Head-to-head reliability
BMW R 1200 RT vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW R 1200 RT 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 R 1200 RT vs Toyota Camry: The BMW has 26 complaints over 10 years (2.6/yr) with no crashes, but reports include driveshaft failures and fuel leaks. The Camry has 2143 complaints (214.3/yr) with 181 crashes and 1 death, including transmission and brake issues. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW R 1200 RT or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW R 1200 RT
The BMW R 1200 RT is a premium touring motorcycle that, based on NHTSA data, has a relatively low complaint rate (about 2.6 per year) but the issues reported are serious and potentially dangerous. Owners describe fuel leaks from warped tanks, throttle body failures causing loss of power, electrical glitches, and driveshaft failures that can lock the rear wheel at highway speeds. These are not minor annoyances; they are failures that can leave you stranded or cause a crash, so a used RT demands careful inspection and a service history that addresses recalls.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint volume (over 214 per year), but that's partly due to its huge sales numbers. The complaints span many areas, including transmission grinding, sudden acceleration incidents, brake failures, and electrical issues. While many complaints are about comfort or minor problems, the presence of crash and injury reports (181 crashes, 163 injuries, 1 death) indicates that some failures have serious safety implications. Still, the Camry's overall reliability reputation is generally good, but these data show that no vehicle is immune to problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW R 1200 RT | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 26 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.6 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 R 1200 RT
- 01FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
- 03SUSPENSION4
- 04POWER TRAIN4
- 05FUEL SYSTEM4
Owners report fuel leaks from a warped fuel tank, which can only be fixed by replacement. Ethanol in fuel is suspected. This is a fire hazard and a costly repair.
Some bikes fail to engage the starter motor even when the clutch is pulled, and software updates for the gear shift assistant can cause issues. These electrical gremlins can leave you unable to start the bike.
There was a stop-ride notice for 2014 models with Dynamic ESA, and owners complained about lack of parts and poor dealer support. This means the bike may be unsafe to ride until fixed.
Catastrophic driveshaft/U-joint failures can lock the rear wheel at highway speeds, causing the bike to fishtail and potentially crash. This is a critical safety defect.
“I have a 2014 R1200RT that is leaking fuel because of a warped fuel tank. VIN: [XXX] My dealer tells me that this was a problem on my years RT and that this can only be fixed by replacing the fuel tank. I was told that ethanol was probably the culprit in taki…”
“WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THE ENGINE STARTED RUNNING POORLY, HARDLY ANY POWER. I MOVED OVER 3 LANES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER & TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS INFORMED THE PLASTIC THROTTLE BODY CAMS HAD BROKEN.…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Transmission issues include grinding noises and the need for replacement, with some owners noting a recall for the same problem. This can lead to loss of drive or sudden jerking.
Some owners report sudden unintended acceleration, which can lead to crashes. Others have engine warning lights related to a coolant valve bypass that may not be covered by recall for their VIN.
Brake failure, such as no response when pressing the pedal, has been reported, especially on hills. This is a serious safety concern that requires immediate attention.
Electrical issues include problems with sensors and other components, but specific examples are less detailed in the provided data.
“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 R 1200 RT — 4 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.
The risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.
The risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2014 S 1000 RR/R/ HP4, R 1200 GS/GS Adventure/R/RT, K 1300 S, K 1600 GT/GTL/GTL Exclusive and 2014 R nine T motorcycles. The fuel pump, and auxiliary fuel pump in certain models, may crack and leak fuel during vehicle operation.
The risk: A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 R1200 RT motorcycles manufactured November 27, 2013, to May 5, 2014. The affected vehicles have a Dynamic Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA) rear shock absorber. The piston rod within the rear shock absorber can break without…
The risk: If the piston rod breaks it will cause loss of stability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the Dynamic ESA shock absorber, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in July 2014. Owners may contact BMW Customer Relations at 1-800-525-7417. Note: Owners are advised not to rid…
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 R 1200 RT or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW R 1200 RT has far fewer complaints per year (2.6 vs 214.3) and no reported crashes or injuries, but its failures are severe and potentially life-threatening. The Toyota Camry has a higher complaint rate but also a much larger owner base, and while it has more incidents, many are minor. In practice, the RT's low volume of complaints is offset by the seriousness of the issues, so neither is clearly 'safer' without considering specific model years and maintenance.
Key differences
- The BMW has a much lower complaint rate (2.6/yr) vs the Camry (214.3/yr), but BMW complaints are often catastrophic (driveshaft lock-up, fuel leaks) while Camry complaints include many minor issues.
- BMW has zero crash/injury reports in the data, while Camry has 181 crashes and 163 injuries, indicating more frequent safety-related incidents.
- BMW's top issues are fuel system and driveshaft, which can cause fires or loss of control; Camry's top issues are transmission and brakes, which can also be serious but are more varied.
- BMW recalls focus on fuel pump and suspension, while Camry recalls cover airbags, seats, and wheel studs, showing different areas of concern.
- Inspect the fuel tank for any signs of warping or leaks, especially if the bike is a 2014 model.
- Check the driveshaft and U-joints for wear or play, and ask if any recalls or stop-ride notices have been addressed.
- Test the transmission for any grinding or hesitation, and check if the VIN is included in any transmission recall.
- Have the brakes inspected thoroughly, especially if the car has been driven in hilly areas, and ask about any brake-related complaints.
Before you buy
- For the BMW: verify that all recalls (especially fuel pump and suspension) have been performed, and ask for service records showing driveshaft and fuel tank inspections.
- For the BMW: take a test ride and listen for any unusual noises from the drivetrain, and check for fuel smells after riding.
- For the Camry: check the transmission fluid condition and shift smoothness, and look up the VIN for any open recalls.
- For the Camry: test the brakes at various speeds, including a hard stop, and listen for any grinding or pulling.
- For both: get a pre-purchase inspection by a 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 R 1200 RT | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 155 |
| 2020 | 0 | 270 |
| 2019 | 0 | 393 |
| 2018 | 0 | 736 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 R 1200 RT or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW R 1200 RT vs Toyota Camry
- BMW R 1200 RT total complaints
- 26
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- BMW R 1200 RT total recalls
- 4
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW R 1200 RT avg complaints/year
- 2.6
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- BMW R 1200 RT
- BMW R 1200 RT top complaint area
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN