Head-to-head reliability
Tesla Cybertruck vs Toyota Camry
How the Tesla Cybertruck 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
Tesla Cybertruck vs Toyota Camry: The Cybertruck has 206 complaints over 3 years (about 69 per year) and 16 recalls, while the Camry has 2056 complaints over 10 years (about 206 per year) and 31 recalls. The Cybertruck's issues often involve electrical and driver-assist systems, while the Camry's are more traditional powertrain and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Tesla Cybertruck or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Tesla Cybertruck
The Tesla Cybertruck is a new electric pickup with only three years of complaint history. Owners report electrical glitches, structural pieces coming loose, and driver-assist systems that sometimes fail to respond as expected. With 206 complaints and 16 recalls in three years, it's a vehicle where early adopters are still working out the kinks.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a long-running midsize sedan with a decade of complaint data. Owners report a wide range of issues, from transmission hesitation to brake noises and electrical malfunctions. With over 2,000 complaints and 31 recalls in ten years, it's a high-volume vehicle with a broad mix of problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Tesla Cybertruck | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 206 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 27 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 68.7 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 21 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 6 | 1 Better |
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.
Tesla Cybertruck
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM63
- 02STRUCTURE40
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER35
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE26
- 05STEERING22
Owners describe loud pops from the front of the vehicle followed by alerts, and cases where Full Self-Driving fails to disengage when the driver takes over. These glitches can be alarming and may require service visits.
Reports include exterior trim pieces like the sail applique coming loose or detaching, and in one case, cracks in the rear structural casting after an impact. Loose trim can fly off at speed, and casting cracks could affect crash performance.
Drivers report frequent warnings that Automatic Emergency Braking is unavailable, and instances where the system did not respond as expected after service. This undermines confidence in the truck's safety features.
Some owners note that steering input during Full Self-Driving does not always result in the expected disengagement or vehicle response. This can make the driver feel less in control.
“On XXX at approximately 5:15 AM, I was driving my 2024 Tesla Cybertruck (VIN [XXX], ~47,300 miles) on an interstate trip to [XXX] with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) engaged. I heard a loud pop from the front of the vehicle, immediately followed by an alert s…”
“While driving on a highway with Full Self-Driving engaged, I approached an exit and applied steering input to take control. I expected the system to disengage and the Cybertruck to follow my steering input. The vehicle did not respond in the manner I expected…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent issues like the ignition key getting stuck in Park, and hesitation or shuddering while driving with the check engine light on. These can leave you stranded or require costly repairs.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, and repeated hesitation and shuddering. This affects drivability and may indicate underlying engine or transmission problems.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area. Brake issues are safety-critical and should be addressed immediately.
Multiple systems like stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction simultaneously. This can make the car unpredictable and difficult to control.
“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.
Tesla Cybertruck — 16 recalls
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Cybertruck vehicles. The light bar can delaminate and detach from the vehicle.
The risk: A detached light bar can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla service will replace the cant rail assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 19, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-10-001.
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Cybertruck vehicles operating software prior to 2025.38.3. The vehicle controller software may cause the front parking lights to be too bright and exceed the maximum light output, adversely affecting the vision of other drivers. As such, these vehi…
The risk: Parking lights that are too bright can reduce visibility of oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-008.
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Cybertruck vehicles equipped with 18-inch steel wheels. The brake rotor stud holes may crack and allow the stud to separate from the wheel hub.
The risk: Wheel stud separation can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla Service will replace the front and rear brake rotors, hubs, and lug nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 20, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this reca…
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Cybertruck vehicles operating software prior to 2025.38.3. The vehicle controller software may cause the front parking lights to be too bright and exceed the maximum light output, adversely affecting the vision of other drivers. As such, these vehi…
The risk: Parking lights that are too bright can reduce visibility of oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-008.
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
Tesla Cybertruck or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Tesla Cybertruck has far fewer complaints per year (about 69) than the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Cybertruck is much newer and has fewer vehicles on the road. In practice, the Camry's higher volume means more reported problems, but many are familiar to mechanics, while the Cybertruck's issues are often software- and structure-related and may be harder to diagnose.
Key differences
- The Cybertruck has 206 complaints in 3 years, while the Camry has 2056 in 10 years, but the Camry sells in much higher numbers.
- Cybertruck complaints often involve advanced driver-assist systems and structural trim, while Camry complaints focus on powertrain, engine, and brakes.
- The Cybertruck has 16 recalls in 3 years; the Camry has 31 in 10 years, indicating different recall frequencies relative to age.
- Crash-related complaints are higher for the Camry (171 vs. 27), but this likely reflects the larger number of Camrys on the road.
- Inspect all exterior trim, especially the sail applique and other body panels, for looseness or gaps that could lead to detachment at speed.
- Test the Full Self-Driving and automatic emergency braking systems thoroughly, and check for any error messages about driver-assist features being unavailable.
- Check for any signs of transmission hesitation or shuddering during a test drive, and ensure the check engine light is not on.
- Test the electronic parking brake to make sure it engages and disengages properly, and listen for any clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic familiar with the specific model.
- For the Cybertruck, test all electrical and driver-assist features, including FSD and automatic emergency braking.
- For the Camry, check for transmission and engine issues by test-driving at various speeds and listening for unusual noises.
- Verify that any software updates for the Cybertruck have been installed, and check for pending recalls.
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 | Tesla Cybertruck | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 0 |
| 2025 | 24 | 163 |
| 2024 | 174 | 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 Tesla Cybertruck or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Tesla Cybertruck vs Toyota Camry
- Tesla Cybertruck total complaints
- 206
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Tesla Cybertruck total recalls
- 16
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Tesla Cybertruck avg complaints/year
- 68.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Tesla Cybertruck
- Tesla Cybertruck top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN