Head-to-head reliability
BMW M440i vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW M440i 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 M440i vs Toyota Camry: The M440i has 5 complaints over 6 years (0.8/year) and 9 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. The Camry also has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries versus 1 and 2 for the M440i. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW M440i or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW M440i
The BMW M440i is a low-volume performance coupe, averaging less than one complaint per year over six years. Owners report a clunking sound from the steering column at low speeds, and multiple complaints about seat belts, seat wiring, and forward collision avoidance systems. Recalls cover seat belts, battery, camera, and air bag issues. With only 5 complaints total, the M440i appears to have fewer reported problems, but the nature of those problems—steering, seat belts, and safety systems—can be serious.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume family sedan with over 2,000 complaints in ten years, averaging about 206 per year. Owners frequently report power train issues like stuck ignition keys and shuddering, engine hesitation, brake problems including electronic parking brake failures, and electrical glitches. There are 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries reported. Recalls cover wheels, seats, and air bag sensors. The sheer number of complaints suggests a wide range of potential issues, though many may be minor or age-related.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW M440i | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 5 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 2 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 M440i
- 01STEERING1
- 02SEAT BELTS1
- 03SEATS1
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1
- 05ENGINE1
Owners report an abnormal clunking sound from the steering column at speeds under 20 MPH. This could indicate worn steering components, which may affect steering feel and safety if ignored.
Complaints mention seatbelt extenders, buckle end pretensioners, and wiring harnesses under the driver's seat catching or wearing. This matters because seat belts are critical safety devices, and faulty pretensioners may not work in a crash.
The same complaint about seat wiring harnesses and yellow connectors under the driver's seat appears under seats. Damaged wiring could affect air bag deployment and seat adjustments.
Owners report concerns with the forward collision avoidance system, possibly related to the seat wiring issues. If this system malfunctions, it may not warn or brake in time to prevent a crash.
“The contact owns a 2025 BMW M440I. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at speeds under 20 MPH, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the ti…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent ignition key stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnect to remove, and shuddering/hesitation with check engine light. These issues can leave you stranded or cause delayed acceleration.
Complaints include delayed throttle response for several seconds when pressing the accelerator, and hesitation/shuddering. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing traffic.
Owners report electronic parking brake (EPB) failing to disengage, requiring towing, and clicking/vibrating sounds from the brake pedal area due to ABS. Brake issues directly affect stopping ability.
Multiple systems like smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping malfunctioned at once. Electrical gremlins can be hard to diagnose and expensive to fix.
“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 M440i — 9 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (…
The risk: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-8…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 M340i xDrive, M440i xDrive Coupe, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 840i Gran Coupe, 840i xDrive Gran Coupe, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, and X7 xDrive40i vehicles. The connection between t…
The risk: Increased electrical resistance can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the connection between the 48-Volt battery and the starter-generator assembly, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 12, 2021. Owners may contact B…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series C…
The risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 430i and M440i 4 Series Convertible vehicles. In certain side-impact crashes, the head-thorax air bag may not deploy as intended.
The risk: An air bag that deploys incorrectly can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the software, at no charge. All affected vehicles are still in dealer inventory, and therefore no owner letters will be mailed. The recall began March 9, 2021. 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 M440i or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW M440i has far fewer complaints per year (0.8 vs. 205.6), but both have safety-related issues. The Camry's higher volume means more reported problems, but many may be minor or due to its popularity. In practice, the M440i may have fewer overall issues, but the Camry's issues are more widespread and varied.
Key differences
- Complaint volume: BMW M440i has 5 complaints over 6 years; Toyota Camry has 2,056 over 10 years, but Camry sells in much higher numbers.
- Crash-related complaints: Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries; M440i has 1 crash-related and 2 injuries.
- Common failure areas: M440i reports steering clunks and seat belt/seat wiring issues; Camry reports power train (stuck key, shuddering), engine hesitation, brake problems, and electrical malfunctions.
- Recalls: M440i has 9 recalls (seat belts, battery, camera, air bags); Camry has 31 recalls (wheels, seats, air bag sensors).
- Listen for clunking noises from the steering column at low speeds; have the steering system inspected.
- Check seat belts for smooth operation and inspect under the driver's seat for damaged wiring or connectors.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park; ensure it doesn't stick and that the battery doesn't need disconnecting.
- Test the electronic parking brake engagement and disengagement; listen for unusual noises from the brake pedal area.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the specific problem areas for each model.
- Test drive at various speeds, including low-speed steering maneuvers and braking, to detect unusual noises or behavior.
- For the Camry, test all electronic systems: infotainment, driver aids, parking brake, and check for warning lights.
- For the M440i, verify seat belt operation and inspect under seats for wiring issues; test forward collision warning if equipped.
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 M440i | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 163 |
| 2024 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 0 | 64 |
| 2022 | 0 | 61 |
| 2021 | 4 | 157 |
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 M440i or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW M440i vs Toyota Camry
- BMW M440i total complaints
- 5
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- BMW M440i total recalls
- 9
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW M440i avg complaints/year
- 0.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW M440i
- BMW M440i top complaint area
- STEERING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN