Head-to-head reliability
Lexus RZ vs Toyota Camry
How the Lexus RZ 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 RZ vs Toyota Camry: The RZ has 43 complaints over 4 years (10.8/year) and 7 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. The RZ reports electrical issues like range loss; the Camry reports power train and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lexus RZ or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lexus RZ
The Lexus RZ is an electric SUV with a short four-year complaint history averaging about 11 complaints per year. Most owner reports center on the electrical system, especially winter battery range loss and sudden propulsion loss at 0% charge. There are also door latch failures and HVAC problems that can leave the cabin cold. With 7 recalls and 3 crash-related complaints but no injuries or deaths, it's a newer model with a small but concerning pattern of electric-specific issues.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a long-running midsize sedan with a much larger complaint history: over 2,000 complaints across 10 years, averaging about 206 per year. Owners report power train problems like shuddering, hesitation, and key-stuck-in-ignition issues, plus engine throttle delays and brake noises. There are 31 recalls, 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and 1 death. This is a high-volume vehicle with a broad range of reported problems, though many are common to popular cars.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lexus RZ | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 43 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 10.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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 RZ
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM29
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 03LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES6
- 04POWER TRAIN2
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
Owners of 2024 RZ 300e report severe battery range loss in cold weather, requiring excessive charging. Another 2025 RZ 300e owner experienced sudden propulsion loss when the battery hit 0% with only a soft alert. These issues can strand you or leave you with little warning.
A 2026 RZ 450e owner reported the driver's side door failed to respond when trying to start the vehicle, with no warning light. This could prevent entry or exit in an emergency.
A 2023 RZ 450e owner had an unresolved HVAC failure affecting cabin heating, impacting cold-weather safety. Another 2023 RZ 450 owner reported the vehicle failed to shift out of park and then had an issue when driving. These can affect basic operation.
The sudden propulsion loss at 0% state of charge is also filed under this category, highlighting a dangerous loss of power with minimal warning. Buyers should be aware of this potential failure mode.
“I am reporting a safety concern involving a 2024 Lexus RZ300e related to battery range performance and charging requirements in cold weather. In real-world winter conditions in Massachusetts, the vehicle experiences severe range loss, requiring excessive and…”
“I am reporting a safety concern involving a 2024 Lexus RZ300e related to battery range performance and charging requirements in cold weather. In real-world winter conditions in Massachusetts, the vehicle experiences severe range loss, requiring excessive and…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
2023 Camry owners report the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnect to remove. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on. These can leave you unable to secure or drive the car normally.
Owners report delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with several seconds of lag before the car moves. This hesitation can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow. Also, a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is reported, which the manufacturer calls normal but owners find concerning.
Multiple systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. Another report lists subframe, driveline, and stability control issues. These widespread failures can compromise safety.
“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 RZ — 7 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2025 bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra vehicles. During certain HVAC system faults, such as electrical compressor failure, the defroster and defogger system may become inoperative.
The risk: An inoperative defroster and defogger system can decrease the driver's visibility under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the HVAC control ECU software, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect the electrical compressor, and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2025. Owners may conta…
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 2026 Toyota BZ, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra battery electric vehicles. The electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the high voltage battery may experience a fault, resulting in a loss of drive power.
The risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the battery ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 17, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26LA07 and 26TA11. S…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2025 bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra vehicles. During certain HVAC system faults, such as electrical compressor failure, the defroster and defogger system may become inoperative.
The risk: An inoperative defroster and defogger system can decrease the driver's visibility under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the HVAC control ECU software, free of charge. Dealers will also inspect the electrical compressor, and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2025. Owners may conta…
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 RZ or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Lexus RZ has far fewer complaints per year (about 11) than the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the RZ's issues often involve sudden propulsion loss or cold-weather range problems that can be dangerous. The Camry's higher volume means more reported problems overall, including 158 injuries and 1 death, though many are common to high-production cars. In practice, the RZ may have fewer visits to the dealer, but its electric-specific failures can be more severe when they occur.
Key differences
- The Lexus RZ has 43 complaints over 4 years (10.8/year) vs. the Toyota Camry's 2,056 over 10 years (205.6/year), but the RZ's electrical issues can cause sudden power loss.
- The RZ has 7 recalls and 3 crash-related complaints with no injuries; the Camry has 31 recalls, 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and 1 death.
- RZ owners report battery range loss in cold weather and door latch failures; Camry owners report stuck ignition keys, engine hesitation, and brake problems.
- The RZ's most common complaint area is electrical system (29), while the Camry's is power train (385), reflecting different failure patterns.
- Check for any history of battery range loss or charging issues, especially if you live in a cold climate; ask for a battery health report.
- Test the driver's side door latch and all door locks to ensure they respond properly, as failures have been reported.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park and ensure it doesn't stick; also check for any hesitation or shuddering during a test drive.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and verify the electronic parking brake engages and disengages smoothly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on both models.
- For the Lexus RZ, ask for a battery state-of-health report and test drive in cold conditions if possible.
- For the Toyota Camry, test the ignition key removal, throttle response, and brake pedal feel during a test drive.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the specific components mentioned in complaints (electrical system for RZ, power train and brakes for Camry).
- Verify that all safety systems (door locks, brakes, stability control) function correctly before purchase.
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 RZ | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 18 | 0 |
| 2025 | 4 | 163 |
| 2024 | 10 | 50 |
| 2023 | 11 | 64 |
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 RZ or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lexus RZ vs Toyota Camry
- Lexus RZ total complaints
- 43
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Lexus RZ total recalls
- 7
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Lexus RZ avg complaints/year
- 10.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Lexus RZ
- Lexus RZ top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN