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.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Mercedes BENZ Esprinter vs Toyota Camry: The Esprinter has 0 complaints and 3 recalls over 3 years, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints and 31 recalls over 10 years. The Camry also reports 171 crash-related incidents and 158 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Mercedes BENZ Esprinter or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Mercedes BENZ Esprinter
The Mercedes-Benz Esprinter is a commercial van, so it's likely used for work rather than family transport. Over three years, it has zero owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which could mean either very few are on the road or owners haven't reported problems. However, it has three recalls covering electronic stability control software, parking brake driveline, and back-over prevention alerts. With no complaint text on record, we can't describe specific failure symptoms owners experience.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular family sedan with a long history. Over ten years, owners have filed 2,056 complaints, averaging about 206 per year, with 171 crash-related reports, 158 injuries, and one death. The most common problem areas are the power train, engine, brakes, and electrical system. Sample complaints describe issues like a stuck ignition key, hesitation and shuddering while driving, multiple driver-assist systems malfunctioning at once, delayed throttle response, and parking brake problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Mercedes BENZ Esprinter | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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 Esprinter
No component data available.
A recall was issued for the ESC control module software. If the software fails, the stability control may not work as intended, which could affect handling in slippery conditions. Buyers should confirm this recall was performed.
A recall covers the parking brake driveline. A faulty parking brake could fail to hold the vehicle, especially on hills. This is a safety concern for a commercial van that may carry heavy loads.
A recall involves the external pedestrian alert system for back-over prevention. If this fails, pedestrians may not hear the van approaching when reversing, increasing the risk of an accident. Buyers should verify the fix.
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and not coming out even when the dashboard shows Park; the only fix is disconnecting the battery. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving with the check engine light on. These can leave you stranded or cause costly repairs.
Complaints include delayed throttle response—pressing the gas and waiting several seconds for the car to move. This lag can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic. The check engine light often accompanies these symptoms.
Owners report the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Another common issue is a clicking or vibrating sound from the brake pedal area, which dealers say comes from the ABS system. Brake problems affect stopping safety.
One owner described multiple systems failing at once: smart stop, vehicle stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, secondary collision brake, and lane keeping assistance. Such widespread electrical glitches can make the car unpredictable and expensive to diagnose.
“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 Esprinter — 3 recalls
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…
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.
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.
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 Esprinter or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Mercedes-Benz Esprinter has far fewer reported issues per year (0 complaints/year) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 206 complaints/year). However, the Esprinter has three recalls and no complaint details, so we can't describe real-world failure patterns. The Camry's higher complaint count reflects its much larger sales volume and longer time on the road, but the specific problems owners report—like stuck keys, hesitation, and brake issues—are concrete and worth checking.
Key differences
- The Esprinter has zero owner complaints but three safety recalls (ESC software, parking brake, back-over alert); the Camry has thousands of complaints and 31 recalls, with many reports of crashes and injuries.
- Camry owners describe specific failures like stuck ignition keys, engine hesitation, and brake problems; Esprinter has no complaint text, so actual failure symptoms are unknown.
- The Camry's most common complaint areas are power train, engine, brakes, and electrical; the Esprinter's recalls focus on electronic stability, parking brake, and pedestrian alerts.
- The Camry has a much higher reported rate of crash-related incidents (171) and injuries (158), while the Esprinter has zero reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in its data.
- Check that all three recalls (ESC software, parking brake driveline, back-over prevention) have been completed by a dealer; open recalls mean safety systems may not work.
- Since there are no owner complaints, ask for a full service history and have a mechanic inspect the electronic stability control, parking brake, and rear warning systems for proper function.
- Test the ignition key thoroughly—make sure it can be removed easily when in Park, as stuck keys are a reported problem.
- During a test drive, listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal and check that the electronic parking brake engages and disengages smoothly; also watch for any hesitation or delayed throttle response.
Before you buy
- For both vehicles, run the VIN on NHTSA's recall site to see if any open recalls remain and confirm they were fixed.
- For the Camry, ask the seller if the ignition key has ever stuck, and test it multiple times during your inspection.
- For the Camry, take a test drive that includes braking and accelerating from a stop to check for shuddering, hesitation, or unusual brake noises.
- For the Esprinter, verify that the parking brake holds the van on a hill and that the rear pedestrian alert sounds when reversing.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on the systems mentioned in recalls and complaints.
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 Esprinter | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 | 163 |
| 2024 | 0 | 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 Esprinter or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Mercedes BENZ Esprinter vs Toyota Camry
- Mercedes BENZ Esprinter total complaints
- 0
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Mercedes BENZ Esprinter total recalls
- 3
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Mercedes BENZ Esprinter avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Mercedes BENZ Esprinter
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN