Head-to-head reliability
BMW K 1300 S vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW K 1300 S 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 K 1300 S vs Toyota Camry: The BMW had 4 complaints and 4 recalls over 10 years, while the Camry had 2,056 complaints and 31 recalls. The BMW's issues center on engine stalling and electrical shutdowns; the Camry's on power train, brakes, and multiple safety systems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW K 1300 S or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW K 1300 S
The BMW K 1300 S is a high-performance sport motorcycle with a very low complaint rate—only 4 complaints over 10 years, averaging 0.4 per year. However, the complaints that do exist cluster around engine stalling and sudden electrical shutdowns, which can happen while riding. There are also 4 recalls, three for fuel pump issues and one for hydraulic service brakes. For a buyer, this means the bike is not complaint-prone overall, but the few reported problems are serious and could affect safety.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream family sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 2,056 complaints over 10 years, or about 206 per year. The complaints span many systems, with the most common being power train, unknown/other, engine, service brakes, and electrical. There are 31 recalls and 171 crash-related complaints, plus 158 injuries and 1 death reported. For a buyer, this suggests that while many Camrys are on the road, certain model years may have recurring issues that need careful checking.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW K 1300 S | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.4 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 K 1300 S
- 01ENGINE3
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
Owners report the engine stalling when slowing to a stop, sometimes within a week of buying new. One complaint describes the engine failing and 'self-destructing' at low speed, which could leave you stranded or cause a crash.
A rider reported the bike suddenly losing all power while in motion, as if the kill switch was hit, with no pattern to speed or gear. Turning the key off and on would restart it temporarily, but the issue could recur unpredictably.
Another complaint repeats the same sudden power loss while riding, described as very dangerous. This suggests the stalling problem may not be isolated to one system and could be hard to diagnose.
“LESS THAN ONE WEEK AFTER TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THE BRAND NEW MOTORCYCLE (AUGUST 2012) I EXPERIENCED THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THE ENGINE STALLING WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWED TO A STOP. SINCE THEN THE MACHINE HAS BEEN RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES SPECIFICALLY…”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 BMW K1300S MOTORCYCLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND SELF DESTRUCTED INT…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners of 2023 Camrys report the ignition key getting stuck and not coming out even when the car is in Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, with the check engine light on.
Multiple safety systems—smart stop, stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction at once. Another complaint lists subframe, driveline, and traction control issues, which could be expensive to repair.
Some owners experience a several-second delay in throttle response when pressing the accelerator, making the car slow to move. This hesitation, along with shuddering, can be frustrating and potentially risky in traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Others hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, which the manufacturer says is common but owners find abnormal.
“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 K 1300 S — 4 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.
The risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.
The risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.
The risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 K1200 S, K1200 R, and K1200 R Sport motorcycles and 2012 and 2013 K1300 S motorcycles. In October 2012, BMW recalled 2062 2007-2008 K1200 S, K1200 R, and K1200 R Sport motorcycles. In November 2012, BMW informed the agency that it was adding model year…
The risk: Brake fluid that foams could lead to a reduced braking capability of the front brake system, possibly resulting in a crash.
The fix: The front brake fluid reservoir will be retrofitted with a screen insert, free of charge. The recall began on December 19, 2012. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
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 K 1300 S or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW K 1300 S has far fewer complaints per year (0.4 vs. 205.6), but its reported issues involve sudden stalling and power loss that could be dangerous. The Toyota Camry has many more complaints, but they cover a wider range of systems and may be less likely to leave you stranded without warning. In practice, the BMW may be more reliable on paper, but its few problems are severe; the Camry's higher volume means you should check for specific recurring faults.
Key differences
- The BMW K 1300 S has only 4 complaints and 4 recalls, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056 complaints and 31 recalls—but the BMW's complaints are concentrated in engine stalling and electrical shutdowns.
- BMW owners report sudden power loss while riding, which can feel like the kill switch was hit; Camry owners report key stuck in ignition, hesitation, and multiple safety system malfunctions.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and 1 death reported, while the BMW has 0 in each of those categories.
- BMW recalls involve fuel pump and hydraulic brakes; Camry recalls include wheels, seats, and air bag sensors.
- Check for any history of engine stalling, especially when slowing to a stop—ask for service records and test ride at low speeds.
- Inspect the electrical system for intermittent power loss; ensure the kill switch and ignition are functioning reliably and look for aftermarket wiring.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park—if it sticks, it could be a recurring power train defect requiring battery disconnect.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area and check if the electronic parking brake disengages properly; these are reported service brake issues.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and any dealer service records, focusing on engine, electrical, and brake repairs.
- For the BMW, take a long test ride at varying speeds and pay attention to any hesitation or sudden power loss.
- For the Camry, test all safety systems (blind spot, lane keeping, stability control) and the electronic parking brake during the test drive.
- Ask the seller if any recalls are outstanding and verify they have been completed by a dealer.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, specifically checking the components mentioned in owner complaints.
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 K 1300 S | 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 K 1300 S or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW K 1300 S vs Toyota Camry
- BMW K 1300 S total complaints
- 4
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- BMW K 1300 S total recalls
- 4
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW K 1300 S avg complaints/year
- 0.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW K 1300 S
- BMW K 1300 S top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN