Head-to-head reliability
BMW 840I vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW 840I 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 840i vs Toyota Camry: The BMW 840i has zero complaints over 7 years, while the Toyota Camry averages 214 complaints per year, including serious issues like sudden acceleration and brake failure. The 840i also has no recalls, whereas the Camry has 31. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 840I or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 840I
The BMW 840i is a low-volume luxury coupe with a remarkably clean reliability record in the NHTSA database. Over seven model years, it has generated zero complaints, zero recalls, and no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths. For a first-time buyer, this suggests a vehicle that has not exhibited any systemic issues in real-world ownership, though the lack of data also means fewer documented problems to learn from. In practical terms, owning an 840i appears to be a trouble-free experience based on available evidence, but it's a niche model with limited fleet exposure.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume sedan with a much longer and more detailed reliability history, but that history includes a substantial number of complaints and recalls. Over ten years, owners have filed over 2,100 complaints, with the highest concentrations in the powertrain, engine, brakes, and electrical system. Many complaints describe serious issues like sudden acceleration, transmission failures, and brake loss, which are alarming for any buyer. While the Camry's popularity means more data points, the pattern of recurring problems across multiple model years is a significant concern for reliability-focused shoppers.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 840I | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 163 |
| 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 840I
No component data available.
The BMW 840i has no owner complaints on file, so there are no specific failure patterns to describe. This absence of data is notable but does not guarantee perfection; it simply means no issues have been reported to NHTSA.
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front end upon acceleration, with dealerships confirming transmission issues that sometimes require full replacement. Some complaints mention recalls for the same issue on certain model years, but not all VINs are covered, leaving owners with costly repairs.
There are reports of uncontrollable sudden acceleration, leading to crashes and total loss of the vehicle. Other complaints mention engine maintenance warnings and a specific code (P268115) related to a coolant valve bypass that is under recall for some Camrys but not all, creating safety concerns.
Several owners describe a complete loss of brake response when pressing the pedal, especially on slopes or hills, which can lead to dangerous situations. This is a critical safety issue that could result in collisions.
Complaints include AC condenser damage from rocks, leading to refrigerant leaks, and recurring HVAC odors described as vinegar-like or mildew, which are unpleasant and may indicate moisture buildup or mold in the system.
“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 840I
No recalls on record.
Toyota Camry — 31 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 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…
Buyer analysis
BMW 840I or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW 840i has zero complaints per year, while the Toyota Camry averages over 214 complaints per year, a stark difference. In practice, the 840i offers a clean reliability record with no reported issues, whereas the Camry shows a pattern of serious and frequent problems that could affect safety and ownership costs. If you prioritize a trouble-free ownership experience, the 840i is the clear choice based on available data.
Key differences
- The BMW 840i has zero complaints and recalls, while the Camry has over 2,100 complaints and 31 recalls.
- Camry owners report dangerous issues like sudden acceleration and brake failure, which are absent in the 840i's record.
- The Camry's powertrain and engine problems are common, with transmission replacements and engine codes, whereas the 840i shows no such patterns.
- The Camry's HVAC issues (AC damage and odors) are frequent, but the 840i has no reported comfort or climate complaints.
- Since there are no reported issues, there are no specific red flags to inspect on the BMW 840i. However, as with any used luxury car, check for general wear and tear, service history, and any signs of deferred maintenance.
- Inspect the transmission for any signs of grinding or slipping, especially during acceleration, as many owners report the need for replacement.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including on slopes, to ensure there is no loss of pedal pressure, which has been reported by multiple owners.
Before you buy
- For the BMW 840i: obtain a full service history and have a pre-purchase inspection by a BMW specialist to check for any hidden issues.
- For the Toyota Camry: check if the VIN is included in any open recalls, especially for the engine coolant valve and airbag sensor.
- For the Camry: test drive at various speeds and on hills to listen for transmission noises and verify brake responsiveness.
- For the Camry: ask about any history of AC repairs or odors, and consider having the HVAC system inspected.
- For both: review the NHTSA website for the latest recall information and complaint trends for the specific model year you are considering.
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 840I | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 119 |
| 2025 | 0 | 153 |
| 2024 | 0 | 48 |
| 2023 | 0 | 62 |
| 2022 | 0 | 59 |
| 2021 | 0 | 155 |
| 2020 | 0 | 270 |
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 840I or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 840I vs Toyota Camry
- BMW 840I total complaints
- 0
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- BMW 840I total recalls
- 0
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW 840I avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- BMW 840I
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN