Head-to-head reliability
Pontiac Solstice vs Toyota Camry
How the Pontiac Solstice 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
Pontiac Solstice vs Toyota Camry: The Solstice averaged 145.2 complaints per year over 5 years, with 533 air bag complaints, while the Camry averaged 214.3 per year over 10 years, with 395 power train complaints. The Solstice has fewer annual complaints but more air bag-related reports. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Pontiac Solstice or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Pontiac Solstice
The Pontiac Solstice is a two-seat sports car with a heavy concentration of air bag and electrical complaints, often tied to ignition switch and occupant sensor issues. Over five years, owners filed 726 complaints, averaging 145.2 per year, with 22 recalls. Many reports describe warning lights and non-deployment concerns after ignition repairs, suggesting that living with this car means staying on top of safety-system recalls.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a broader mix of complaints across power train, engine, and brake systems. Over ten years, it averaged 214.3 complaints per year, with 31 recalls and 181 crash-related reports. Owners frequently mention transmission noises, sudden acceleration, and brake response problems, so a used Camry should be checked for these specific symptoms.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Pontiac Solstice | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 726 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 22 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 28 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 145.2 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 24 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.
Pontiac Solstice
- 01AIR BAGS533
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM76
- 03POWER TRAIN56
- 04SERVICE BRAKES52
- 05SEATS39
Owners report passenger air bag sensor lights staying on, often after ignition switch recalls, and some say neither side air bag will deploy. This matters because a used Solstice may have unresolved safety-system faults that affect crash protection.
Complaints link ignition switch recalls to subsequent air bag sensor warnings and random warning lights. Buyers should verify that all ignition-related recalls were completed and that no warning lights remain.
One owner reported a rear differential leak at 22,000 miles, similar to earlier model years. A leaking differential can lead to costly repairs if ignored, so a pre-purchase inspection should check for fluid seepage.
Owners describe random failure of brake lights to illuminate or turn off, which can confuse other drivers. This is a safety concern because brake lights may not signal correctly, increasing rear-end crash risk.
“I PUTCHASED THE CAR ON NOVEMBER 25, 2015 FROM CYNTHIA WALKER. THE VEHICLE HAD 30,000 MI, EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION (I RECEIVED ALL PREVIOUS SERVICE RECORDS. IN AUGUST, 2016 I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND…”
“MY SOLSTICE IS PART OF THE IGNITION RECALL ID # 102546 - ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH. DURING THE REPAIR OF THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED OCT 13 2014.AND AFTER THE CAR WAS BROUGHT OUT TO ME I NOTICED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT HAD CAME ON. I NOTIF…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front during acceleration, with dealers confirming transmission problems and recommending replacement. Some note recalls on 2021 Camrys for similar issues, so a used model may need transmission checks.
Complaints include uncontrollable sudden acceleration and coolant valve bypass codes (P268115) that some owners say should be covered by recall but are not for their VIN. These issues can lead to crashes or engine damage if not addressed.
One owner described no brake response while driving down a steep hill, requiring emergency action. Another reported brake lights working in reverse, which can mislead other drivers and increase crash risk.
Owners report AC condenser damage from road debris and recurring mildew or vinegar odors from the vents. These are comfort and potential repair-cost issues rather than safety defects, but they affect daily ownership satisfaction.
“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.
Pontiac Solstice — 22 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. The Passenger Air Bag Suppression System (PPS) sensor may become bent or damaged within the front passenger seat, possibly disabling the front passenger air bag.
The risk: In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag does not deploy as intended, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.
The fix: The remedy for this recall is still under development. A permanent remedy is currently under development. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737 or Saturn customer service at 1-800…
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-2011 Chevrolet HHR, 2007-2010 Pontiac G5, 2006-2010 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, and 2007-2010 Saturn Sky vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignitio…
The risk: If the key can be removed from the ignition when the ignition is not in the "off" position, the vehicle could roll away: (a) for an automatic transmission, if the transmission is not in the "Park" position; or (b) for a manual transmission…
The fix: General Motors will notify owners, and for vehicles that were built with the defective ignition cylinder and have not previously had the ignition cylinder replaced with the redesigned part, dealers will replace the ignition cylinder and cu…
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) notified the agency o…
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.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. An interim notification was issued to owners of 2007 and earlier models on March 10, 2014, informing them of the safety defect. Owners of 2008 and later v…
The defect: UCI-FRAM Group is recalling certain LS1328 ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1328, Duralast LS1328, Airtex 1S6097, and Carquest 53-27479, and LS1497 Ignition Switches sold as Wells LS1497, Duralast LS1497, Airtex 1S10961, and Carquest 53-27967, for use on various General Motors model and model year…
The risk: If the ignition switch moves from the run position to accessory, the car would stall and the air bags will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury to the occupants.
The fix: UCI-FRAM Group has notified its purchasers to quarantine and return all inventory. Any switches already installed in vehicles will be replaced by GM dealers as part of NHTSA recall 14V-047, free of charge. UCI-Fram's purchasers should cont…
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
Pontiac Solstice or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Pontiac Solstice has fewer complaints per year (145.2) than the Toyota Camry (214.3), but the Solstice's complaints are heavily concentrated in air bags and electrical systems tied to recalls. The Camry's higher annual rate reflects a broader range of issues across power train, engine, and brakes. In practice, the Solstice may demand more attention to safety recalls, while the Camry may need more mechanical checks.
Key differences
- The Solstice's top complaint area is air bags (533 complaints), often linked to ignition switch recalls and sensor failures, while the Camry's top area is power train (395 complaints) with transmission grinding and replacement reports.
- Camry owners report sudden acceleration and brake response failures, whereas Solstice owners more often report warning lights and non-deployment concerns.
- The Solstice has 22 recalls over 5 years, many for air bag and ignition issues; the Camry has 31 recalls over 10 years, covering seats, wheels, and labels as well.
- The Camry shows 181 crash-related reports and 1 death, while the Solstice shows 28 crash-related reports and 0 deaths, though these counts do not prove cause.
- Check for any active air bag warning lights and confirm that the ignition switch and occupant classification sensor recalls were completed.
- Inspect the rear differential for leaks, especially around 22,000 miles, as one owner reported this issue.
- Listen for grinding noises from the front during acceleration, which may indicate transmission problems requiring replacement.
- Test brake response on a slope and check that brake lights illuminate and turn off correctly, as owners reported failures.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and verify that all open recalls for the specific VIN have been remedied.
- Have a qualified mechanic inspect the air bag system, ignition switch, and electrical components for the Solstice.
- For the Camry, ask a mechanic to check transmission fluid condition, scan for engine codes like P268115, and test brake function.
- Test drive both vehicles under varied conditions, including acceleration, braking on slopes, and use of air conditioning.
- Review NHTSA complaints for the exact model year to see if the reported patterns apply to the car you are considering.
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 Pontiac Solstice or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Pontiac Solstice vs Toyota Camry
- Pontiac Solstice total complaints
- 726
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- Pontiac Solstice total recalls
- 22
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Pontiac Solstice avg complaints/year
- 145.2
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- Pontiac Solstice
- Pontiac Solstice top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN