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 has 617 complaints over 10 years (61.7/yr) with 16 recalls, while the Camry has 2143 complaints (214.3/yr) with 31 recalls. The RX's top issue is air bags (260) often linked to unintended acceleration, whereas the Camry's is powertrain (395) with transmission failures. 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 crossover that, in ownership terms, promises a refined, quiet ride. However, NHTSA data reveals a concerning pattern of sudden unintended acceleration reports, often linked to the air bag system's crash records, alongside electrical gremlins like parasitic battery drains and transmission harshness. Owners describe scary moments where the car accelerates on its own, which overshadows its premium image.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan known for efficiency and value. Yet, its complaint profile shows a high volume of powertrain issues, including transmission failures and grinding noises, as well as brake problems where the pedal goes unresponsive. Engine concerns like sudden acceleration and cooling system faults also appear, making it a vehicle that demands careful inspection despite its reputation.
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 | 617 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 73 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 61.7 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 65 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 RX
- 01AIR BAGS260
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER105
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM75
- 04ENGINE51
- 05STRUCTURE35
Owners report unintended acceleration incidents that lead to crashes, with air bags deploying. There are also complaints about the seat belt reminder not working for rear passengers, a safety feature that fails to alert.
Reports include a severe 12V battery drain that leaves the vehicle dead, and transmission shifting so harsh it feels like a safety hazard. These electrical issues can leave owners stranded or cause unexpected behavior.
Several complaints describe sudden, uncontrollable acceleration, even at low speeds like in a drive-thru, where brakes reportedly fail. Others mention hesitation or stuttering when pulling into traffic, which could lead to accidents.
“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 TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the transmission upon acceleration, with dealers recommending full replacement. Some also describe sudden acceleration when parking, where the car surges forward despite braking.
There are multiple reports of sudden, rapid acceleration that led to crashes, as well as engine warning lights related to a coolant bypass valve that may not be covered by recall for all VINs.
Complaints include a complete loss of brake response when descending a hill, and brakes that fail to stop the car during low-speed maneuvers, leading to collisions.
“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 RX — 16 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 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 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 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner…
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charg…
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 RX or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Lexus RX has far fewer complaints per year (61.7) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), suggesting a lower rate of reported issues. However, the RX's complaints are more alarming, focusing on unintended acceleration, which is a critical safety concern. In practice, the Camry's higher volume includes many minor issues, but the RX's pattern of sudden acceleration is more dangerous.
Key differences
- The Lexus RX has a higher proportion of air bag-related complaints (260) tied to crashes from unintended acceleration, while the Camry's top issue is powertrain (395) with transmission failures.
- The Camry has more brake complaints (290) including total brake failure, whereas the RX's brake issues are often mentioned in the context of unintended acceleration.
- The RX shows a pattern of electrical system problems like battery drain, while the Camry has more engine-related complaints (315) including sudden acceleration and cooling system faults.
- The RX has fewer complaints per year (61.7) than the Camry (214.3), but the RX's complaints are more likely to involve crashes and injuries.
- Test drive the RX at low speeds, especially in parking lots, to check for any surging or unintended acceleration.
- Inspect the 12V battery and electrical system for signs of parasitic drain, as multiple owners report dead batteries.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration, which could indicate a failing unit.
- Test the brakes on a hill and in slow maneuvers to ensure they respond properly, as some owners report complete loss of braking.
Before you buy
- Check NHTSA recall status for both vehicles and ensure all recalls are performed.
- For the RX, ask about any software updates related to unintended acceleration and verify the seat belt reminder works in all seats.
- For the Camry, have a mechanic inspect the transmission and brakes, and check for any engine codes like P268115.
- Review the vehicle's service history for any previous complaints or repairs related to the issues mentioned.
- Consider an extended warranty that covers electrical and powertrain components.
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 | 5 | 119 |
| 2025 | 22 | 153 |
| 2024 | 57 | 48 |
| 2023 | 65 | 62 |
| 2022 | 40 | 59 |
| 2021 | 277 | 155 |
| 2020 | 151 | 270 |
| 2019 | 0 | 393 |
| 2018 | 0 | 736 |
| 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
- 617
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Lexus RX total recalls
- 16
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Lexus RX avg complaints/year
- 61.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Lexus RX
- Lexus RX top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN