Head-to-head reliability
Lexus RC vs Toyota Camry
How the Lexus RC 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 RC vs Toyota Camry: The RC averages 0.9 complaints per year over 10 years, while the Camry averages 214.3. The RC's main issue is a fuel pump recall with parts delays, while the Camry has transmission and brake failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus RC or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus RC
The Lexus RC is a low-volume sports coupe with a very low complaint rate, averaging under one per year over the past decade. Most owner complaints center on the fuel pump, which has been the subject of multiple recalls, leaving some vehicles waiting months for parts. Other issues include optical distortion in the side windows, a sunroof that shattered without impact, and brake pads that squeal. Overall, the RC shows a pattern of isolated but potentially serious defects rather than widespread problems.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume sedan with a complaint rate over 200 per year, reflecting its popularity and the breadth of issues reported. The most common complaints involve the powertrain, engine, and brakes, with owners describing grinding transmissions, sudden acceleration incidents, and brake failures. There are also many reports of HVAC odors and electrical glitches. While the sheer number of complaints is high, the Camry's issues span many systems and model years, suggesting a mix of minor annoyances and serious safety concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus RC | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 9 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.9 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 RC
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
- 03VISIBILITY/WIPER2
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1
- 05WHEELS1
Owners report the fuel pump failing, leading to stalling or no-start conditions. The vehicle may be towed to the dealer, and even after a recall is issued, parts can be backordered for months, leaving the car undrivable.
The front side window glass can have a severe optical distortion, appearing foggy or with a grid pattern, which impairs the driver's view, especially at night. This is a safety concern as it affects visibility.
Some owners report the sunroof shattering spontaneously while driving, with no external cause. Others mention issues like incorrect tire sizes from the dealer, which can affect handling and safety.
Brake pads can squeal persistently, and while the dealer may say it's normal, there is a service bulletin indicating a defect. The fix is to replace the pads, but owners may be told the brakes are fine.
“On March 26, 2026 my vehicle was towed to dealership and diagnosed with a bad fuel pump. On April 8 it was recalled for this pump. It has been sitting at the dealership since then, almost 4 months, with Lexus claiming they do not know when they can fix it due…”
“On March 26, 2026 my vehicle was towed to dealership and diagnosed with a bad fuel pump. On April 8 it was recalled for this pump. It has been sitting at the dealership since then, almost 4 months, with Lexus claiming they do not know when they can fix it due…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission issues are common, with owners reporting grinding noises and the need for complete transmission replacement. Some models have recalls for this, but parts may be on backorder, leaving cars in the shop.
There are reports of sudden unintended acceleration, leading to crashes. Additionally, engine codes like P268115 indicate a coolant valve bypass issue that may not be covered by recall for all VINs, causing safety concerns.
Brake failure is reported, such as the pedal going to the floor with no response, especially on hills. This is a critical safety issue that can lead to accidents.
HVAC systems can emit a strong vinegar or mildew odor, and AC condensers can be easily damaged by rocks. These are comfort and reliability issues that affect daily use.
“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 RC — 7 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Lexus RC, 2016-2020 GS, and 2022 IS vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 5, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available. Owners may contact Toyota's cust…
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 RC or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Lexus RC has far fewer complaints per year (0.9) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the RC's fuel pump problem can be severe and leave owners waiting for parts. In practice, the Camry's higher complaint volume reflects its larger sales and a wider range of problems, but the RC's issues are more concentrated and potentially more serious.
Key differences
- The Lexus RC has a very low complaint rate (0.9 per year) versus the Camry's 214.3 per year, but the RC's fuel pump issue can leave the car undrivable for months.
- The Camry has reports of sudden acceleration and brake failure, which are immediate safety hazards, while the RC's main safety concerns are visibility distortion and sunroof shattering.
- The Camry's transmission problems often require full replacement, whereas the RC's fuel pump is a recall item but parts are scarce.
- The RC's brake squeal is a nuisance, but the Camry's brake failure is a critical safety issue.
- Check for any open fuel pump recalls and ask if parts are available; if not, be prepared for a long wait.
- Inspect the side windows for optical distortion and the sunroof for any signs of stress or previous replacement.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during a test drive, especially on acceleration.
- Test the brakes on a hill to ensure they respond properly, and check for any warning lights related to the engine or coolant system.
Before you buy
- For the Lexus RC, verify the fuel pump recall status and ask the dealer for a loaner if parts are backordered.
- For the Toyota Camry, check the transmission fluid and have a mechanic inspect for any signs of transmission wear.
- On both vehicles, test the brakes at various speeds and on slopes to ensure they are responsive.
- Check the vehicle's VIN against NHTSA recall databases to see if all recalls have been performed.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection done by an independent mechanic, focusing on the specific problem areas mentioned.
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 RC | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 153 |
| 2024 | 0 | 48 |
| 2023 | 0 | 62 |
| 2022 | 2 | 59 |
| 2021 | 0 | 155 |
| 2020 | 1 | 270 |
| 2019 | 1 | 393 |
| 2018 | 1 | 736 |
| 2017 | 1 | 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 Lexus RC or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus RC vs Toyota Camry
- Lexus RC total complaints
- 9
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Lexus RC total recalls
- 7
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Lexus RC avg complaints/year
- 0.9
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Lexus RC
- Lexus RC top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN