Head-to-head reliability
BMW 335is vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW 335is 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 335is vs Toyota Camry: The BMW 335is averaged 7.4 complaints per year over 5 years, while the Camry averaged 205.6 per year over 10 years. The BMW had 0 injuries and 0 deaths, but the Camry had 158 injuries and 1 death. Both have airbag recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 335is or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 335is
The BMW 335is is a performance-oriented coupe that demands attentive ownership. Over five years, it averaged 7.4 complaints per year, with engine and electrical issues being the most common. Owners report serious problems like engine stalling at speed and drivetrain malfunctions that force the car into limp mode. While the complaint volume is low, the nature of the failures can be sudden and immobilizing.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 2,056 over ten years, averaging 205.6 per year. Complaints span major systems like power train, engine, and brakes, with some owners reporting hesitation, shuddering, and brake noises. The higher count reflects its massive sales volume, but the range of issues suggests a need for careful inspection.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 335is | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 37 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.4 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 335is
- 01ENGINE13
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
- 03AIR BAGS8
- 04POWER TRAIN7
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
Owners report engine stalling at speed, such as one complaint of stalling at 50 mph, which can leave the car blocking traffic. Another mentions internal engine damage from an over-rev, with stripped bolts. These failures can be dangerous and expensive.
Complaints include a horn that failed to work when needed to warn another driver, and suspected non-OEM wiring that could cause electrical gremlins. Such issues can affect safety features and are hard to diagnose.
There are reports of airbag deployment errors after a crash, and recalls for driver-side inflator modules. This means the airbag may not deploy correctly in a collision, posing a serious risk.
Owners describe 'drivetrain malfunction' messages that put the car into limp mode, limiting speed and acceleration. This can happen suddenly, making merging or highway driving hazardous.
“AS PER BMW, 5140 READ FAULT MEMORY, CONNECTED BATTERY CHARGER FAULT CODE 2A9A,31002A9B, RAN TEST PLAN, UPON INSPECTION, NOTED FRONT BOLT HAD BEEN PULLED FREE AND THREADS STRIPPED, THIS COMMON WITH AN ENGINE OVER REV.(DAMAGING INTERNAL ENGINE COMPONENTS . THIS…”
“AUGUST 6, 2016 - CAR STALLED AT ABOUT 50MPH, JUST WHEN ABOUT TO GO UPHILL. I WASN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER LEAVING THE CAR BLOCKING TRAFFIC WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER IN IT. ONCE IT STOPS, IT PUTS ITSELF IN PARK, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PUSH ASIDE. WE…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Complaints include the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove, and hesitation/shuddering with check engine lights. These issues can leave you stranded or cause unsafe driving conditions.
Owners report delayed throttle response, where pressing the accelerator results in a several-second delay before the car moves. This lag can be dangerous when merging or crossing intersections.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some report clicking or vibrating noises from the ABS system. Brake problems directly affect stopping ability and safety.
Multiple systems like stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction simultaneously, as one owner reported. Such failures can compromise vehicle control and awareness.
“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 335is — 4 recalls
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 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…
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…
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 335is or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW 335is has far fewer complaints per year (7.4 vs. 205.6), but its issues tend to be severe and performance-related. The Camry's higher volume reflects its popularity, but the breadth of problems means any used Camry should be thoroughly checked. In practice, the BMW may need more specialized care, while the Camry may have more widespread but potentially less catastrophic issues.
Key differences
- The BMW 335is has 37 complaints over 5 years, while the Camry has 2,056 over 10 years, but the BMW's issues include stalling and limp mode, which can be more dangerous.
- The Camry has 158 injuries and 1 death reported, compared to 0 for the BMW, though this may reflect exposure and reporting differences.
- BMW complaints often involve engine and electrical problems, while Camry complaints span power train, engine, and brakes, indicating a wider range of potential issues.
- Both have airbag-related recalls, but the BMW has three for driver-side inflator modules, while the Camry has occupant classification sensor recalls.
- Check for any signs of engine over-rev damage, such as stripped bolts or unusual noises, and ask for a fault memory scan.
- Test the horn and all electrical functions, and inspect for non-OEM wiring or aftermarket modifications that could cause issues.
- Test the electronic parking brake to ensure it disengages properly, and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
- Check for delayed throttle response and any hesitation or shuddering during a test drive, and scan for stored check engine codes.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the specific problem areas mentioned.
- For the BMW, scan the ECU for fault codes and check for any signs of engine or drivetrain modifications.
- For the Camry, test all electronic systems, including brakes, stability control, and parking brake, during the test drive.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and verify that any recall repairs have been completed.
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 335is or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 335is vs Toyota Camry
- BMW 335is total complaints
- 37
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- BMW 335is total recalls
- 4
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW 335is avg complaints/year
- 7.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW 335is
- BMW 335is top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN