Head-to-head reliability
BMW 7 Series vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW 7 Series 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 7 Series vs Toyota Camry: The BMW 7 Series averages 6.9 complaints per year with 0 recalls, while the Toyota Camry averages 205.6 complaints per year with 31 recalls. Both have crash and injury reports, but the BMW's issues often involve brakes and electrical failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 7 Series or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 7 Series
The BMW 7 Series is a luxury sedan that shows a relatively low complaint rate of about 6.9 per year over the past decade, but the nature of those complaints is concerning. Owners frequently report serious brake and electrical failures, including sudden stops without brake pedal input and unknown brake component failures. With zero recalls on record but multiple crash and injury reports, living with this vehicle may involve persistent electronic and brake-related issues that can be safety-critical.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 205.6 per year—but that reflects its far greater sales volume. The complaints cover a wide range of systems, from power train shuddering and key removal problems to brake noises and electrical glitches. With 31 recalls and one death reported, the Camry has a broader set of documented issues, though many are addressed through recalls.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 7 Series | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 69 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 6.9 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 5 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 7 Series
- 01SERVICE BRAKES22
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER10
- 04ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)10
- 05POWER TRAIN8
Owners report sudden, unintended stops without pressing the brake pedal, as well as repeated unknown brake failures around 21,000 miles. These symptoms can be terrifying and may lead to crashes if not addressed.
Complaints include a range of electrical gremlins, from warning messages to complete failures that can cause the car to stop without notice. Such issues can leave drivers stranded or create dangerous driving conditions.
Some owners describe the vehicle coming to a sudden stop at low speeds with a 'Drive Carefully - Brake System' message, even when the brake pedal wasn't pressed. This points to a fault in the ESC or brake hydraulic system that could activate unexpectedly.
Reports include a panoramic sunroof blowing out while driving and frustration over an unrepaired starter motor fire risk recall. These unpredictable failures add to ownership anxiety and potential safety hazards.
“My 2023 BMW 740i has experienced the same serious failure twice at approximately 21,000 miles. The exact component causing the failure is currently UNKNOWN. The vehicle is available for inspection and is currently being returned to an authorized BMW dealer fo…”
“I pulled my 2019 BMW 740i out of a residential garage and stopped the vehicle. I opened the driver's door and exited the vehicle to enter the code on the exterior garage keypad to close the garage door. After entering the code, I turned around to return to th…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners describe intermittent issues like the ignition key getting stuck in Park and the car hesitating or shuddering with the check engine light on. These problems can make the car unreliable for daily driving and may require costly repairs.
Complaints include delayed throttle response where pressing the accelerator does nothing for several seconds. This lag can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic, and it may indicate a deeper engine management issue.
Some owners report the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow, and clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area that are deemed 'normal' by the manufacturer. These issues can be inconvenient and costly if they recur.
Multiple system malfunctions are reported, including failures of stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance all at once. Such widespread electronic failures can compromise safety and are difficult to diagnose.
“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 7 Series
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 7 Series or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW 7 Series has far fewer complaints per year (6.9 vs. 205.6), but the Toyota Camry's higher volume is partly due to its much larger sales base. In practice, the BMW's issues tend to be more severe and safety-critical, while the Camry's problems are more varied but often addressed through recalls.
Key differences
- The BMW 7 Series has zero recalls on record, while the Toyota Camry has 31 recalls covering issues like wheels, seats, and air bag sensors.
- BMW owners report sudden unintended braking and electrical failures, whereas Camry owners more often report power train hesitation and key removal problems.
- The Camry has a much higher complaint volume but also far higher sales, so the per-vehicle risk may be lower than the raw numbers suggest.
- Both vehicles have crash and injury reports, but the BMW's complaints include a sunroof blowout and an unrepaired fire-risk recall, adding unique safety concerns.
- Check for any history of brake system repairs or software updates, especially if the car has around 21,000 miles, as owners report repeated unknown brake failures at that mileage.
- Inspect the panoramic sunroof for proper sealing and ask if it has ever been replaced, since one owner reported it blowing out while driving.
- Test the ignition key removal multiple times to ensure it doesn't get stuck in Park, a problem reported by some owners.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area and check if the electronic parking brake engages and disengages smoothly, as failures have been reported.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for any open recalls, especially on the Camry, and confirm they have been remedied.
- Take a long test drive that includes braking, accelerating, and using all electronic features to spot hesitation, warning lights, or unusual noises.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic who specializes in the brand, focusing on brakes, electrical systems, and transmission for the BMW and power train and brakes for the Camry.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and specifically inquire about any brake, electrical, or engine repairs.
- Verify that the vehicle's software is up to date, as some issues may be addressed through dealer updates.
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 7 Series | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 | 163 |
| 2024 | 8 | 50 |
| 2023 | 23 | 64 |
| 2022 | 4 | 61 |
| 2021 | 3 | 157 |
| 2020 | 5 | 274 |
| 2019 | 4 | 395 |
| 2018 | 8 | 744 |
| 2017 | 12 | 148 |
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 7 Series or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 7 Series vs Toyota Camry
- BMW 7 Series total complaints
- 69
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- BMW 7 Series total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW 7 Series avg complaints/year
- 6.9
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW 7 Series
- BMW 7 Series top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN