Head-to-head reliability
Cadillac Eldorado vs Toyota Camry
How the Cadillac Eldorado 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
Cadillac Eldorado vs Toyota Camry: The Eldorado has 70 complaints over 3 years (23.3/year) and 4 deaths, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6/year) and 1 death. Both show brake and engine issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Cadillac Eldorado or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Cadillac Eldorado
The Cadillac Eldorado is a luxury coupe with a relatively low complaint volume: 70 complaints over 3 years, averaging 23.3 per year. However, the pattern shows recurring brake and engine cooling problems, plus electrical issues that can cause stalling. With 4 crash-related complaints, 7 injuries, and 4 deaths reported, these are serious concerns for a buyer seeking a dependable used car.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 2,056 complaints over 10 years, averaging 205.6 per year. The most common areas are power train, engine, and brakes, with reports of hesitation, shuddering, and electronic parking brake failures. Despite 31 recalls and 171 crash-related complaints, the per-year rate is higher than the Eldorado's, but the Camry's issues are spread across many systems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Cadillac Eldorado | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 70 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 23.3 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 7 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 4 | 1 Better |
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.
Cadillac Eldorado
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING17
- 02SERVICE BRAKES10
- 03HYDRAULIC9
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL6
Owners report engine failure and intermittent A/C and power window issues, sometimes with a metal-on-metal crunching noise. A separate complaint notes a 'check engine coolant' warning at 20-30 mph, which could indicate overheating or sensor problems.
Brake rotors rust and become defective, requiring resurfacing as early as 7,000 miles and replacement by 9,000 miles. Another owner had a caliper replaced and rotors and pads installed after numerous brake complaints.
The same brake rotor rust and caliper issues appear under hydraulic complaints, showing that brake hydraulic components are a repeated trouble spot. This matters because brake problems directly affect stopping safety.
One owner reported the engine quitting at 65 mph on a bridge, requiring a coast to safety. Another had intermittent A/C and power window failures, suggesting electrical gremlins that can strand a driver.
“2000 CADILLAC ELDORADO ENGINE FAILURE AND CADILLAC CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER'S LACK OF RESPONSE.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, THE A/C AND THE DRIVERS SIDE POWER WINDOW HAD BECOME INTERMITTENT. THE CONSUMER HEARD A METAL ON METAL CRUNCHIN…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CADILLAC ELDORADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 20-30 MPH THE "CHECK ENGINE COOLANT" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHI…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report an ignition key that gets stuck and cannot be removed unless the battery is disconnected, and others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on. These issues can leave a driver unable to park or drive normally.
A delayed throttle response of several seconds after pressing the accelerator is reported, along with hesitation and shuddering. This lag can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may not disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer, and a clicking vibrating sound from the brake pedal area is common. These brake problems can prevent the car from moving or cause noise and uncertainty.
Multiple systems—smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—malfunctioned at once in one report. Another complaint lists subframe, driveline, and stability control components, indicating complex electronic and structural concerns.
“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.
Cadillac Eldorado — 1 recall
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE INNER TIE ROD NUTS ARE LOOSE AND CAN RESULT IN SEPARATION OF A TIE ROD.
The risk: SEPARATION OF A TIE ROD CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED STEERING INPUT INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL CHECK AND ADJUST THE VEHICLE TOE-IN AND TIGHTEN THE INNER TIE ROD NUTS TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.
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
Cadillac Eldorado or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Cadillac Eldorado has far fewer complaints per year (23.3) than the Toyota Camry (205.6), but the Eldorado's complaints include 4 deaths and 7 injuries, while the Camry has 1 death and 158 injuries. In practice, the Eldorado may have fewer total issues, but the severity of its crash-related outcomes is higher per complaint.
Key differences
- The Cadillac Eldorado averages 23.3 complaints per year, while the Toyota Camry averages 205.6 per year, but the Eldorado has 4 deaths versus 1 for the Camry.
- Eldorado owners frequently report brake rotor rust and engine cooling warnings, while Camry owners report power train hesitation and electronic parking brake failures.
- The Camry has 31 recalls, including air bag and seat issues, while the Eldorado has only 1 recall for steering tie rod assembly.
- Camry complaints include multiple simultaneous electronic system failures, whereas Eldorado complaints include engine quitting at highway speed.
- Inspect brake rotors for rust or pitting, as owners report resurfacing at 7,000 miles and replacement by 9,000 miles.
- Check for engine coolant warnings and listen for metal-on-metal crunching noises, which could indicate engine or cooling system failure.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park and check for hesitation or shuddering during a test drive, as these are common power train complaints.
- Verify the electronic parking brake engages and disengages properly, and listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls, especially the Eldorado's steering tie rod recall and the Camry's air bag and seat recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the brakes, including rotor condition and caliper function, on both vehicles.
- For the Eldorado, scan for engine coolant codes and test the A/C and power windows for intermittent operation.
- For the Camry, test the ignition key removal, throttle response, and electronic parking brake operation.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and confirm whether any brake or engine repairs have already been done.
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 Cadillac Eldorado or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Cadillac Eldorado vs Toyota Camry
- Cadillac Eldorado total complaints
- 70
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Cadillac Eldorado total recalls
- 1
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Cadillac Eldorado avg complaints/year
- 23.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Cadillac Eldorado
- Cadillac Eldorado top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN