transmission needs replacement. Some note that 2021 Camrys have recalls for the same issue, and parts may be on backorder.
There are multiple reports of sudden, unintended acceleration, including one that led to a crash and totaled the car. Separately, some owners get a code for a coolant bypass valve that is under recall for some VINs but not theirs, leaving them with a potential safety issue.
Owners describe pressing the brake pedal with no response, such as on a steep hill with curves, forcing them to use the emergency brake or other means to stop. This is a critical safety concern that needs immediate attention.
A common complaint is a strong vinegar/mildew odor from the AC vents when the weather warms up. Also, the AC condenser is easily damaged by rocks that get through the shield, leading to expensive repairs.
“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.
Lexus LC — 3 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Mirai, Lexus LS500, LS500H, 2023-2024 Lexus ES250, ES300H, ES350, 2024 Lexus LC500, and LC500H vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Due to incorrect programming of the parking-assist electronic cont…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TA01 and 24LA0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
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
Lexus LC or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Lexus LC has far fewer complaints per year (1.1 vs 214.3) and no crash-related reports, making it a much lower-risk vehicle in terms of reported issues. The Camry's higher volume of complaints, including serious safety concerns like brake failure and sudden acceleration, means you're more likely to encounter problems. In practice, the LC offers peace of mind but at a higher price, while the Camry is more common and cheaper to fix but has a higher chance of needing major repairs.
Key differences
- The LC has a recurring door-handle/actuator problem due to water intrusion, while the Camry has more widespread transmission failures and grinding noises.
- The Camry has reports of sudden unintended acceleration and brake failure, which are serious safety issues; the LC has no crash-related complaints.
- The Camry's AC system is prone to odors and rock damage to the condenser, while the LC's radiator can be punctured by rocks through the grille.
- The LC has only 3 recalls (all for backup camera display), while the Camry has 31 recalls covering airbags, seats, wheels, and more.
- Test all door handles from inside and out, and check for any signs of water leaks or prior repairs to the door handle actuators.
- Inspect the front grille and radiator for any damage or aftermarket modifications that might increase vulnerability to rocks.
- Listen for grinding noises during acceleration and have the transmission inspected by a trusted mechanic; check if any transmission recalls apply.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including on a hill, and look for any warning lights or previous brake-related complaints.
Before you buy
- For the LC: check the door handles for smooth operation and ask if the dealer has addressed the water intrusion issue.
- For the Camry: verify the VIN against open recalls, especially for transmission, airbags, and brakes.
- For the Camry: have a mechanic inspect the transmission and brakes, and check for any signs of sudden acceleration issues.
- For both: get a vehicle history report to see if any of the reported issues have been previously repaired.
- For the LC: consider a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the cooling system and front-end integrity.
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 | Lexus LC | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 119 |
| 2025 | 0 | 153 |
| 2024 | 6 | 48 |
| 2023 | 0 | 62 |
| 2022 | 0 | 59 |
| 2021 | 1 | 155 |
| 2020 | 1 | 270 |
| 2019 | 0 | 393 |
| 2018 | 2 | 736 |
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 Lexus LC or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus LC vs Toyota Camry
- Lexus LC total complaints
- 10
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Lexus LC total recalls
- 3
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Lexus LC avg complaints/year
- 1.1
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Lexus LC
- Lexus LC top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN