Head-to-head reliability
Mercedes BENZ CLE vs Toyota Camry
How the Mercedes BENZ CLE 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 CLE vs Toyota Camry: The CLE has 10 complaints over 3 years (about 3.3 per year) and 1 recall, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (about 205.6 per year) and 31 recalls. CLE owners report throttle delay and a black instrument cluster; Camry owners report transmission hesitation, stuck keys, and brake noise. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ CLE or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ CLE
The Mercedes-Benz CLE is a low-volume luxury coupe, and its NHTSA record shows just 10 complaints over 3 years, or about 3.3 per year. The most common owner-reported issue is a throttle delay or dead zone when accelerating from a stop, which owners describe as a safety concern in traffic. There is also one recall for the instrument cluster, and owners report the digital driver display going black while driving. With so few complaints, the CLE appears to have fewer reported problems overall, but the ones that do appear can affect basic driving responsiveness and visibility.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume family sedan, and its NHTSA record shows 2,056 complaints over 10 years, or about 205.6 per year. Owners report a wide range of issues, including transmission hesitation and shuddering, key stuck in the ignition, brake noises, and multiple electrical system malfunctions. There are 31 recalls and 158 reported injuries in the data, though these totals reflect the huge number of Camrys on the road. For a used-car buyer, the Camry's complaint pattern suggests many small to moderate problems rather than one single catastrophic flaw.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ CLE | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 10 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 3.3 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Mercedes BENZ CLE
- 01ENGINE4
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
- 04POWER TRAIN2
- 05TIRES1
Owners report a severe throttle delay and unpredictable acceleration, especially when pressing the gas at intersections or traffic lights. The car may hesitate or not move forward for a moment, which can be alarming when trying to merge or cross traffic.
Complaints include the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster going completely black while driving, removing the speedometer and fuel gauge. Another owner reported static and sparking sounds through the speakers, and one complaint references an active safety recall for the instrument cluster.
The same throttle lag and dead-zone delay is also filed under power train, suggesting the issue may involve transmission or turbo behavior. Owners describe a substantial delay before the vehicle responds to the accelerator.
One owner reported the driver-side digital display blacking out entirely, which removes critical driving information. Another complaint discusses distracted driving but does not identify a specific vehicle defect, so it is less useful for buyers.
“SEVERE THROTTLE DELAY & UNPREDICTABLE ACCELERATION When applying pressure to the accelerator pedal at intersections or traffic lights, there is a substantial "dead zone" delay where the vehicle fails to respond or move forward. To prompt movement in normal tr…”
“THROTTLE LAG With the 2026 Mercedes CLE 300, throttle lag is driven by a combination of software programming, transmission behavior, and turbocharger dynamics working simultaneously.The following situation is when it usually occurs:Transitioning from a slow r…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key becoming stuck and unable to be removed even when the car is in Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, often with the check engine light on.
Complaints include a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the gas pedal from a stop. Owners also report hesitation and shuddering at various speeds, which can make merging and passing feel unpredictable.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Owners also report a clicking or vibrating sound from the brake pedal area, which dealers have described as coming from the ABS system.
One owner reported multiple systems failing at once, including smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping. Another complaint lists front and rear subframe, driveline, and stability control components as involved.
“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.
Mercedes BENZ CLE — 1 recall
The defect: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2024-2026 AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, SL, CLE, and GLC vehicles. The infotainment control unit may reset while the vehicle is in motion and cause the instrument panel display to go blank.
The risk: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer and warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the infotainment control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2026. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2026050004. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. Ve…
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
Mercedes BENZ CLE or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz CLE has far fewer complaints per year (about 3.3) than the Toyota Camry (about 205.6), but the Camry's numbers are spread across a much larger number of vehicles over 10 years. In practice, the CLE's small complaint count means fewer reported problems overall, while the Camry's high count reflects its popularity and a long list of recurring issues. Neither vehicle is problem-free, but the CLE's reported issues are more concentrated around throttle response and the instrument cluster.
Key differences
- The Mercedes-Benz CLE has about 3.3 complaints per year, while the Toyota Camry has about 205.6 per year, but the Camry is far more common on the road.
- CLE owners most often report throttle delay and a dead zone from a stop, while Camry owners report transmission hesitation, shuddering, and a stuck ignition key.
- The CLE has one recall for the instrument cluster, and owners report the digital display going black; the Camry has 31 recalls covering wheels, seats, and air bag sensors.
- Camry complaints include brake pedal noise and electronic parking brake failure, while CLE complaints include audio static and sparking through speakers.
- Test the throttle response from a complete stop several times, looking for any dead zone or delay before the car moves.
- Check the digital instrument cluster for flickering, blacking out, or warning messages, and confirm the recall for the instrument cluster has been performed.
- Try removing the key from the ignition after parking to see if it sticks, and listen for hesitation or shuddering during a test drive.
- Test the electronic parking brake and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area when braking.
Before you buy
- Ask the seller for the VIN and check for any open recalls on the NHTSA website before buying.
- During a test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop to check for throttle lag or hesitation.
- Inspect the instrument cluster and all dashboard displays for proper function while the car is running.
- For the Camry, test the ignition key removal, electronic parking brake, and listen for brake noises.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the engine, transmission, brakes, and electrical systems.
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 CLE | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 163 |
| 2024 | 7 | 50 |
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 CLE or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ CLE vs Toyota Camry
- Mercedes BENZ CLE total complaints
- 10
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Mercedes BENZ CLE total recalls
- 1
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mercedes BENZ CLE avg complaints/year
- 3.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ CLE
- Mercedes BENZ CLE top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN