Head-to-head reliability
BMW M235i vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW M235i 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 M235i vs Toyota Camry: The M235i has 19 complaints over 8 years (2.4/year) and 8 recalls, while the Camry has 2056 complaints over 10 years (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. The Camry also reports 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries, versus none for the M235i. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW M235i or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW M235i
The BMW M235i is a performance coupe with a relatively low complaint rate of about 2.4 per year over eight years, but owners report specific mechanical and electrical issues. The most common complaints involve electrical system glitches, power train problems like transmission leaks and stalling, and exterior lighting failures. While there are no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data, the pattern suggests that when problems occur, they can be costly and sometimes leave the car undrivable.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume—about 206 per year over ten years—and a broader range of issues reported by owners. Complaints span the power train, engine, brakes, electrical system, and more, with some reports of crashes and injuries. However, the sheer number of Camrys on the road means even a small defect rate can generate many complaints. The data shows that while many issues are minor or intermittent, some can affect safety and require dealer attention.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW M235i | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 19 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.4 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 M235i
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 02POWER TRAIN3
- 03EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
- 04ENGINE2
- 05AIR BAGS2
Owners report rear brake light failure due to faulty wiring, similar to a past BMW recall, and transmission sensor issues caused by liquid spills from cupholders. These electrical glitches can lead to warning lights, drivability problems, and unexpected repair bills.
Complaints include a transmission leak through the metal case and a drive train malfunction warning that caused the car to stall and not restart. Such failures can strand a driver and may require expensive transmission repairs.
Owners report rear brake light failure from faulty wiring and instrument cluster visibility issues where the speedometer and tachometer become nearly invisible when lighting is off. These problems can affect safety and usability, especially at night.
The N55 engine's oiling system is criticized for oil starvation during high-G driving, which can lead to engine damage. Additionally, some owners experienced stalling linked to a drive train malfunction that was later recalled.
“Rear brake light failure due to faulty wiring. Identical to the details located in this article (https://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/01/bmw-recalling-241-000-3-series-models-over-faulty-tail-lights/) for which the NHTSA had issued a recall for older BMW models i…”
“According to the dealer, a transmission sensor underneath the gear shifter got wet due to a liquid spill from the cupholders. While driving on the highway returning from scheduled dealer maintenance on the car, the informations screen showed a warning that th…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent ignition key stuck issues where the key cannot be removed even in Park, requiring battery disconnection, and hesitation/shuddering with check engine light. These problems can leave drivers unable to secure the vehicle or drive smoothly.
Complaints include multiple system malfunctions such as smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance failing simultaneously. Such widespread electronic failures can compromise safety and require extensive diagnostics.
Owners describe delayed throttle response where pressing the accelerator results in several seconds of hesitation before the car moves. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic and may indicate a software or sensor issue.
Reports include the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow, and a clicking/vibrating noise from the brake pedal area attributed to the ABS system. These issues can affect vehicle operation and may be costly to repair.
“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 M235i — 8 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 228i Coupe, M235i Coupe, 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, ActiveHybrid 3, 328xi Sports Wagon, 428i Coupe, 428xi Coupe, 435i Coupe, 435xi Coupe, 428i Convertible, 428xi Convertible, 435i Convertible, 328xi Gran Turismo, 335xi…
The risk: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on May 28, 2015. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 4…
The risk: An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive), and 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i, M235i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fa…
The risk: An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 4…
The risk: An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 M235i or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW M235i has far fewer complaints per year (2.4) compared to the Toyota Camry (205.6), but the Camry's higher volume reflects its much larger sales. In practice, the M235i's issues tend to be more specialized and potentially expensive, while the Camry's problems are more varied and sometimes safety-related. Neither vehicle is problem-free, but the M235i's lower complaint rate may appeal to buyers seeking fewer reported issues overall.
Key differences
- The BMW M235i has 19 complaints over 8 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2056 over 10 years, but the Camry sells in much higher volumes.
- BMW M235i complaints often involve electrical wiring, transmission leaks, and engine oil starvation, whereas Camry complaints include key stuck, brake noise, and multiple system malfunctions.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related complaints, 158 injuries, and 1 death reported, while the M235i has 0 in these categories.
- Both have recalls: M235i has 8 (fuel pump, air bags), Camry has 31 (wheels, seats, air bag sensors).
- Check for rear brake light function and inspect wiring for signs of corrosion or damage, as owners report failures.
- Test drive at highway speeds and listen for transmission leaks or unusual noises; also check for oil starvation signs if the car has been track-driven.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park and ensure it releases smoothly; also check for hesitation or shuddering during acceleration.
- Inspect the electronic parking brake operation 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 performed, especially for the BMW's fuel pump and air bags, and the Camry's air bag sensors and seats.
- Have a mechanic inspect the BMW for transmission leaks, electrical wiring issues, and engine oiling system health.
- For the Camry, test all electronic systems including smart stop, stability control, and lane keeping, and check for brake pedal noises.
- During a test drive, pay attention to acceleration response and any warning lights on the dashboard.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and specifically inquire about any recurring issues mentioned in 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 M235i | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 0 | 64 |
| 2022 | 1 | 61 |
| 2021 | 0 | 157 |
| 2020 | 0 | 274 |
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 M235i or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW M235i vs Toyota Camry
- BMW M235i total complaints
- 19
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- BMW M235i total recalls
- 8
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW M235i avg complaints/year
- 2.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW M235i
- BMW M235i top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN