Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ CL Class vs Toyota Camry
How the Mercedes BENZ CL 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 CL Class vs Toyota Camry: The CL Class has 45 complaints over 10 years (4.5/yr) with no recalls, while the Camry has 2,143 complaints (214.3/yr) and 31 recalls. The CL's issues are costly (fuel leaks, suspension), but the Camry's include safety-critical problems like sudden acceleration and brake failure. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ CL Class or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ CL Class
The Mercedes-Benz CL Class is a high-end luxury coupe that, in ownership terms, demands attention and deep pockets. Over the last decade, owners have filed 45 complaints—about 4.5 per year—with no recalls on record. The complaints cluster around fuel leaks, a complex active suspension, and electrical gremlins, painting a picture of a car that can be thrilling but also temperamental and costly to maintain.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan known for reliability, but the data shows it's not without issues. With 2,143 complaints over 10 years (about 214 per year) and 31 recalls, owners report problems with the powertrain, engine, brakes, and electrical system. While many Camrys are dependable, the sheer volume of complaints—including sudden acceleration and brake failures—highlights that even popular models can have serious defects.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ CL Class | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 45 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 4.5 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 4 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 CL Class
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM9
- 02SUSPENSION7
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
- 04AIR BAGS5
- 05SERVICE BRAKES5
Owners report sudden engine stops and significant oil leaks, sometimes before 30,000 miles, leaving driveways covered in oil. There are also complaints of a strong gas smell inside the cabin, which could indicate a fuel leak—a serious fire risk.
The Active Body Control (ABC) system is a frequent trouble spot. Owners describe the car suddenly lowering to the bump stops, fluid puddles under the car, and warning lights on the dash. This complex hydraulic system is expensive to repair and can fail without warning.
Electrical issues range from sudden stalling to a fire that started while the car was in the garage, reportedly due to electrical components. These problems can be intermittent and hard to diagnose, leaving owners stranded or facing major repairs.
Owners mention the Takata airbag recall, but also report a side airbag deploying without any impact, causing injury. This suggests potential sensor or deployment issues beyond the recall, which is alarming for safety.
“CAR MADE NOISE & STOPPED SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, OIL LEAKAGE HAPPENED BEFORE 30,000 MILEAGE ,DRIVEWAY FULL OF OIL LEAKAGE ,TOOK TO THE DEALER, INITIALLY COULD NOT FIND ANY DEFECT ,AFTER INSISTING THAT THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM, THEY CALLED ME…”
“My 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL550 4MATIC with 63,335 miles. it has a strong gas smell in the inside. There was a recall pertaining to, "Due to the irregularity stemming from the molding process of the fuel filter flange, the filter may crack when operated in high t…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission problems are common, with owners reporting grinding noises and the need for full transmission replacement. Some note that recalls exist for similar issues on newer models, but their VINs aren't covered, leaving them with costly repairs.
Sudden, uncontrollable acceleration has been reported multiple times, leading to crashes and total loss of the vehicle. There are also engine warning lights related to a coolant valve bypass that may not be covered by recall for all VINs.
Brake failure is a serious concern, with owners describing a complete lack of brake response when pressing the pedal, especially on hills. This can lead to accidents and near-misses, making it a critical safety issue.
Electrical problems include issues with the air conditioning condenser being easily damaged by rocks, and a recurring mildew smell from the HVAC system. While not as severe as other issues, they affect comfort and can be annoying to fix.
“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 CL 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 CL Class or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz CL Class has far fewer complaints per year (4.5) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), but that's partly because it's a low-volume luxury car. In practice, the CL's issues are more exotic and expensive to repair, while the Camry's problems affect a much larger number of owners and include safety-critical failures like sudden acceleration and brake loss.
Key differences
- The CL Class has no recalls, while the Camry has 31, indicating more widespread issues in the Camry.
- The CL Class's complaints focus on fuel leaks, active suspension failures, and electrical fires, which are rare but severe.
- The Camry's complaints are dominated by powertrain and brake problems, including sudden acceleration and brake failure, which are more frequent and affect more drivers.
- The CL Class has 4 injuries and no deaths, while the Camry has 163 injuries and 1 death, reflecting the higher volume of complaints.
- Inspect the fuel system for leaks and check for any signs of oil leakage under the car, as owners report leaks before 30,000 miles.
- Test the Active Body Control (ABC) suspension for proper ride height and look for fluid puddles, which indicate a failing system.
- Check the transmission for any grinding noises or hesitation during acceleration, as many owners report the need for replacement.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on a hill, to ensure there's no loss of braking power, a reported safety issue.
Before you buy
- For the Mercedes CL Class, have a mechanic inspect the fuel system and suspension for leaks or wear before purchase.
- For the Toyota Camry, check the vehicle's recall status and ensure any open recalls are addressed, especially those related to airbags and powertrain.
- Take both cars for a test drive that includes highway speeds and braking from high speed to feel for any transmission or brake anomalies.
- Ask for service records to see if the CL's ABC suspension has been serviced or if the Camry has had transmission work.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist for the CL Class, given its complex systems.
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 CL Class or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ CL Class vs Toyota Camry
- Mercedes BENZ CL Class total complaints
- 45
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Mercedes BENZ CL Class total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mercedes BENZ CL Class avg complaints/year
- 4.5
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ CL Class
- Mercedes BENZ CL Class top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN