Head-to-head reliability
Lexus RX vs Toyota Camry
How the Lexus RX 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 RX vs Toyota Camry: The RX averages 63.5 complaints per year and 17 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year and 31 recalls. The RX has 0 reported deaths, the Camry 1. Both show serious issues like unintended acceleration (RX) and brake problems (Camry). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus RX or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus RX
The Lexus RX is a luxury SUV that averages about 64 complaints per year over the past decade, with 17 recalls. The most common owner complaints involve air bags, electrical system glitches, and engine issues. Many reports describe unintended acceleration, 12-volt battery drain, and turbo wastegate problems. While the RX has fewer complaints than the Camry, the nature of some issues—like sudden acceleration—can be alarming.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume: about 206 per year over 10 years, plus 31 recalls. Power train, engine, and brake problems dominate owner reports. Common symptoms include hesitation, shuddering, stuck ignition keys, and brake noises. The Camry's higher complaint count reflects its larger sales volume, but also points to a wider range of recurring issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus RX | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 635 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 73 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 63.5 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 67 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.
Lexus RX
- 01AIR BAGS260
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER107
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM83
- 04ENGINE51
- 05STRUCTURE37
Owners report unintended acceleration leading to crashes, and failure of rear seat belt reminders. These are serious safety concerns that could affect crash outcomes.
Multiple complaints describe a parasitic 12-volt battery drain that can leave the vehicle dead after sitting, sometimes within weeks of purchase. This can strand drivers and require jump-starts.
Some owners report a check engine light with a turbocharger wastegate actuator stuck code, causing power loss or drive-start control malfunction. This can lead to expensive repairs.
Reports include sudden power loss when using seat coolers and uncontrollable acceleration in drive-thrus. These unpredictable events can be frightening and dangerous.
“The contact owns a 2025 Lexus RX 350. The contact stated that while driving into a parking space, the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove forward at a high rate of speed before crashing into the brick wall of an office building. Dur…”
“The car does not alert when a seat belt is not worn in the back seats. This feature is mentioned in the owner's manual, but the car fails to alert when a rear passenger does not buckle their seat belt. I have raised the complaint twice and proved to lexus ser…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners describe intermittent ignition key stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnect to remove, and hesitation/shuddering with check engine light. These can leave you unable to secure or drive the car normally.
Complaints include delayed throttle response—several seconds before the car moves after pressing the gas. This lag can be a safety risk when merging or crossing traffic.
Reports of electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring towing, and clicking/vibrating noises from the ABS system. Brake issues directly affect stopping ability and driver confidence.
Multiple system malfunctions at once—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—have been reported. Such failures can overwhelm a driver and reduce vehicle control.
“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.
Lexus RX — 17 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Camry, 2019 Lexus NX300, and 2019 RX350L 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. Owner notification letters were mailed March 12, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TA01 and 25LA01.
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 2022-2025 Lexus NX350, NX250, 2023-2026 RX350, and 2024-2026 TX350 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federa…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the rearview camera software or replace the rearview camera, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2026 Lexus TX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX350, RX500 Hybrid, TX500 Hybrid, Toyota Grand Highlander, and Grand Highlander Hybrid vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front steering knuckles may crack and break, which can result in…
The risk: A loss of vehicle steering control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckles, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's num…
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
Lexus RX or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Lexus RX has far fewer complaints per year (about 64 vs. 206 for the Camry), but both have serious reported issues. In practice, the RX may require less frequent dealer visits, but its unintended acceleration reports are particularly concerning. The Camry's higher volume means more chances of encountering a problem, though many are less severe.
Key differences
- Lexus RX has about 64 complaints per year vs. Camry's 206, but RX reports include unintended acceleration and battery drain.
- Camry complaints often involve power train (stuck key, hesitation) and brakes (EPB failure, ABS noise), while RX complaints center on air bags and electrical glitches.
- Both have recalls, but Camry has 31 vs. RX's 17 over 10 years, covering seats, air bag sensors, and wheels.
- RX has 0 deaths reported in complaints, while Camry has 1 death, though this does not prove safety differences.
- Check for any history of unintended acceleration or sudden power loss—ask if the car has had software updates or recalls for fuel pump or back-over prevention.
- Test the 12-volt battery health and look for signs of parasitic drain, especially on hybrid models; a dead battery after sitting is a common complaint.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park—if it sticks, it may need a costly repair; also listen for brake pedal clicking or vibration.
- Check for delayed throttle response during a test drive; hesitation or shuddering with a check engine light could indicate power train issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for fuel pump, air bags, and back-over prevention.
- Have a mechanic inspect the battery and charging system on the Lexus RX, and the brakes and transmission on the Toyota Camry.
- During a test drive, specifically test acceleration from a stop, brake feel, and all electronic systems (seat belts, parking brake, infotainment).
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any unintended acceleration or stalling incidents have occurred.
- Check NHTSA.gov for open recalls by VIN before purchase and ensure they are fixed.
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 RX | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9 | 0 |
| 2025 | 24 | 163 |
| 2024 | 59 | 50 |
| 2023 | 66 | 64 |
| 2022 | 42 | 61 |
| 2021 | 281 | 157 |
| 2020 | 154 | 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 Lexus RX or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus RX vs Toyota Camry
- Lexus RX total complaints
- 635
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Lexus RX total recalls
- 17
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Lexus RX avg complaints/year
- 63.5
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Lexus RX
- Lexus RX top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN