Head-to-head reliability
Buick Lacrosse vs Toyota Camry
How the Buick Lacrosse 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 Lacrosse vs Toyota Camry: The Lacrosse has fewer complaints per year (90 vs 214) but more electrical and steering failures, while the Camry has more transmission and brake issues. Both have one death reported. Consider your tolerance for repairs. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Lacrosse or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Lacrosse
The Buick Lacrosse, over a decade of ownership, shows a higher rate of complaints per year (about 90) than the Camry, with electrical and engine issues dominating. Owners report stalling, power loss, and steering failures that can occur without warning, making it a vehicle that may require more frequent repairs and attention. While it offers a comfortable ride, the reliability record suggests potential for unexpected breakdowns.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, despite having more total complaints (2143 over 10 years, about 214 per year), shows a pattern of issues that are often less severe, such as transmission noise, brake concerns, and HVAC odors. However, there are also reports of sudden acceleration and brake failure, which are serious safety concerns. The Camry's higher complaint count may reflect its larger sales volume, but the nature of the issues varies widely.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Lacrosse | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 899 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 33 | 31 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 53 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 89.9 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 41 Better | 163 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 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 Lacrosse
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM236
- 02ENGINE170
- 03STEERING114
- 04SUSPENSION106
- 05POWER TRAIN95
Owners report stalling due to fuel pump failure, unintended tailgate opening, and transmission shifting issues with warning lights. These electrical gremlins can lead to sudden loss of power or unexpected activation of components.
Complaints include engine power reduced messages, lack of response when pressing the accelerator, and engine fans not shutting off. These issues can cause hesitation or loss of power while driving, posing safety risks.
Power steering failure is reported, sometimes at highway speeds, with the warning light illuminating simultaneously. This can make the vehicle difficult to steer, increasing the risk of a crash.
“The contact owns a 2016 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that the fuel pump was previously replaced due to the vehicle stalling while driving. The contact stated that the tailgate unintendedly opened while the vehicle was parked and turned off. Additionally…”
“When I get to a stop sign, and a stop light, when trying to accelerate after a complete stop, the car would struggle to accelerate to go forward. Where the shifting gears would start blinking, and the warning lights (engine power reduced, engine light, and th…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission issues are common, with grinding noises and the need for replacement. Some owners report sudden acceleration or unintended movement, which can lead to loss of control.
Reports include sudden acceleration incidents and engine maintenance warnings related to coolant valve bypass. These can cause unexpected speed changes or potential overheating.
Brake failure is reported, with no response when pressing the pedal, especially on hills. This is a critical safety issue that can lead to crashes.
“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.
Buick Lacrosse — 33 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. Th…
The risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increa…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267,…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insu…
The risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrole…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange…
The risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. Th…
The risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increa…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267,…
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
Buick Lacrosse or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Buick Lacrosse has fewer complaints per year (about 90) compared to the Camry (about 214), but the nature of its issues (electrical and steering) may be more unpredictable. The Camry's higher count includes many minor issues, but it also has serious safety concerns like brake failure. In practice, the Lacrosse may require more frequent repairs, but the Camry's problems can be more dangerous.
Key differences
- Buick Lacrosse owners report more electrical system failures (236 complaints) leading to stalling and power loss, while Camry owners report more power train issues (395) like transmission grinding.
- Steering failure is a notable problem in the Lacrosse, with reports of losing power steering at highway speeds, whereas the Camry has more brake-related complaints (290) including complete brake failure.
- The Camry has a higher number of crash-related complaints (181) and injuries (163) compared to the Lacrosse (53 and 41), suggesting more severe incidents.
- Both vehicles have recalls, but the Lacrosse's recalls focus on transmission and brake calipers, while the Camry's include air bag sensors and wheel lug nuts.
- Check for any history of electrical system repairs, especially fuel pump or transmission shifting issues, as these are common failure points.
- Test the power steering at various speeds, including low-speed maneuvers, to ensure it doesn't fail unexpectedly.
- Inspect the transmission for any signs of grinding or slipping, and ask for service records related to transmission work.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on a hill, to ensure they respond properly and don't show any signs of failure.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the electrical system for the Lacrosse and the transmission/brakes for the Camry.
- Test drive both vehicles, including highway speeds, to feel for any hesitation, loss of power, or steering issues.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for fuel pump, transmission, and brake repairs.
- Check online forums and NHTSA data for any common issues specific to the model year you're considering.
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 Lacrosse | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 6 | 393 |
| 2018 | 12 | 736 |
| 2017 | 34 | 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 Lacrosse or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Lacrosse vs Toyota Camry
- Buick Lacrosse total complaints
- 899
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Buick Lacrosse total recalls
- 33
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Buick Lacrosse avg complaints/year
- 89.9
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Buick Lacrosse
- Buick Lacrosse top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN