Head-to-head reliability
Rolls Royce Spectre vs Toyota Camry
How the Rolls Royce Spectre 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
Rolls Royce Spectre vs Toyota Camry: The Spectre has zero owner complaints over 3 years, while the Camry has 2,143 over 10 years, with 181 crashes and 1 death. Spectre recalls focus on electronic controls, while Camry complaints include transmission and brake failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Rolls Royce Spectre or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Rolls Royce Spectre
The Rolls Royce Spectre is a luxury electric vehicle with a very low complaint rate—zero owner complaints on record over three years. This suggests that early owners have not reported significant issues to NHTSA, though the vehicle has had five recalls. The recalls focus on electronic stability control, propulsion system, and brake control modules, indicating potential software or electronic glitches rather than widespread mechanical failures. For a buyer, this means the Spectre appears to be a low-maintenance vehicle in terms of owner-reported problems, but recalls should be checked and addressed.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mass-market sedan with a high volume of owner complaints—over 2,100 in ten years, averaging about 214 per year. Complaints cluster around the powertrain, engine, brakes, and electrical systems, with owners reporting issues like transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, brake failure, and HVAC odors. The Camry also has 31 recalls, some related to airbags and seats. While the Camry is a popular and generally reliable car, the complaint data reveals that some owners experience serious safety-related problems, including crashes and injuries.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Rolls Royce Spectre | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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.
Rolls Royce Spectre
No component data available.
Recalls for the Spectre involve the electronic stability control system, which may have software or sensor issues that could affect vehicle stability. Owners have not reported specific failures, but recalls indicate a potential for the system to malfunction, which could impact handling and safety.
A recall related to the electrical propulsion system suggests possible issues with the electric motor or power electronics. While no owner complaints are on record, this recall points to a risk of loss of power or other drivability problems.
The brake system, specifically the electric power assist control module, is subject to a recall. This could lead to reduced braking assistance or brake failure, which is critical for safety. Owners have not reported issues, but the recall indicates a potential defect.
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front end upon acceleration, with dealerships confirming transmission issues and recommending replacement. Some mention recalls for the same issue, and transmissions may be on backorder, causing delays.
Complaints include uncontrollable sudden acceleration leading to crashes, and engine maintenance warnings related to a coolant valve bypass recall. These issues can pose serious safety risks and may require costly repairs.
Owners describe brake pedal going to the floor with no response, especially on hills, leading to near-misses or crashes. This suggests potential brake system failures, possibly hydraulic or electronic, that are critical to address.
While not detailed in the sample, the high number of electrical complaints likely includes issues with sensors, infotainment, or other electronic components. Owners may experience intermittent failures that are hard to diagnose.
“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.
Rolls Royce Spectre — 5 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (A…
The risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between June and December 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls Royce customer service at 1-877-877…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre electric vehicles. The ground connection cable between the front electric motor and the vehicle chassis may contain adhesive residue which can increase electrical resistance and cause an insufficient ground.
The risk: An insufficient electrical ground can increase the risk of electric shock during service work, and also increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the ground cable connection and remove any residue as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 29, 2024. Owners may contact Rolls Royce customer service at 1-877-877-3735.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (A…
The risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between June and December 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls Royce customer service at 1-877-877…
The defect: BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, 2024-2025 X5, 2025 X6, 2023-2025 X7, 740i, 760i, 2024 XM, 530i, 540i, i7, 750e, X2, 2024-2025 i5, 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre, 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, JCW Countryman ALL4, and 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S) vehicles. Pleas…
The risk: A loss of brake power assist or rear brake function can result in extended stopping distance. A loss of ABS or DSC can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2024. Owners can contact BMW Customer Service at 1-800-525-7417.
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
Rolls Royce Spectre or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Rolls Royce Spectre has far fewer owner complaints per year (0.0) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3). In practice, this means Spectre owners are not reporting problems to NHTSA, but the Camry has a significant number of complaints, including safety-related ones. However, the Spectre's recalls indicate potential issues that owners may not have encountered yet.
Key differences
- The Spectre has zero owner complaints, while the Camry has over 2,100, with many involving safety-critical systems like brakes and engine.
- The Spectre's recalls are all related to electronic control modules, whereas the Camry's recalls include airbags and seats, and its complaints mention transmission failures and sudden acceleration.
- The Camry has a higher rate of crashes (181) and injuries (163) reported, while the Spectre has none, but the Spectre's low volume may skew the data.
- The Spectre is a luxury EV with likely lower sales volume, so complaint counts may be lower simply due to fewer vehicles on the road.
- Check for any open recalls on the Spectre, especially those related to electronic stability control and brake control modules, and ensure they have been addressed.
- Since there are no owner complaints, inspect the vehicle's software and electronic systems for any warning lights or unusual behavior, as recalls suggest potential issues.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on hills, and listen for any grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration.
- Check for any open recalls, particularly those related to airbags and seats, and verify that the VIN is not affected by the coolant valve bypass recall mentioned in complaints.
Before you buy
- Check NHTSA recall databases for both vehicles using their VINs and ensure all recalls have been completed.
- For the Camry, have a mechanic inspect the transmission, brakes, and engine for any signs of wear or previous issues.
- For the Spectre, verify that the electronic stability control and brake systems have no pending software updates or recalls.
- Test drive both vehicles, paying attention to acceleration, braking, and any unusual noises or smells.
- Review the vehicle's service history for any repeated repairs or 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 | Rolls Royce Spectre | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 119 |
| 2025 | 0 | 153 |
| 2024 | 0 | 48 |
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 Rolls Royce Spectre or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Rolls Royce Spectre vs Toyota Camry
- Rolls Royce Spectre total complaints
- 0
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Rolls Royce Spectre total recalls
- 5
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Rolls Royce Spectre avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Rolls Royce Spectre
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN