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/year) and 3 recalls, with engine stalling as the main issue. The Camry has 2,056 complaints (205.6/year), 31 recalls, and 171 crash-related reports. The BMW has far fewer complaints, but stalling can be dangerous. 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 single-cylinder adventure-style motorcycle with a very low complaint rate: only 7 complaints over 10 years, averaging 0.7 per year. The dominant issue is engine stalling, often at speed, with some owners reporting the problem persists even after the recall software update. There are no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in this data, but the stalling pattern is a real ownership concern that can leave you stranded or worse in traffic.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 2,056 complaints over 10 years, averaging about 206 per year. The data shows 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and 1 death, with power train, engine, and brake issues among the most common. While many complaints involve drivability annoyances like hesitation or stuck keys, the presence of crashes and injuries means some problems can have serious consequences.
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 | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 3 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.7 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 G 650 GS
- 01ENGINE6
- 02POWER TRAIN1
- 03SERVICE BRAKES1
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
Owners report the engine stalling at speed, such as at 45 mph and 2,000 RPM, and sometimes needing to keep RPMs high to avoid stalling. A recall for engine control unit software was meant to fix hazardous stalling, but at least one owner said the stall returned about two weeks after the repair.
One owner described the motorcycle stalling without warning at 70 mph, which is a serious safety concern on a bike. This suggests the stalling issue is not limited to low-speed riding.
A complaint notes the motorcycle stalled and then could not be restarted, with no warning lights. While the brake component is listed, the reported symptom is still a stall and no-start, which points to a broader engine or electrical problem.
The same owner who had the recall done and still experienced stalling filed under fuel/propulsion, indicating the stall may involve fuel delivery or engine management. For a buyer, this means the recall may not be a permanent fix.
“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 TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent issues like the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring a battery disconnect to remove it. Others describe hesitation and shuddering with the check engine light on, which can affect drivability and lead to costly repairs.
Complaints include a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the accelerator, and hesitation/shuddering at various speeds. These symptoms can make merging or pulling out into traffic feel unpredictable.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow and manual release, and some owners hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area that the manufacturer calls normal for the ABS system. Brake problems can be both inconvenient and safety-relevant.
Multiple electronic safety systems—smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—have malfunctioned together in one complaint. This suggests that electrical or software glitches can disable several driver aids at once.
“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 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 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 G 650 GS or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW G 650 GS has far fewer issues per year (0.7 vs. 205.6), but its main problem—engine stalling—can be dangerous on a motorcycle. The Toyota Camry has many more complaints and includes crash, injury, and death reports, though most complaints are about drivability and electronics rather than catastrophic failures. In practice, the BMW’s low volume means fewer overall problems, but the stalling pattern is a serious recurring concern.
Key differences
- The BMW G 650 GS has 7 complaints over 10 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056—about 294 times more complaints in total.
- The BMW’s top issue is engine stalling, sometimes at highway speed, and a recall fix may not permanently solve it; the Camry’s top issues include power train hesitation, stuck keys, and brake problems.
- The Camry data includes 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and 1 death; the BMW data shows 0 crashes, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths.
- The BMW has 3 recalls, all for engine and engine cooling; the Camry has 31 recalls covering wheels, seats, air bags, and more.
- Test ride at various speeds and RPMs to check for any stalling or hesitation, especially around 2,000 RPM or at 45–70 mph.
- Ask for proof that recall 15V537 (engine control unit software) was performed, and note that some owners reported the stall returning even after the fix.
- Check that the ignition key can be removed easily when the car is in Park; if it sticks, it may need a battery disconnect to release.
- Test the electronic parking brake to ensure it disengages properly, and listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been completed, especially the BMW’s engine control unit software recall.
- For the BMW, take a long test ride including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic to watch for stalling.
- For the Camry, test all electronic systems: key removal, parking brake, stability control, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping.
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the specific components mentioned in complaints: engine management for the BMW; power train, brakes, and electronics for the Camry.
- Ask the seller directly if they have experienced any of the reported symptoms and request service records.
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 | 157 |
| 2020 | 0 | 274 |
| 2019 | 0 | 395 |
| 2018 | 0 | 744 |
| 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
- 2,056
- 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
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW G 650 GS
- BMW G 650 GS top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN