Head-to-head reliability
Mclaren 720S vs Toyota Camry
How the Mclaren 720S 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
Mclaren 720S vs Toyota Camry: The 720S has 2 complaints over 7 years (0.3/year) and 6 recalls, with 0 crashes, injuries, or deaths. The Camry has 2,143 complaints over 10 years (214.3/year), 31 recalls, 181 crash-related complaints, 163 injuries, and 1 death. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mclaren 720S or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mclaren 720S
The Mclaren 720S is a high-performance exotic car with very low reported complaint volume: just 2 complaints over 7 years (0.3 per year) and 6 recalls. Owners report serious but isolated issues like suspension accumulator failures and turbo inlet baffles breaking apart. Living with one means dealing with potential expensive repairs, but the data shows few owners are filing complaints.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream family sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 2,143 complaints over 10 years (214.3 per year) and 31 recalls. Owners report a wide range of issues, from transmission grinding and sudden acceleration to brake failure and AC problems. The data includes 181 crash-related complaints, 163 injuries, and 1 death, indicating that some reported problems have serious consequences.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mclaren 720S | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.3 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 163 |
| 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.
Mclaren 720S
- 01SUSPENSION1
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
One owner reported a known suspension accumulator problem on earlier 720S models, calling it a major safety concern because the suspension is critical. A revised part exists, but the owner noted it had not been recalled at the time.
One owner reported that the baffle in the turbo inlet came loose, got chopped up by the turbo, and was shot into the engine. This could lead to engine failure and fire if debris reaches sensitive areas.
“McLaren automotive has a known suspension accumulator problem on earlier year 720s models. This is a major safety concern as the suspension is a huge safety component in all vehicles. They have a revised updated part to fix this, but it has not yet issued a r…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front upon acceleration, with dealers confirming transmission failure and recommending replacement. Another owner described sudden acceleration while braking in a parking lot, leading to a crash.
Owners report AC condenser damage from rocks and a recurring mildew or vinegar smell from the vents when the AC is used in warm weather. These are unpleasant but not typically safety-critical.
One owner reported uncontrollable sudden acceleration three times, eventually crashing and totaling the car. Another reported a coolant valve bypass code (P268115) that was covered by a recall for some 2022 Camrys but not their specific VIN.
One owner reported no brake response while driving down a steep hill with curves, requiring emergency action. Another described needing extra brake force to stop on a slight downward slope in a parking lot.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
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.
Mclaren 720S — 6 recalls
The defect: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain 2020 570S, GT, 2019 600LT, and 2019-2020 720S vehicles. The brake assembly banjo bolt may be missing the holes that supply brake fluid to the caliper, which would cause the brakes to fail on one corner of the vehicle.
The risk: Brake failure in one corner can cause the vehicle to pull to one side during braking, and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the banjo bolt, as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 1, 2021. Owners may contact McLaren customer service at 1-646-429-8916. McLaren's number for this recall is SRC 00 C 001.
The defect: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain 2016-2020 720S, 2019 Senna, 2020 GT, and 2017-2019 570GT vehicles. The Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) foam pad underneath the fuel tank may retain moisture and corrode the fuel tank, potentially causing a fuel leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will remove the NVH foam pad from the vehicle and inspect the fuel tank. If the fuel tank is found to have corrosion, it will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began J…
The defect: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain 2016-2020 720S, 2019 Senna, 2020 GT, and 2017-2019 570GT vehicles. The Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) foam pad underneath the fuel tank may retain moisture and corrode the fuel tank, potentially causing a fuel leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will remove the NVH foam pad from the vehicle and inspect the fuel tank. If the fuel tank is found to have corrosion, it will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began J…
The defect: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain 2016-2020 720S, 2019 Senna, 2020 GT, and 2017-2019 570GT vehicles. The Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) foam pad underneath the fuel tank may retain moisture and corrode the fuel tank, potentially causing a fuel leak.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will remove the NVH foam pad from the vehicle and inspect the fuel tank. If the fuel tank is found to have corrosion, it will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began J…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
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…
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…
Buyer analysis
Mclaren 720S or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mclaren 720S has far fewer issues per year (0.3 vs. 214.3) and no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data, while the Camry has 181 crash-related complaints, 163 injuries, and 1 death. In practice, the Camry's higher volume means more owners experience problems, but the 720S issues can be severe and costly when they occur.
Key differences
- The Mclaren 720S has 2 complaints over 7 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2,143 over 10 years—a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- Camry owners report serious safety events like sudden acceleration, brake failure, and transmission grinding, with 181 crash-related complaints and 163 injuries; the 720S data shows 0 crashes, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths.
- The 720S has 6 recalls, mostly for fuel tank and brake hose issues, while the Camry has 31 recalls covering air bags, seats, wheels, and labels.
- 720S complaints focus on suspension accumulators and turbo inlet baffles; Camry complaints span power train, engine, brakes, electrical, and HVAC odors.
- Check for suspension accumulator issues, especially on earlier model years—listen for clunks or handling changes and confirm whether the revised part was installed.
- Inspect the turbo inlet for a loose baffle; ask for service records and listen for unusual noises from the turbo under acceleration.
- Test the transmission for grinding noises on acceleration and check for delayed or harsh shifting; some owners needed full replacements.
- Check brake response on a downhill slope and listen for AC odors; also verify if any open recalls apply to the specific VIN, especially for coolant valve bypass.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed for the specific VIN.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the model, focusing on the reported problem areas.
- For the 720S, ask about suspension accumulator replacement and turbo inlet condition; for the Camry, test transmission, brakes, and AC system.
- Test drive on varied roads, including hills and parking lots, to check for brake response, acceleration issues, and unusual noises.
- Verify that any open recalls are addressed before purchase, and budget for potential out-of-warranty repairs.
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 | Mclaren 720S | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0 | 62 |
| 2022 | 0 | 59 |
| 2021 | 0 | 155 |
| 2020 | 0 | 270 |
| 2019 | 1 | 393 |
| 2018 | 1 | 736 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 Mclaren 720S or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mclaren 720S vs Toyota Camry
- Mclaren 720S total complaints
- 2
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Mclaren 720S total recalls
- 6
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mclaren 720S avg complaints/year
- 0.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Mclaren 720S
- Mclaren 720S top complaint area
- SUSPENSION
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN