Head-to-head reliability
Mazda Mazda6 vs Toyota Camry
How the Mazda Mazda6 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 Mazda6 vs Toyota Camry: The Mazda6 averages 53.9 complaints per year with 22 recalls, while the Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Camry also has 1 death and 158 injuries reported, compared to 0 deaths and 27 injuries for the Mazda6. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda Mazda6 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda Mazda6
The Mazda Mazda6 is a midsize sedan that averages about 54 complaints per year over the past decade, with 22 recalls. Owners frequently report electrical glitches, engine overheating or oil pressure warnings, and brake noises. While the overall complaint count is lower than some rivals, the types of issues can be serious and costly if neglected.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 206 per year—and 31 recalls. Power train problems like shuddering and key-stuck issues, engine hesitation, and brake noises are common owner reports. Despite the higher numbers, many issues are addressed through recalls or dealer fixes, but buyers should be aware of the frequency.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda Mazda6 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 539 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 22 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 37 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 53.9 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 27 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 Mazda6
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM101
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER89
- 03ENGINE79
- 04SERVICE BRAKES60
- 05AIR BAGS51
Owners describe sudden RPM spikes, downshifts, and multiple warning lights (traction control, check engine) that can cause loss of power. One complaint also mentions door sash molding causing injury, though that is unusual. These electrical faults can leave you stranded or distract you while driving.
Reports include overheating while driving and low oil pressure warnings shortly after oil changes. These symptoms suggest potential cooling system or oil pump issues that, if ignored, can lead to expensive engine damage.
After a brake recall repair, some owners hear grinding noises from the brakes. This indicates that even post-recall, brake components may not be properly fixed, affecting stopping reliability.
With 51 complaints, air bag issues are present, though specific failure patterns are not detailed in the sample. Any air bag fault is a safety concern because it may prevent deployment in a crash.
“THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE AND MAZDA HAS KNOWN FOR YEARS. THE DOOR SASH MOLDING HAS CAUSED ME PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE. AT AGE 43, I HAD TO RETIRE/DISABILITY DUE TO DEFECTS MAZDA KNEW OF AND JUST INFORM CONSUMER OF IN 2018? I WAS MAKING RIGHT HAND TURN, LEGALLY. SOME…”
“My RPM'S reaved up real high while driving 60mph and all the sudden the car down shifted and I had to put car in neutral in order maintain control. The traction control light and heck engine lights came on same time, lost power to the car the navigation and r…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove, and shuddering/hesitation with check engine lights. These problems can leave you unable to secure or start the car reliably.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, sometimes taking several seconds to move. This lag can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is common. These issues affect daily usability and could indicate ABS problems.
Multiple systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. Such widespread electrical failures can compromise safety features and driver confidence.
“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 Mazda6 — 22 recalls
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2018-2019 CX-5, Mazda6, and 2019 Mazda3 vehicles. A software error in the powertrain control module (PCM) may cause the engine to stall.
The risk: An unexpected stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 20, 2019. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 3719F.
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Mazda6 and 2014-2016 Mazda3 vehicles. Water could possibly enter the brake caliper causing the parking brake actuator shaft to corrode and possibly bind.
The risk: If the parking brake actuator shaft binds, the parking brake may not engage or disengage fully. If the parking brake does not engage properly, the vehicle may move unexpectedly if it is parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will check the parking brake actuator shafts, replacing any that are corroded, free of charge. Remedy parts are currently unavailable. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed Au…
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014 Mazda3 vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through December 18, 2013, and model year 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured May 20, 2013, through December 4, 2013, and both equipped with a 2.5L engine and a regenerative en…
The risk: Once the PCM assumes that the charging system has failed, the vehicle will stop charging and could result in poor acceleration, loss of steering assist and windshield wiper operation, and a possible engine stall, increasing the risk of a c…
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the PCM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 7314D.
The defect: Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Mazda6 vehicles manufactured October 25, 2012, to October 10, 2014. If the pressures of four of the tires on an affected vehicle gradually drop at the same time, the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) may not warn…
The risk: A vehicle that is driven with under inflated tires may experience a sudden tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will update the TPMS software, free of charge. The recall began on December 10, 2014. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500.
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 Mazda6 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mazda Mazda6 has far fewer complaints per year (about 54 vs. 206 for the Camry) and fewer recalls (22 vs. 31). In practice, this means you are less likely to encounter frequent owner-reported problems with the Mazda6, though the issues it does have can be severe. The Camry's higher volume suggests more widespread issues, but many are addressed through recalls.
Key differences
- The Mazda6 averages about 54 complaints per year, while the Camry averages about 206—nearly four times more.
- Camry owners frequently report power train issues like stuck ignition keys and shuddering, whereas Mazda6 complaints center on electrical glitches and engine overheating.
- The Camry has 31 recalls versus 22 for the Mazda6, but Camry recalls often target specific safety systems like air bag sensors and seat issues.
- Brake problems appear in both, but Camry reports include electronic parking brake failures and ABS noise, while Mazda6 reports mention grinding after recall repairs.
- Check for any signs of overheating or low oil pressure warnings; ask for service records related to coolant and oil changes.
- Test all electrical functions, including lights, infotainment, and driver aids, and listen for unusual noises from the brakes during a test drive.
- Verify that the ignition key can be removed easily when in Park; try starting and shutting off the car multiple times.
- Test the electronic parking brake engagement and disengagement, and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup tool.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine cooling, oil pressure, and electrical systems.
- During a test drive, accelerate firmly to check for hesitation or shuddering, and test all driver-assist features.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for oil changes and any recall repairs.
- For the Camry, specifically test the ignition key removal and electronic parking brake operation.
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 Mazda6 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17 | 157 |
| 2020 | 2 | 274 |
| 2019 | 6 | 395 |
| 2018 | 58 | 744 |
| 2017 | 60 | 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 Mazda6 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda Mazda6 vs Toyota Camry
- Mazda Mazda6 total complaints
- 539
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Mazda Mazda6 total recalls
- 22
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mazda Mazda6 avg complaints/year
- 53.9
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Mazda Mazda6
- Mazda Mazda6 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN