Head-to-head reliability
Mazda Mazda3 vs Toyota Camry
How the Mazda Mazda3 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 Mazda3 vs Toyota Camry: The Mazda3 averages 41.5 complaints per year and has 19 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Camry also has more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 27). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda Mazda3 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda Mazda3
The Mazda Mazda3 is a compact car that averages about 42 complaints per year over the past decade, with 19 recalls. Owners frequently report electrical glitches, such as infotainment system failures, and engine issues like oil consumption. While the overall complaint count is lower than some rivals, the types of problems can be frustrating and costly if they occur.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 206 per year—and 31 recalls over the same period. Power train and engine complaints are common, including transmission shuddering and delayed acceleration. Brake and electrical problems also appear, suggesting that while the Camry is popular, it is not immune to significant reliability concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda Mazda3 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 415 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 19 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 27 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 41.5 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 14 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 2 | 1 Better |
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 Mazda3
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER90
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM83
- 03ENGINE52
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE48
- 05SERVICE BRAKES39
Owners report complete failure of the infotainment system (Connectivity Master Unit), often with a diagnostic code for internal electronic failure. This can leave the screen blank and disable backup camera and other functions, requiring expensive replacement.
Some owners experience sudden engine malfunction warnings and loss of power, sometimes accompanied by a loud bang. Others report low oil levels between services, which can lead to engine damage if not monitored.
Complaints include unexpected activation of the automatic emergency braking, which can cause sudden braking without an obstacle. There are also reports of unintended acceleration or revving, which may be related to the collision avoidance system.
Brake-related complaints include issues with the hydraulic foundation components, such as calipers. Owners may experience reduced braking performance or unusual noises, which are safety-critical.
“The contact's daughter had rented a 2023 Mazda Mazda 3. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle veered off to the left side of the highway and side-swiped a cable system; the vehicle then crashed into the en…”
“I was denied work on a network issue recall 3 separate times at the dealership I bought the car. The first time I was told it was because of a smell. If I clean the car, they will fix it. I noticed after they were in the car my backup camera didn’t work which…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent issues like the ignition key getting stuck in the ignition even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove. Others describe hesitation and shuddering during acceleration, often with a check engine light.
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 intersections.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Some owners also hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, attributed to the ABS system.
Multiple system malfunctions have been reported, including failures of vehicle stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance. These can occur simultaneously, potentially overwhelming the driver.
“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 Mazda3 — 19 recalls
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2024 CX-90 and MAZDA3 vehicles. Due to a software error, the rearview, front, and/or side camera images may not appear on the display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard n…
The risk: A camera that does not display an image can reduce the driver's view, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the view monitor control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2023. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500 Option 6. Mazda's number for this recall is…
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…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations is recalling certain 2024-2025 Mazda3 and CX30 vehicles. The Sophisticated Air Bag Sensor (SAS) units may set an error code and deactivate the air bags, due to a low battery condition.
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy in the event of a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the SAS unit with improved software or replace the unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2025. Mazda's number for this recall is 7525E.
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Mazda3 vehicles. The Smart Brake System (SBS) can falsely detect an obstacle while driving, activating the automatic emergency braking system and suddenly stopping the vehicle.
The risk: Stopping the vehicle unexpectedly increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the SBS software. In addition, vehicles with certain production dates will receive an instrument cluster software update or replacement and a replacement owner's manual. These repairs will…
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 Mazda3 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mazda Mazda3 has far fewer complaints per year (about 42) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 206), despite both being popular models. In practice, this means a Mazda3 owner is less likely to experience frequent trips to the dealer for repairs, but the severity of issues like infotainment failure or unintended braking can still be significant. The Camry's higher volume suggests a broader range of problems, but many are common to high-production vehicles.
Key differences
- The Mazda3 has about 42 complaints per year, while the Camry has about 206—a fivefold difference in reported issues.
- Mazda3 owners often report infotainment system failures and forward collision avoidance glitches, whereas Camry owners more frequently cite power train shuddering and brake problems.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (171 vs. 27) and injuries (158 vs. 14), though these numbers are influenced by the much larger number of Camrys on the road.
- Both vehicles have recalls for air bag and sensor issues, but the Mazda3 also has recalls for backup camera and automatic emergency braking, while the Camry has recalls for seats and wheel studs.
- Check the infotainment screen for any signs of freezing, blanking, or error messages—a failing Connectivity Master Unit is a known issue.
- Listen for unusual engine noises or check the oil level; some owners report low oil between services, which could indicate consumption problems.
- Test the ignition key removal—if it sticks even in Park, it could be a sign of the reported power train defect.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any hesitation or shuddering during acceleration, and check if the electronic parking brake disengages properly.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report to see if any recalls have been addressed, especially for the Mazda3's infotainment and forward collision systems, and the Camry's air bag and seat recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the electrical system and infotainment on the Mazda3, and the transmission and brakes on the Camry.
- Test all driver-assistance features (forward collision avoidance, lane keeping, blind spot monitoring) to ensure they function correctly without false alerts.
- Check for any outstanding recalls by providing the VIN to a dealership and confirm they have been remedied.
- Take a lengthy test drive that includes highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to replicate conditions where owners reported issues.
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 | Mazda Mazda3 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 16 | 163 |
| 2024 | 12 | 50 |
| 2023 | 12 | 64 |
| 2022 | 24 | 61 |
| 2021 | 52 | 157 |
| 2020 | 32 | 274 |
| 2019 | 74 | 395 |
| 2018 | 108 | 744 |
| 2017 | 83 | 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 Mazda Mazda3 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda Mazda3 vs Toyota Camry
- Mazda Mazda3 total complaints
- 415
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Mazda Mazda3 total recalls
- 19
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mazda Mazda3 avg complaints/year
- 41.5
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Mazda Mazda3
- Mazda Mazda3 top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN