Head-to-head reliability
Cadillac Lyriq vs Toyota Camry
How the Cadillac Lyriq 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 Lyriq vs Toyota Camry: The Lyriq averages 42 complaints per year with 17 recalls, while the Camry averages 214 complaints per year with 31 recalls. The Lyriq's issues often involve electrical failures and phantom braking, whereas the Camry's include transmission and engine problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Cadillac Lyriq or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Cadillac Lyriq
The Cadillac Lyriq is an electric SUV that has been on the road for about four years, averaging roughly 42 complaints per year. Owners frequently report electrical gremlins, including sudden loss of propulsion and 12-volt battery failures that can lock them out. Forward collision avoidance and brake issues also appear, with some describing phantom braking. These patterns suggest that while the Lyriq offers modern electric driving, it may demand patience with electronic reliability.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a long-running midsize sedan with a decade of complaint history, averaging about 214 complaints per year. Power train and engine complaints are common, including transmission grinding and sudden acceleration. Brake and electrical issues also surface, though the Camry's overall volume reflects its huge popularity. For a used-car buyer, the Camry's issues are well-documented but may be less frequent per vehicle than the Lyriq's.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Cadillac Lyriq | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 169 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 17 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 25 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 42.3 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 10 Better | 163 |
| 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.
Cadillac Lyriq
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM52
- 02FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE51
- 03SERVICE BRAKES36
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING33
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER21
Owners report sudden loss of propulsion while driving, leaving the vehicle disabled on the road, and 12-volt battery failures that lock them out even when the main battery is charged. These failures can strand you and affect basic functions like door opening and charging.
Complaints describe phantom braking at speeds of 20-40 mph with no obstacles nearby, and 'camera blocked' warnings that may precede unexpected braking. This can be startling and potentially dangerous if it happens in traffic.
The transition between regenerative and friction braking can cause ABS issues, and some owners report phantom braking linked to brake system engagement. This affects stopping confidence and smoothness.
Low beam headlights may point downward after 30 minutes of driving, reducing visibility to about one car length, and the instrument panel uses a parking light icon instead of a low beam icon. Poor nighttime visibility is a safety concern.
“On August 9, 2026, at approximately 3:40 a.m., while driving, the vehicle suddenly lost all propulsion and became completely disabled on the roadway. The vehicle remained powered on but would not move forward or backward. At approximately the time of the fail…”
“The 12 volt battery of my 2023 Lyriq died even though the main battery was at 79% charge. The car had sat unused for three days. The 12 volt battery controls the opening of doors, charging ports, and all other accessories. I was effectively locked out of my c…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front during acceleration, often traced to transmission failure requiring replacement, with parts sometimes on backorder. This can lead to costly repairs and long waits.
Complaints include uncontrollable sudden acceleration, sometimes resulting in crashes, and coolant valve bypass issues that may not be covered by recall for certain VINs. These are serious safety and repair concerns.
Some drivers experience no brake response when pressing the pedal, such as on steep hills, which can be terrifying and lead to loss of control. This indicates potential brake system failures.
Recurring HVAC odors (like vinegar or mildew) and AC condenser damage from road debris are common, causing unpleasant smells and costly repairs not always covered by warranty.
“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.
Cadillac Lyriq — 17 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025 Cadillac LYRIQ vehicles. The owner's manual inaccurately describes the rear outboard head restraints. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 202, "Head Restraints."
The risk: Incorrect head restraint information may lead to improperly adjusted head restraints, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: GM will mail owner's manual inserts with the correct illustrations and descriptions for rear outboard head restraints, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 30, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Cadillac LYRIQ vehicles. The left or right front stabilizer bar bracket bolts may have been improperly tightened, which can allow the bolts to loosen and separate from the vehicle frame. A detached stabilizer bar or bracket can damage the vehic…
The risk: Damaged cables or coolant lines can result in a vehicle shutdown, causing a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the left and/or right stabilizer bar bracket bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 8, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's numb…
The defect: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac VISTIQ vehicles and 2025 Cadillac LYRIQ vehicles. The bolts attaching the high voltage battery to the interior floor may be missing or loose.
The risk: An improperly secured battery may become damaged in a crash, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the high-voltage battery bolts and replace or re-tighten the bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed September 8, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac LYRIQ vehicles. A software error in the driver video display control module may cause the instrument panel to go blank.
The risk: A blank instrument panel will not show critical information, such as vehicle speed and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will update the video display control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2022. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222379510.
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
Cadillac Lyriq or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Cadillac Lyriq has far fewer complaints per year (about 42) than the Toyota Camry (about 214), but the Lyriq's issues often involve sudden propulsion loss and phantom braking, which can be severe. The Camry's higher volume reflects its longer history and popularity, but its problems include transmission and brake failures that may be more frequent per vehicle. In practice, the Lyriq may have fewer overall complaints but potentially more disruptive electronic failures.
Key differences
- The Lyriq has about 42 complaints per year vs. the Camry's 214, but the Lyriq's complaints often involve sudden loss of propulsion and 12-volt battery failures, while the Camry's top issues are power train and engine problems like transmission grinding and sudden acceleration.
- The Lyriq has 17 recalls over 4 years, including electrical and propulsion battery issues; the Camry has 31 recalls over 10 years, covering air bags, seats, and wheels.
- Phantom braking is reported in both, but for the Lyriq it's linked to forward collision avoidance and brake systems, while for the Camry it appears in power train and brake complaints.
- The Lyriq's exterior lighting complaints focus on poor headlight aim and incorrect icons, whereas the Camry's 'unknown or other' issues include HVAC odors and AC condenser damage.
- Check for any history of sudden loss of propulsion or 12-volt battery failures; ask if the battery has been replaced and test all electrical functions.
- Test the forward collision avoidance and braking systems for phantom braking at low speeds, and verify headlight aim and instrument panel icons.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration and test for any hesitation or sudden acceleration.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on inclines, and check for HVAC odors or AC performance issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- For the Lyriq, have a mechanic inspect the high-voltage battery, 12-volt system, and software updates.
- For the Camry, have a mechanic check transmission fluid, engine codes, and brake system operation.
- Test drive both vehicles in conditions that mimic your daily driving, including highway and stop-and-go traffic.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and specifically inquire about any reported complaints or repairs related to the issues above.
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 | Cadillac Lyriq | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14 | 119 |
| 2025 | 18 | 153 |
| 2024 | 113 | 48 |
| 2023 | 24 | 62 |
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 Lyriq or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Cadillac Lyriq vs Toyota Camry
- Cadillac Lyriq total complaints
- 169
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Cadillac Lyriq total recalls
- 17
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Cadillac Lyriq avg complaints/year
- 42.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Cadillac Lyriq
- Cadillac Lyriq top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN