Head-to-head reliability
BMW 7 Series vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the BMW 7 Series 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 7 Series vs Chevrolet Silverado: The BMW 7 Series has 69 complaints and 0 recalls over 10 years, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints and 101 recalls. The BMW's issues often involve brakes and electronics, whereas the Silverado's center on engine and powertrain problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 7 Series or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 7 Series
The BMW 7 Series is a luxury sedan with a relatively low complaint rate of about 6.9 per year over the past decade. However, the complaints that do exist cluster around serious safety systems like brakes and electronic stability control, with some owners reporting sudden stops or brake failures. There are no recalls on record, but several complaints mention recall remedies not being available, which can leave owners waiting for fixes. Overall, it's a complex vehicle where electrical and brake issues can be costly and concerning.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint rate—over 800 per year—and 101 recalls in ten years. The most common trouble spots are the engine and powertrain, with reports of stalling, sudden loss of power, and transmission problems. Braking and electrical issues also appear frequently, and there have been 233 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths. This suggests that while the Silverado is popular, it has a long history of significant reliability and safety problems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 7 Series | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 69 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 0 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 3 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 6.9 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 5 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 7 Series
- 01SERVICE BRAKES22
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER10
- 04ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)10
- 05POWER TRAIN8
Owners report sudden brake failure or unexpected stopping, sometimes with warning messages like 'Drive Carefully - Brake System.' In one case, a 2023 model came to a sudden stop without the brake pedal being pressed, which could lead to a crash.
Complaints include unexplained electrical glitches that can cause stalling or other safety issues. One owner of a 2017 740i wrote about a series of issues that they felt could cause accidents, indicating that electrical faults may be hard to diagnose and fix.
Some owners received recall notices for ESC and brake issues, but parts were not available, leaving the problem unresolved. Another complaint described a 2023 740i suddenly stopping at low speed with a brake system warning, suggesting ESC or brake control faults.
This category includes a sunroof that blew out while driving and a recall for a starter motor fire risk that had no remedy available for months. These unpredictable issues can be frightening and may not be covered by a simple fix.
“My 2023 BMW 740i has experienced the same serious failure twice at approximately 21,000 miles. The exact component causing the failure is currently UNKNOWN. The vehicle is available for inspection and is currently being returned to an authorized BMW dealer fo…”
“I pulled my 2019 BMW 740i out of a residential garage and stopped the vehicle. I opened the driver's door and exited the vehicle to enter the code on the exterior garage keypad to close the garage door. After entering the code, I turned around to return to th…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Many owners report engine stalling or shutting off while driving, sometimes with messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start.' There are also cases of excessive soot accumulation in diesel models, requiring dealer service. These issues can leave you stranded or cause a loss of power.
Complaints include sudden shifting into neutral or loss of acceleration, even at low speeds. One owner reported the truck going into neutral in a parking garage with less than 300 miles on it, which is alarming for a new vehicle.
Owners describe severe braking loss and engine shutdowns linked to electrical faults. In one case, the brake pedal remained firm but braking was ineffective, and another had the engine shut off while driving, both potentially dangerous situations.
Reports include sudden loss of normal braking and the truck shutting off completely while moving. One owner experienced the truck shutting off in a parking lot, with all screens going blank and no acceleration, which could happen in traffic.
“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 7 Series
No recalls on record.
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 7 Series or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The BMW 7 Series has far fewer complaints per year (6.9 vs. 822.7) and no recalls, while the Silverado has a massive complaint volume and 101 recalls. In practice, this means the BMW may have fewer overall problems, but the ones it does have tend to involve critical safety systems. The Silverado's higher numbers suggest a greater likelihood of encountering issues, especially with the engine and transmission.
Key differences
- The BMW 7 Series has 69 complaints over 10 years, while the Silverado has 8,227—a huge difference in reported problems.
- BMW complaints often involve brakes and electronic stability control, with reports of sudden stops; Silverado complaints frequently involve engine stalling and transmission issues.
- The Silverado has 101 recalls and 3 deaths reported, whereas the BMW has 0 recalls and 0 deaths in the data.
- BMW owners mention recall remedies not being available, while Silverado owners report a wide range of safety defects from fuel pumps to forward collision warnings.
- Check for any history of brake system warnings or sudden stopping; test the brakes thoroughly and ask for service records related to brake or ESC repairs.
- Inspect the sunroof for proper sealing and operation, as one owner reported it blowing out while driving.
- Listen for engine noises and check for any stalling or hesitation during a test drive; ask about any software updates or recalls for engine and transmission control modules.
- Test the brakes for firmness and responsiveness, and check for any warning lights related to braking or stability control.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on the components with the most complaints for that model.
- Ask the seller for all maintenance and repair records, especially for brakes, electrical, and engine/transmission work.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any warning messages, unusual noises, or hesitation in acceleration or braking.
- For the Silverado, verify that any recall remedies have been performed, and for the BMW, confirm that software updates or brake fixes are up to date.
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 7 Series | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 120 |
| 2025 | 2 | 157 |
| 2024 | 8 | 527 |
| 2023 | 23 | 450 |
| 2022 | 4 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 3 | 961 |
| 2020 | 5 | 868 |
| 2019 | 4 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 8 | 597 |
| 2017 | 12 | 1154 |
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 7 Series or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 7 Series vs Chevrolet Silverado
- BMW 7 Series total complaints
- 69
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- BMW 7 Series total recalls
- 0
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- BMW 7 Series avg complaints/year
- 6.9
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- BMW 7 Series
- BMW 7 Series top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE