Head-to-head reliability
Mazda 626 vs Toyota Camry
How the Mazda 626 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
Mazda 626 vs Toyota Camry: The 626 averaged 167 complaints per year over 3 years, while the Camry averaged 206 per year over 10 years. The 626 had 3 recalls and 22 crash-related complaints; the Camry had 31 recalls and 171 crash-related complaints. Both show power train issues, but the 626's are more concentrated. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda 626 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda 626
The Mazda 626 is a compact sedan that, based on owner complaints, can be a headache to live with due to frequent transmission and engine problems. Over three years, it averaged about 167 complaints per year, with the power train being the dominant issue. Many owners report stuttering, hesitation, and transmission failures, often requiring repeated dealer visits. While it has fewer recalls than the Camry, the high rate of power train complaints suggests potential costly repairs.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a strong reputation, but NHTSA data shows a wide range of complaints across many systems. Over ten years, it averaged about 206 complaints per year, with power train, engine, and brake issues among the most common. Some owners report serious problems like stuck ignition keys, delayed acceleration, and electronic parking brake failures. The higher number of recalls and crash-related complaints indicates that even this popular model is not immune to significant defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda 626 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 502 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 22 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 167.3 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 24 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.
Mazda 626
- 01POWER TRAIN372
- 02ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING42
- 03EQUIPMENT30
- 04AIR BAGS23
- 05SERVICE BRAKES22
Owners frequently report stuttering or hesitation during acceleration, often leading to transmission repairs. One complaint describes a 2002 model with a stuttering problem that persisted despite dealer attempts to fix it. This can mean expensive transmission work and ongoing drivability issues.
Complaints include sudden engine shutdown without warning and internal engine damage such as failed piston rings and cylinder wall scarring. These are serious failures that can leave a buyer stranded and facing major engine repairs.
There are 23 air bag complaints, though specific details are not provided in the sample. Air bag issues are safety-critical and should be checked, as they may not deploy in a crash.
With 22 complaints and a recall for the master cylinder, brake problems are a concern. Owners may experience reduced braking performance, which is a critical safety issue.
“AT AROUND 30000 MILES WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER COMPLAINING OF A STUTTERING PROBLEM WHEN ACCELERATING AND INSISTED THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER FOUND NO OBVIOUS PROBLEM BUT DID REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER. TOOK THE CAR BACK SEVERAL…”
“NO CRASHES OR INJURIES JUST YET, BUT I PURCHASED A 2002 MAZDA 626 BRAND NEW AFTER I WAS TALKED INTO IT BY THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD A 2001 626 WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION THAT I BROUGHT IN TO BE SERVICED BY THE DEALERSHIP (FIVE STAR MAZDA). THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent issues like the ignition key becoming stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove. Others describe hesitation and shuddering during driving, often accompanied by a check engine light. These problems can be frustrating and may indicate transmission or electronic faults.
Complaints include delayed throttle response, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second delay before the car moves. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic. Some owners also report hesitation and shuddering, pointing to potential engine management issues.
The electronic parking brake (EPB) may fail to disengage, requiring towing and costly repairs. Another common complaint is a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, which dealers often attribute to the ABS system. These issues can affect daily usability and safety.
Multiple electronic systems, including stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring, have malfunctioned simultaneously in some vehicles. Such failures can compromise safety and are often difficult to diagnose.
“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.
Mazda 626 — 3 recalls
The defect: CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TU…
The risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
The fix: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6698.
The defect: CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TU…
The risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
The fix: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6698.
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN RESERVOIR TANK CAPS ON THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WERE PRODUCED WITH A WORN OUT DIE AND LACK VENTILATION HOLES. AS A RESULT, THE PRESSURE IN THE RESERVOIR TANK CAN DROP GRADUALLY AS THE BRAKE PAD OR SHOE WEARS AND AMBIENT TEMPERATURE DROPS. ALSO, THE…
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE REDUCED BRAKE EFFICIENCY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE RESERVOIR CAP AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY.
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
Mazda 626 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mazda 626 has fewer complaints per year (about 167) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the 626's complaints are heavily concentrated in the power train, suggesting a higher risk of major transmission or engine repairs. The Camry's issues are more spread out across many systems, including electronics and brakes, but its higher recall count and crash-related complaints indicate a broader range of potential problems. In practice, a buyer might face fewer overall complaints with the 626, but the severity of those complaints could be greater.
Key differences
- The Mazda 626 has a much higher proportion of power train complaints (372 out of 502), while the Camry's complaints are more evenly distributed across power train, engine, brakes, and electrical systems.
- The Camry has far more recalls (31 vs. 3) and crash-related complaints (171 vs. 22), indicating a broader range of safety-related issues over its longer production span.
- Mazda 626 owners report specific engine failures like piston ring defects and sudden shutdowns, whereas Camry owners report electronic gremlins like stuck ignition keys and simultaneous system malfunctions.
- The Camry's complaints include modern features like electronic parking brakes and advanced driver aids, which can be expensive to repair, while the 626's issues are more traditional mechanical problems.
- During a test drive, accelerate firmly and listen for stuttering or hesitation; this could indicate the transmission problems many owners report.
- Check for oil leaks and ask about engine maintenance history, as some owners experienced sudden engine shutdown due to oil leaks or internal damage.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; if it sticks, it could be the intermittent defect reported by owners.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises when pressing the brake pedal, which may signal ABS or electronic parking brake issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to check for recalls and accident damage.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and engine for the Mazda 626, and the electronic systems and brakes for the Toyota Camry.
- Test drive both vehicles extensively, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to replicate complaint conditions.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and brake repairs.
- Verify that all recalls have been addressed by checking the NHTSA website with the VIN.
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 Mazda 626 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda 626 vs Toyota Camry
- Mazda 626 total complaints
- 502
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Mazda 626 total recalls
- 3
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mazda 626 avg complaints/year
- 167.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Mazda 626
- Mazda 626 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN