Head-to-head reliability
BMW M850i vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW M850i 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 M850i vs Toyota Camry: The M850i has zero owner complaints over 7 years, while the Camry has 2,143 complaints over 10 years, including 181 crashes and 1 death. The M850i's recalls focus on cameras, seat belts, and brakes, whereas the Camry's issues span powertrain, engine, and brakes. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW M850i or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW M850i
The BMW M850i is a low-volume, high-performance luxury coupe or convertible. Over seven model years, it has generated zero owner complaints to NHTSA, which is remarkable for any vehicle. The absence of complaint data suggests that owners have not reported systematic issues with the car, though it does not guarantee perfection. The seven recalls, mostly for rear camera, seat belt buckle, and brake hydraulic issues, are the main reliability concerns a buyer should check.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume midsize sedan with a much longer history of owner feedback. Over ten years, it has accumulated over 2,100 complaints, averaging more than 200 per year. The most frequent issues involve the powertrain, engine, brakes, and electrical system, with owners reporting problems like transmission grinding, sudden acceleration, brake failure, and HVAC odors. While the Camry is generally reliable, these complaints highlight areas that can fail and may require costly repairs.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW M850i | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 214.3 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 163 |
| 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 M850i
No component data available.
Multiple recalls address the rear camera system, which could fail to display or malfunction, affecting visibility when reversing. Owners have not filed complaints, but the recalls indicate a known defect that could be a safety concern.
A recall for the front seat belt buckle assembly suggests that the buckle may not latch properly, which could reduce protection in a crash. This is a critical safety component that should be inspected.
A recall for the hydraulic brake system indicates a potential issue with brake performance, such as reduced braking power or failure. This is a serious safety concern that should be addressed immediately.
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front end upon acceleration, with dealers confirming transmission issues that often require replacement. Some also describe sudden unintended acceleration, which can lead to crashes.
Complaints include sudden acceleration incidents and engine maintenance warnings related to a coolant valve bypass. These issues can affect drivability and safety, and may not be covered by recall if the VIN is not included.
Several owners report brake failure, such as pressing the pedal with no response, especially on hills. This is a critical safety issue that could lead to accidents.
While not detailed in the sample, the high number of electrical complaints suggests issues with various electronic components, which could cause intermittent failures or warning lights.
“I turned into a restaurant’s parking lot, found a spot and slowly drove into the lot, I eased off the gas pedal and gently applying the brake as the lot has a slight downward slope. When I reach the chunk (the parking block), I added more force to the brake,…”
“Grinding noise coming from front end upon acceleration. Brought to dealership who confirmed noises coming from transmission. Transmission needs to be replaced per dealer recommendation. Recalls on 2021 Toyota Camry for same issue. Transmissions on backorder a…”
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 M850i — 7 recalls
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 2019-2021 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 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xdrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, and 2019-2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i,…
The risk: A loss of ABS and a reduction in braking assistance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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.
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
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…
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…
Buyer analysis
BMW M850i or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW M850i has far fewer reported issues per year (0.0 vs 214.3) compared to the Toyota Camry. This means that in terms of owner complaints, the M850i appears to be more reliable, but it is a niche vehicle with limited data. The Camry's higher complaint volume reflects its widespread use and may indicate more frequent real-world problems.
Key differences
- The BMW M850i has zero owner complaints, while the Camry has over 2,100, indicating a stark difference in reported issues.
- Camry owners report serious safety-related problems like sudden acceleration and brake failure, which are absent in M850i data.
- The M850i's recalls focus on camera, seat belt, and brakes, while the Camry's recalls include air bags, seats, and wheels.
- The Camry's high complaint volume includes issues like transmission grinding and HVAC odors, which are not mentioned for the M850i.
- Check that all recalls have been performed, especially the rear camera and brake hydraulic recalls, as these affect safety.
- Inspect the seat belt buckles to ensure they latch and release properly, given the recall for buckle assembly.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including on a hill, to ensure there is no loss of braking power, as reported by owners.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration, and check for any pending recalls related to the powertrain.
Before you buy
- Verify the vehicle's VIN against NHTSA recall databases to ensure all recalls are completed.
- For the M850i, have a mechanic inspect the rear camera, seat belt buckles, and brake system.
- For the Camry, take a test drive that includes acceleration and braking on a slope to check for transmission and brake issues.
- Ask for service records to see if any transmission or brake repairs have been done.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a certified mechanic familiar with the specific model.
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 M850i | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 119 |
| 2025 | 0 | 153 |
| 2024 | 0 | 48 |
| 2023 | 0 | 62 |
| 2022 | 0 | 59 |
| 2021 | 0 | 155 |
| 2020 | 0 | 270 |
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 M850i or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW M850i vs Toyota Camry
- BMW M850i total complaints
- 0
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- BMW M850i total recalls
- 7
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW M850i avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- BMW M850i
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN