Head-to-head reliability
BMW 750xi vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW 750xi 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 750xi vs Toyota Camry: The BMW 750xi has 5 complaints over 5 years (1.0 per year) and 3 recalls, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6 per year) and 31 recalls. The BMW's issues are fewer but often severe, like transmission failure; the Camry's are more numerous but sometimes minor. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 750xi or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 750xi
The BMW 750xi is a high-end luxury sedan that can be costly to maintain as it ages. Over five years, it has only 5 complaints, but they point to serious issues like transmission malfunction, engine overheating, and sudden power loss. These problems can leave you stranded and lead to expensive repairs, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is essential.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream family sedan known for reliability, but this data shows 2,056 complaints over ten years, including 171 crashes and one death. Owners report transmission hesitation, brake problems, and electrical glitches. While many issues are minor, the volume suggests that even a Camry can have its share of problems, so checking recall history and maintenance records is wise.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 750xi | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 5 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.0 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 750xi
- 01POWER TRAIN3
- 02ENGINE3
- 03STEERING1
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
- 05FUEL SYSTEM1
Owners report transmission malfunction warnings, check engine lights, smoke from the exhaust, and shuddering with power loss. These symptoms can indicate major transmission or engine trouble, potentially leading to costly repairs.
Complaints include the vehicle becoming extremely hot with a burning odor and the check engine light on. This suggests overheating issues that could cause engine damage if not addressed promptly.
One owner described the car coming to a halt with all power ceasing, making the steering wheel hard to steer. This sudden loss of power steering assist is dangerous and points to electrical or battery problems.
The same incident involved a complete power shutdown, requiring a tow and battery/voltage regulator replacement. Electrical failures can disable critical systems and leave you stranded.
“The contact owns a 2011 BMW 750XI. The contact stated that the transmission malfunction warning message was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, smoke was coming from the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to the deale…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW 750XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND LOST POWER. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE RIGHT SI…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove, and hesitation/shuddering with check engine lights. These issues can affect drivability and may indicate transmission or ignition problems.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with the car taking several seconds to move. This lag can be a safety concern in traffic and may signal engine or electronic throttle issues.
The electronic parking brake may not disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area. Brake problems are critical for safety and can be expensive to fix.
Multiple systems like stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction simultaneously. Such widespread electrical glitches can compromise safety features and are frustrating 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 750xi — 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 750xi or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW 750xi has far fewer complaints per year (1.0) compared to the Toyota Camry (205.6), but the BMW's issues tend to be more severe and expensive. The Camry's higher volume includes many minor complaints, but also some serious ones. In practice, the BMW may spend more time in the shop for major repairs, while the Camry may have more frequent but often less critical problems.
Key differences
- The BMW 750xi has only 5 complaints over 5 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056 over 10 years, but the BMW's complaints often involve major components like transmission and engine that can cause breakdowns.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries, whereas the BMW has none, though this may reflect the much larger number of Camrys on the road.
- BMW recalls focus on exterior lighting, while Camry recalls include air bag sensors, seats, and wheel studs, indicating different safety concerns.
- Owner reports for the BMW highlight sudden power loss and overheating, while Camry owners frequently mention transmission hesitation and brake issues.
- Check for transmission malfunction warnings, check engine light, and any smoke from the exhaust during a test drive.
- Test the steering and electrical system by ensuring the car starts reliably and all power accessories work; look for signs of battery or voltage regulator issues.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park and listen for any hesitation or shuddering during acceleration.
- Check the electronic parking brake operation and listen for clicking or vibrating noises when pressing the brake pedal.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission, engine, and electrical systems.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any warning lights, unusual noises, or delayed responses.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and brake service.
- Verify that all safety features (brakes, steering, lights) function correctly before purchase.
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 750xi or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 750xi vs Toyota Camry
- BMW 750xi total complaints
- 5
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- BMW 750xi total recalls
- 3
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW 750xi avg complaints/year
- 1.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW 750xi
- BMW 750xi top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN