Head-to-head reliability

Maserati Spyder vs Toyota Camry

How the Maserati Spyder and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Maserati Spyder0 complaints · 7 recalls Fewer issues per year
Toyota Camry2,143 complaints · 31 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Maserati Spyder vs Toyota Camry: The Spyder shows 0 complaints over 4 years, while the Camry has 2,143 over 10 years, including 181 crash-related incidents. Spyder recalls focus on fuel and steering; Camry owners report transmission, brake, and engine failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The picture

Is the Maserati Spyder or Toyota Camry more reliable?

A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.

Maserati Spyder

The Maserati Spyder is a low-volume Italian sports car that, in NHTSA data, shows no owner complaints over four model years—an average of zero per year. That silence suggests owners are not reporting common failure points, but it also reflects very low sales volume and limited daily-driver use. The seven recalls, however, concentrate on fuel-system hoses and steering, which are safety-critical areas that a buyer should verify have been addressed. In ownership terms, this is a weekend or collector vehicle where reliability data is sparse, so condition and service history matter more than statistical patterns.

Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is a high-volume family sedan with a dense complaint history: 2,143 complaints over ten years, averaging 214.3 per year. Owners report real, recurring problems across the powertrain, engine, brakes, and electrical system, including transmission grinding, sudden acceleration incidents, brake failure on hills, and persistent HVAC odors. With 31 recalls and 181 crash-related complaints, the Camry's data reflects both its popularity and genuine reliability concerns that a buyer should investigate. It is a practical car, but the failure patterns show that not every Camry is trouble-free.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryMaserati SpyderToyota Camry
Total complaintsAll model years combined0 Better2,143
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns7 Better31
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints0 Better181
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years0.0 Better214.3
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints0 Better163
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better1

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 Spyder

No component data available.

What these mean
Fuel system

Multiple recalls target fuel delivery hoses, lines, and fittings. Owners may experience fuel leaks or pressure issues if these parts fail, which can pose a fire risk. A buyer should confirm all fuel-related recalls were performed.

Steering

Two recalls involve steering components. While no specific owner complaints are on record, steering defects can lead to loss of control. Verify that the steering recall was completed and inspect for any unusual play or noises.

Toyota Camry

  1. 01POWER TRAIN395
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
  3. 03ENGINE315
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES290
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
What these mean
Powertrain

Owners report grinding noises from the front end on acceleration, with dealerships confirming transmission issues that sometimes require replacement. This is a costly repair and a common complaint on certain Camry models.

Engine

Complaints include sudden unintended acceleration, which in one case led to a crash and total loss. Others mention engine maintenance lights and coolant valve bypass codes that may not be covered by recall for their VIN. These issues can be dangerous and expensive.

Service brakes

Several owners describe brake pedal going to the floor with no response, especially on hills, leading to near-misses or crashes. Brake system failures are critical safety concerns that require immediate attention.

Electrical system

While not detailed in the sample, the high complaint count suggests issues like battery, alternator, or sensor problems. Electrical gremlins can cause intermittent failures and are often hard to diagnose.

In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

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.

Maserati Spyder — 7 recalls

Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
#03V529000Dec 2003

The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL LINES CAN DISCONNECT AND CAUSE LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LINES AND ATTACHMENTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY OR FEBRUARY 2004. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737.

Steering
#04V140000

The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, TWO OF THE FOUR SECURING BOLTS IN THE STEERING ASSEMBLY MAY NOT HAVE HAD A LOCKING COMPOUND APPLIED TO THE THREADS PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. AS A RESULT, THE BOLTS MAY BECOME LOOSE WHEN THE CARS ARE DRIVEN AGGRESSIVELY.

The risk: SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES COULD LEAD TO A REDUCTION IN VEHICLE CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO AFFECTED BOLTS. THE RECALL BEGAN MARCH 5, 2004. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737.

Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
#04V027000

The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL HOSES MAY BECOME SOFT AND POSSIBLY DISCONNECT FROM THE METAL FITTINGS, WHICH CAN CAUSE A FUEL LEAK.

The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TWO EXISTING BLACK METAL AND RUBBER FUEL LINES WITH NEW GREY NYLON FUEL LINES. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2004. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737.

Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
#03V529000Dec 2003

The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL LINES CAN DISCONNECT AND CAUSE LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LINES AND ATTACHMENTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY OR FEBRUARY 2004. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-877-696-2737.

Toyota Camry — 31 recalls

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification
#23V865000

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…

Seats
#24V128000

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…

Wheels — Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
#23V432000

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…

Seats
#24V128000

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 Spyder or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?

The Maserati Spyder has far fewer reported issues per year (0.0) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), but that gap is skewed by the Spyder's tiny sales volume and limited daily use. In practice, the Camry's complaints reflect real, widespread problems that could affect a typical owner, while the Spyder's recalls point to specific safety fixes. Neither is 'safe' or 'unsafe' outright, but the Camry's data suggests a higher likelihood of encountering a serious issue.

Recommendation. If you prioritize low complaint frequency and are willing to maintain a niche Italian sports car, the Maserati Spyder may suit you, provided you verify all recalls are done. If you need a reliable daily driver with a large support network, the Camry is a better choice, but be prepared to check for transmission, brake, and engine issues before buying.

Key differences

  • The Spyder has zero owner complaints on record, while the Camry has over 2,000, but the Spyder's low volume makes that comparison misleading.
  • The Spyder's recalls focus on fuel and steering, while the Camry's recalls cover airbags, seats, and wheels—different safety areas.
  • Camry owners report sudden acceleration and brake failure, which are severe safety concerns; Spyder owners report no such incidents.
  • The Camry's top problem areas are powertrain, engine, and brakes, whereas the Spyder has no top components due to lack of complaints.
Watch on Maserati Spyder
  • Check that all fuel system and steering recalls have been performed; look for any signs of fuel leaks or steering looseness.
  • Given the lack of complaints, be extra cautious about maintenance history—low-volume cars often have deferred service.
Watch on Toyota Camry
  • Test the transmission for grinding or hesitation during acceleration, and ask if the transmission has been replaced or serviced.
  • Inspect the brake system thoroughly, including pedal feel and any warning lights, and ask about any brake-related complaints or repairs.

Before you buy

  • Obtain the VIN and check NHTSA recall status for both vehicles; ensure all open recalls are completed.
  • For the Camry, get a pre-purchase inspection focusing on transmission, brakes, and engine, and ask for service records.
  • For the Spyder, have a mechanic familiar with Italian cars inspect fuel lines and steering components.
  • Test drive both on hills and at highway speeds to feel for any transmission or brake anomalies.
  • Check for any pending safety recalls or service bulletins that might not be covered.

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 Spyder or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Maserati Spyder vs Toyota Camry — comparison facts
Comparison
Maserati Spyder vs Toyota Camry
Maserati Spyder total complaints
0
Toyota Camry total complaints
2,143
Maserati Spyder total recalls
7
Toyota Camry total recalls
31
Maserati Spyder avg complaints/year
0.0
Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
214.3
More reliable overall
Maserati Spyder
Toyota Camry top complaint area
POWER TRAIN