Head-to-head reliability
BMW 750I vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW 750I 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 750I vs Toyota Camry: The BMW has 30 complaints over 10 years (3.0/yr) and 5 recalls, while the Camry has 2099 complaints (209.9/yr) and 26 recalls. BMW issues focus on engine and powertrain, Camry on brakes and transmission. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 750I or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 750I
The BMW 750i is a luxury sedan that, in ownership terms, demands attention. Over 10 years, owners filed 30 complaints (3.0 per year) and 5 recalls, with the engine and powertrain dominating the issues. The pattern suggests a vehicle that can be rewarding to drive but may require frequent and costly repairs, especially as it ages. Owners report recurring drivetrain malfunctions and engine component failures, which could be a concern for a first-time buyer.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 2099 complaints over 10 years (209.9 per year) and 26 recalls. The top problem areas are powertrain, engine, and brakes, with owners reporting issues like transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, and brake failure. While the Camry is generally reliable, the sheer number of complaints and the severity of some issues (including crashes and injuries) suggest that buyers should be vigilant about maintenance and recalls.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 750I | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 30 Better | 2,099 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 5 Better | 26 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 177 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 3.0 Better | 209.9 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 Better | 161 |
| 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 750I
- 01ENGINE11
- 02POWER TRAIN7
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
- 05WHEELS3
Owners report recurring drivetrain malfunctions causing rough starts and highway issues, with VANOS solenoids and valve covers replaced multiple times within months. Also, active air flap actuators for the radiator grill have been subject to a TSB, indicating a known weakness.
The same drivetrain malfunction issue appears here, with owners experiencing rough starts and loss of power while driving. This can be alarming and potentially dangerous if it occurs in traffic.
Moisture can enter the brake modulator enclosure, causing it to shut down all braking functions. Also, a defective wire harness can trigger the check engine light, suggesting poor electrical component quality.
One owner reported a broken rear wheel rim and bulges on two front tires, and friends with the same model had similar issues, hinting at a possible wheel or tire defect.
“There are two grill shutter actuators. One for the upper and one for the lower. Different part numbers. NHTSA issued a TSB for N63R in 2019: MC-10160279-9999 (G12 (N63R)/G30 (B58M) RADIATOR GRILL UPPER AND LOWER ACTIVE AIR FLAPS: LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO…”
“BMW 2013 750LI DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION RE-OCCURRING CAUSING ROUGH START AND WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY 485 VANOS SOLENOIDS & VALVE COVERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN 7 MONTHS ON MY VEHICLE THAT HAS 22,000 MILES. MY FULL SERVICE WARRANTY IS GOING TO EXPIRE…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN389
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER336
- 03ENGINE309
- 04SERVICE BRAKES288
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report grinding noises from the front end upon acceleration, with dealers confirming transmission issues that may require replacement. This is a major repair and can be costly.
There are reports of uncontrollable sudden acceleration, leading to crashes and total loss of the vehicle. Also, a specific code (P268115) indicates a coolant valve bypass issue that may not be covered by recall for all VINs.
Brake failure is reported, with no response when pressing the pedal, especially on hills. This is a critical safety concern that could lead to accidents.
While not as prominent, electrical issues exist, such as problems with the AC condenser being damaged by rocks, and recurring HVAC odors that are unpleasant but not safety-critical.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
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 750I — 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 2020 750i xDrive, 2019 M850i xDrive Coupe, M850i xDrive Convertible, X5 xDrive50i, X7 xDrive50i, and M5 vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may not have been properly attached to the engine, which may cause the fuel pump flange to crack, result…
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Co…
The risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notif…
Toyota Camry — 26 recalls
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…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner…
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charg…
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…
Buyer analysis
BMW 750I or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW 750i has far fewer complaints per year (3.0 vs 209.9) and fewer recalls, but its issues are concentrated in the engine and powertrain, which can be expensive to fix. The Camry's higher complaint count includes serious safety issues like brake failure and sudden acceleration, but it also has a larger sample size. In practice, the BMW may offer a more trouble-free experience in terms of frequency, but the Camry's problems are more varied and potentially more dangerous.
Key differences
- The BMW 750i has a much lower complaint rate (3.0/yr) compared to the Camry (209.9/yr), but its issues are heavily engine-related, such as VANOS solenoid failures.
- The Camry has a higher rate of crash-related complaints (177) and injuries (161), including reports of sudden acceleration and brake failure, which are safety-critical.
- The BMW has recalls for exterior lighting and fuel pump, while the Camry has recalls for air bag sensors and seats, indicating different areas of concern.
- Owners of the BMW report wheel rim breakage and tire bulges, while Camry owners report transmission grinding and AC condenser damage.
- Inspect the engine for signs of VANOS solenoid or valve cover issues, as these have been replaced multiple times on some vehicles.
- Check the brake modulator for any signs of moisture intrusion, which can cause complete brake failure.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on hills, as there are reports of complete brake failure.
- Listen for grinding noises from the front end during acceleration, which could indicate transmission problems.
Before you buy
- For the BMW 750i, ask for service records showing any engine or transmission work, and have a mechanic inspect the VANOS solenoids and valve covers.
- For the Toyota Camry, check if all recalls have been performed, especially those related to air bags and brakes.
- Test drive both vehicles on a variety of roads, including hills, to assess braking and acceleration behavior.
- For the Camry, check for any signs of transmission issues by accelerating from a stop and listening for unusual noises.
- For the BMW, inspect the wheels and tires for any cracks or bulges, and verify the active air flap system is functioning.
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 750I | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 0 | 58 |
| 2021 | 0 | 154 |
| 2020 | 0 | 267 |
| 2019 | 0 | 388 |
| 2018 | 0 | 731 |
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 750I or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 750I vs Toyota Camry
- BMW 750I total complaints
- 30
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,099
- BMW 750I total recalls
- 5
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 26
- BMW 750I avg complaints/year
- 3.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 209.9
- More reliable overall
- BMW 750I
- BMW 750I top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN