Head-to-head reliability
Cadillac XLR vs Toyota Camry
How the Cadillac XLR 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 XLR vs Toyota Camry: The XLR averages 11.3 complaints per year over 7 years, with 12 recalls and 3 crash-related reports. The Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year over 10 years, with 31 recalls and 171 crash-related reports. The XLR's issues are fewer but often severe, like roof detachment and fuel leaks. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Cadillac XLR or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Cadillac XLR
The Cadillac XLR is a low-volume luxury roadster with an average of 11.3 complaints per year over seven years, but its complaints often involve serious safety issues like roof panels detaching at speed and fuel leaks. Recalls are frequent (12 total), with five specifically for fuel pump problems. Living with an XLR means staying alert for structural and fuel-system faults that can appear without warning.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume family sedan with an average of 205.6 complaints per year over ten years, reflecting its popularity rather than necessarily worse quality. Complaints span major systems like power train, engine, and brakes, and there are 171 crash-related reports, 158 injuries, and one death. Recalls are also numerous (31), covering issues like air bag sensors and seats.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Cadillac XLR | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 79 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 11.3 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 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.
Cadillac XLR
- 01STRUCTURE25
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
- 03EXTERIOR LIGHTING8
- 04FUEL SYSTEM8
- 05GASOLINE8
Owners report the retractable roof panel separating and flying off at highway speeds, sometimes with a sound like a gunshot. This is a severe safety risk that can cause loss of control or injury to other drivers.
Complaints include the key fob not being detected, leaving owners locked inside or unable to start the car, and transmission engaging reverse regardless of gear selection. These faults can strand you and create dangerous situations in traffic.
Headlight lenses have melted, making it impossible to see clearly, and directional lamp lenses may fail. Poor visibility at night increases crash risk, and replacements can be costly.
Owners report gasoline odors, 'check gas cap' messages, and leaks from the crossover pipe between the two fuel tanks or from the fuel pump. Leaking fuel near hot engine parts is a fire hazard.
“SEVERAL XLR OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THAT THEIR ROOF PANEL HAS SEPARATED AND FLOWN OFF THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MY TOP BEGAN EMITTING A WHISTLING NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHEN INSPECTING IT, THE CENTER FRONT OF THE TOP HAS BEGUN TO SEPARATE. THESE TOPS WERE APP…”
“The contact owns a 2004 Cadillac XLR. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, there was an abnormal sound like a shotgun being fired overhead. The contact pulled over and observed that the retractable fiberglass roof panel had detached fro…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners describe the ignition key getting stuck even when the car is in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove, and hesitation or shuddering while driving with the check engine light on. These issues can leave you stranded or cause sudden loss of power.
Complaints include delayed throttle response where pressing the gas pedal does nothing for several seconds, and repeated hesitation and shuddering. This can make merging or crossing traffic unpredictable and risky.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and owners hear clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area that dealers call normal. A stuck parking brake can prevent you from driving, and unusual brake noises may signal deeper ABS problems.
Multiple safety systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—have malfunctioned simultaneously. Losing these aids without warning can reduce your ability to avoid a crash.
“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 XLR — 12 recalls
The defect: TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
The risk: A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
The fix: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON…
The defect: TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
The risk: A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
The fix: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON…
The defect: TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
The risk: A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
The fix: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON…
The defect: TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
The risk: A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
The fix: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON…
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 XLR or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Cadillac XLR has far fewer complaints per year (11.3 vs. 205.6), but its issues are often severe and safety-critical, like roof detachment and fuel leaks. The Toyota Camry has many more complaints, but they are spread across a much larger fleet, and some are less immediately dangerous. In practice, the XLR demands more vigilance for catastrophic failures, while the Camry may have more frequent but varied problems.
Key differences
- The Cadillac XLR has reports of roof panels detaching at highway speeds, a structural failure not seen in the Camry complaints.
- The Toyota Camry has far more crash-related reports (171) and injuries (158) than the XLR (3 crashes, 0 injuries), though this reflects its much larger sales volume.
- Fuel system leaks and fuel pump recalls are a major theme for the XLR, while the Camry's recalls focus on air bag sensors and seats.
- Camry owners report electronic parking brake failures and throttle delays, whereas XLR owners report key fob and transmission gear selection problems.
- Inspect the retractable roof panel for any signs of separation, whistling noises at speed, or loose fittings—this is a known detachment risk.
- Check for gasoline odors around the fuel tanks and under the hood, and look for any 'check gas cap' messages or fuel stains, as leaks from the crossover pipe or fuel pump are reported.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park and listen for any sticking; also check for hesitation or shuddering during a test drive, especially with the check engine light on.
- Verify the electronic parking brake engages and disengages smoothly, and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which may indicate ABS issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls (especially fuel pump for XLR, air bag sensors for Camry) have been performed.
- For the XLR, have a mechanic inspect the roof mechanism, fuel system for leaks, and electrical system for key fob and transmission faults.
- For the Camry, test the ignition key removal, throttle response, and electronic parking brake operation during a thorough test drive.
- Check for any pending recalls by VIN with a dealer and ask for proof of completion.
- Budget for potential repairs: XLR parts are rarer and may be expensive, while Camry parts are widely available but frequent complaints may mean more shop visits.
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 XLR or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Cadillac XLR vs Toyota Camry
- Cadillac XLR total complaints
- 79
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Cadillac XLR total recalls
- 12
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Cadillac XLR avg complaints/year
- 11.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Cadillac XLR
- Cadillac XLR top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN