Head-to-head reliability
BMW 328ic vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW 328ic 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
BMW 328ic vs Toyota Camry: The BMW 328ic has 34 complaints per year and no recalls, while the Toyota Camry has 205.6 complaints per year and 31 recalls. BMW owners report rear subframe cracks and transmission gear-skipping; Camry owners report stuck ignition keys and brake issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 328ic or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 328ic
The BMW 328ic is a rear-wheel-drive coupe/convertible with a reputation for driving feel, but the NHTSA data shows a concentrated set of structural and drivetrain complaints. Over one year, 34 complaints were filed, with 14 about structure—specifically rear subframe cracks—and 7 about power train issues like transmissions skipping gears. There are no recalls on record, but the reported failures can be expensive and safety-relevant if ignored.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream family sedan with a much larger complaint volume: 2,056 complaints over 10 years, plus 31 recalls and 171 crash-related reports. The most common areas are power train, engine, and brakes, with owners describing hesitation, shuddering, stuck ignition keys, and electronic parking brake problems. The sheer number of complaints and recalls suggests that while many Camrys are reliable, some model years have widespread issues that require attention.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 328ic | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 34 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 34.0 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.
BMW 328ic
- 01STRUCTURE14
- 02POWER TRAIN7
- 03SUSPENSION5
- 04ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
- 05VISIBILITY2
Owners report fatigue cracks in the rear subframe mount, often described as a crack in the sheet metal around spot welds. This can cause squeaking or knocking noises and, if left unchecked, may affect rear axle stability.
Complaints include manual transmissions that skip from second to fifth gear, nearly stalling the car, and shifters that fail to engage park or reverse. These issues can make the car unsafe to drive in normal traffic.
Drivers hear loud thumping or knocking from the rear when braking or driving at low speeds, often traced to worn rear strut mounts or rear axle support components. Ignoring these noises can lead to more costly suspension repairs.
Reports include a cracked oil-water separator that can take weeks to repair due to parts availability, and cold-start problems where the engine shuts off within seconds. These issues can leave the car undriveable and frustrate owners.
“THE REAR SUBFRAME MOUNT IN MY 2000 328CI HAS A SIGNIFICANT FATIGUE CRACK AT THE SUBFRAME MOUNT WITHIN THE REAR AXLE SUPPORT. THIS PART, BMW #41117000246, FAILS DUE TO FATIGUE CRACKS FORMING IN THE SHEET METAL AT THE PERIPHERY OF THE SPOT WELDS OF THE SUBFRAME…”
“BACK IN JUNE 2006, I TOOK MY 2000 BMW 332CI TO BMW OF SAN DIEGO IN CALIFORNIA FOR THE SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM REAR AREA OF MY CAR WHILE DRIVING. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE SO NOTHING WAS DONE AT THAT TIME. NOW I TOO…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of recent Camrys report intermittent ignition key sticking (key won't come out even in Park) and transmission hesitation or shuddering with the check engine light on. These can be dangerous if the car hesitates when merging or if the key cannot be removed in an emergency.
Complaints describe delayed throttle response—pressing the gas and waiting several seconds before the car moves—and repeated shuddering. This lag can be alarming when pulling into traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that the manufacturer calls normal. A stuck parking brake can leave you stranded.
Multiple driver-assist systems (stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping) can malfunction simultaneously, often accompanied by warning lights. This reduces safety features without warning.
“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.
BMW 328ic
No recalls on record.
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
BMW 328ic or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW 328ic has far fewer complaints per year (34 vs. 205.6), but its issues tend to be structural and drivetrain-related, which can be costly. The Camry's higher volume includes many recalls and crash reports, meaning some problems are widespread and safety-related. In practice, the BMW may need fewer visits but each repair could be more serious, while the Camry may have more frequent but sometimes less severe issues.
Key differences
- The BMW 328ic has 34 complaints per year with no recalls, while the Camry has 205.6 complaints per year and 31 recalls—so the Camry has far more reported problems overall.
- BMW owners most often report rear subframe cracks and transmission gear-skipping, which are structural and drivetrain failures that can be expensive to fix.
- Camry owners report electronic issues like stuck ignition keys, parking brake failures, and multiple driver-assist malfunctions, which can affect daily usability and safety.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries reported, while the BMW has none in its one-year data—but this does not mean the BMW is safer; it reflects different reporting volumes and model years.
- Inspect the rear subframe mounts and surrounding sheet metal for cracks, especially around spot welds—this is the most common structural complaint.
- Test the manual transmission through all gears, watching for skipping from second to fifth or difficulty engaging reverse, and check for any thumping noises from the rear suspension when braking.
- Check that the ignition key can be removed easily when the car is in Park, and test the electronic parking brake to ensure it disengages properly.
- During a test drive, watch for delayed throttle response, shuddering, or hesitation, and verify that all driver-assist systems (lane keeping, blind spot, stability control) function without warning lights.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for the Camry's airbag and seat recalls.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the BMW's rear subframe and suspension for cracks or noises, and check the Camry's transmission and electronic parking brake.
- Test drive both cars extensively, including cold starts, highway merging, and parking maneuvers, to feel for hesitation, shuddering, or brake noises.
- For the Camry, verify that the ignition key releases smoothly in Park and that no dashboard warning lights remain illuminated after starting.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and be wary of any car with unresolved safety recalls or repeated complaints in the same area.
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 BMW 328ic or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 328ic vs Toyota Camry
- BMW 328ic total complaints
- 34
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- BMW 328ic total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW 328ic avg complaints/year
- 34.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW 328ic
- BMW 328ic top complaint area
- STRUCTURE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN