Head-to-head reliability
BMW M240i vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW M240i 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 M240i vs Toyota Camry: The M240i has 11 complaints over 10 years (1.1/year) and 8 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. The M240i's main issues are headlights and electrical glitches; the Camry's include power train, engine, and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW M240i or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW M240i
The BMW M240i is a sporty coupe that sees relatively few owner complaints—just 11 over 10 years, or about 1.1 per year. The most common issues involve exterior lighting, with owners reporting headlights that crack or fog up with condensation, sometimes requiring repeated replacement. Electrical glitches and steering gear concerns also appear, but overall the complaint volume is low. This suggests that while the M240i can have some annoying and potentially costly problems, they are not widespread or frequent.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream sedan with a much higher complaint volume: 2,056 over 10 years, averaging about 206 per year. Owners report a wide range of issues, especially with the power train, engine, brakes, and electrical systems. Some complaints involve serious safety concerns like crashes and injuries, though the vast majority of vehicles do not experience these. The high number of complaints reflects the Camry's huge sales volume, but it also means buyers should be aware of common trouble spots.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW M240i | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 11 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.1 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 M240i
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING5
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 03STEERING2
- 04STRUCTURE1
- 05LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES1
Owners report headlights that crack from regular driving or fog up with condensation inside the housing. Some have replaced both headlights multiple times, which can be expensive after warranty.
Complaints include a dead battery after the car is parked and unattended, as well as radio or amplifier failures causing loud crackling or no sound. These can be intermittent and frustrating to diagnose.
Owners have asked NHTSA to expand a recall for defective steering gear assemblies to include certain model years. A steering failure could make the car hard to control, so any recall or service campaign should be checked.
One complaint describes a parked, covered car that could not be opened with the key fob the next day. This suggests a possible electrical or locking issue that could leave an owner stranded.
“I have owned a 2022 BMW M240i for a few years now, and as it ages out of warranty, I have replaced both headlights a total of 4 times. I fear additional pairs will be required as unfortunately these headlights tend to crack from regular driving. I have spent…”
“Just over a year of ownership and the headlights are fogging over with condensation on the inside of the headlight housing. Googling this problem produces hundreds of thousands of results, including forum posts and facebook/instagram reels showcasing this iss…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and not releasing even when the car is in Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving, often with a check engine light.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with the car taking several seconds to move. This can be a safety concern when merging or pulling out into traffic.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow to the dealer. Owners also report a clicking or vibrating sound from the brake pedal area, which the manufacturer says is normal but owners find abnormal.
Multiple systems can malfunction at once, including stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping. This could make the car difficult to control and disable important safety aids.
“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 M240i — 8 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 2 Series Coupe (230i, 230i XDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive) vehicles. The second-row seat backrest cover panels for the side air bags may break during deployment of the side air bags.
The risk: A backrest cover panel that breaks during side air bag deployment may cause the air bag to deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury to second-row seat occupants.
The fix: Dealers will replace the rear seat backrest side air bag cover panels, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North Americal, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 8 Series Coupe (840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, Alpine B8 xDrive), 2 Series Coupe (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i xDrive,…
The risk: Unintentionally closing the windows or sunroof without the key present can increase the risk of injury to occupants inside the vehicle.
The fix: Dealers will update the software for the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), free of charge. In addition, the digital key function via cellular service and Wi-Fi capability will be deactivated until the vehicle is updated with new software. Own…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive, M2 Competition Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, and 2019 330i xDrive Sportswagon vehicles. The driver and passenger knee air bag assemblies may have been improperly folded and asse…
The risk: An improperly folded and assembled air bag may not deploy as intended, increasing risk of injury.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the knee air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 BMW 540d xDrive vehicles. The crankshaft sensor may be equipped with incorrect firmware, preventing the sensor from properly processing input from the crankshaft reluctor ring, possibly resulting in a vehicle stall. On September 12, 2018, BM…
The risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crankshaft sensor, free of charge. The recall began September 6, 2018. 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 M240i or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW M240i has far fewer complaints per year (about 1.1) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Camry's numbers are inflated by its much higher sales volume. In practice, the M240i owner is less likely to experience frequent problems, while the Camry owner may face a wider variety of common issues. However, the Camry's issues are often well-known and may be covered by recalls or extended warranties.
Key differences
- The BMW M240i has only 11 complaints over 10 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056—but the Camry sells in far greater numbers, so per-vehicle complaint rates are not directly comparable.
- BMW M240i complaints cluster around exterior lighting (cracking or fogging headlights) and occasional electrical/steering issues, whereas Camry complaints span power train, engine, brakes, and electrical systems.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries reported, while the M240i has 0 crash-related complaints and 0 injuries in the provided data.
- Both have recalls, but the Camry's 31 recalls cover a broader range of safety systems, while the M240i's 8 recalls include air bags, engine, and electrical items.
- Inspect both headlight housings for cracks, fogging, or condensation inside the lens—owners report repeated replacements.
- Check for any steering recall or service campaign, and test drive to feel for unusual steering noise or difficulty.
- Test the ignition key removal with the car in Park—if it sticks, it could be a recurring power train defect.
- Check the electronic parking brake operation and listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area during braking.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the specific problem areas noted for each model.
- For the BMW M240i, budget for potential headlight replacement and ask if they have been replaced under warranty.
- For the Toyota Camry, test the key removal, throttle response, and electronic parking brake during a test drive.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and whether any recalls or technical service bulletins have been addressed.
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 M240i | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 | 163 |
| 2024 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 0 | 64 |
| 2022 | 4 | 61 |
| 2021 | 0 | 157 |
| 2020 | 0 | 274 |
| 2019 | 0 | 395 |
| 2018 | 2 | 744 |
| 2017 | 3 | 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 M240i or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW M240i vs Toyota Camry
- BMW M240i total complaints
- 11
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- BMW M240i total recalls
- 8
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW M240i avg complaints/year
- 1.1
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW M240i
- BMW M240i top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN