Head-to-head reliability
Buick Lucerne vs Toyota Camry
How the Buick Lucerne 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 Lucerne vs Toyota Camry: The Lucerne averages 157 complaints per year with 17 recalls, while the Camry averages 206 complaints per year with 31 recalls. Lucerne issues often involve stalling and electrical failures; Camry problems include transmission and brake complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Buick Lucerne or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Buick Lucerne
The Buick Lucerne is a full-size sedan that averages about 157 complaints per year over six years, with electrical problems dominating. Owners report stalling, no-starts, and melted wiring, which can leave you stranded. With 17 recalls and 60 injuries reported, it's a car that demands careful inspection before purchase.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a higher annual complaint rate of about 206 per year over ten years, but its issues are spread across more systems. Owners report transmission shuddering, brake noises, and occasional electrical glitches. With 31 recalls and 158 injuries, it's not trouble-free, but the problems tend to be less catastrophic than the Lucerne's.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Buick Lucerne | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 943 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 74 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 157.2 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 60 Better | 158 |
| 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 Lucerne
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM399
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM106
- 03STRUCTURE101
- 04STEERING83
- 05AIR BAGS79
Owners report door locks cycling and the car shutting off while driving, plus melted wire connectors under the back seat that cause no-starts. These failures can happen without warning, making the car unreliable and potentially dangerous.
Complaints describe repeated no-start conditions where the fuel pump relay fails, sometimes requiring replacement eight times. This leaves owners never knowing when the car will start, a major daily frustration.
Broken interior door handles require replacing the entire door panel, and parts are often unavailable. This makes even minor repairs costly and difficult.
Reports include sudden steering failure while driving, forcing drivers to pull over. In one case, a rear impact caused power loss and inability to steer or brake, highlighting a serious safety concern.
“INITIAL INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A STREET. DOOR LOCKS POWER CYCLED LOCK/UNLOCK AND THEN THE CAR WOULD CUT OFF. NO WARNING, NO TIME TO MOVE TO OUT OF TRAFFIC OR TURN ON HAZZARD. I USE THIS VEHICLE TO COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK/CHILDCARE ETC. I ALSO TRA…”
“We have a Buick Lucerne 2010. We went out it would not start. Tow it to dealership they replace the fuel pump. We did. Get it home next day it will not start again. Tow it to dealership again. This time they find melted wire connectors. Under back seat and on…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove, and transmission shuddering with check engine lights. These issues can leave you unable to secure or drive the car normally.
Complaints include delayed throttle response where pressing the gas does nothing for several seconds, and hesitation while driving. This lag can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area is common. These problems add inconvenience and potential repair costs.
Multiple safety systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction simultaneously. This erodes confidence in the car's advanced features.
“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 Lucerne — 17 recalls
The defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain…
The risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, a…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors custom…
The defect: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DTS AND BUICK LUCERNE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS IN CONTACT WITH THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE. IF EITHER THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS CONTACTING THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE, THE CABLE COUL…
The risk: A POWER STEERING LEAK COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, AND/OR THE LEAK ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL SECURE AND IF NECESSARY REROUTE THE LINES TO PREVENT CONTACT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080…
The defect: This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain…
The risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, a key knocked out of the run position will cause loss of engine power, power steering, a…
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install two key rings and an insert in the key slot or a cover over the key head on all ignition keys, free of charge. The recall began on September 23, 2014. Owners may contact General Motors custom…
The defect: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 DTS AND BUICK LUCERNE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES. THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS IN CONTACT WITH THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE. IF EITHER THE STARTER OR ALTERNATOR CABLE IS CONTACTING THE POWER STEERING RETURN LINE, THE CABLE COUL…
The risk: A POWER STEERING LEAK COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, AND/OR THE LEAK ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS COULD CAUSE AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The fix: DEALERS WILL SECURE AND IF NECESSARY REROUTE THE LINES TO PREVENT CONTACT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 19, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080…
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 Lucerne or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Buick Lucerne has fewer complaints per year (157 vs. 206), but its issues are more severe, often involving stalling, no-starts, and steering loss. The Camry's higher complaint rate reflects a broader range of problems, but they are generally less likely to leave you stranded. In practice, the Lucerne may be more unpredictable and costly to keep running.
Key differences
- Buick Lucerne complaints center on electrical stalling and no-starts, while Camry issues are more varied, including transmission and brake problems.
- Lucerne has 17 recalls and 60 injuries; Camry has 31 recalls and 158 injuries, but over a longer period.
- Lucerne owners report melted wiring and fuel pump relay failures; Camry owners report stuck ignition keys and brake pedal noises.
- Steering failure is a reported Lucerne concern, whereas Camry complaints include multiple safety system malfunctions.
- Check for melted or discolored wire connectors under the rear seat and near the fuse box, as these are linked to no-start complaints.
- Test the steering at low and high speeds for any hesitation or failure, and inspect the interior door handles for cracks or breakage.
- Try removing the ignition key after parking to ensure it doesn't stick, and listen for transmission shuddering during a test drive.
- Test the electronic parking brake engagement and disengagement, and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Buick Lucerne's electrical system, fuel pump relay, and steering components.
- For the Camry, test the ignition key removal, transmission shifting, and electronic parking brake operation.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for electrical and brake repairs.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or delayed acceleration.
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 Lucerne or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Buick Lucerne vs Toyota Camry
- Buick Lucerne total complaints
- 943
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Buick Lucerne total recalls
- 17
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Buick Lucerne avg complaints/year
- 157.2
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Buick Lucerne
- Buick Lucerne top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN