FaultScore

BMW R 1200 GS vs Lexus ES330

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure BMW R 1200 GS Lexus ES330
Complaints on file 114 282
Model years covered 2005–2014 2004–2010
Worst model year 2007 2005
Best model year 2008 2004
Crashes reported 7 80
Fires reported 7 6
Injuries reported 8 32
Deaths reported 1 1
Most complained-about part Fuel & Propulsion Acceleration & Cruise Control
Share of complaints involving harm 20.2% 42.2%

BMW R 1200 GS by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Transmission & Drivetrain 18 15.8%
Engine & Cooling 7 6.1%
Brakes 7 6.1%
Suspension 7 6.1%
Wheels 6 5.3%
Electrical System 4 3.5%
Body & Structure 4 3.5%

Lexus ES330 by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Airbags 50 17.7%
Engine & Cooling 19 6.7%
Brakes 19 6.7%
Electrical System 11 3.9%
Steering 10 3.5%
Fuel & Propulsion 8 2.8%