Head-to-head reliability
Mazda MPV vs Toyota Camry
How the Mazda MPV 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 MPV vs Toyota Camry: The MPV averaged 88.1 complaints per year over 7 years, while the Camry averaged 205.6 over 10 years. The MPV had 26 recalls and 84 injuries; the Camry had 31 recalls and 158 injuries. Both show serious issues, so inspect carefully. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mazda MPV or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mazda MPV
The Mazda MPV is a minivan that owners report living with a range of mechanical and safety issues. Over 7 years, it averaged 88.1 complaints per year, with the most common problems in the power train, engine, and air bags. Owners describe violent transmission jerking, engine misfires, and stalling, plus a Takata airbag recall that required some vehicles to be parked. These patterns suggest that a used MPV may need frequent repairs and careful checking of safety recalls.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a much higher total complaint count—2,056 over 10 years, averaging 205.6 per year. The most frequent complaints involve the power train, unknown or other systems, engine, and service brakes. Owners report issues like a stuck ignition key, delayed acceleration, and electronic parking brake failures. While the Camry is a popular car, the volume of complaints indicates that some model years have notable reliability and safety concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mazda MPV | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 617 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 26 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 53 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 88.1 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 84 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 MPV
- 01POWER TRAIN134
- 02ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING127
- 03AIR BAGS69
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM64
- 05STRUCTURE44
Owners report severe transmission jerking at low speeds (20-40 mph), sometimes feeling like a rear-end collision. This can cause head and neck discomfort and suggests internal transmission wear or control issues that may be expensive to fix.
Complaints include engine misfires due to failing ignition coils, causing shaking and jerking, and in one case the engine shut off while driving, leading to loss of power steering and brakes. These failures can strand a driver and create dangerous situations.
The MPV was subject to a Takata airbag inflator recall for the passenger side, with notices warning not to drive due to humidity-related rupture risk. Some owners had trouble confirming if their vehicle was included, so buyers must verify recall completion.
A flawed idle air control valve is reported to cause engine stalling at speed, resulting in loss of power braking and steering, and sometimes failure to restart. This is a serious safety concern that can leave occupants in peril.
“AT LOW SPEED, 20 TO 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION JERKS SO MUCH THAT THE HEADREST HITS MY HEAD BADLY. IT IS ALMOST LIKE THE VEHICLE IS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY HEAD IS STILL DIZZY AFTER A DAY. THIS JERKING FREQUENCY IS ABOUT TWICE IN THE PAST 4 WEEKS.”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of 2023 Camrys report an intermittent defect where the ignition key gets stuck and cannot be removed even when the car is in Park; disconnecting the battery is a workaround. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on, pointing to transmission or engine control problems.
Multiple safety systems—smart stop, stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—have malfunctioned simultaneously. Another complaint involves subframe, driveline, and stability control components, indicating complex electronic or structural issues that can be hard to diagnose.
Complaints include delayed throttle response where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second lag before the car moves. This hesitation can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic and may indicate electronic throttle or engine management faults.
The electronic parking brake (EPB) may fail to disengage, requiring a tow and manual release; replacing the switch did not always fix it. Owners also report clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, attributed to the ABS system, which can be distracting and costly to repair.
“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 MPV — 26 recalls
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dako…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018 for MPV vehicles. The recall began July 9, 2019 for RX-8 vehicles. Owners may…
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Ind…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018…
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Mazda MPV vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dako…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018 for MPV vehicles. The recall began July 9, 2019 for RX-8 vehicles. Owners may…
The defect: Mazda North America Operations (Mazda) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. Mazda is also recalling 2005-2006 MPV vehicles in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Ind…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2018…
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 MPV or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mazda MPV has far fewer complaints per year (88.1) than the Toyota Camry (205.6), but the MPV's issues include severe stalling and airbag recalls. In practice, the Camry's higher complaint rate means more reported problems overall, while the MPV's lower rate still includes potentially dangerous failures. Buyers should weigh the frequency against the severity of each model's typical issues.
Key differences
- The Mazda MPV has a much lower complaint rate (88.1 per year) compared to the Toyota Camry (205.6 per year), but the MPV's complaints include severe stalling and a Takata airbag recall.
- Mazda MPV owners frequently report transmission jerking and engine misfires, while Toyota Camry owners report stuck ignition keys, delayed acceleration, and electronic parking brake failures.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (171) and injuries (158) than the MPV (53 crashes, 84 injuries), though these numbers don't account for vehicle population.
- Both vehicles have airbag-related recalls, but the MPV's recall involves a passenger-side inflator with a do-not-drive warning, while the Camry's recalls include occupant classification sensors and seat issues.
- Test drive at low speeds (20-40 mph) and feel for transmission jerking or shuddering; this is a common complaint that can indicate expensive repairs.
- Check for recall completion, especially the Takata airbag inflator recall; verify with a Mazda dealer that the passenger-side inflator has been replaced.
- Try removing the ignition key after parking; if it sticks, it could be a recurring defect requiring battery disconnection.
- Test the electronic parking brake by engaging and disengaging it several times; failure to release may require a tow and costly repair.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission for the Mazda MPV, specifically for jerking or delayed engagement.
- For the Toyota Camry, test all electronic systems: key removal, throttle response, parking brake, and driver-assist features.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for ignition coils (MPV) and brake system repairs (Camry).
- During a test drive, include highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to replicate common complaint conditions.
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 MPV or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mazda MPV vs Toyota Camry
- Mazda MPV total complaints
- 617
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Mazda MPV total recalls
- 26
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mazda MPV avg complaints/year
- 88.1
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Mazda MPV
- Mazda MPV top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN