Head-to-head reliability
Lucid AIR vs Toyota Camry
How the Lucid AIR 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
Lucid AIR vs Toyota Camry: The Lucid AIR averages 16.4 complaints per year with 47 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. Lucid owners report sudden power loss; Camry owners report transmission shudder and brake noise. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Lucid AIR or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Lucid AIR
The Lucid AIR is an electric luxury sedan with a relatively short 5-year complaint history. It averages about 16.4 complaints per year, but the pattern is concerning: many owners report sudden power loss or drive system faults that can leave the car crawling or stranded. With 47 recalls and 17 crash-related complaints, it's a high-tech vehicle that demands patience and vigilance.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream midsize sedan with a long 10-year complaint record. It averages about 205.6 complaints per year, but that's spread over many more vehicles on the road. Owners frequently report transmission shudder, engine hesitation, and brake noises, though most issues are less likely to cause sudden loss of power. With 31 recalls and 171 crash-related complaints, it's a known quantity with familiar problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Lucid AIR | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 82 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 47 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 17 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 16.4 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 9 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.
Lucid AIR
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM26
- 02POWER TRAIN19
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER17
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE14
- 05SERVICE BRAKES10
Owners report sudden 'System Failure' warnings and total power loss while driving, sometimes at highway speeds, leading to deceleration and loss of propulsion. The car may also take 30 seconds to unlock or wake up, which is frustrating and potentially dangerous in an emergency.
Complaints include 'Drive System Fault' messages that cut acceleration, leaving the car unable to accelerate or move faster than a crawl. This can happen without warning and may require a tow, making the car unreliable for daily driving.
Some owners report unintended acceleration or braking issues, including a case where the car moved unexpectedly while in Auto-Hold mode. This raises concerns about the reliability of driver-assist features that are supposed to prevent accidents.
Brake-related complaints are less common but include issues with the braking system that could affect stopping performance. Given the car's high power and weight, any brake problem is a safety concern.
“2022 Lucid Air suffered a total loss of power without any warning at approximately 10 PM on July 29, 2023, while driving 65+ mph on the Jersey Turnpike. The car’s dashboard suddenly flashed “System Failure” and immediately started to decelerate. I had approxi…”
“Q: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? A: Car lost all ability to move forward except for a very weak crawl of 1 or 2 miles per hour. The car is with the manufacturer at this point. Q: How was you…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent ignition key stuck in Park, transmission hesitation and shuddering, and delayed throttle response. These issues can leave you unable to remove the key or cause jerky acceleration, affecting daily drivability.
Complaints include several-second delays in throttle response when pressing the accelerator, and engine hesitation with check engine lights. This can make merging or pulling out into traffic feel risky.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear clicking or vibrating noises from the ABS system. Brake problems can be costly and inconvenient.
Multiple systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. This suggests electrical gremlins that may be hard to diagnose and fix.
“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.
Lucid AIR — 47 recalls
The defect: Lucid USA, Inc. (Lucid) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Air vehicles equipped with Pure Rear-Wheel Drive. Improperly secured bolts may allow the half-shaft to disconnect from the drive unit.
The risk: A disconnected half shaft can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Lucid will remove, inspect, and install new bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Lucid at 1-888-995-8243. Lucid's number for this recall is SR-25-03-0.
The defect: Lucid USA, Inc. (Lucid) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Air vehicles operating a software version prior to 2.8.0. The lower console display may fail to show a rearview camera image or may show a delayed, inaccurate image of what is behind the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the…
The risk: A rearview image that does not appear or fails to accurately depict behind the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Lucid has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3, 2025. Owners may contact Lucid at 1-888-995-8243. Lucid's number for this recall is SR-25-04-0. The information in…
The defect: Lucid USA, Inc. (Lucid) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Air Pure rear wheel drive vehicles. The rear subframe wiring harness may be too short, straining the electrical connection and causing power loss to the rear drive unit (RDU).
The risk: A loss of power to the rear drive unit can result in a complete loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Lucid will replace the wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2024. Owners may contact Lucid at 1-888-995-8243. Lucid's number for this recall is SR-24-05-0.
The defect: Lucid USA, Inc. (Lucid) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Air vehicles equipped with an AD02 package and operating a software version from 2.8.0 through 2.8.16. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements…
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: Lucid has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 4, 2026. Owners may contact Lucid at 1-888-995-8243. Lucid's number for this recall is SR-26-01-0.
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
Lucid AIR or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Lucid AIR has far fewer complaints per year (16.4 vs. 205.6), but its issues often involve sudden power loss that can strand you. The Toyota Camry has more complaints overall, but many are chronic annoyances like transmission shudder or brake noise. In practice, the Lucid may leave you unexpectedly immobile, while the Camry is more likely to keep running but with persistent quirks.
Key differences
- Lucid AIR owners report sudden total power loss and 'Drive System Fault' messages, while Camry owners report transmission shudder and delayed throttle response.
- The Lucid AIR has 47 recalls in 5 years, often for software and driveline issues; the Camry has 31 recalls over 10 years, including airbag and seat defects.
- Camry complaints frequently mention brake noise and electronic parking brake failure, while Lucid complaints include forward collision avoidance malfunctions.
- Lucid's electrical issues can cause the car to become undrivable without warning, whereas Camry's electrical issues often involve multiple systems failing at once but rarely stop the car immediately.
- Check for any history of 'System Failure' or 'Drive System Fault' warnings, and ask if the car has ever lost power or needed a software update for the propulsion system.
- Test the keyless entry and wake-up time; if it takes more than a few seconds to unlock, it may indicate a persistent electrical issue.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; if it sticks, it could be a recurring power train defect requiring battery disconnection.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and check if the electronic parking brake disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the NHTSA website for the specific VIN.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to feel for hesitation, shuddering, or power loss.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system and scan for stored fault codes, especially for the Lucid's propulsion and driver-assist systems.
- For the Camry, specifically test the key removal, throttle response, and parking brake operation.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any software updates or recalls have been performed.
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 | Lucid AIR | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 0 |
| 2025 | 14 | 163 |
| 2024 | 10 | 50 |
| 2023 | 28 | 64 |
| 2022 | 24 | 61 |
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 Lucid AIR or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Lucid AIR vs Toyota Camry
- Lucid AIR total complaints
- 82
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Lucid AIR total recalls
- 47
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Lucid AIR avg complaints/year
- 16.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Lucid AIR
- Lucid AIR top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN