Head-to-head reliability
BMW 540D vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW 540D 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 540D vs Toyota Camry: The BMW 540D has 0 complaints over 2 years and 4 recalls, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years, 31 recalls, 171 crash-related complaints, and 158 injuries. The BMW shows no owner-reported failure pattern; the Camry has many specific symptoms to check. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 540D or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 540D
The BMW 540D is a diesel luxury sedan with no owner complaints filed over two years, so there is no reported pattern of real-world failures to learn from. It does have four recalls, including two for the exhaust gas recirculation valve and one for the backup camera. In ownership terms, the main reliability story is the recall work, not breakdowns reported by drivers.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a very high complaint volume: 2,056 complaints over ten years, about 206 per year. Owners report issues across the power train, engine, brakes, and electrical systems, and the data includes 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and one death. That does not mean every Camry has these problems, but it does mean a buyer should expect to check for the specific symptoms owners describe.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 540D | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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 540D
No component data available.
Two recalls cover the exhaust gas recirculation valve, and one covers the engine itself. A faulty EGR valve can cause rough running, check-engine lights, or emissions failures, so a buyer should confirm the recall work was completed.
One recall involves the backup camera sensing system. If the camera fails, the driver loses the rearview image when reversing, which matters for low-speed parking and driveway safety.
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and not coming out even when the dash shows Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on, which can point to transmission or engine control issues.
Complaints include delayed throttle response, where pressing the gas gives a several-second lag before the car moves. That kind of delay can be unsettling when merging or pulling into traffic.
Owners report the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow and a new switch that sometimes does not fix it. Others hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that the manufacturer calls normal ABS operation.
One owner reported multiple systems failing at once: stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, secondary collision brake, and lane keeping assist. Another complaint lists subframe, driveline, and stability control components, showing that electrical and chassis faults can overlap.
“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 540D — 4 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On September 12, 2018, BM…
The risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Co…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may c…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 540d xDrive vehicles that were previously repaired under recall number 22V-614. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melt…
The risk: An EGR valve with smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold increases the risk of an engine fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the EGR module and the intake manifold as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d xDrive vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a mel…
The risk: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the EGR module, and the intake manifold will be inspected and replaced, if necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on October 7, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed December 3…
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 540D or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW 540D has far fewer issues per year on paper: 0 complaints per year versus about 206 per year for the Toyota Camry. In practice, that means the BMW's main known risk is recall work, while the Camry has a long, documented list of owner-reported symptoms to check. The difference is not that one is perfectly reliable and the other is not, but that the Camry gives a buyer many more specific failure patterns to inspect.
Key differences
- The BMW 540D has 0 complaints over 2 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years, about 206 per year.
- The BMW's known issues are four recalls, including two for the EGR valve and one for the backup camera, with no owner complaint text on record.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and 1 death in the data, plus owner reports of stuck keys, hesitation, brake noise, and multiple driver-aid failures.
- The Camry's top complaint areas are power train (385), unknown or other (323), engine (315), service brakes (285), and electrical system (237), giving buyers many specific things to test.
- Ask for proof that the two EGR valve recalls and the engine recall were completed, since a faulty EGR valve can cause rough running and emissions problems.
- Test the backup camera and rear sensing system, because one recall covers the back over prevention camera and a failed camera affects reversing visibility.
- Check that the ignition key releases freely when the car is in Park, because owners report the key getting stuck and requiring a battery disconnect.
- Test the electronic parking brake and listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area, since owners report the EPB failing to disengage and ABS-related noise.
Before you buy
- For the BMW 540D, get the VIN and confirm with a dealer that all four recalls, especially the EGR and backup camera recalls, have been performed.
- For the Toyota Camry, test drive at low and highway speeds and watch for hesitation, shuddering, or delayed throttle response.
- On the Camry, park on a slope and cycle the electronic parking brake several times to see if it engages and releases without noise or sticking.
- On the Camry, start the car and try removing the key in Park to make sure it does not stick, and check that the check engine light is not on.
- For both vehicles, ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic who can scan for stored codes and verify that recall repairs were done.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | BMW 540D | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 395 |
| 2018 | 0 | 744 |
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 540D or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 540D vs Toyota Camry
- BMW 540D total complaints
- 0
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- BMW 540D total recalls
- 4
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW 540D avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW 540D
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN