Head-to-head reliability
BMW 335is vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the BMW 335is and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
BMW 335is vs Chevrolet Silverado: The 335is has 37 complaints over 5 years (7.4/yr) with engine stalling and air bag recalls, while the Silverado has 7,776 complaints over 10 years (777.6/yr) with engine knocking and transmission failures. The Silverado also has 225 crash-related incidents and 3 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 335is or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 335is
The BMW 335is is a performance-oriented coupe that, based on owner complaints, demands careful maintenance. With 37 complaints over 5 years (7.4/yr), the most frequent issues involve the engine (13 complaints), including stalling at speed and internal damage from over-revving. Electrical system problems (8 complaints) include horn failure and suspected non-OEM wiring, while air bag concerns (8 complaints) involve deployment errors and recall-related inflator modules. Owners also report drivetrain malfunctions that trigger limp mode, reducing power unexpectedly.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: 7,776 over 10 years (777.6/yr). Engine issues (2,302 complaints) include knocking noises and sudden power loss at highway speeds, often without warning lights. Powertrain problems (2,213 complaints) feature transmission fluid line failures and sudden loss of drive, while electrical system complaints (1,435) cover battery faults and loss of vehicle control. Service brake issues (1,193) are also prominent, with some linked to electrical faults.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 335is | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 37 Better | 7,776 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 225 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.4 Better | 777.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 150 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
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 335is
- 01ENGINE13
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
- 03AIR BAGS8
- 04POWER TRAIN7
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
Owners report the engine stalling at highway speeds (e.g., 50 mph uphill) and internal damage from over-revving, with stripped bolts and fault codes 2A9A, 31002A9B. This can leave the car blocking traffic and unable to be pushed.
Complaints include a non-functional horn during a near-accident and discovery of non-OEM wiring (twisted wires, burgundy connector) in the passenger fuse box, raising fire or interference concerns.
Owners report air bag deployment errors after collisions, with the display showing a deployment error. Three recalls address driver-side frontal inflator modules, indicating a known defect.
The car displays 'Drivetrain Malfunction' and enters limp mode, limiting speed to 40 mph or less, which is dangerous when merging onto highways.
“AS PER BMW, 5140 READ FAULT MEMORY, CONNECTED BATTERY CHARGER FAULT CODE 2A9A,31002A9B, RAN TEST PLAN, UPON INSPECTION, NOTED FRONT BOLT HAD BEEN PULLED FREE AND THREADS STRIPPED, THIS COMMON WITH AN ENGINE OVER REV.(DAMAGING INTERNAL ENGINE COMPONENTS . THIS…”
“AUGUST 6, 2016 - CAR STALLED AT ABOUT 50MPH, JUST WHEN ABOUT TO GO UPHILL. I WASN'T ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER LEAVING THE CAR BLOCKING TRAFFIC WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER IN IT. ONCE IT STOPS, IT PUTS ITSELF IN PARK, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PUSH ASIDE. WE…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,302
- 02POWER TRAIN2,213
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,435
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,193
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER832
Owners report loud knocking noises and sudden power loss at highway speeds (e.g., 70 mph) with no warning lights, often requiring complete engine replacement even at low mileage (under 1,800 miles).
Transmission fluid lines fail without warning, rapidly leaking fluid and causing loss of drive. Some trucks suddenly lose power while towing, even with light loads.
High-voltage battery faults in EV models cause loss of vehicle control, and some trucks experience sudden electrical failures that prevent starting or driving, with multiple dealer visits unresolved.
Brake issues are often linked to electrical faults, with owners reporting loss of braking power or unexpected behavior, sometimes combined with other system failures.
“At approximately 3,000 miles, the engine began making a loud knocking noise that became progressively worse while driving. The truck was diagnosed as needing a complete engine replacement. No warning lights, no check engine light, nothing. For someone inexper…”
“Truck has less than 1800 miles. Was at a stop light and the vehicle started shaking and making metal tin rattling sounds. Stopped for gas, started the vehicle all noises went away. Got onto the freeway and about 1 mile down the road the truck lost power at 70…”
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 335is — 4 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi,…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi,…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and ai…
The risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may cont…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi,…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer…
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV electric vehicles. After experiencing an electronic stability control (ESC) system malfunction, the ESC malfunction warning light may not illuminate on the next key cycle. As such, these vehicles fail to com…
The risk: An indicator light that does not illuminate may fail to warn the driver of an ESC system issue, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The EBCM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 15, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or G…
The defect: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Cou…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-970…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles may not have received an owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, “Child Re…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will provide the owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252532020. Vehicle Identifi…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yuko…
The risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contac…
Buyer analysis
BMW 335is or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The BMW 335is has far fewer complaints per year (7.4 vs 777.6) than the Chevrolet Silverado, but its issues are concentrated in critical systems like engine stalling and air bag deployment errors. The Silverado's much higher volume reflects widespread problems across engine, transmission, and electrical systems, with real crash and injury consequences. In practice, the 335is may be more predictable if maintained, while the Silverado carries a higher risk of sudden, serious failures.
Key differences
- The Silverado has over 100 times more complaints per year than the 335is, with 225 crash-related incidents vs 2.
- Engine failures in the 335is often involve stalling and over-rev damage; Silverado engines fail with knocking and sudden power loss at low mileage.
- Air bag recalls affect the 335is (3 recalls for inflator modules); Silverado has no air bag recalls in the top list but has 100 total recalls across many systems.
- The Silverado's transmission fluid line failures and electrical battery faults can cause sudden loss of drive; the 335is's drivetrain issues trigger limp mode but not total loss.
- Check for engine fault codes (2A9A, 31002A9B) and inspect front engine bolts for stripped threads, a sign of over-rev damage.
- Verify air bag recall completion (driver-side inflator modules) and test horn function, as electrical system issues may disable it.
- Listen for engine knocking at idle and during test drive; check for any history of engine replacement, especially under 3,000 miles.
- Inspect transmission fluid lines for leaks and check for any drivetrain warning lights; test all electrical systems including brakes for unexpected behavior.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and verify all recalls are completed for both vehicles.
- On the BMW 335is, have a mechanic perform a compression test and scan for engine fault codes related to over-revving.
- On the Chevrolet Silverado, check transmission fluid condition and look for signs of leaks; test drive at highway speeds to feel for shudder or power loss.
- Inspect the electrical system on both: for the 335is, check horn and air bag warning lights; for the Silverado, test all electronic functions and look for aftermarket wiring.
- Review NHTSA complaint databases for the specific model year you are considering, as issues may vary.
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 335is or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 335is vs Chevrolet Silverado
- BMW 335is total complaints
- 37
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 7,776
- BMW 335is total recalls
- 4
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- BMW 335is avg complaints/year
- 7.4
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 777.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW 335is
- BMW 335is top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE