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 BMW averaged 7.4 complaints per year over 5 years, while the Silverado averaged 822.7 per year over 10 years. The Silverado also had 101 recalls and 160 injuries reported, compared to 4 recalls and no injuries for the BMW. 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 demands attentive ownership. Over five years, it averaged 7.4 complaints per year, with engine and electrical issues being the most common. Owners report stalling, drivetrain malfunctions, and airbag concerns. While complaint volume is low, the severity of some issues—like sudden power loss—can be alarming.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate: 822.7 per year over ten years. The sheer volume of complaints, recalls, and reported injuries/deaths indicates widespread reliability and safety problems. Common trouble spots include engine, power train, electrical, and brake systems. Buyers should be aware that many issues appear even on very low-mileage trucks.
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 | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 2 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 7.4 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 160 |
| 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 stalling at speed, such as one complaint of the car stalling at 50 mph and putting itself in park, making it impossible to push aside. Another mentions a front bolt pulled free with stripped threads, common with an engine over-rev, damaging internal components.
Complaints include a non-functional horn during an emergency and suspected non-OEM wiring routed through the fuse box, which could cause unpredictable electrical faults. These issues can affect safety features and daily usability.
One owner reported an airbag deploy error after a rear-end collision, and the vehicle was totaled. Recalls for the driver-side frontal inflator module suggest a potential defect that could prevent proper airbag deployment.
Owners describe a 'drivetrain malfunction' message that forces the car into limp mode, limiting speed to 40 mph or causing sluggish acceleration. This can happen during merging or highway driving, creating a dangerous situation.
“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
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Complaints include engine shutdown while driving, with messages like 'Return to Neutral' and 'Press Start,' and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. These issues can leave drivers stranded or cause sudden loss of power.
Owners report the vehicle suddenly going into neutral while driving slowly uphill, and transmission problems that may cause loss of motive power. This can happen even at very low mileage, such as under 300 miles.
A severe loss of normal braking was reported, with a firm brake pedal but ineffective braking. Another complaint describes the engine shutting off while driving, with all screens going blank. These electrical faults can disable critical safety systems.
Owners report sudden, severe loss of braking, where the vehicle would not stop normally at a stop sign. In another case, the truck shut off completely in a parking lot, requiring a restart. Brake failures pose an immediate safety risk.
“I purchased the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado with a 6.2L motor "new" from the dealer with 5700 miles on XXX. Roughly a month and 2500 miles later, my family and I were in the vehicle, 750 miles from home, returning from a vacation to [XXX] from the [XXX]/[XXX] ar…”
“My 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with the 6.6L Duramax diesel has experienced three separate P2463 Diesel Particulate Filter excessive soot accumulation events at approximately 4,300, 5,500, and 10,280 miles. Each event required a Chevrolet dealer to perform…”
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 — 101 recalls
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 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks (RPOs L8T and N2N). The rear fuel pump may not transfer adequate fuel to the front tank, causing an engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: The vehicle's engine control module (ECM) will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782…
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 2024-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with the enhanced towing option and 20-inch accessory tire/wheel package. The tire information label may state the incorrect rear tire pressure, resulting in underinflated tires an…
The risk: Driving with underinflated tires can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, update the engine control module (ECM) software, apply a tire label overlay, inflate tires to the correct pressure, and perform a tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) re-learn process as necessary, free of charge. Owne…
Buyer analysis
BMW 335is or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The BMW 335is has far fewer issues per year (7.4 vs. 822.7), but both vehicles have serious reported problems. The Silverado's much higher complaint rate and reports of injuries and deaths suggest a broader reliability and safety concern. In practice, the BMW may require less frequent attention, but the Silverado's issues appear more widespread and severe.
Key differences
- The BMW 335is averaged 7.4 complaints per year, while the Silverado averaged 822.7—over 100 times more.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls and reports of 160 injuries and 3 deaths; the BMW has 4 recalls and no reported injuries or deaths.
- BMW owners report stalling and drivetrain limp mode; Silverado owners report engine shutdowns, brake loss, and sudden neutral engagement.
- Both have airbag-related recalls, but the Silverado also has recalls for fuel pump, tires, and forward collision warnings.
- Check for any signs of engine over-rev damage, such as stripped bolts or internal component wear, especially if the car has been driven hard.
- Test the horn and all electrical functions, and inspect the fuse box for any non-OEM wiring or modifications.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for any loss of braking power or unusual pedal feel, as sudden brake failure has been reported.
- Check for transmission issues by driving at low speeds and uphill, and look for any messages about neutral or engine shutdown.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on engine, transmission, brakes, and electrical systems.
- For the BMW, scan for fault codes and check for any drivetrain malfunction messages.
- For the Silverado, test drive at various speeds and conditions, including braking and uphill driving, to detect any hesitation or shutdown.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been addressed, especially airbag inflator recalls on both vehicles.
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
- 8,227
- BMW 335is total recalls
- 4
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- BMW 335is avg complaints/year
- 7.4
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- BMW 335is
- BMW 335is top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE