Head-to-head reliability
BMW 650I vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the BMW 650I 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 650I vs Chevrolet Silverado: The BMW has 4.7 complaints per year, mostly engine fuel injector failures causing drivetrain malfunction. The Silverado has 777.6 complaints per year, with engine knocking, transmission failures, and electrical faults. The Silverado also has 100 recalls and 225 crash-related complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 650I or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 650I
The BMW 650I is a high-performance luxury coupe that, based on NHTSA data, has a relatively low complaint rate of 4.7 per year over 10 years. However, the complaints are heavily concentrated on engine and fuel system issues, with owners frequently reporting a 'Drivetrain Malfunction' warning, shaking, fuel odor, and stalling. These problems often require expensive repairs like replacing all fuel injectors, and some owners report issues even on brand-new cars, suggesting a persistent design flaw.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a popular full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate of 777.6 per year over 10 years, along with 100 recalls and 225 crash-related incidents. Owners report a wide range of serious issues including engine knocking requiring complete replacement, transmission fluid line failures causing sudden power loss, electrical system faults leading to loss of control, and brake problems. The high volume of complaints and recalls indicates widespread reliability concerns across multiple systems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 650I | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 47 Better | 7,776 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 225 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 4.7 Better | 777.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 1 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 650I
- 01ENGINE24
- 02FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8
- 03POWER TRAIN8
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
Owners report a 'Drivetrain Malfunction' warning accompanied by shaking and a strong fuel odor, often traced to failed fuel injectors requiring replacement. Some experience stalling and loss of power while driving, which can be dangerous in traffic.
Fuel injector failures are a common cause of the drivetrain malfunction, leading to rough idle, stalling, and inability to restart. The repair cost is high, often exceeding $100k in some owner accounts.
Intermittent vibration felt through the cabin at highway speeds and stalling incidents are reported, with some owners experiencing complete loss of engine power while driving.
“A FEW MONTHS AGO THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DISPLAY "DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION" ON THE SCREEN WHILE SHAKING WITH A HORRIBLE ODOR OF FUEL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD ALL OF THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED! WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A $100K+…”
“BMW 650 N63 ENGINE ISSUES AKA DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION (DTM) ERROR HAS BEEN A VERY COMMON ISSUE IN THESE CARS. IF YOU DO YOUR RESEARCH PEOPLE WITH BRAND NEW CARS WITH LESS THAN 100 MILES HAVE THESE ISSUES AS WELL. LONG STORY SHORT BMW, NA OFFERED TO BUY BACK MY…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,302
- 02POWER TRAIN2,213
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,435
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,193
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER832
Owners report loud knocking noises and metal rattling sounds, often leading to complete engine replacement even at low mileage (e.g., 3,000 miles). Some experience sudden power loss at highway speeds with no warning lights.
Transmission fluid line failures cause sudden fluid leaks and loss of transmission pressure, leading to unexpected power loss while towing or driving. Some owners report sudden transmission failure without prior warning.
High-voltage battery faults in EV models cause loss of vehicle control, and other electrical issues lead to starting problems and dashboard warnings. Multiple dealer visits often fail to resolve these issues.
“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 650I — 4 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, ActiveHybrid7, MINI Cooper S Convertible, John Cooper Works (JCW) Convertible, Co…
The risk: If the circuit board were to overheat, it can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however not all parts are available at this time. Owners will be notif…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 535i xDrive Gran Turismo, 535i Gran Turismo, 550i xDrive Gran…
The risk: The loose wires may cause the connector to melt, resulting in a fuel leak. Additionally, the fuel pump may stop working, possibly causing an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo…
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
The fix: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8, Rolls-Royce Dawn, Mini Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Cooper All4, Cooper S All4, Mi…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the seat-mounted air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 650I or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The BMW 650I has far fewer complaints per year (4.7) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (777.6), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the BMW's problems are concentrated on expensive engine repairs, while the Silverado's issues are more varied and include safety-critical failures like transmission and electrical faults.
Key differences
- BMW 650I has 4.7 complaints per year vs Silverado's 777.6, a massive difference in reported issue frequency.
- BMW's top problem is engine/fuel injector failures causing drivetrain malfunction; Silverado's top problems include engine knocking requiring replacement, transmission failures, and electrical faults.
- Silverado has 100 recalls and 225 crash-related complaints; BMW has 4 recalls and 0 crash-related complaints.
- Silverado owners report sudden power loss and brake issues; BMW owners report shaking and fuel odor but fewer safety incidents.
- Check for 'Drivetrain Malfunction' history and fuel injector replacement records; ask if the N63 engine issues have been addressed.
- Inspect for any signs of rough idle or stalling, and verify that all recalls (especially the auxiliary water pump recall) have been performed.
- Look for engine knocking or rattling noises, especially at low mileage; request service records for engine or transmission replacements.
- Check transmission fluid lines for leaks and ensure all recalls (including ESC software and fuel pump module) are completed.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and verify all recalls are completed for both models.
- For BMW 650I: request proof of fuel injector replacement and check for any 'Drivetrain Malfunction' codes.
- For Chevrolet Silverado: inspect transmission fluid lines and test drive at highway speeds for vibrations or power loss.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine and transmission health.
- Research common issues for the specific model year and engine variant (e.g., N63 for BMW, 2.7L or EV for Silverado).
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 650I | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 1955 |
| 2018 | 0 | 584 |
| 2017 | 0 | 1151 |
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 650I or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 650I vs Chevrolet Silverado
- BMW 650I total complaints
- 47
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 7,776
- BMW 650I total recalls
- 4
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- BMW 650I avg complaints/year
- 4.7
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 777.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW 650I
- BMW 650I top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE