Head-to-head reliability
BMW 750lxi vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW 750lxi 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 750lxi vs Toyota Camry: The BMW has 1 complaint over 5 years (0.2/year) and 3 recalls, while the Toyota has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. The BMW's lone complaint is a major engine failure; the Toyota's include power train, brake, and electrical issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 750lxi or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 750lxi
The BMW 750lxi is a luxury sedan that, based on NHTSA data, has very few complaints: just 1 over 5 years, averaging 0.2 per year. That single complaint is about a major engine failure at 80,000 miles, with a repair quote of $16,000. There are also 3 recalls for exterior lighting. For a buyer, this suggests that while problems are rare, when they do occur they can be very expensive.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 2,056 complaints over 10 years, averaging 205.6 per year. The most common issues involve the power train, engine, brakes, and electrical system, with some complaints about hesitation, shuddering, and key removal problems. There are also 31 recalls covering seats, air bags, and wheels. This indicates that while the Camry is popular, owners report a wide range of issues, some of which could affect safety or drivability.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 750lxi | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.2 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 750lxi
- 01ENGINE1
One owner reported a loud clicking sound while driving at 45 mph, leading to a dealer diagnosis of internal engine breakage and a $16,000 repair quote. This suggests that if the engine fails, it can be catastrophic and costly.
“THE ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE. 80,000 MILES AND ALL SERVICE PERFORMED. $16,0000 QUOTE FROM THE DEALER. WAS DRIVING AROUND 45 MPH AND HEARD LOUD CLICKING SOUND. DEALER SAID SOMETHING BROKE INSIDE ENGINE AND THAT "IT HAPPENS". $100,000.00 CAR!”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent issues like the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove, and hesitation/shuddering with the check engine light on. These can leave you stranded or cause unsafe driving conditions.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with several seconds of lag before the car moves. This could be a safety risk when merging or crossing traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area due to the ABS system. Brake problems are critical for safety.
Multiple systems like stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping can malfunction simultaneously, according to one complaint. This could overwhelm a driver and reduce vehicle control.
“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 750lxi — 3 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.
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 750lxi or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW 750lxi has far fewer complaints per year (0.2 vs. 205.6), but its one complaint is a major engine failure. The Toyota Camry has many more complaints, but they cover a wider range of components, some less severe. In practice, the BMW may have fewer problems, but when they occur, they can be extremely expensive; the Camry may have more frequent issues, but they might be more varied and sometimes less costly.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: BMW has 1 complaint over 5 years; Toyota has 2,056 over 10 years.
- Crash/injury data: Toyota has 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and 1 death; BMW has none reported.
- Recall subjects: BMW recalls are for exterior lighting; Toyota recalls include seats, air bags, and wheels.
- Reported issues: BMW's sole complaint is a major engine failure; Toyota's complaints span power train, engine, brakes, and electrical systems.
- Listen for any unusual engine noises, especially clicking or knocking, during a test drive and cold start.
- Check for any signs of engine damage or prior repairs, and ask for maintenance records.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park to ensure it doesn't stick, and check for any hesitation or shuddering during acceleration.
- Inspect the electronic parking brake operation and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and all maintenance records.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the engine for the BMW and the power train, brakes, and electrical systems for the Toyota.
- During a test drive, replicate conditions from complaints: for the BMW, drive at 45 mph and listen for engine noises; for the Toyota, test acceleration, brake pedal feel, and key removal.
- Check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN and ensure they are addressed.
- Consider an extended warranty, especially for the BMW, given the potential for costly engine repairs.
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 750lxi or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 750lxi vs Toyota Camry
- BMW 750lxi total complaints
- 1
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- BMW 750lxi total recalls
- 3
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW 750lxi avg complaints/year
- 0.2
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW 750lxi
- BMW 750lxi top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN