Head-to-head reliability
BMW XM vs Toyota Camry
How the BMW XM 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 XM vs Toyota Camry: The XM has 11 complaints over 4 years (2.8/year) and 12 recalls, while the Camry has 2,056 complaints over 10 years (205.6/year) and 31 recalls. The Camry data also lists 171 crash-related reports, 158 injuries, and 1 death; the XM lists none. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW XM or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW XM
The BMW XM is a low-volume, high-price SUV, so the 11 complaints over four years reflect a small owner pool rather than proven durability. Owners report serious-sounding issues like brake problems, cracked wheels, steering shake, and drivetrain failure that can leave the vehicle inoperable. With 12 recalls and no reported crashes or injuries in this data, the main concern is unexpected breakdowns and repair costs, not crash risk.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a mass-market sedan with 2,056 complaints over ten years, averaging about 206 per year. Owners describe power train hesitation, engine shuddering, brake noises, and multiple electronic system malfunctions, and the data includes 171 crash-related reports, 158 injuries, and 1 death. That volume is partly explained by how many Camrys are on the road, but the pattern shows a broad mix of everyday reliability annoyances and some safety-related events.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW XM | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 11 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.8 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 XM
- 01SERVICE BRAKES4
- 02WHEELS2
- 03STEERING2
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
Owners report brake issues including a recall for electronic stability control and service brakes where the repair part was not yet available. One owner described a parking incident captured on camera, suggesting the brake system can behave unexpectedly even at low speed.
Multiple owners report cracked rims, with one saying all four rims cracked and another getting a low tire pressure warning at 45 mph that led to a dealer diagnosis. Cracked wheels can cause sudden air loss and are expensive to replace.
Owners describe shaking at highway speed with rollover, chassis, and improper steering warnings, plus repeated dealer visits. Another owner reported numerous error codes and a drivetrain malfunction that made the vehicle undrivable.
One owner reported complete drivetrain failure in a parking lot with family aboard, showing a drivetrain malfunction message and no gear engagement. Another cited multiple error codes and an undetected motor leak during a recall visit.
“On June 8, 2026, I parked my 2023 BMW XM on my residential driveway, exited the vehicle, and walked toward my residence. My Ring security camera captured the incident. The video shows: I exited the BMW and walked approximately 12 seconds to my front door. I e…”
“The contact owns a 2023 BMW XM. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V104000 (Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Service Brakes) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The con…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report an ignition key that gets stuck and cannot be removed even when the dash shows Park, requiring a battery disconnect. Others describe hesitation and shuddering at various speeds with the check engine light on.
Owners report delayed throttle response where pressing the accelerator produces a several-second lag before the car moves. The same hesitation and shuddering complaint appears alongside check engine warnings.
Owners report the electronic parking brake failing to disengage, requiring a tow and a new switch that did not fix the problem. Another owner describes a clicking and vibrating sound from the brake pedal area that the manufacturer calls normal for the 2023 Camry.
One owner reported multiple systems malfunctioning at once, including smart stop, vehicle stability control, electric power steering, blind spot monitoring, secondary collision brake, and lane keeping assistance. This suggests electrical faults can affect several safety features simultaneously.
“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 XM — 12 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (A…
The risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between June and December 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls Royce customer service at 1-877-877…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 XM vehicles. The tailgate panel may detach from the mounting structure due to improper adhesive bonding that occurred during manufacturing.
The risk: A panel that detaches from a vehicle can become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the tailgate panel as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 XM, 2025 BMW X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M60i, X5 M, X5 xDrive50e, X6 xDrive40i, X6 M60i, X6 M, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M60i, and Alpina XB7 vehicles. The seat belt system may inaccurately detect that passengers are belted, preventing the seat b…
The risk: A seat belt warning light that does not alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt or an SRS system that deploys improperly can both increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front seat lower seat belts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 12, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, 2024-2025 X5, 2025 X6, 2023-2025 X7, 740i, 760i, 2024 XM, 530i, 540i, i7, 750e, X2, 2024-2025 i5, 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre, 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, JCW Countryman ALL4, and 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S) vehicles. Pleas…
The risk: A loss of brake power assist or rear brake function can result in extended stopping distance. A loss of ABS or DSC can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2024. Owners can 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 XM or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The BMW XM has far fewer complaints per year (about 2.8) than the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the XM's small owner base makes that comparison less meaningful. In practice, the Camry's higher volume means more reported problems overall, while the XM's reports point to expensive, potentially immobilizing failures. Neither pattern should be read as a guarantee of safety or danger.
Key differences
- The BMW XM has 11 complaints over 4 years, while the Toyota Camry has 2,056 over 10 years, but the Camry sells in far higher numbers.
- BMW XM owners report cracked wheels and brake/steering/drivetrain failures that can make the vehicle undrivable, while Camry owners report hesitation, stuck keys, and brake noises.
- The Camry data includes 171 crash-related reports, 158 injuries, and 1 death; the XM data shows 0 crashes, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths.
- Both have recalls, but the XM's recall subjects include electronic stability control and brake power assist, while the Camry's include air bag sensors and seat issues.
- Inspect all four wheels for cracks or bends, especially if the vehicle has low-profile tires, because owners report cracked rims and sudden pressure loss.
- Test the brakes at low speed and check for any electronic stability control or brake assist recall completion, since owners report brake-related incidents and unavailable recall parts.
- Check that the ignition key releases properly when the car is in Park, because owners report the key getting stuck and requiring a battery disconnect.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area and test the electronic parking brake engagement and release, as owners report these symptoms.
Before you buy
- Ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on the components owners complain about most.
- Verify that all open recalls have been repaired, using the VIN, especially for the BMW XM's brake and stability control recalls and the Camry's air bag and seat recalls.
- For the BMW XM, check wheel condition and tire pressures, and ask whether any wheels have already been replaced.
- For the Toyota Camry, test the key removal, throttle response, and electronic parking brake during a test drive.
- Request the full service history and any dealer repair orders related to warning lights, drivetrain messages, or brake work.
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 XM | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 | 163 |
| 2024 | 7 | 50 |
| 2023 | 2 | 64 |
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 XM or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW XM vs Toyota Camry
- BMW XM total complaints
- 11
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- BMW XM total recalls
- 12
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- BMW XM avg complaints/year
- 2.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW XM
- BMW XM top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN