Head-to-head reliability
BMW 740li vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW 740li 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 740li vs Toyota Camry: The BMW 740li has 32 complaints over 6 years (5.3/year) and 5 recalls, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. BMW issues often involve engine oil consumption and transmission failures; Camry issues include brake noise and hesitation. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 740li or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 740li
The BMW 740li is a large luxury sedan that can be costly to maintain as it ages. Over six years, owners filed 32 complaints, averaging about 5.3 per year, with engine and power train issues being the most common. Reported problems include excessive oil consumption, sudden engine shutdowns, and transmission failures, which can lead to expensive repairs and safety risks. Recalls for lighting, driveline, and starter issues add to ownership complexity.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 2,056 over ten years, or about 206 per year. The most frequent complaints involve the power train, engine, and brakes, with reports of hesitation, shuddering, and brake noise. While the sheer number of complaints is large, many are for newer models and may reflect the Camry's high sales volume. Recalls cover wheels, seats, and air bag sensors.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 740li | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 32 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 5.3 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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 740li
- 01ENGINE8
- 02POWER TRAIN7
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
Owners report excessive oil consumption and burning, sometimes linked to valve stem seal design, which can lead to fire hazards and unexpected breakdowns. One complaint describes a loud noise followed by the car shutting off at highway speed, a serious safety concern.
Transmission problems are common, including failure to shift into park or reverse, sudden downshifts, and abnormal noises. These issues can leave the car undrivable and require costly repairs.
High-pressure fuel pump failures and related drive train malfunction messages are reported, often after warranty and costing thousands in repairs. This can cause stalling or loss of power.
Electrical gremlins such as doors not unlocking via remote or touch, and starter assembly recalls, are noted. These can strand owners or cause inconvenience.
“BMW 750 I XDRIVE 2011 --EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AND OR BURNING. THE DESIGN OF THE VALVE STEM SEALS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE SAFETY CONCERNS ARE THE FOLLOWING: 1) FIRE HAZARD. 2) PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJU…”
“II WAS ON FLORIDA TURNPIKE LATE NIGHT AROUND 10.30PM WITH MY WIFE GOING SOUTH AND ALL OF SUDDEN WE HEAR LOUD NOISE FROM OUR CAR AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHUT OFF BY ITSELF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY . I WAS GOING ON 70 MILES PER HOUR AND WAS VERY LUCKY THAT T…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent ignition key stuck issues, hesitation, and shuddering with check engine lights. These can affect drivability and may require dealer diagnosis.
Delayed throttle response and hesitation when accelerating are reported, sometimes occurring multiple times. This can be a safety concern when merging or crossing traffic.
Electronic parking brake failures and clicking/vibrating noises from the ABS system are common. One owner had to tow the car because the brake would not disengage.
Multiple system malfunctions, including stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring, are reported. These can compromise safety and require costly diagnostics.
“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 740li — 5 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requireme…
The risk: Vehicles with the incorrect left rear lamp assemblies may be less conspicuous to other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect left rear taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began August 11, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requireme…
The risk: Vehicles with the incorrect left rear lamp assemblies may be less conspicuous to other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect left rear taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began August 11, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2015 740i, 740Li, 740Lxi, 750i, 750xi, 750Li and 750Lxi and 2014 ActiveHybrid 7 vehicles. The affected vehicles may have received incorrect replacement left rear taillight assemblies. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requireme…
The risk: Vehicles with the incorrect left rear lamp assemblies may be less conspicuous to other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace any incorrect left rear taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began August 11, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 201…
The risk: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 740li or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW 740li has far fewer complaints per year (5.3) than the Toyota Camry (205.6), but the BMW's issues tend to be severe and expensive, such as engine and transmission failures. The Camry's higher volume includes many minor or intermittent problems, but also some serious brake and power train complaints. In practice, the BMW may need fewer visits but each could cost more, while the Camry may have more frequent but often less costly issues.
Key differences
- BMW 740li averages 5.3 complaints per year; Toyota Camry averages 205.6 per year, but the Camry sells in much higher volumes.
- BMW complaints often involve engine oil consumption and transmission failures that can cause sudden breakdowns; Camry complaints include brake noise and hesitation.
- BMW has 5 recalls over 6 years; Camry has 31 recalls over 10 years, covering wheels, seats, and air bags.
- BMW reports 3 injuries and 0 deaths; Camry reports 158 injuries and 1 death, though these are not normalized for sales volume.
- Check for excessive oil consumption by asking about oil top-off frequency and inspecting for blue exhaust smoke.
- Test the transmission for smooth shifting into park, reverse, and drive, and listen for abnormal noises.
- Test the electronic parking brake engagement and disengagement, and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
- Check for hesitation or shuddering during acceleration and ensure the ignition key can be removed easily when in park.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine for oil leaks or consumption, and the transmission for shifting issues.
- Test drive at various speeds, including highway, to feel for hesitation, shuddering, or sudden power loss.
- Check all electrical functions: door locks, windows, infotainment, and driver-assist systems.
- For the Camry, specifically test the electronic parking brake and listen for ABS noises during braking.
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 740li | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 61 |
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 740li or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 740li vs Toyota Camry
- BMW 740li total complaints
- 32
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- BMW 740li total recalls
- 5
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW 740li avg complaints/year
- 5.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW 740li
- BMW 740li top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN