Head-to-head reliability
BMW G 650 GS vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW G 650 GS 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 G 650 GS vs Toyota Camry: The BMW has 7 complaints over 10 years (0.7/yr) focusing on engine stalling, while the Camry has 2143 complaints (214.3/yr) including transmission and brake failures. The BMW's stalling is a safety risk, but the Camry's higher volume and severity of issues are more concerning. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW G 650 GS or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW G 650 GS
The BMW G 650 GS is a dual-sport motorcycle that, in ownership terms, shows a low complaint rate but a focused issue: engine stalling. Owners report the bike cutting out at speed, sometimes after a recall fix, which can be unnerving. It's otherwise a niche vehicle with fewer overall problems, but the stalling is a serious safety concern.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume sedan with a much higher complaint count, reflecting its popularity. Complaints span many systems, including transmission, brakes, and engine, with some reports of sudden acceleration and brake failure. While many issues are isolated, the sheer number and severity of some incidents warrant attention.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW G 650 GS | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 7 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.7 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 G 650 GS
- 01ENGINE6
- 02POWER TRAIN1
- 03SERVICE BRAKES1
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
Owners report the engine stalling without warning at various speeds, sometimes after a recall reprogramming. This can be hazardous if it happens in traffic, and some bikes fail to restart.
Stalling is also attributed to the powertrain, with one report of the motorcycle stalling at 70 mph, indicating a potential fuel or electronic issue beyond just the engine.
One complaint mentions the motorcycle stalling and being unable to restart, which could affect brake assist, though no direct brake failure is reported.
“I BROUGHT MY MOTORCYCLE IN FOR THE RECALL, #15V537 ENGINE CONTROL UNIT SOFTWARE (REPROGRAMMING TO ELIMINATE A HAZARDOUS STALLING PROBLEM) IN OCT 2015. THE REQUIRED REPAIR WAS DONE. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEM AFTER APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS. I BROUGH…”
“The contact owns a 2014 BMW G 650 GS. The contact stated while riding at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled at approximately 2,000 RPM. The contact coasted safely to the side of the road and restarted the motorcycle. The contact had to maintain a high…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the transmission, with some needing full replacement. There are also complaints of sudden unintended acceleration, which is a critical safety issue.
Engine issues include sudden acceleration and a coolant valve bypass code that may not be covered by recall for all VINs, potentially leading to overheating or safety risks.
Brake complaints include a total loss of braking on a downhill curve, which is extremely dangerous. Other reports mention brake assist issues during low-speed maneuvers.
Many complaints are about HVAC odors and AC condenser damage from rocks, which are comfort issues 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 G 650 GS — 3 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 G 650 GS motorcycles manufactured March 8, 2013, to March 2, 2015, and 2013-2014 G 650 GS Sertao motorcycles manufactured March 8, 2013, to May 23, 2014. The affected motorcycles may stall when they are idling and the clutch…
The risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a revised version of the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at Customer…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 G 650 GS motorcycles manufactured March 8, 2013, to March 2, 2015, and 2013-2014 G 650 GS Sertao motorcycles manufactured March 8, 2013, to May 23, 2014. The affected motorcycles may stall when they are idling and the clutch…
The risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a revised version of the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at Customer…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 G 650 GS motorcycles manufactured March 8, 2013, to March 2, 2015, and 2013-2014 G 650 GS Sertao motorcycles manufactured March 8, 2013, to May 23, 2014. The affected motorcycles may stall when they are idling and the clutch…
The risk: If the engine stalls, there is an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a revised version of the engine control unit software, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at Customer…
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 G 650 GS or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW G 650 GS has far fewer complaints per year (0.7 vs 214.3), but its stalling issue is a serious safety concern. The Camry's higher complaint count reflects its popularity, but the variety and severity of issues, including brake failure and sudden acceleration, are more alarming in absolute terms.
Key differences
- The BMW has a single dominant issue: engine stalling, often persisting after recall fixes.
- The Camry has a wide range of problems, including transmission failures, brake loss, and sudden acceleration.
- Complaint volume is vastly different, but the Camry's issues are more diverse and potentially more dangerous.
- The BMW's recalls are all engine-related, while the Camry's recalls cover airbags, seats, and wheels.
- Test ride at various speeds to check for stalling, especially after a recall fix.
- Ask for service records to confirm the engine control unit recall was performed and if stalling recurred.
- Check for transmission grinding or slipping during test drive.
- Test brakes at low and high speeds, and ask about any brake-related recalls or repairs.
Before you buy
- Check NHTSA recall status for both vehicles using VIN.
- For the BMW, ask about the stalling recall and any subsequent repairs.
- For the Camry, inspect transmission and brakes, and ask about any sudden acceleration incidents.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with each brand.
- Review service history for recurring issues like stalling or transmission noise.
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 G 650 GS | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 155 |
| 2020 | 0 | 270 |
| 2019 | 0 | 393 |
| 2018 | 0 | 736 |
| 2017 | 0 | 148 |
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 G 650 GS or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW G 650 GS vs Toyota Camry
- BMW G 650 GS total complaints
- 7
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- BMW G 650 GS total recalls
- 3
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW G 650 GS avg complaints/year
- 0.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- BMW G 650 GS
- BMW G 650 GS top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN