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 Mazda 626 has 502 complaints over 3 years (167/yr) with major transmission issues, while the Camry has 2143 over 10 years (214/yr) but includes serious brake and sudden acceleration reports. The Camry has more recalls (31 vs 3) but also more crash incidents. 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, with 502 complaints over 3 years, shows a heavy concentration in the powertrain, particularly the automatic transmission. Owners report stuttering on acceleration and, in some cases, complete engine shutdowns due to oil leaks and piston ring failures. This suggests that while the car may be affordable, it carries a significant risk of costly drivetrain repairs, making it a gamble for a first-time buyer.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, with 2143 complaints over 10 years, has a broader but more diluted complaint pattern, with powertrain issues leading but also notable problems in brakes, engine, and electrical systems. Owners describe transmission grinding, sudden acceleration incidents, brake failures, and HVAC odors. Despite the higher total, the per-year average is lower, and the Camry's reputation for longevity is tempered by these real-world reliability concerns.
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 | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 22 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 167.3 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 24 Better | 163 |
| 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 report stuttering or jerking during acceleration, often leading to transmission replacement. Some describe the car hesitating or failing to engage gears properly, which can be dangerous in traffic.
Engine shutdowns without warning are reported, often due to oil leaks or piston ring failure. One owner noted scoring on cylinder walls and a failed compression ring, indicating internal engine damage that can be very expensive to fix.
Brake-related complaints include master cylinder issues, which can lead to a soft or unresponsive brake pedal, increasing stopping distances and crash risk.
“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 TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission problems are common, with grinding noises on acceleration and the need for full transmission replacement. Some owners also report sudden unintended acceleration, which is a serious safety concern.
Engine issues include a coolant valve bypass problem that triggers maintenance lights and can lead to overheating. Owners also report sudden acceleration incidents, though these may be related to other systems.
Brake failure is reported, with owners experiencing no response when pressing the pedal, especially on hills. This can lead to crashes and is a critical safety issue.
Electrical problems are frequent, including issues with sensors and wiring that can cause warning lights and intermittent failures, affecting overall reliability.
“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.
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 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…
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…
Buyer analysis
Mazda 626 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has a lower average complaint rate per year (214.3 vs 167.3 for the Mazda 626), but the Camry's complaints span a longer period and include more severe safety-related issues like sudden acceleration and brake failure. In practice, the Camry may offer better long-term reliability, but both vehicles have notable risks that buyers should investigate thoroughly.
Key differences
- The Mazda 626 has a higher proportion of powertrain complaints (372 out of 502) compared to the Camry (395 out of 2143), indicating a more concentrated transmission problem.
- The Camry has a higher number of crash-related complaints (181 vs 22) and injuries (163 vs 24), suggesting more severe safety incidents.
- The Camry's complaints include sudden unintended acceleration and brake failure, which are critical safety concerns, while the Mazda's issues are more about stuttering and engine shutdowns.
- The Mazda 626 has fewer recalls (3 vs 31), but its complaints are more recent (3 years vs 10 years), possibly indicating a shorter production run or less data.
- Inspect the transmission for any signs of slipping or stuttering during a test drive, especially when accelerating from a stop.
- Check for oil leaks under the engine and look for any warning lights related to oil pressure or engine temperature.
- Test the brakes on a downhill slope to ensure they respond immediately and firmly; any delay or softness is a red flag.
- Listen for grinding noises from the front end during acceleration, which could indicate transmission problems.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for any open recalls or past transmission/engine repairs.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission, engine, and brakes.
- Test drive both vehicles in stop-and-go traffic and on a hill to evaluate acceleration and braking performance.
- Check for any service records indicating regular maintenance, especially oil changes and transmission fluid changes.
- Research the specific model year for any known issues or recalls that might not be covered by the report.
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
- 2,143
- Mazda 626 total recalls
- 3
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mazda 626 avg complaints/year
- 167.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Mazda 626
- Mazda 626 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN