Last updated: 2026-07-26

Buick Lacrosse vs Toyota Camry: Reliability Compared

Buick Lacrosse reliability comparison

Buick Lacrosse

76
GoodReliability score: 76 out of 100, rated Good
VS
More ReliableToyota Camry reliability comparison

Toyota Camry

78
GoodReliability score: 78 out of 100, rated Good

Choosing between the Buick Lacrosse and the Toyota Camry? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Toyota Camry currently leads with an average score of 78/100 compared to 76/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Buick Lacrosse and Toyota Camry Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Toyota Camry is currently in its eighth generation (XV70), which began in 2018. This generation is now mature, having been on the market for several years, which typically means that many initial issues have been resolved, contributing to its reliability. In contrast, the Buick Lacrosse is in its fourth generation, introduced in 2023. It is still early in its generation cycle, and newer platforms can sometimes experience first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial production kinks. Notably, the Camry's long history of consistent updates and the mature phase of its current generation suggest a well-sorted vehicle, likely enhancing its reliability for prospective buyers.

Verdict

The Toyota Camry is more reliable than the Buick Lacrosse, scoring 78/100 vs 76/100.

The Toyota Camry demonstrates a slightly higher reliability score of 78/100 compared to the Buick Lacrosse's 76/100. Despite having more recalls over a longer period, the Camry excels with significantly fewer owner complaints at 2.1 per 10,000 sold versus the Lacrosse's 7.9. Additionally, the Camry benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $388, compared to the Lacrosse's $569. While both vehicles share some common issues, the Camry's combination of fewer complaints and lower repair expenses establishes it as the more reliable choice.

Key Differences

  1. 1Toyota Camry costs $181 less per year to repair
  2. 2Buick Lacrosse has 30 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Toyota Camry has 5.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

1Buick Lacrosse
—
4Toyota Camry
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Buick Lacrosse vs Toyota Camry: Which Is More Reliable?

Buick Lacrosse vs Toyota Camry at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricBuick LacrosseToyota Camry
Reliability Score76/10078/100
Years Tracked29
Total Recalls535
Complaints per 10k Sold7.92.1
Annual Repair Cost$569/yr$388/yr
Repair Frequency0.3/yr0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk12%11%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2019 NHTSA
2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins20

What Are the Common Problems With the Buick Lacrosse and Toyota Camry?

The Toyota Camry exhibits a broad range of issues with a total of 1,604 complaints, prominently featuring the power train with 291 complaints, including 6 linked to crashes, and air bags with 189 complaints, 58 of which are crash-linked. The Buick Lacrosse, on the other hand, has a significantly lower total of 18 complaints, with the engine being the most reported issue at 5 complaints. Notably, the Camry's air bag and service brake issues have a higher crash linkage, highlighting potential safety concerns that are not mirrored in the Lacrosse's profile. Despite its lower complaint volume, the Lacrosse does not show any crash-linked issues, suggesting a potentially more stable safety record.

Buick Lacrosse vs Toyota Camry common problem areas comparison
ComponentBuick LacrosseToyota Camry
ENGINE2.2Low0.1Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1.3Low0.2Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1.3Low0.2Very Low
POWER TRAIN0.9Very Low0.4Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.9Very Low0.1Very Low
AIR BAGS—None0.2Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES—None0.2Very Low
STEERING—None0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM—None0.1Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM—None0.1Very Low
TIRES—None—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE—None—None
SEAT BELTS—None—None
STRUCTURE—None—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER—None—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING—None—None
VISIBILITY—None—None
SUSPENSION—None—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Buick Lacrosse or Toyota Camry?

Independent repair cost data indicates that the Toyota Camry is a more cost-effective choice for maintenance and repairs. With an annual repair cost of $388, the Camry is notably cheaper than the Buick Lacrosse, which costs $569 per year. This difference translates to a $905 saving over five years. Both vehicles have a similar repair frequency of 0.3 visits per year, but the Camry has a slightly lower major repair risk at 11%, compared to the Lacrosse's 12%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Camry offers better value, providing lower overall maintenance expenses and a marginally reduced risk of significant repairs.

How Does Buick Lacrosse vs Toyota Camry Reliability Compare by Year?

Buick Lacrosse vs Toyota Camry year-by-year reliability scores
YearBuick LacrosseToyota CamryEdge
201976/1002R / 6C70/1008R / 364CBuick Lacrosse
201875/1003R / 12C65/1008R / 708CBuick Lacrosse

Best years to cross-shop: The 2019 Buick Lacrosse scored 76/100 and the 2019 Toyota Camry scored 70/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Buick Lacrosse vs the Toyota Camry?

If you prioritize low running costs and fewer owner complaints, the Toyota Camry might be the better choice for you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $388 and only 2.1 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, it offers a more economical and satisfying ownership experience. The Camry also has a slightly higher reliability score of 78/100, making it a dependable option. On the other hand, if you are concerned about the frequency of recalls, the Buick Lacrosse could be appealing. Despite its higher owner complaints and estimated annual repair cost of $569, it has had only 5 total recalls compared to the Camry's 35. However, you should be prepared for a slightly higher risk of major repairs at 12%. Choose the Lacrosse if recall frequency is your primary concern, but keep in mind the potential for higher maintenance costs.

Buick Lacrosse vs Toyota Camry: Common Questions

Is the Buick Lacrosse more reliable than the Toyota Camry?
Based on our data, the Toyota Camry is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 76/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Buick Lacrosse or the Toyota Camry?
The Toyota Camry has more recalls (35) compared to the Buick Lacrosse (5). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Buick Lacrosse or the Toyota Camry?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Camry has a lower complaint rate at 2.1 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 7.9 for the Buick Lacrosse. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Buick Lacrosse or the Toyota Camry?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Camry is cheaper to maintain at $388/year versus $569/year for the Buick Lacrosse.
Is the Buick Lacrosse or Toyota Camry safer?
Both the Buick Lacrosse and Toyota Camry received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Related Reliability Comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

1

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

4

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

  • 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
  • 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
  • 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
  • 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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