Head-to-head reliability
BMW 335D vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW 335D 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 335D vs Toyota Camry: The 335D averaged 19.3 complaints per year over 3 years, while the Camry averaged 205.6 over 10 years. The 335D had 15 recalls and 1 crash-related complaint; the Camry had 31 recalls and 171 crash-related complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 335D or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 335D
The BMW 335D is a diesel sport sedan that demands attentive ownership. Over three years, it averaged 19.3 complaints per year, with air bags, engine, and electrical system issues dominating. Owners report repeated stalling, overheating, and carbon buildup, often requiring multiple dealer visits. The 15 recalls, including Takata air bag inflators, add to the ownership burden.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream family sedan with a much larger owner base, generating 205.6 complaints per year over ten years. Power train, engine, and brake issues are common, but many are minor annoyances like delayed throttle or brake noise. However, 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries indicate some defects can have serious consequences. With 31 recalls, including seat and air bag sensor issues, buyers should verify recall completion.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 335D | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 58 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 19.3 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 4 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 335D
- 01AIR BAGS18
- 02ENGINE16
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
- 04POWER TRAIN6
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
Owners report front passenger seat occupancy sensor failures (fault code 93C3) that can prevent the air bag from deploying. Takata inflator recalls also affect this model, and some owners wait months for parts.
Common complaints include rough idling, jerking, and stalling due to carbon buildup on the intake manifold and failed fuel injectors. Overheating and repeated dealer visits without a fix are frequently mentioned.
Sudden stalling while driving is reported, often linked to diesel pump or injector failures. A blower motor wiring recall can cause overheating and potential fire, though parts may be unavailable.
Stalling and sudden death while driving are reported, with some owners experiencing multiple engine replacements. These issues can leave the car undrivable and are costly to diagnose.
“- The component that has failed is the front passenger seat occupancy sensor, as indicated by an OBDII scan showing fault code 93C3, seat-occupancy detector, passenger. - The safety of any person in the front passenger seat is compromised because the passenge…”
“TAKATA RECALL: I AM STILL WAITING FOR MY RECALL TO BE FIXED. I'VE READ THAT THEY ARE FIXING OLDER MODELS AND THOSE IN HIGH HUMIDITY FIRST, BUT FIND IT INTERESTING THAT I RECEIVED A NOTICE TO FIX THE RECALL ON THE 2013 LEASED BMW BEFORE MY 2011 OWNED BMW. I LI…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent ignition key stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnect to remove. Hesitation and shuddering with check engine light are also common, often leading to dealer diagnosis.
Delayed throttle response when accelerating from a stop is reported, sometimes taking several seconds. This can be a safety concern when merging or crossing traffic.
Electronic parking brake (EPB) may fail to disengage, requiring a tow. Clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area are common and attributed to the ABS system.
Multiple system malfunctions are reported, including smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping. These can occur simultaneously and affect vehicle control.
“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 335D — 15 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
The risk: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansio…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2011 BMW 335d vehicles with diesel engines. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade over time, possibly resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
The risk: A loss of electrical power to the vehicle can cause the vehicle to unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on June 29, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi,…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and ai…
The risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may cont…
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 335D or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW 335D has far fewer complaints per year (19.3 vs. 205.6), but its issues are often severe and expensive, such as stalling and air bag failures. The Camry's higher volume includes many minor complaints, yet it also has crash-related reports. In practice, the 335D may spend more time in the shop for complex repairs, while the Camry's problems are more varied but sometimes less critical.
Key differences
- The BMW 335D has 19.3 complaints per year vs. the Camry's 205.6, but the 335D's issues often involve stalling and air bag failures.
- Camry complaints frequently mention power train and brake problems like stuck keys and EPB failures, while 335D complaints center on engine carbon buildup and electrical stalling.
- The 335D has 15 recalls in 3 years, including Takata air bags; the Camry has 31 recalls over 10 years, including seat and air bag sensor issues.
- Crash-related complaints are much higher for the Camry (171 vs. 1 for the 335D), though the 335D's lower volume may understate risk.
- Check for air bag warning lights and confirm the passenger seat occupancy sensor recall was performed; fault code 93C3 indicates a failure.
- Listen for rough idle, hesitation, or stalling during test drive; ask for service records on injectors, carbon cleaning, and EGR module.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; if it sticks, a power train defect may be present.
- Press the brake pedal and listen for clicking or vibration; also test the electronic parking brake engagement and disengagement.
Before you buy
- Verify all open recalls are completed by checking the NHTSA VIN lookup for both vehicles.
- Obtain a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the specific model's common issues.
- Request full service history, especially for the BMW's fuel injectors, carbon cleaning, and electrical repairs.
- For the Camry, test drive at various speeds to check for hesitation, shuddering, and brake noise.
- Confirm the BMW's air bag system has no fault codes and the Takata recall was addressed.
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 335D or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 335D vs Toyota Camry
- BMW 335D total complaints
- 58
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- BMW 335D total recalls
- 15
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW 335D avg complaints/year
- 19.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW 335D
- BMW 335D top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN