Head-to-head reliability

Mazda CX 50 vs Toyota Camry

How the Mazda CX 50 and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Mazda CX 50159 complaints · 7 recalls Fewer issues per year
Toyota Camry2,128 complaints · 31 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Mazda CX 50 averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Mazda CX 50 has 159 complaints and 7 recalls on record; Toyota Camry has 2,128 complaints and 31 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

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

CategoryMazda CX 50Toyota Camry
Total complaintsAll model years combined159 Better2,128
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns7 Better31
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints17 Better181
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years39.8 Better212.8
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints17 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.

Mazda CX 50

  1. 01FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE30
  2. 02SERVICE BRAKES27
  3. 03POWER TRAIN25
  4. 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM21
  5. 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER19
In owners' words — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

The contact owned a 2024 Mazda CX-50. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, after exiting the freeway, the contact was distracted, and when the contact turned to face the road, the vehicle rear-ended the vehicle in front. The contact…

The contact owns a 2023 Mazda CX-50. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 38 MPH. The contact stated he was approaching an intersection when a vehicle in front of him attempted to make a left turn but slowed down. The contact was unable to d…

Toyota Camry

  1. 01POWER TRAIN391
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER340
  3. 03ENGINE312
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES290
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM241
In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

The vehicle allows the engine to be turned off, key removed, while the vehicle is still in drive with no warning lights or sounds. I have tested and the vehicle can roll away. Complained to the toyota dealership and they said the service tech consulted with t…

I have a 2024 Toyota Camry with a ua80 transmission and started having problems around 92000 miles and I'm starting to have a lot more at 109,000 miles which is a little ridiculous for a transmission that is way too early very concerned for my safety on a pre…

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 CX 50 — 7 recalls

Trailer Hitches
#25V167000

The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024-2025 CX-50 vehicles equipped with Mazda Genuine Accessory trailer hitches. The trailer hitch assembly bolts may loosen and cause the assembly to separate from the vehicle body during towing or normal driving conditions.

The risk: A detached trailer hitch assembly can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will tighten the trailer hitch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 2025. Mazda's number for this recall is 7225C.

Trailer Hitches
#23V135000Jan 2023

The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2023 CX-50 vehicles equipped with a Mazda Genuine Accessory trailer hitch. The trailer hitch harness may detach and become damaged, which can result in inoperative trailer lights and/or brakes.

The risk: Towing a trailer with inoperative lights or brakes can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will repair the trailer hitch harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2023. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 5723B.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module
#23V275000

The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2022-2023 CX-30 and 2023 CX-50 vehicles. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) may be damaged, which can result in reduced braking ability.

The risk: Reduced braking ability can increase the distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the ABS HCU, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 12, 2023. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is 5823D.

Lane Departure — Sensing System — Camera
#24V649000Mar 2024

The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 Mazda 3, CX-30, and 2025 CX-50 vehicles. A malfunction in the forward sensing camera (FSC) may prevent the automatic emergency braking system and the lane-keep assist system from functioning. In addition, the headlights will not auto…

The risk: Automatic braking, steering assist, and headlight control systems that do not function as intended can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the forward sensing camera as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 6. Mazda's number for…

Toyota Camry — 31 recalls

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…

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…

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…

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.

YearMazda CX 50Toyota Camry
202624116
202543152
20243247
20236062
Years to scrutinize: the 2023 Mazda CX 50 drew the most complaints (60); the 2018 Toyota Camry drew the most (732). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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 CX 50 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Mazda CX 50 vs Toyota Camry — comparison facts
Comparison
Mazda CX 50 vs Toyota Camry
Mazda CX 50 total complaints
159
Toyota Camry total complaints
2,128
Mazda CX 50 total recalls
7
Toyota Camry total recalls
31
Mazda CX 50 avg complaints/year
39.8
Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
212.8
More reliable overall
Mazda CX 50
Mazda CX 50 top complaint area
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Toyota Camry top complaint area
POWER TRAIN