Last updated: 2026-03-04
Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry: Reliability Compared
Honda Accord
Toyota Camry
Choosing between the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota Camry currently leads with an average score of 77/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Camry is more reliable than the Honda Accord, scoring 77/100 vs 74/100.
The Toyota Camry scores slightly higher in reliability with an average score of 88/100 compared to the Honda Accord's 86/100. With 35 recalls over nine years versus the Accord's 46, the Camry also has a more favorable recall history. Additionally, the Camry reports fewer owner complaints at 2.1 per 10,000 units sold, against the Accord's 5.7, suggesting a more consistent consumer experience. While repair costs are similar, with the Camry at $388 annually and the Accord at $400, the Camry's lower complaint rate and recall count make it the more reliable choice overall.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota Camry costs $12 less per year to repair
- 2Toyota Camry has 11 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota Camry has 3.6 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Honda Accord | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 74/100 | 77/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 46 | 35 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 5.7 | 2.1 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $400/yr | $388/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 9% | 11% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 (1 tied) | 6 (1 tied) |
What Are the Common Problems With the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry?
The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord both exhibit reliability concerns, but with differing emphases. The Camry's most significant issue lies with the power train, accounting for 291 complaints, including 6 linked to crashes, while air bags present a notable safety concern with 58 of its 189 complaints crash-related. In contrast, the Accord shows a higher volume of complaints overall, with the electrical system being the most problematic at 527 complaints, 18 of which are crash-linked, followed closely by forward collision avoidance and engine issues. Both models experience challenges with service brakes and steering, though the Accord reports a higher frequency in these areas, reflecting a broader scope of reliability concerns.
| Component | Honda Accord | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.9Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.6Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.7Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.7Very Low | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.5Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.3Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.4Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| TIRES | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| STRUCTURE | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda Accord or Toyota Camry?
How Does Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Honda Accord | Toyota Camry | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 84/1001R / 65C | 76/1004R / 6C | Honda Accord |
| 2024 | 76/1006R / 166C | 83/1002R / 35C | Toyota Camry |
| 2023 | 74/10010R / 199C | 79/1004R / 47C | Toyota Camry |
| 2022 | 77/1003R / 201C | 84/1002R / 47C | Toyota Camry |
| 2021 | 78/1005R / 215C | 82/1002R / 144C | Toyota Camry |
| 2020 | 73/1008R / 344C | 75/1005R / 253C | Toyota Camry |
| 2019 | 70/1005R / 574C | 70/1008R / 364C | Tie |
| 2018 | 63/1008R / 1739C | 65/1008R / 708C | Toyota Camry |
| 2026(predicted) | 78/100(predicted) | 79/100(predicted) | Toyota Camry |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda Accord scored 84/100 and the 2022 Toyota Camry scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Honda Accord vs the Toyota Camry?
Honda Accord vs Toyota Camry: Common Questions
- Is the Honda Accord more reliable than the Toyota Camry?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Camry is more reliable with an average score of 77/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Honda Accord or the Toyota Camry?
- The Honda Accord has more recalls (46) compared to the Toyota Camry (35). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Honda Accord or the Toyota Camry?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Camry has a lower complaint rate at 2.1 per 10,000 sold versus 5.7 for the Honda Accord. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda Accord or the Toyota Camry?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Camry is cheaper to maintain at $388/year versus $400/year for the Honda Accord.
- Is the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry safer?
- Both the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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