Head-to-head reliability
BMW R 1300 GS vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW R 1300 GS 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 1300 GS averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. BMW R 1300 GS has 3 complaints and 2 recalls on record; Toyota Camry has 2,021 complaints and 28 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW R 1300 GS | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3 Better | 2,021 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 28 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 175 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.0 Better | 202.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| 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 1300 GS
- 01POWER TRAIN1
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
“Component/System: Clutch assembly (friction plates/engagement mechanism) While riding my 2024 BMW R1300GS with approximately 3,000 miles on the odometer, the clutch suddenly failed while climbing a rocky hillside trail. The clutch stopped engaging entirely, w…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN369
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER317
- 03ENGINE307
- 04SERVICE BRAKES284
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM224
“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 1300 GS — 2 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 R 1300 GS motorcycles. The housing for the starter motor relay may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in a damaged relay that can overheat.
The risk: An overheated electrical relay increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the starter relay and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 23, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 F 900 GS, F 800 GS, R 1300 GS Adventure, R 1300 GS, S 1000 RR, S 1000 R, and K 1600 GT vehicles equipped with the optional emergency call system. The emergency call system (eCall) may have been deactivated due to a software programming error.
The risk: In an emergency, first responders may not receive notification of the crash or emergency location, increasing the risk of injury to riders.
The fix: The electronic control unit software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed September 12, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Toyota Camry — 28 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 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 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…
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 1300 GS | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 72 |
| 2025 | 2 | 131 |
| 2024 | 1 | 44 |
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 1300 GS or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW R 1300 GS vs Toyota Camry
- BMW R 1300 GS total complaints
- 3
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,021
- BMW R 1300 GS total recalls
- 2
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 28
- BMW R 1300 GS avg complaints/year
- 1.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 202.1
- More reliable overall
- BMW R 1300 GS
- BMW R 1300 GS top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN