Head-to-head reliability

Mercedes BENZ Esprinter vs Toyota Camry

How the Mercedes BENZ Esprinter and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Mercedes BENZ Esprinter0 complaints · 3 recalls Fewer issues per year
Toyota Camry2,128 complaints · 31 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Mercedes BENZ Esprinter averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Mercedes BENZ Esprinter has 0 complaints and 3 recalls on record; Toyota Camry has 2,128 complaints and 31 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryMercedes BENZ EsprinterToyota Camry
Total complaintsAll model years combined0 Better2,128
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns3 Better31
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints0 Better181
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years0.0 Better212.8
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints0 Better163
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better1

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 Esprinter

No component data available.

Toyota Camry

  1. 01POWER TRAIN391
  2. 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER340
  3. 03ENGINE312
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES290
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM241
In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

The vehicle allows the engine to be turned off, key removed, while the vehicle is still in drive with no warning lights or sounds. I have tested and the vehicle can roll away. Complained to the toyota dealership and they said the service tech consulted with t…

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…

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 Esprinter — 3 recalls

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) — Control Module — Software
#24V316000Jun 2024

The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vehicles. Due to a software error in the electronic stability program (ESP), the force required to stop the vehicle may increase, possibly requiring an extended distance to stop.

The risk: Extended stopping distance can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will update the ESP control unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2024. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is VS3EBOOSTF.

Parking Brake — Driveline
#25V090000

The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vehicles. The welds on the helical gear within the rear axle drivetrain may fail, causing a loss of drive power.

The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash. In addition, drivetrain failure can result in a vehicle rollaway if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

The fix: Dealers will replace the rear axle electric drivetrain, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2025. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is V3ESCHWEI.

Back Over Prevention — Warnings — External/Pedestrian Alert
#26V099000

The defect: Daimler Vans USA, LLC (DVUSA) is recalling certain 2025 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter vehicles. The vehicles fail to make sufficient pedestrian warning sounds when in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 141, "Minimu…

The risk: Insufficient pedestrian warning sounds may fail to alert pedestrians of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: Dealers will update the software for the pedestrian warning sounds, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 27, 2026. Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267. DVUSA's number for this recall is V3EAV…

Toyota Camry — 31 recalls

Seats
#24V128000

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…

Wheels — Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs
#23V432000

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…

Seats
#24V128000

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…

Air Bags — Sensor — Occupant Classification
#23V865000

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…

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.

YearMercedes BENZ EsprinterToyota Camry
20260116
20250152
2024047
Years to scrutinize: the 2018 Toyota Camry drew the most (732). Inspect these model years especially closely.

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 Esprinter or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Mercedes BENZ Esprinter vs Toyota Camry — comparison facts
Comparison
Mercedes BENZ Esprinter vs Toyota Camry
Mercedes BENZ Esprinter total complaints
0
Toyota Camry total complaints
2,128
Mercedes BENZ Esprinter total recalls
3
Toyota Camry total recalls
31
Mercedes BENZ Esprinter avg complaints/year
0.0
Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
212.8
More reliable overall
Mercedes BENZ Esprinter
Toyota Camry top complaint area
POWER TRAIN