Head-to-head reliability
BMW G 650 vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW G 650 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 vs Toyota Camry: The BMW has 9 complaints over 10 years (0.9/yr) and 1 recall, while the Camry has 2143 complaints (214.3/yr) and 31 recalls. The Camry reports 181 crashes and 1 death, whereas the BMW has none. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW G 650 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW G 650
The BMW G 650 is a niche adventure motorcycle with a low complaint volume, averaging under one per year over a decade. Owners report intermittent stalling and brake issues, which can be frustrating and safety-relevant, but the overall pattern suggests a machine with specific, fixable quirks rather than systemic failure.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry, a high-volume sedan, shows a much higher complaint rate, averaging over 200 per year, with a wide range of issues from transmission and engine problems to brake failures and electrical glitches. The sheer number and variety indicate that while many Camrys are reliable, a significant minority experience serious problems that can affect safety and ownership cost.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW G 650 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 9 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 1 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.9 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
- 01ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3
- 02SERVICE BRAKES2
- 03HYDRAULIC2
- 04ENGINE2
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
Owners report the motorcycle randomly shuts off when idling or stalls at speed, sometimes failing to restart or idle properly. One dealer attributed this to ethanol in fuel, suggesting fuel system sensitivity.
Brake failures are reported, including a rear foot brake that failed at low speed, forcing the rider to use the emergency hand brake. Another owner experienced ABS failure where the front brake did not respond on dry roads.
Hydraulic issues are linked to the brake system, with reports of ABS malfunction and brake failure, indicating potential problems with brake fluid or hydraulic components.
“MY MOTORCYCLE WILL START AND RUN FOR A WHILE BUT WILL RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHEN THE ENGINE GETS DOWN TO IDLE. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT PERSISTENT AND SEEMS TO HAPPEN ONE DAY, BE FINE FOR A FEW DAYS, AND THEN ARISE AGAIN. WHEN THE BIKE IS RUNNING AND I 'M UP AT SPEED…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW G650 GS US MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT WOULD NOT IDLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ETHANOL IN THE…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission problems are common, with grinding noises on acceleration and dealers recommending full transmission replacement. Some owners note recalls for similar issues on other Camry years, but their VINs may not be covered.
Engine issues include sudden unintended acceleration, which led to a crash and total loss in one case. Another owner received a code for a coolant valve bypass recall, but their VIN was not included, leaving a potential safety risk.
Brake failure is reported, such as a complete lack of response when pressing the pedal on a downhill curve, forcing the driver to use emergency measures. Another incident involved the brake pedal not stopping the car in a parking lot.
Electrical problems are frequent, including issues with the air conditioning condenser being damaged by rocks, and a recurring vinegar/mildew smell from the HVAC system, which can be unpleasant and costly to fix.
“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 — 1 recall
The defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 AND 2008 G 650 X COUNTRY, G 650 X CHALLENGE, AND G650 X MOTO MOTORCYCLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 29, 2006 THROUGH MAY 19, 2008. OVER TIME, THE ROLL GEAR PIN'S MOUNTING ATTACHMENT COULD BREAK.
The risk: IF THIS OCCURS, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR FRAGMENTS OF THE ATTACHMENT TO BECOME TRAPPED BETWEEN THE DRIVE CHAIN AND THE REAR SPROCKET. THE REAR WHEEL COULD LOCK UP, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ROLL GEAR PIN'S MOUNTING ATTACHMENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 30, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
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 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW G 650 has far fewer complaints per year (0.9) compared to the Toyota Camry (214.3), indicating a lower incidence of reported issues. However, the Camry's higher volume also reflects its much larger sales base, so the difference in per-vehicle reliability may be less stark than raw numbers suggest.
Key differences
- BMW G 650: intermittent stalling and brake failures are the main issues, but they occur rarely.
- Toyota Camry: transmission failures and sudden acceleration are serious, potentially life-threatening problems reported by many owners.
- Camry has 31 recalls vs 1 for BMW, indicating more widespread safety campaigns.
- Camry has 181 crash-related complaints and 1 death, while BMW has none, highlighting the Camry's higher risk in reported incidents.
- Test the idle and low-speed behavior: if the engine cuts out or stalls, it may need fuel system work.
- Check brake response, especially the rear brake and ABS function, as failures have been reported.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration, which could indicate a failing unit.
- Test the brakes at low and high speeds for any loss of response, and check for any recall notices on the VIN.
Before you buy
- For the BMW G 650, ask for service records related to stalling and brake repairs.
- For the Toyota Camry, verify if the transmission has been replaced or if any recalls are outstanding.
- Have a mechanic inspect the Camry's brake system and engine for any signs of sudden acceleration issues.
- Check the Camry's VIN against NHTSA recalls to ensure all safety campaigns are completed.
- For both, take a test ride/drive that includes stop-and-go traffic and highway speeds to feel for any anomalies.
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 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW G 650 vs Toyota Camry
- BMW G 650 total complaints
- 9
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- BMW G 650 total recalls
- 1
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW G 650 avg complaints/year
- 0.9
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- BMW G 650
- BMW G 650 top complaint area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN