Head-to-head reliability
BMW S 1000 R vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW S 1000 R 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 S 1000 R averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. BMW S 1000 R has 0 complaints and 6 recalls on record; Toyota Camry has 2,132 complaints and 31 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 S 1000 R | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 2,132 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 6 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 181 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 Better | 213.2 |
| 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 S 1000 R
No component data available.
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN392
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER340
- 03ENGINE314
- 04SERVICE BRAKES290
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM242
“The vehicle allows the engine to be turned off, key removed, while the vehicle is still in drive with no warning lights or sounds. I have tested and the vehicle can roll away. Complained to the toyota dealership and they said the service tech consulted with t…”
“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…”
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 S 1000 R — 6 recalls
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.
The defect: BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 S 1000 RR motorcycles manufactured June 8, 2016, to November 16, 2016, and 2017 S 1000 R motorcycles manufactured on October 12, 2016. One of the bolts on the rear suspension deflection lever may loosen and adversely affect the…
The risk: If the bolt loosens and affects the motorcycle's handling, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the bolts and tighten them to the proper specifications, free of charge. The recall began February 17, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S 1000R and 2020-2023 S 1000XR motorcycles. During a software update performed at a dealership, the "Dynamic Pro" riding mode feature "front wheel lift-off assistant" may have been inadvertently deactivated without alerting the rider.
The risk: Riding a motorcycle without knowing that the "front wheel lift-off assistant" has been deactivated can result in unexpected handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will instruct owners to check the configuration settings in the "Dynamic Pro" riding mode and adjust the settings as needed. Dealers will also inspect the motorcycles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 202…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S 1000R and 2020-2023 S 1000XR motorcycles. During a software update performed at a dealership, the "Dynamic Pro" riding mode feature "front wheel lift-off assistant" may have been inadvertently deactivated without alerting the rider.
The risk: Riding a motorcycle without knowing that the "front wheel lift-off assistant" has been deactivated can result in unexpected handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will instruct owners to check the configuration settings in the "Dynamic Pro" riding mode and adjust the settings as needed. Dealers will also inspect the motorcycles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 4, 202…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
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…
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…
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 S 1000 R | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 116 |
| 2025 | 0 | 152 |
| 2024 | 0 | 47 |
| 2023 | 0 | 62 |
| 2022 | 0 | 58 |
| 2021 | 0 | 155 |
| 2020 | 0 | 268 |
| 2019 | 0 | 392 |
| 2018 | 0 | 734 |
| 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 S 1000 R or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW S 1000 R vs Toyota Camry
- BMW S 1000 R total complaints
- 0
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,132
- BMW S 1000 R total recalls
- 6
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW S 1000 R avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 213.2
- More reliable overall
- BMW S 1000 R
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN