Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ B Class vs Toyota Camry
How the Mercedes BENZ B Class 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
Mercedes BENZ B Class vs Toyota Camry: The B-Class has 75 complaints and 0 recalls over 10 years, while the Camry has 2,143 complaints and 31 recalls. The Camry also shows 181 crash-related complaints and 163 injuries, versus none for the B-Class. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ B Class or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ B Class
The Mercedes-Benz B-Class is a compact electric hatchback (based on complaints referencing electric vehicle operation) with a low complaint rate of about 7.5 per year over a decade. Owners report issues with the power train, engine (often the same electric drivetrain), electrical system, and fuel/propulsion system, including sudden loss of power, unexpected rocking ('clomp'), and coolant warnings. With zero recalls and no reported crashes or injuries in the data, it appears to have fewer documented safety incidents, but the complaints that do exist describe potentially serious drivability problems.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 214 per year—and 31 recalls over the same period. The data shows 181 crash-related complaints, 163 injuries, and 1 death, with top issues in the power train, engine, service brakes, and electrical system. Owners describe problems like sudden acceleration, transmission grinding, brake failure, and AC odors. While many Camrys are on the road, the frequency and severity of reported issues are notably higher than for the B-Class.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ B Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 75 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.5 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.
Mercedes BENZ B Class
- 01POWER TRAIN35
- 02ENGINE29
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM23
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM17
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8
Owners report a sudden 'clomp' or forward rocking when coming to a stop, which can feel unsafe and may indicate a drivetrain mount or software issue. There are also reports of sudden loss of power while driving at highway speeds, leaving the car unable to restart or shift out of park.
In this electric vehicle, 'engine' complaints often refer to the electric motor or related systems. Owners describe a 'Coolant Low' warning and sudden power loss at speed, which could strand a driver and cause a dangerous situation.
Electrical complaints include the same coolant warning and power loss, plus references to owner forums for the B-250e model. These issues can affect vehicle operation and may be difficult to diagnose, leading to repeated shop visits.
For this electric car, this category covers propulsion-related failures. Owners report sudden loss of power at highway speeds and issues with regenerative braking paddle shifters after years of use, which could reduce braking effectiveness.
“On Wednesday [XXX] I was driving my electric vehicle to work. I exited the freeway and as soon as I stopped at the light for the off ramp a warning light indicator appeared stating Coolant Low. I found this odd as I was unaware of Electric Vehicles using Cool…”
“BEGINNING AT ABOUT 4500 MILES WE BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE SHOP AFTER COMING TO A STOP; WE CALL IT THE 'CLOMP!' IT WILL UNEXPECTEDLY ROCK FORWARD CREATING A VERY UNSAFE FEELING. THEN THE FOLLOWING MONTH, THE 'CLOMPING' PRESENTED ITSELF AGAIN SO MY WIFE RETURN…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front during acceleration, often traced to transmission failure requiring replacement. Some mention recalls for the same issue on 2021 models, but parts are on backorder, leaving cars undrivable for extended periods.
Complaints include uncontrollable sudden acceleration that led to a crash, and engine maintenance codes related to a coolant valve bypass recall that some VINs are excluded from. These issues can be dangerous and costly if not addressed.
Owners describe brake pedal going to the floor with no response, especially on steep hills, and difficulty stopping at low speeds. This is a critical safety concern that could lead to collisions.
Electrical problems include AC condenser damage from road debris and persistent mildew or vinegar odors from the HVAC system. While not safety-critical, these issues affect comfort and can be expensive to repair.
“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.
Mercedes BENZ B Class
No recalls on record.
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
Mercedes BENZ B Class or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz B-Class has far fewer complaints per year (7.5 vs. 214.3) and no recalls, crashes, or injuries in the data, while the Toyota Camry has many more complaints and a significant number of crash-related reports. In practice, this means a B-Class buyer may encounter fewer reported problems overall, but the ones that do occur can involve sudden power loss. The Camry's higher volume reflects its popularity, but also a wider range of serious issues.
Key differences
- The B-Class has 0 recalls and 0 crash-related complaints, while the Camry has 31 recalls and 181 crash-related complaints.
- B-Class owners report sudden power loss and a 'clomp' rocking sensation; Camry owners report transmission grinding, brake failure, and sudden acceleration.
- The Camry has 163 injuries and 1 death in the data; the B-Class has none.
- Complaint volume is drastically different: 75 total for B-Class vs. 2,143 for Camry over 10 years.
- Check for any history of sudden power loss or 'Coolant Low' warnings, especially during test drives at highway speeds.
- Listen for a 'clomp' or rocking noise when coming to a stop, which may indicate a drivetrain mount or software issue.
- Test the brakes on a downhill slope to ensure the pedal doesn't go to the floor, as some owners report total brake failure.
- During acceleration, listen for grinding noises from the front, which could signal transmission problems requiring replacement.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially on the Camry.
- Take a lengthy test drive that includes highway speeds, stops, and hills to replicate reported issues.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the power train, brakes, and electrical systems for both models.
- For the B-Class, ask about any software updates or repairs related to power loss or coolant warnings.
- For the Camry, verify that the transmission and brake systems have been serviced and check for any pending recalls.
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 | Mercedes BENZ B Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 59 |
| 2021 | 0 | 155 |
| 2020 | 0 | 270 |
| 2019 | 0 | 393 |
| 2018 | 0 | 736 |
| 2017 | 20 | 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 Mercedes BENZ B Class or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ B Class vs Toyota Camry
- Mercedes BENZ B Class total complaints
- 75
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Mercedes BENZ B Class total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mercedes BENZ B Class avg complaints/year
- 7.5
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ B Class
- Mercedes BENZ B Class top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN