Head-to-head reliability
BMW 740I vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the BMW 740I 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 740I vs Chevrolet Silverado: The BMW 740I has 12 complaints and 0 crashes over 10 years, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints, 233 crashes, and 3 deaths. The BMW's issues are mostly electronic; the Silverado's include engine and brake failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 740I or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 740I
The BMW 740I is a luxury sedan with a low complaint rate—12 over 10 years—but owners report recurring electronic and engine issues. Complaints focus on flaky driver-assist systems, phantom seatbelt warnings, and radiator blind failures that can cause overheating. With 22 recalls but no crashes or injuries reported, it's a complex car that demands attention to electronics and cooling.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a very high complaint volume—8,227 over 10 years—and 233 crash-related reports, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths. Owners describe serious engine, transmission, and brake problems, including sudden power loss and brake failure. With 101 recalls, it's a high-maintenance vehicle where safety-related failures are a real concern.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 740I | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 12 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 22 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.2 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 740I
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
- 02SEAT BELTS2
- 03ENGINE2
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
- 05VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
Owners report the automatic park distance control (PDC) activates randomly or fails to work, and the audio system freezes or becomes unresponsive. These glitches are annoying and can distract the driver, but they don't appear to cause crashes.
Phantom seatbelt warnings occur when the passenger seat is empty, often due to loose wiring in the seatbelt harness. This can lead to unnecessary repairs and may mask a real seatbelt issue.
The upper and lower radiator blinds (active air flaps) fail, causing overheating and engine malfunction lights. BMW extended warranty coverage for some models but not the 740I, leaving owners with costly repairs.
The sunroof can shatter inward while driving, showering occupants with glass. This is a rare but serious safety concern that owners should be aware of.
“2016 BMW 740I IS EQUIPMENT WITH AUTOMATIC PARK DISTANCE CONTROL SYSTEM (PDC) THAT AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS CLOSE TO AN OBSTACLE WHEN DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEED. THE SYSTEM IS VERY FLAKY IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCE, SOMETIMES IT ACTIVATES WHEN IT…”
“AUDIO CONTROL SYSTEM FREEZES ON THE BMW 740I. IT HAPPENS THAT AUDIO IS GONE COMPLETELY, SYSTEM DOES NOT RESPOND TO ANY OF THE FOLLOWING TO RAISE VOLUME: 1. GESTURE COMMANDS TO RAISE VOLUME (THE SYSTEM DOES NOT EVEN SHOW GESTURE IS INVOLVED ON THE DASH DISPLAY…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of newer Silverados report engine shutdowns while driving, diesel particulate filter soot accumulation, and other issues that can leave them stranded. These failures often occur at low mileage and may require dealer repairs.
Transmission problems include sudden shifting into neutral and loss of acceleration, sometimes in parking garages or at low speeds. This can be dangerous if it happens in traffic.
Electrical glitches cause the engine to shut off while driving, with messages like 'Return to Neutral' appearing. This loss of power is a severe safety risk.
Owners report sudden, severe loss of braking ability with a firm pedal but ineffective stopping. This is a critical safety failure that could lead to crashes.
“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 740I — 22 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 740i, 740i xDrive, 760i xDrive, i7 eDrive50, i7 xDrive60, i7 M70, 2024 750e xDrive, 530i, 530i xDrive, i5 eDrive40, and i5 M60 vehicles. The ground connection to the steering wheel may not have been attached correctly, resulting in an i…
The risk: An inoperative hands-on detection system may fail to detect when the driver's hands are not on the steering wheel and therefore not engage the emergency stopping assistant system, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and reattach the ground connection as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2025 BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (A…
The risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed between June and December 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls Royce customer service at 1-877-877…
The defect: BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, 2024-2025 X5, 2025 X6, 2023-2025 X7, 740i, 760i, 2024 XM, 530i, 540i, i7, 750e, X2, 2024-2025 i5, 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre, 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, JCW Countryman ALL4, and 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S) vehicles. Pleas…
The risk: A loss of brake power assist or rear brake function can result in extended stopping distance. A loss of ABS or DSC can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2024. Owners can contact BMW Customer Service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 Mini Cooper S, Mini Countryman S All4, X2, 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, 2023-2025 i7, 7 Series, X7, 2024-2025 i5, 5 Series, 2023-2024 XM, X1, 2024-2025 X6, and X5 vehicles. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss o…
The risk: A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: The Integrated brake system will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce custo…
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 740I or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The BMW 740I has far fewer complaints per year (1.2 vs. 822.7) and no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths, while the Silverado has 233 crash-related complaints and 3 deaths. In practice, the BMW's issues are more electronic and annoying, whereas the Silverado's are more likely to involve safety-critical failures.
Key differences
- The BMW 740I has 12 complaints over 10 years with 0 crashes, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints with 233 crashes and 3 deaths.
- BMW owners report electronic glitches like PDC and audio freezes; Silverado owners report engine shutdowns and brake failures.
- The BMW has 22 recalls; the Silverado has 101 recalls, including fuel pump and forward collision avoidance issues.
- Silverado complaints often involve sudden loss of power or braking, which are immediate safety hazards; BMW complaints are more about convenience and overheating.
- Check for radiator blind (active air flap) operation and any history of overheating or engine malfunction lights.
- Test the PDC system and audio controls for freezing or unresponsiveness, and inspect seatbelt wiring for phantom warnings.
- Look for any signs of engine shutdowns or transmission slipping, especially at low speeds or in parking situations.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for firmness and stopping power, and check for any electrical glitches that cause stalling.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic inspect the BMW's cooling system and electronics, and the Silverado's engine, transmission, and brakes.
- Test drive the BMW at low speeds to check PDC and audio, and the Silverado in stop-and-go traffic to check for stalling.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for BMW radiator blind repairs or Silverado engine/transmission work.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been addressed, particularly the Silverado's fuel pump and brake-related recalls.
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 740I | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 120 |
| 2025 | 0 | 157 |
| 2024 | 0 | 527 |
| 2023 | 0 | 450 |
| 2021 | 0 | 961 |
| 2020 | 0 | 868 |
| 2019 | 0 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 0 | 597 |
| 2017 | 0 | 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 740I or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 740I vs Chevrolet Silverado
- BMW 740I total complaints
- 12
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- BMW 740I total recalls
- 22
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- BMW 740I avg complaints/year
- 1.2
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- BMW 740I
- BMW 740I top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE