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 0 complaints over 7 years and 7 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years, 31 recalls, and 171 crash-related reports. The M850i shows fewer reported issues, but the Camry has far more owner feedback. 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 luxury performance coupe that, over the seven years covered by this data, has zero owner complaints filed with NHTSA. That clean complaint record suggests owners have not reported recurring failures, but it also means there is very little real-world reliability feedback to learn from. The seven recalls are the main documented issue pattern, covering backup cameras, brakes, and power windows. For a buyer, this means fewer reported problems but also less information about what might go wrong long-term.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume family sedan with 2,056 complaints over ten years, averaging about 206 per year. Owners report a wide range of issues, most often involving the power train, engine, brakes, and electrical system. Some complaints describe serious symptoms like hesitation, shuddering, stuck ignition keys, and brake problems. The 171 crash-related reports and 158 injuries show that some of these issues have been linked to crashes, though the data does not prove cause.
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 | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 7 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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 M850i
No component data available.
Multiple recalls involve the backup camera system. Owners have not filed complaints about this, but the recalls suggest the camera may fail or display incorrectly, which matters because it can affect rear visibility.
A recall covers hydraulic brake components. No owner complaints describe the exact symptom, but brake-related recalls are important because they can affect stopping ability.
A recall addresses power window controls. Without complaint text, the specific failure is unclear, but window issues can be a nuisance and may pose a safety risk if a window cannot be closed.
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and not coming out even when the car is in Park, sometimes requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering while driving with the check engine light on. These can leave you stranded or make the car feel unreliable.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with the car taking several seconds to move. This lag can be dangerous when merging or pulling out into traffic.
Owners report the electronic parking brake not disengaging, requiring a tow, and a clicking or vibrating sound from the brake pedal area that dealers say comes from the ABS system. Brake problems directly affect your ability to stop safely.
One complaint describes multiple systems failing at once, including stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping. When several electrical aids quit together, the car can become harder to control.
“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 M850i — 7 recalls
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 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.
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 M850i or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW M850i has far fewer complaints per year (0 vs. about 206 for the Camry), but that is partly because it is a low-volume model with little owner feedback. The Camry's higher complaint count reflects its huge sales volume and a broader mix of reported problems. In practice, the M850i has fewer documented owner complaints, while the Camry has many more reports of real-world failures.
Key differences
- The BMW M850i has 0 owner complaints over 7 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056 over 10 years, but the Camry sells in far higher numbers.
- Camry owners report specific power train failures like stuck ignition keys and hesitation, while the M850i has no complaint text to describe actual failures.
- The Camry has 171 crash-related reports and 158 injuries, while the M850i has 0 of each, though this does not prove the Camry is less safe.
- The M850i has 7 recalls mostly for backup cameras and brakes, while the Camry has 31 recalls covering wheels, seats, and air bag sensors.
- Check the backup camera operation and any recall history for the camera system, since multiple recalls address it.
- Have a mechanic inspect the hydraulic brake system and power window controls, as both have been recalled.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park and watch for hesitation or shuddering during a test drive, as these are common owner complaints.
- Check the electronic parking brake engagement and listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal, which owners report.
Before you buy
- Ask for the full recall history and confirm all open recalls have been repaired on both vehicles.
- For the Camry, test the ignition key removal, acceleration response, and electronic parking brake during a test drive.
- For the M850i, test the backup camera, power windows, and brakes, and ask if any recalls remain open.
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on the systems mentioned in complaints and recalls.
- Check the NHTSA website by VIN for any additional complaints or recalls not listed here.
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 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 | 163 |
| 2024 | 0 | 50 |
| 2023 | 0 | 64 |
| 2022 | 0 | 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 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
- 2,056
- BMW M850i total recalls
- 7
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW M850i avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW M850i
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN