Head-to-head reliability
BMW M6 vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW M6 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 M6 vs Toyota Camry: The M6 has 13 complaints and 12 recalls over 10 years, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints and 31 recalls. The M6 reports engine stalling and electrical fires, but no crashes; the Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW M6 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW M6
The BMW M6 is a high-performance luxury car that can be costly to maintain. Over 10 years, it has only 13 complaints, but owners report serious issues like engine stalling and electrical failures. Recalls are frequent (12), often for brake lights and air bags. This suggests that while problems are rare, they can be severe and expensive.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mainstream family sedan with a strong reputation for reliability. However, NHTSA data shows 2,056 complaints over 10 years, including 171 crashes and 158 injuries. Common issues include power train problems, engine hesitation, and brake noise. Recalls are also common (31), covering seats and air bag sensors.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW M6 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 13 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.3 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 M6
- 01ENGINE5
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
- 03STRUCTURE4
- 04SEATS3
- 05SUSPENSION2
Owners report sudden engine stalling while driving at highway speeds, which can lead to dangerous situations. Another complaint mentions drivetrain malfunction codes appearing shortly after purchase, requiring dealer service.
Electrical gremlins include convertible top, rear window, and trunk malfunctions. One owner reported a fire starting in the roof, suspected to be electrical, which spread rapidly.
Structural complaints involve the convertible top and trunk not working properly. These issues can be costly to repair and may affect vehicle usability.
Seat-related complaints include a passenger restraint and airbag malfunction warning. Another owner reported a fire that started in the roof, highlighting potential safety risks.
“WHILE DRIVING ON A MULTI-LANE DIVIDED EXPRESSWAY AT 65MPH SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN WHICH FORCED A VERY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. OTHER CARS DID NOT HAVE AMPLE TIME TO SLOW DOWN AND REACT NOR DID I. LUCKILY AFTER A FEW NARROW MISSES I MANAGED…”
“PURCHASED VEHICLE WITH CLEAN CARFAX BUT WITHIN 1 WEEK IT WAS THROWING CODES OF DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO REFUSED TO SERVICE PROVIDING INTEL THAT IT UNDERWENT A 152 POINT INSPECTION BEFORE SALE TOOK VEHICLE TO BMW DEALERSHIP SERVICE AND…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report intermittent issues like the ignition key getting stuck in Park, requiring battery disconnection to remove. Others experience hesitation and shuddering while driving, often with a check engine light.
Multiple system malfunctions are reported, including smart stop, stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping assistance failing simultaneously. These electronic failures can compromise safety.
Engine complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, leading to hesitation. This can be dangerous when merging or crossing intersections.
Brake issues include the electronic parking brake not disengaging, requiring towing. Owners also report clicking and vibrating sounds from the brake pedal area, attributed to the ABS system.
“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 M6 — 12 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2019 M6 Gran Coupe vehicles. The third brake light may become loose, possibly allowing the light to detach from the vehicle.
The risk: If the third brake light detaches from the vehicle, it would no longer provide the required lighting to following traffic, or it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third brake light and properly secure it with new fasteners. If the third brake light detached from the vehicle and is damaged, it will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2019 M6 Gran Coupe vehicles. The third brake light may become loose, possibly allowing the light to detach from the vehicle.
The risk: If the third brake light detaches from the vehicle, it would no longer provide the required lighting to following traffic, or it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third brake light and properly secure it with new fasteners. If the third brake light detached from the vehicle and is damaged, it will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2019 M6 Gran Coupe vehicles. The third brake light may become loose, possibly allowing the light to detach from the vehicle.
The risk: If the third brake light detaches from the vehicle, it would no longer provide the required lighting to following traffic, or it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third brake light and properly secure it with new fasteners. If the third brake light detached from the vehicle and is damaged, it will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mi…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. 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 M6 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW M6 has far fewer complaints per year (1.3) compared to the Toyota Camry (205.6), but the M6's issues tend to be more severe and expensive. The Camry's higher complaint volume includes many minor issues, but also some crashes and injuries. In practice, the M6 may spend more time in the shop for major repairs, while the Camry may have more frequent but less costly problems.
Key differences
- The BMW M6 has only 13 complaints over 10 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056, but the M6's complaints include engine stalling and electrical fires.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related complaints and 158 injuries, whereas the M6 has 0 crash-related complaints and 0 injuries in the data.
- The M6 has 12 recalls, often for brake lights and air bags; the Camry has 31 recalls, including seat and air bag sensor issues.
- Camry owners report power train issues like key stuck and hesitation, while M6 owners report engine stalling and convertible top failures.
- Check for any signs of electrical issues, especially with the convertible top, rear window, and trunk, as these are commonly reported.
- Inspect the engine for stalling or drivetrain malfunction codes, and ask for a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine and electrical systems.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park to ensure it doesn't get stuck, a reported power train issue.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area, which may indicate ABS issues, and check the electronic parking brake operation.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on reported problem areas.
- For the BMW M6, test all electrical components, including convertible top, windows, and trunk.
- For the Toyota Camry, test the ignition key removal, brake pedal feel, and electronic parking brake.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and be wary of any recent repairs that might mask underlying issues.
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 M6 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 395 |
| 2018 | 1 | 744 |
| 2017 | 1 | 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 M6 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW M6 vs Toyota Camry
- BMW M6 total complaints
- 13
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- BMW M6 total recalls
- 12
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW M6 avg complaints/year
- 1.3
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW M6
- BMW M6 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN