Head-to-head reliability
Maserati Ghibli vs Toyota Camry
How the Maserati Ghibli 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
Maserati Ghibli vs Toyota Camry: The Ghibli averages 6.1 complaints per year with 61 total, while the Camry averages 205.6 per year with 2056 total. The Ghibli has 26 recalls and 6 crash-related complaints; the Camry has 31 recalls and 171 crash-related complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Maserati Ghibli or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Maserati Ghibli
The Maserati Ghibli is a low-volume luxury sedan that averages about 6.1 complaints per year over the past decade, with 61 total complaints and 26 recalls. Owners frequently report power train, electrical, and engine problems, including transmission slipping, unintended acceleration, and sudden engine seizure. These issues can lead to expensive repairs and long dealership visits, as one owner noted 62 days out for service.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume family sedan with about 205.6 complaints per year over the past decade, totaling 2056 complaints and 31 recalls. Common owner-reported problems include power train hesitation, brake noise, and electrical glitches, but many are addressed by recalls or dealer fixes. With 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries reported, some issues can be serious, though the Camry remains a popular choice.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Maserati Ghibli | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 61 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 6 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 6.1 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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.
Maserati Ghibli
- 01POWER TRAIN12
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
- 03ENGINE10
- 04VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10
- 05SERVICE BRAKES8
Owners report transmission noise, slipping gears, and failure to accelerate properly, sometimes after a recall flash. One complaint describes a loud clunk on the steering and transmission, requiring repeated dealer visits.
Multiple owners report unintended acceleration, where the car accelerates on its own without warning. This can be dangerous and has led to crashes, with some cases occurring shortly after purchase.
There are reports of sudden engine seizure while driving, causing a complete loss of power. This can leave a driver stranded in traffic and may require a full engine replacement.
Complaints include independent acceleration to high speeds, such as 120 mph, even when the brake pedal is pressed. This suggests a serious malfunction in the speed control system that could lead to loss of control.
“I HAVE COMPLAINING TO THE DEALER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR ABOUT NOISE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND TRANSMISSION. THE CAR SINCE PURCHASED ON 2016 HAS BEEN OUT FOR SERVICE 62 DAYS. I REPORTED SEVERAL TIMES A LOUD KLUNK NOISE ON THE STEERING AND ON THE , TOOK IT TO R…”
“AFTER 365 IGNITION FLASH RECALL, THE CAR STARTED TO FAIL TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY ON DEMAND WHILE IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY. I FELT LIKE THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING, DID NOT ENGAGE THE PROPER GEAR ON ACCELERATION. CAUSING THE CAR TO LOOSE SPEED INSTEAD OF INCREASING S…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent issues like the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, often with a check engine light.
Some owners experience delayed throttle response, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second delay before the car moves. This can be a safety concern when merging or crossing traffic.
Complaints include the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Others report a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, which dealers may call normal but owners find concerning.
Multiple systems can malfunction at once, including stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring. One owner reported several safety systems failing simultaneously while driving at night.
“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.
Maserati Ghibli — 26 recalls
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2018 Maserati Quattroporte, Ghibli, and Levante vehicles. The welds on the front sub frame may be incomplete, which can result in the welds breaking.
The risk: If the welds fracture, it can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Maserati will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the sub frame for incomplete welds, replacing the sub frame, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 29, 2018. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2…
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2018 Maserati Quattroporte and Ghibli vehicles. These vehicles have a fuel delivery pipe in the engine compartment that may leak fuel at the connections.
The risk: A fuel leak within the engine compartment increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Maserati will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuel delivery line kit, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737. Maserati's number for thi…
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain 2017 Quattroporte vehicles equipped with V6 engines and Maserati Ghibli vehicles. Due to an engine software problem, at slow speeds such as stop-and-go traffic, the transmission may unexpectedly shift into neutral or park, or the engine m…
The risk: If the transmission shifts into neutral or park unexpectedly, or if the engine shuts down without warning, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Maserati will notify owners, and dealers will re-flash the software for the engine control module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 2018. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737. Maserati's number…
The defect: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain model year 2017 Quattroporte and Ghibli vehicles manufactured July 1, 2016, to October 12, 2016. The rear differential unit pinion nut may not have been properly tightened, allowing the pinion nut to loosen.
The risk: A loose pinion gear may bind, possibly resulting in the rear wheels locking up and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Maserati will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear differential unit pinion nut torque, and, as necessary, replace the rear differential unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 30, 2016. Owners may contact Maserati c…
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
Maserati Ghibli or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Maserati Ghibli has far fewer complaints per year (6.1) compared to the Toyota Camry (205.6), but the Ghibli's issues often involve severe failures like engine seizure and unintended acceleration. The Camry's higher complaint volume reflects its much larger sales, yet many problems are less catastrophic and more likely to be covered by recalls. In practice, the Ghibli may spend more time in the shop for major repairs, while the Camry may have more frequent but often less severe annoyances.
Key differences
- The Ghibli has 61 complaints over 10 years, while the Camry has 2056, but the Camry sells in far higher numbers, so per-vehicle complaint rates are not directly comparable.
- Ghibli owners report severe issues like engine seizure and unintended acceleration to 120 mph, whereas Camry complaints often involve hesitation, brake noise, and electronic parking brake failures.
- The Ghibli has 26 recalls and 6 crash-related complaints, while the Camry has 31 recalls and 171 crash-related complaints, indicating more reported crashes in the Camry despite its higher volume.
- Camry complaints frequently mention multiple safety systems failing together, while Ghibli complaints often focus on power train and speed control malfunctions.
- Check for transmission noise or clunking, especially during steering or gear changes, as owners report these as early signs of power train issues.
- Test drive at highway speeds and monitor for unintended acceleration or failure to accelerate properly, particularly after any recall work on the ignition system.
- Test the electronic parking brake repeatedly to ensure it disengages smoothly, as failures can require a tow.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which may indicate ABS system issues that some dealers consider normal but owners find problematic.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for the Ghibli's ignition flash and the Camry's air bag sensors.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and engine for the Ghibli, looking for signs of slipping, noise, or oil leaks.
- For the Camry, test all electronic systems including parking brake, stability control, and blind spot monitoring during the test drive.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and check if the Ghibli has had repeated dealer visits for steering or transmission complaints.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a brand-specific specialist to identify potential costly repairs before buying.
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 | Maserati Ghibli | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 0 | 64 |
| 2022 | 0 | 61 |
| 2021 | 0 | 157 |
| 2020 | 5 | 274 |
| 2019 | 2 | 395 |
| 2018 | 1 | 744 |
| 2017 | 21 | 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 Maserati Ghibli or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Maserati Ghibli vs Toyota Camry
- Maserati Ghibli total complaints
- 61
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Maserati Ghibli total recalls
- 26
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Maserati Ghibli avg complaints/year
- 6.1
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Maserati Ghibli
- Maserati Ghibli top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN