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2024 BMW 3 Series vs 2024 Toyota Corolla

On the public data alone the Corolla edges it 3–2.

2024 BMW 3 Series2024 Toyota Corolla
SegmentCompact carCompact car
PowertrainsPlug-in hybrid, Hybrid, GasHybrid, Gas
Best combined mpg2950
Safety Signal6278
NHTSA recalls34
Critical recalls20
Owner complaints870
NHTSA overall stars55
D

2024 BMW 3 Series

The 2024 BMW 3 Series is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and gas compact car with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the 330i Sedan, is EPA-rated at 29 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall

C

2024 Toyota Corolla

The 2024 Toyota Corolla is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact car with 9 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Corolla Hybrid, is EPA-rated at 50 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns

Recalls at a glance

3 Series

Electrical System

critical
318,495 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Supra, 2022-2025 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2023 5 Series, 2022-2026 Z4, 2023-2024 4 Series Gran Coupe, 4 Series Convertible, 4 Series Coupe, 3 Series, 2021-2025 X4, and 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.

Risk: Fire increases the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning August 28, 2026. This recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall 26V056.

NHTSA campaign 26V438000 · reported Jul 8, 2026 · BMW of North America, LLC

Electrical System

critical
87,394 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.

Risk: Fire increases the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.

NHTSA campaign 26V056000 · reported Jan 30, 2026 · BMW of North America, LLC

Steering

high
201 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 2 Series Coupe (230i), 330i, X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, and X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i vehicles. The steering gear may not have been tightened properly, which can allow it to loosen.

Risk: A loose steering gear can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 11, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA campaign 23V770000 · reported Nov 16, 2023 · BMW of North America, LLC

Corolla

Electrical System

high
591,377 vehicles

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles. Due to an error in the instrument panel software at vehicle startup, the instrument panel may fail to display vehicle speed, brake system, and tire pressure warning lights.

Risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed December 5, 2025. Additional letters will be sent, anticipated in May 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB08 and 25TA08. Lexus' numb

NHTSA campaign 25V595000 · reported Sep 11, 2025 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Steering

high
8,057 vehiclesHybrid only

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid vehicles. Due to cracks developed during the manufacturing process, the steering intermediate shaft assembly may fracture and possibly result in the shaft detaching from the steering column.

Risk: A steering shaft that detaches can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the intermediate steering shaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 24TB13/24TA13.

NHTSA campaign 24V878000 · reported Nov 21, 2024 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Service Brakes, Electric

minor
145,383 vehiclesHybrid only

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Corolla Cross Hybrid and 2023-2025 Corolla Hybrid vehicles. A software error in the skid control electronic control unit (ECU) may result in a loss of power brake assist when turning a corner.

Risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the skid control ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2024. Additionally, notifications to owners of the Corolla Hybrid vehicles were mailed January 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 24TA11.

NHTSA campaign 24V708000 · reported Sep 20, 2024 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Green cells mark the better value on that row. Complaint counts scale with sales volume; treat them as a pattern signal, not a verdict. Sources: EPA, NHTSA.