Head-to-head reliability
Toyota Camry vs Honda Accord
How the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Toyota Camry vs Honda Accord: The Camry averages 208 complaints per year vs 430 for the Accord. Camry owners report key/gear shift issues and spontaneous moonroof shattering, while Accord owners face sudden engine power loss and phantom braking. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Toyota Camry or Honda Accord more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry shows a moderate complaint rate of 208 per year, with power train issues being the most common. Owners report the car can be shifted out of Park without the key, or the key gets stuck, posing a roll-away risk. The moonroof has been known to shatter spontaneously, and brake systems can thump or grind. Overall, the Camry has a mix of minor annoyances and safety-related defects.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord has a higher complaint rate of 430 per year, with engine problems dominating. Owners report sudden power loss at highway speeds, especially in turbo models, and the infotainment system suffers from ghost touches and disconnections. The forward collision avoidance system can brake unexpectedly under bridges, and electrical gremlins affect the hybrid system. These issues suggest a more troubled ownership experience.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Toyota Camry | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2,081 Better | 4,300 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 28 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 177 | 155 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 208.1 Better | 430.0 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 161 | 141 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 3 |
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.
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN384
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER332
- 03ENGINE309
- 04SERVICE BRAKES288
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM233
Owners report that the engine can be turned off and key removed while the vehicle is still in Drive, with no warning, allowing the car to roll away. Others find the ignition key stuck even when the dash shows Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove it.
The moonroof can shatter spontaneously while driving, sounding like a gunshot, with no external cause. Also, the hybrid's driver-assist features may malfunction, causing unintended behavior.
Some owners experience excessive engine noise and a musty smell in the trunk, along with rust spots. A vibration sound when pressing the brake pedal has also been reported, with dealers unable to diagnose.
A thumping noise from the driver's side on low spots and grinding from the rear brakes are common. In some cases, the braking system activates erroneously, causing unintended deceleration.
“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…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE928
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM824
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE798
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER699
- 05SERVICE BRAKES577
The 1.5T turbo engine can suffer sudden complete power loss at highway speeds, with the car unable to exceed 2,000 RPM. Hard idle at startup is also reported, leading to drivability concerns.
The infotainment touchscreen registers ghost touches, beeps, and changes settings on its own. In hybrids, the transition between EV and engine mode can cause shuddering at 50-70 mph.
The collision mitigation system brakes suddenly and without cause when driving under bridges with dark shadows, creating a safety hazard. Infotainment issues also overlap with this category.
Brake-related complaints are common, though specific patterns are less detailed. The antilock brake control unit has been subject to a recall.
“I am writing to file a complaint on the service that was provided at Vann York Honda. On February 17, 2026, I was returning home from work and my car had a hard idle at start up. I was able to drive it home without issue. The next day, February 18, I got in m…”
“2021 Honda Accord EX-L, 1.5T turbocharged engine. Within 8 months of purchase at approximately 21,900 miles, I experienced three separate incidents of sudden complete engine power loss at highway speeds. During each incident the vehicle would not exceed 2,000…”
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.
Toyota Camry — 28 recalls
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…
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…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda Clarity PHEV,…
The risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD. This recall is an expansi…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021 HR-V, 2018-2020 Fit, 2020-2022 CR-V Hybrid, 2017-2022…
The risk: Air bags that deploy unintentionally during a crash increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are BOL, WO9, OOA, WOM, XOH,…
Buyer analysis
Toyota Camry or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Toyota Camry has fewer complaints per year (208 vs 430) and fewer recalls (28 vs 38), indicating a lower overall problem rate. In practice, Camry owners face more annoying but less dangerous issues, while Accord owners risk sudden power loss and phantom braking.
Key differences
- Camry's power train issues involve key/gear shift problems that can cause roll-away; Accord's engine can lose power completely at highway speeds.
- Camry's moonroof may shatter spontaneously; Accord's forward collision system brakes unexpectedly under bridges.
- Camry's brake complaints are thumping/grinding; Accord's brake issues include phantom braking from collision avoidance.
- Accord has far more electrical and infotainment ghost-touch problems than Camry.
- Check that the ignition key can be removed only when in Park and that the gear shift indicator matches the actual gear.
- Inspect the moonroof for any cracks or stress marks, and listen for unusual brake noises during test drive.
- Test the engine for smooth idle and acceleration; avoid 1.5T models with known power loss issues.
- Drive under bridges or overpasses to see if the forward collision system brakes unexpectedly.
Before you buy
- Test the Camry's key removal in all gear positions to ensure it only comes out in Park.
- On the Accord, perform a highway test drive to check for sudden power loss or hesitation.
- Check the Camry's moonroof for any signs of damage or previous replacement.
- On the Accord, test the infotainment screen for ghost touches and CarPlay connectivity.
- Review the vehicle's recall history and ensure all open recalls have been performed.
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 | Toyota Camry | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 97 | 4 |
| 2025 | 140 | 97 |
| 2024 | 46 | 207 |
| 2023 | 60 | 220 |
| 2022 | 57 | 217 |
| 2021 | 154 | 217 |
| 2020 | 264 | 341 |
| 2019 | 387 | 655 |
| 2018 | 728 | 1814 |
| 2017 | 148 | 528 |
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 Toyota Camry or Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Toyota Camry vs Honda Accord
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,081
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,300
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 28
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 208.1
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 430.0
- More reliable overall
- Toyota Camry
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE