Head-to-head reliability
Buick Cascada vs Toyota Camry
How the Buick Cascada 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
Buick Cascada vs Toyota Camry: The Cascada averaged 13.3 complaints per year over 4 years with 1 recall, while the Camry averaged 205.6 complaints per year over 10 years with 31 recalls. The Cascada's issues center on engine PCV failures and rear window separation, while the Camry reports power train and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Cascada or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Cascada
The Buick Cascada is a low-volume convertible, averaging about 13 complaints per year over four years. Owners most often report engine issues like a failing camshaft cover/PCV valve causing rough idle and check engine lights, and structural problems where the rear windshield separates from the convertible top. These are real ownership annoyances that can lead to unexpected repairs, but the overall complaint volume is modest.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume sedan with about 206 complaints per year over ten years, plus 31 recalls. Owners report a wide range of issues, from transmission shuddering and stuck ignition keys to brake problems and multiple electrical system malfunctions. The volume is much higher, but that partly reflects how many more Camrys are on the road.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Cascada | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 53 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 13.3 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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.
Buick Cascada
- 01ENGINE15
- 02STRUCTURE15
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER10
- 04VISIBILITY/WIPER6
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
Owners report rough idle, check engine lights, and squealing from the top of the engine, often traced to a failed camshaft cover or PCV valve. This can cause low voltage output and may require a special coverage adjustment, so buyers should check for related repairs.
The rear windshield can separate from the convertible top frame, letting water enter during rain. Owners describe the glass pushing upward and out of the frame, which is a costly fix and a sign of assembly issues.
Some owners report the front collision alert not working at all, with no warning light or sound. Others describe power loss and a loud whistle from PCV system failure, which can lead to camshaft leaks.
The rear window is known to separate from the convertible top material, likely due to insufficient primer during assembly. Owners resort to glue to hold it on, and the problem worsens over time.
“I brought the 2017 Buick Cascada in for repair following rough idle and check engine light. This vehicle only has 46,200 miles. The mechanic put it to the computer and the mechanic found the issue that was ultimately identified as the camshaft cover/pc valve.…”
“A squealing sound was coming from the top of my engine and I had low/rough idle and it progressed to a low voltage output and check engine lights. I was able to use GM's Special Coverage Adjustment N232395320 Camshaft Cover (for the 2019 Cascada) and Special…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and not releasing even when the car is in Park, requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on, pointing to transmission or engine control issues.
Multiple systems can malfunction at once, including stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping. Owners also report subframe and driveline concerns, which are serious and can affect handling.
Some owners experience a delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with the car taking several seconds to move. This hesitation and shuddering can be a safety concern in traffic.
The electronic parking brake may not disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Owners also hear a clicking or vibrating sound from the brake pedal area, which the manufacturer says is common but still annoying.
“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.
Buick Cascada — 1 recall
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016 Buick Cascada vehicles manufactured December 1, 2015, to February 24, 2016. The affected vehicles may have had the original convertible roof control module (CRCM) replaced with an incorrect CRCM, that allows the windows to close automatic…
The risk: If the windows close automatically or can be closed remotely in ways that do not meet all the requirements of FMVSS 118, the unexpected closure can increase the risk of injury to the passengers.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the CRCM with correct module, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300. GM's number for this recall is 16126.
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
Buick Cascada or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Buick Cascada has far fewer complaints per year (about 13 vs. 206 for the Camry), but the Camry's higher volume is partly due to many more vehicles on the road. In practice, the Cascada's issues are more concentrated in a few areas like the engine and convertible top, while the Camry's problems span many systems, so the Cascada may be simpler to manage if those specific faults are addressed.
Key differences
- The Cascada's most reported issues are engine PCV/camshaft cover failures and rear windshield separation, while the Camry's top complaints involve power train (stuck key, shuddering) and multiple electrical system malfunctions.
- The Cascada has 1 recall and 53 complaints over 4 years; the Camry has 31 recalls and 2,056 complaints over 10 years, showing a much wider range of potential problems.
- Cascada owners report structural water leaks from the convertible top, a concern specific to that body style, whereas Camry owners report brake and throttle response issues that affect driving safety.
- The Camry's complaint volume includes 171 crash-related reports and 158 injuries, while the Cascada has 1 crash-related and 1 injury, though these counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
- Check for rough idle, check engine lights, and any history of camshaft cover or PCV valve replacement, as these are common engine complaints.
- Inspect the rear windshield seal and convertible top frame for separation, water leaks, or signs of glue repairs, especially after rain.
- Test the ignition key release in Park and look for any hesitation or shuddering during a test drive, which could indicate power train issues.
- Verify the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly, and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls or special coverage adjustments, especially for the Cascada's camshaft cover and the Camry's air bag and seat recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Cascada's engine PCV system and convertible top seals, and the Camry's transmission, brakes, and electrical systems.
- During a test drive, listen for unusual engine sounds, check for smooth acceleration, and test all warning lights and driver-assist features.
- For the Cascada, pour water over the rear window to check for leaks; for the Camry, test the key removal and parking brake multiple times.
- Review NHTSA complaints for the specific model year you are considering to see if the reported issues are more frequent in that year.
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 | Buick Cascada | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | 395 |
| 2018 | 11 | 744 |
| 2017 | 15 | 148 |
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 Buick Cascada or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Cascada vs Toyota Camry
- Buick Cascada total complaints
- 53
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Buick Cascada total recalls
- 1
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Buick Cascada avg complaints/year
- 13.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Buick Cascada
- Buick Cascada top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN