Head-to-head reliability
Mazda Mazda5 vs Toyota Camry
How the Mazda Mazda5 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 Mazda5 vs Toyota Camry: The Mazda5 averages 41 complaints per year and 15 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year and 31 recalls. The Mazda5's issues often involve steering and tires, whereas the Camry's involve power train and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda Mazda5 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda Mazda5
The Mazda Mazda5 is a compact multi-purpose vehicle that owners often choose for its sliding doors and flexible seating. Over ten years, it has averaged 41 complaints per year, with steering, tires, and suspension being the most common trouble spots. Owners frequently report power steering warning lights, tire blowouts, and uneven tire wear that can lead to costly repairs. While it has fewer total complaints than the Camry, the rate of complaints per year is much lower, suggesting a more predictable ownership experience if maintained.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan known for its reliability, but this data shows it averages 205.6 complaints per year over a decade. The most frequent issues involve the power train, engine, and service brakes, with reports of hesitation, shuddering, and brake problems. There are also many complaints about electrical and unknown issues, indicating a wide range of potential problems. Despite its reputation, the high volume of complaints suggests that some model years may have recurring defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda Mazda5 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 410 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 29 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 41.0 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 28 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 Mazda5
- 01STEERING101
- 02TIRES59
- 03SUSPENSION57
- 04STRUCTURE36
- 05SERVICE BRAKES34
Owners report the power steering light coming on and staying on, sometimes accompanied by violent shaking at highway speeds. This can make steering difficult and may indicate a failing electric power assist system, which is expensive to fix.
Complaints include tire blowouts that cause loss of control and accidents, as well as uneven edge wear and cupping on both front and rear tires. This leads to frequent tire replacements and potential safety hazards.
Owners describe persistent tire cupping and edge wear despite replacements, and some report transmission control module (TCM) failures due to overheating. These issues can affect ride comfort and lead to costly repairs.
Common problems include broken interior door handles and liftgate issues, with recalls for the hatchback/liftgate. These may seem minor but can affect daily usability and safety if the liftgate opens unexpectedly.
“I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING LIGHT COMING ON IN MY CAR. THERE WERE TIMES THAT I HAVE HAD MY CAR PARKED OVERNIGHT, GOT UP THE NEXT MORNING TO LEAVE FOR WORK, THE LIGHT WAS STILL ON FROM THE PREVIOUS AFTERNOON. THE LIGHT HAS COME ON WHILE…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MAZDA MAZDA5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE REAR TIRE RIM WAS BENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT IN ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MP…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent issues like the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove, and hesitation or shuddering while driving. These problems can leave you stranded and are frustrating to diagnose.
Complaints include delayed throttle response and check engine lights with shuddering, often diagnosed as engine issues. This can cause unsafe acceleration delays and expensive repairs.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear clicking or vibrating noises from the ABS system. Brake problems are safety-critical and should be addressed immediately.
Multiple systems such as stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction simultaneously, as reported by owners. Electrical gremlins can be hard to trace and costly to fix.
“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 Mazda5 — 15 recalls
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26,…
The risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26,…
The risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26,…
The risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is…
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda3 and Mazdaspeed3 vehicles manufactured November 18, 2008, to June 8, 2013, 2012-2015 Mazda5 vehicles manufactured October 26, 2010, to June 22, 2015, 2016 CX-3 vehicles manufactured June 1, 2015, to December 26,…
The risk: If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing their risk of injury.
The fix: Mazda dealers will replace the both lift gate supports, free of charge, however parts are not currently available. The recall began April 2017. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is…
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 Mazda5 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mazda Mazda5 has far fewer complaints per year (41) compared to the Toyota Camry (205.6), meaning you're less likely to encounter frequent problems with the Mazda5. However, the Camry's higher volume may reflect its larger sales, but the rate still suggests more issues per vehicle. In practice, the Mazda5 may offer a more trouble-free experience if you find a well-maintained example.
Key differences
- The Mazda5 averages 41 complaints per year, while the Camry averages 205.6, indicating a much higher complaint rate for the Camry.
- Mazda5 issues cluster around steering, tires, and suspension, whereas Camry complaints focus on power train, engine, and brakes.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (171 vs 29) and injuries (158 vs 28), though these numbers don't account for sales volume.
- Mazda5 has 15 recalls, Camry has 31, with Camry recalls involving air bags and seats, while Mazda5 recalls include liftgate and power steering.
- Check for power steering warning lights and any shaking or difficulty steering, as these are common complaints.
- Inspect tires for uneven wear or cupping, especially on inner edges, and check the spare tire for signs of blowouts.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park and look for any hesitation or shuddering during a test drive.
- Check the electronic parking brake operation and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to see if recalls (like Mazda5 liftgate or Camry air bags) have been addressed.
- Have a mechanic inspect the specific trouble areas: steering and suspension for Mazda5; power train and brakes for Camry.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or delayed acceleration.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for tire rotations and brake service.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been completed 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 Mazda5 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda Mazda5 vs Toyota Camry
- Mazda Mazda5 total complaints
- 410
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Mazda Mazda5 total recalls
- 15
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mazda Mazda5 avg complaints/year
- 41.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Mazda Mazda5
- Mazda Mazda5 top complaint area
- STEERING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN