Head-to-head reliability
Lotus Evora vs Toyota Camry
How the Lotus Evora 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
Lotus Evora vs Toyota Camry: The Evora has 12 complaints and 4 recalls over 10 years, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints and 31 recalls. Evora issues include sudden power loss and suspension cracks; Camry issues include key stuck in Park and brake noise. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lotus Evora or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lotus Evora
The Lotus Evora is a low-volume sports car, so its 12 complaints over 10 years (about 1.2 per year) reflect a small owner base rather than a trouble-free record. The pattern is dominated by engine and suspension issues, including sudden power loss and rear suspension cracks. With only 4 recalls and 1 crash-related complaint, the Evora's problems tend to be serious but infrequent. Buyers should expect specialist maintenance and potentially long waits for parts.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume family sedan, and its 2,056 complaints over 10 years (about 206 per year) reflect that huge population. Common themes include power train hesitation, engine shuddering, brake noises, and electrical glitches. With 31 recalls, 171 crash-related complaints, and 158 injuries reported, the Camry's issues are more widespread but often less severe per incident. Buyers should expect a well-known set of recurring problems rather than rare, exotic failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lotus Evora | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 12 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.2 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.
Lotus Evora
- 01ENGINE7
- 02SUSPENSION5
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 04POWER TRAIN2
- 05STEERING2
Owners report the IPS wiring harness can cause random complete power loss, leaving the car in limp mode and unable to re-engage gear. Another complaint describes the engine shutting off while braking, making the brakes hard and steering lock, leading to a low-speed rear-end collision.
The rear upper control arm (wishbone) can develop a crack, allowing the spherical joint to slide under braking and acceleration. Owners also report a clunking sound from the rear suspension, which may indicate worn or failing components.
The same IPS wiring harness issue can trigger a malfunction indicator light and send the engine into shutdown mode within seconds. This can happen on the highway, leaving the driver to clear traffic without power.
Complaints link the IPS wiring harness to the car losing complete power and becoming locked out of gear, requiring a tow. Another report describes the car shutting off when shifted into neutral while braking, with steering lock and brake failure.
“IPS WIRING HARNESS ISSUE - VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD RANDOMLY LOSE COMPLETE POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING. VEHICLE STUCK IN THIS LIMP MODE ARE UNABLE TO GO BACK INTO GEAR AND IS LOCKED OUT FROM DRIVING, THUS REQUIRE THE VEHICLE T…”
“I WAS COMING TO A STOP, APPLYING THE BRAKES AND SHIFTED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. THE BRAKES BECAME ROCK HARD I HAD TO USE BOTH FEET TO SLOW THE CAR STEERING LOCKED AND I REAR ENDED THE CAR I FRONT OF ME AT 2-3 MPH. THE CAR WAS DAMAGED THE…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of 2023 Camrys report the ignition key getting stuck and not releasing even when the dashboard shows Park; the only fix is disconnecting the battery. Others describe hesitation and shuddering at various speeds with the check engine light on.
Complaints include a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the accelerator, making the car slow to move from a stop. Another owner reports hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light illuminated.
The electronic parking brake (EPB) may fail to disengage, requiring a tow and manual release; replacing the switch did not fix one owner's problem. Others hear a clicking or vibrating sound from the brake pedal area, which the manufacturer attributes to the ABS system.
One owner reported multiple systems failing at once: smart stop, vehicle stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, secondary collision brake, and lane keeping assistance. This suggests a broader electrical or sensor issue that can affect several safety features simultaneously.
“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.
Lotus Evora — 4 recalls
The defect: Lotus Cars USA, Inc. (Lotus) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Evora vehicles. The toe board in the passenger footwell lacks stiffness, allowing the knee of an unbelted occupant to contact the rigid structure of the vehicle, in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requ…
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the occupant's knee contacts the rigid structure, there may be an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Lotus will notify owners, and dealers will replace the toe board with a new design to provide the appropriate stiffness, free of charge. The recall began May 27, 2019. Owners may contact Lotus customer service at 1-800-245-6887. Lotus' num…
The defect: Lotus Cars is recalling certain model year 2013 Evora vehicles manufactured September 2012 through November 2012. These vehicles have been granted a temporary exemption from the requirement to conform to the latest passenger side advanced air bag requirements covered by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety…
The risk: An incorrect certification label may prevent the owner from determining recall applicability, potentially increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Lotus Cars will notify the owners instructing them to take their vehicle to a Lotus dealer. The federal compliance label will be replaced and an exemption label will be applied, free of charge. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may…
The defect: Lotus Cars USA, Inc. (Lotus) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Evora vehicles. The toe board in the passenger footwell lacks stiffness, allowing the knee of an unbelted occupant to contact the rigid structure of the vehicle, in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requ…
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the occupant's knee contacts the rigid structure, there may be an increased risk of injury.
The fix: Lotus will notify owners, and dealers will replace the toe board with a new design to provide the appropriate stiffness, free of charge. The recall began May 27, 2019. Owners may contact Lotus customer service at 1-800-245-6887. Lotus' num…
The defect: Lotus Cars Limited (Lotus) is recalling certain 2018 Lotus Evora vehicles. Due to an assembly error, in the event of a frontal collision, the steering column may not properly collapse to absorb some of the impact energy.
The risk: If the steering column does not collapse as intended in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Lotus will notify owners, and dealers will correct the steering column assembly, free of charge. The recall began December 4, 2018. Owners may contact Lotus customer service at 1-800-245-6887. Lotus' number for this recall is 2018/01R.
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
Lotus Evora or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Lotus Evora has far fewer complaints per year (about 1.2 vs. 206 for the Camry), but that is largely because so few were sold. In practice, the Evora's problems tend to be sudden and severe, like total power loss, while the Camry's are more frequent but often less catastrophic per incident. A buyer prioritizing low overall complaint volume might lean toward the Evora, but should be ready for specialist repairs.
Key differences
- The Evora has 12 complaints over 10 years, while the Camry has 2,056—but the Camry sold in far higher numbers, so per-vehicle risk is not directly comparable.
- Evora owners report sudden engine shutdown and rear suspension cracks; Camry owners report key stuck in ignition, throttle delay, and electronic parking brake failure.
- The Evora has 4 recalls and 1 crash-related complaint; the Camry has 31 recalls and 171 crash-related complaints, with 158 injuries reported.
- Camry complaints often involve multiple electrical systems failing together, while Evora complaints cluster around the IPS wiring harness and rear suspension.
- Check for any history of the IPS wiring harness issue, especially on automatic-transmission cars—ask if the harness has been replaced or if the car has ever lost power or gone into limp mode.
- Inspect the rear upper control arm (wishbone) for cracks or movement in the spherical joint, and listen for clunking from the rear suspension during a test drive.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park—if it sticks, the battery may need disconnecting, which is a known complaint on 2023 models.
- Check the electronic parking brake engagement and release, and listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area, which may indicate ABS or EPB issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and ask for any records of recalls or warranty repairs, especially for the Evora's IPS harness or the Camry's parking brake switch.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model—Lotus specialists for the Evora, Toyota-trained for the Camry.
- During the test drive, deliberately test for sudden power loss or hesitation by accelerating from a stop and at highway speeds.
- For the Evora, inspect the rear suspension on a lift for cracks or loose joints; for the Camry, test all electrical features including blind spot monitoring and lane keeping.
- Ask the seller directly if the car has ever been towed for a no-start or stuck-in-park condition, as these are common reported failures.
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 | Lotus Evora | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 157 |
| 2020 | 0 | 274 |
| 2019 | 0 | 395 |
| 2018 | 1 | 744 |
| 2017 | 3 | 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 Lotus Evora or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lotus Evora vs Toyota Camry
- Lotus Evora total complaints
- 12
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Lotus Evora total recalls
- 4
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Lotus Evora avg complaints/year
- 1.2
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Lotus Evora
- Lotus Evora top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN