Head-to-head reliability
BMW R 18 vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW R 18 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 18 vs Toyota Camry: The R 18 averages 2.4 complaints per year over 5 years, while the Camry averages 214.3 per year over 10 years. The R 18 has no crash-related complaints, but the Camry has 181. The R 18's main issues are headlight and electrical, while the Camry faces transmission and brake problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW R 18 or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW R 18
The BMW R 18 is a large cruiser motorcycle with a relatively low complaint rate, averaging about 2.4 per year over five years. Owners report issues mainly with exterior lighting, particularly the adaptive headlight, and some electrical problems, including a fire risk near the reverse mechanism. Windshield buffeting at highway speeds is also a noted visibility concern. Overall, it's a niche vehicle with specific, but not widespread, reliability issues.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a high-volume sedan with a much higher complaint count, averaging over 214 per year over ten years. Complaints span many areas, with power train, engine, and service brakes being the top concerns. Owners report serious issues like sudden acceleration, transmission failures, and brake loss, alongside more common problems like HVAC odors. The high number of crash-related complaints and injuries underscores the severity of some reported failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW R 18 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 12 Better | 2,143 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.4 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 18
- 01EXTERIOR LIGHTING8
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 03VISIBILITY2
Owners report the adaptive headlight fails, with reflective mirror pieces falling apart, which can compromise visibility and safety, especially at night or in curves.
There are reports of fires starting near the reverse mechanism and battery, which is a serious safety hazard. Also, recall notices indicate issues with transmission seals/gaskets that could lead to leaks.
At highway speeds, the windshield causes buffeting, leading to violent head shaking and blurred vision, which can be distracting and dangerous for the rider.
“I bought a 2022 BMW R18B motorcycle in 2023. There are 3 models of this motorcycle. R18 is plain without a fairing or smart controls. The R18 Transcontinental is top of line with fairing computer, navigation, phone pairing. The R18B which is my motorcycle is…”
“The BMW R18 B motorcycle is equipped with an adaptive headlight, which directs the headlight beam in the direction of the motorcycle's lean angle and handlebar rotation; however, the headlight has failed, where the reflective mirror pieces have fallen apart.…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN395
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER342
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM246
Owners report grinding noises from the front end upon acceleration, with dealers recommending transmission replacement. Some also describe sudden acceleration incidents, which can lead to crashes.
There are reports of engine maintenance lights and codes related to coolant valve bypass recalls, but some VINs are not covered, leaving owners with potential engine issues.
Several owners report complete brake failure, such as no response when pressing the pedal, especially on hills, which is extremely dangerous and has led to crashes.
“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 18 — 4 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2024 BMW R18 motorcycles. The seal for the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate and allow moisture inside the control unit, which can result in the unit overheating.
The risk: An overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: As an interim remedy, the reverse gear control unit will be disconnected from the electrical system of the motorcycle, free of charge. Dealers will replace the reverse gear control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mail…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2024 BMW R18 motorcycles. The seal for the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate and allow moisture inside the control unit, which can result in the unit overheating.
The risk: An overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: As an interim remedy, the reverse gear control unit will be disconnected from the electrical system of the motorcycle, free of charge. Dealers will replace the reverse gear control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mail…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2024 BMW R18 motorcycles. The seal for the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate and allow moisture inside the control unit, which can result in the unit overheating.
The risk: An overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: As an interim remedy, the reverse gear control unit will be disconnected from the electrical system of the motorcycle, free of charge. Dealers will replace the reverse gear control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mail…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2024 BMW R18 motorcycles. The seal for the reverse gear control unit may deteriorate and allow moisture inside the control unit, which can result in the unit overheating.
The risk: An overheated reverse gear control unit increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: As an interim remedy, the reverse gear control unit will be disconnected from the electrical system of the motorcycle, free of charge. Dealers will replace the reverse gear control unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mail…
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 18 or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW R 18 has far fewer complaints per year (2.4 vs 214.3) and no crash-related incidents, making it appear more reliable in terms of reported issues. However, the Camry's higher numbers reflect its much larger sales volume and longer reporting period. In practice, the Camry's complaints include more severe safety-related failures, while the R 18's issues are more specific to lighting and wind buffeting.
Key differences
- The BMW R 18 has a much lower complaint rate (2.4/yr) compared to the Camry (214.3/yr), but the Camry's numbers are inflated by its popularity.
- The R 18's top issue is exterior lighting (adaptive headlight failure), while the Camry's top issues are power train and engine problems, including sudden acceleration.
- The Camry has 181 crash-related complaints and 1 death, whereas the R 18 has none, indicating more severe reported consequences.
- The R 18 has recalls for transmission seals/gaskets, while the Camry has recalls for air bag sensors and seats, among others.
- Inspect the adaptive headlight for any signs of internal damage or failure, as owners report mirror pieces falling apart.
- Check for any signs of electrical issues, especially near the reverse mechanism and battery, due to fire risk reports.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially on slopes, as owners report sudden loss of braking power.
- Listen for grinding noises from the transmission during acceleration, which could indicate a need for replacement.
Before you buy
- For the BMW R 18, ask for service records related to the headlight and any electrical recalls.
- For the Toyota Camry, check if the VIN is included in any transmission or brake recalls and get a pre-purchase inspection focusing on these systems.
- Take both vehicles for a test drive, including highway speeds for the R 18 to assess windshield buffeting.
- Research the specific model year of the Camry for known issues with the coolant valve and transmission.
- Consider the cost of potential repairs: the R 18's headlight replacement may be expensive, and the Camry's transmission replacement is a major expense.
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 18 | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 153 |
| 2024 | 0 | 48 |
| 2023 | 0 | 62 |
| 2022 | 9 | 59 |
| 2021 | 3 | 155 |
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 18 or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW R 18 vs Toyota Camry
- BMW R 18 total complaints
- 12
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,143
- BMW R 18 total recalls
- 4
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW R 18 avg complaints/year
- 2.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 214.3
- More reliable overall
- BMW R 18
- BMW R 18 top complaint area
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN