Head-to-head reliability
Cadillac XT6 vs Toyota Camry
How the Cadillac XT6 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 XT6 vs Toyota Camry: The XT6 has 104 complaints over 6 years (17.3/yr) versus the Camry's 2,143 over 10 years (214.3/yr). XT6 owners report electrical and power loss issues, while Camry owners report transmission and brake failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Cadillac XT6 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Cadillac XT6
The Cadillac XT6, a midsize luxury SUV, has a moderate complaint rate of about 17 per year over six years. Owners report a mix of electrical gremlins, such as steering assist warnings that disable the AC and reduce power steering, and powertrain issues where the vehicle suddenly loses power. These problems can be intermittent and sometimes require the vehicle to be restarted via the app, which can be unsettling and inconvenient. While not the most problematic vehicle, the XT6's issues tend to be complex and may lead to extended dealership visits.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, a popular midsize sedan, has a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 214 per year across ten years, but this is partly due to its large sales base. Owners frequently report transmission grinding and failures, sudden acceleration incidents, and brake failures, which are serious safety concerns. Additionally, there are many complaints about HVAC odors and AC condenser damage from rocks. The Camry's issues are more varied and include both minor annoyances and potentially dangerous failures, making it a vehicle to scrutinize carefully.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Cadillac XT6 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 104 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 14 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 17.3 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 XT6
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM24
- 02POWER TRAIN21
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER17
- 04BACK OVER PREVENTION14
- 05ENGINE12
Owners report a 'steering assist reduced' warning that disables the air conditioning and reduces power steering, making the car harder to control. There are also reports of the audio system turning on all speakers randomly while driving, which can be distracting.
The vehicle can suddenly lose power while driving at speed, sometimes requiring a restart via the Cadillac app. This is a serious safety issue as it can leave the driver without acceleration or power steering.
The rear-view camera can go white for about 10 seconds when backing into sunlight, and some owners report no alarms sounding when backing into an obstacle, leading to collisions. This is a critical safety feature that may not work reliably.
“There is a known problem, which Cadillac refuses to recall, regarding a steering assist reduced warning. The warning light disables the air conditioning system and steering assist. When the light comes on, reduced power to the steering system occurs. I took t…”
“2025 CADILLAC XT6 AWD SPORT, VIN [XXX] , PURCHASED NEW FROM [XXX] [XXX] ON FEBRUARY 20, 2026. THE VEHICLE'S AUDIO SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATES ALL SPEAKERS WITHOUT COMMAND WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE CONDITION OCCURS UNPREDICTABLY AND PRODUCES A SU…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Many owners report grinding noises from the transmission upon acceleration, with dealers recommending full transmission replacement. Some also describe sudden unintended acceleration, which can lead to crashes.
There are reports of sudden acceleration events, sometimes leading to crashes, and engine maintenance warnings related to a coolant valve bypass that may not be covered by recall for all VINs, leaving owners with potential engine damage.
Owners describe brake pedal failure with no response when descending steep hills, requiring immediate action to avoid accidents. This is a critical safety concern that could lead to loss of control.
“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 XT6 — 14 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may be missing the warning label. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
The risk: Without a warning label, the brake fluid may be unintentionally contaminated by debris, which can affect brake performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the brake fluid reservoir cap and replace it, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2022. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this rec…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The left-rear suspension toe link may have been tightened improperly, which could result in a loose or separated toe link.
The risk: A loose toe link can separate and cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the left-rear suspension and replace the fastener if it is loose or missing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 11, 2022. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC c…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles. The fuel tank rollover valve may not provide a proper seal in the event of a rollover crash.
The risk: A fuel tank rollover valve that does not properly seal can result in a fuel leak during a rollover crash, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace the fuel tank shell if the rollover valve is found to be dislodged or missing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2022. Owners may contact Cadillac customer servic…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac XT5, XT6, and GMC Acadia vehicles. The certification label located on the driver's side B-pillar contains tire size information that may be illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Sa…
The risk: Illegible tire size information may result in the wrong tires being installed, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the vehicle certification label, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 12, 2022. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's n…
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 XT6 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Cadillac XT6 has far fewer complaints per year (17.3) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the XT6's problems are often electrical and can be intermittent, while the Camry's issues include more frequent reports of serious safety failures like sudden acceleration and brake loss. In practice, the XT6 may offer a more reliable ownership experience, but both vehicles require careful inspection.
Key differences
- The XT6 has a much lower complaint rate per year (17.3) than the Camry (214.3), but the Camry's higher volume is partly due to its larger sales.
- XT6 owners report electrical issues like steering assist warnings and camera failures, while Camry owners report more powertrain and brake failures, including sudden acceleration and brake loss.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (181) and injuries (163) compared to the XT6 (2 crashes, 1 injury), suggesting more severe incidents.
- Both have recalls, but the XT6's recalls include brake fluid and suspension, while the Camry's include air bag sensors and seat issues.
- Check for any 'steering assist reduced' warnings and ensure the AC and power steering work properly during a test drive.
- Test the rear-view camera in bright sunlight to see if the screen goes white, and verify that backup alarms sound when an object is behind.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration and have a mechanic inspect the transmission for any signs of failure.
- Test the brakes on a hill to ensure they respond immediately, and check for any engine warning lights related to the coolant valve.
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 transmission, brakes, and electrical systems.
- Test drive both vehicles in various conditions, including highway speeds and backing up in sunlight.
- Ask for service records to see if any of the common issues have been addressed.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest complaints and recalls for the specific model year you are 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 | Cadillac XT6 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 153 |
| 2024 | 15 | 48 |
| 2023 | 13 | 62 |
| 2022 | 14 | 59 |
| 2021 | 18 | 155 |
| 2020 | 36 | 270 |
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 XT6 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Cadillac XT6 vs Toyota Camry
- Cadillac XT6 total complaints
- 104
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Cadillac XT6 total recalls
- 14
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Cadillac XT6 avg complaints/year
- 17.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Cadillac XT6
- Cadillac XT6 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN