Head-to-head reliability
BMW 760li vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the BMW 760li 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 760li vs Chevrolet Silverado: The BMW has only 3 complaints over 10 years (0.3/yr) while the Silverado has 5105 (510.5/yr). BMW issues include oil consumption and water pump failure; Silverado has engine, transmission, and brake failures, some causing loss of control. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW 760li or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW 760li
The BMW 760li is a low-volume luxury sedan with a very low complaint rate (0.3 per year), but the few complaints that exist point to expensive, recurring issues. Owners report excessive oil consumption due to valve stem seals, a failure of the electric auxiliary water pump (which was subject to a recall but not always honored), and fuel pump/plug problems leading to drivetrain malfunctions. These are not safety-critical in the crash sense, but they are costly and can leave you stranded.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a high-volume pickup with a very high complaint rate (510.5 per year) and a wide range of issues. Owners report engine failures (including 6.2L and Duramax diesel problems), transmission issues (sudden neutral), electrical system failures that can affect braking and steering, and brake problems. There are also many recalls and some crash-related incidents, making it a vehicle with significant reliability and safety concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW 760li | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 19 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.3 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 104 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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 760li
- 01ENGINE1
- 02POWER TRAIN1
- 03FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1
Owners report excessive oil consumption and burning, attributed to valve stem seal design. This can lead to a fire hazard and costly repairs, as well as the need for frequent oil top-ups.
The electric auxiliary water pump can fail, causing overheating and potential engine damage. Some owners note that despite a recall, BMW refused to cover the repair, leading to out-of-pocket costs.
High fuel pump and plug issues trigger 'Drivetrain Malfunction' warnings, leading to breakdowns. Owners report spending thousands on repairs after the warranty expires.
“BMW 750 I XDRIVE 2011 --EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AND OR BURNING. THE DESIGN OF THE VALVE STEM SEALS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE SAFETY CONCERNS ARE THE FOLLOWING: 1) FIRE HAZARD. 2) PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJU…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Engine failures are common, including a 6.2L motor that failed while driving, and Duramax diesel particulate filter clogging (P2463) requiring repeated dealer visits. These can cause loss of power and expensive repairs.
Transmission issues include sudden shifts into neutral while driving, which can be dangerous, especially in traffic or on hills. This is a serious safety concern.
Electrical failures can lead to sudden loss of braking and steering, as reported by owners. This is a critical safety issue that can cause accidents.
Brake problems include sudden loss of normal braking effectiveness, even with a firm pedal. This can lead to longer stopping distances and potential collisions.
“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 760li — 19 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 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 2013-2015 BMW 760Li vehicles. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) may have been programmed with incompatible software during a service visit, possibly causing the engine to stall.
The risk: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: All affected vehicles have been repaired by programming the ECU with the correct software. Therefore, owner letters will not be sent. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2005-2008 745i, 745Li, 750i, 750Li, 760i, 760Li, and B7 Alpina vehicles equipped with both the Comfort Access and Soft Close Automatic options. In these vehicles, the doors may appear to be closed and latched, but, in fact, may inadvertently open.
The risk: The door may unexpectedly open due to road or driving conditions or occupant contact with the door. The sudden opening may result in occupant ejection or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the door latch system, free of charge. The recall began February 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertently…
The risk: An unlatched tailgate may open while driving and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2024. Owners may contact Chevr…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles. The steering gear shaft may fracture and disconnect from the steering arm.
The risk: A steering arm that disconnects may result in a total loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering gear, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 22, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-4…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Silverado HD 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra HD 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate's electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, which can result in the tailgate inadvertentl…
The risk: An unlatched tailgate may open and result in a loss of unsecured cargo, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised to check that the tailgate is closed and latched before driving. Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023-2024 GMC Hummer EV pick up, 2024 GMC Hummer EV SUV, and 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV vehicles. The left or right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts may not be tightened properly.
The risk: An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the left and right front seat belt buckle attachment bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 21, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-833-EVCHEVY (1-833-382-4389) (TTY 711 /…
Buyer analysis
BMW 760li or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The BMW 760li has far fewer complaints per year (0.3) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (510.5), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the BMW's issues are still serious and costly, while the Silverado's problems are more numerous and include safety-critical failures. In practice, the BMW may offer a more reliable ownership experience in terms of fewer incidents, but both have significant risks.
Key differences
- The BMW has a very low complaint rate (0.3/yr) vs the Silverado's very high rate (510.5/yr).
- BMW complaints focus on engine oil consumption and fuel system issues, while Silverado complaints include engine, transmission, electrical, and brake failures.
- Silverado has 117 crash-related complaints and 1 death, while BMW has none.
- Silverado's electrical failures can cause loss of braking and steering, a severe safety risk not seen in BMW complaints.
- Check for excessive oil consumption and any signs of oil leaks or burning smell, as valve stem seals are a known issue.
- Verify that the electric auxiliary water pump has been replaced under recall (NHTSA 11V521000) and is functioning properly.
- Inspect the engine for any signs of failure, especially if it's a 6.2L or Duramax diesel; check for DTC codes like P2463.
- Test the transmission for any hesitation or unexpected shifting, and have the electrical system checked for potential failures that could affect braking and steering.
Before you buy
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with BMW or Chevrolet, respectively.
- Check the vehicle's recall status and ensure all recalls have been performed, especially the water pump recall on BMW and brake-related recalls on Silverado.
- Review service records for oil consumption issues on BMW and for any engine or transmission repairs on Silverado.
- Take both vehicles for an extended test drive, including highway speeds and stop-and-go traffic, to feel for any drivetrain or brake anomalies.
- Consider purchasing an extended warranty or service contract to cover potential costly repairs.
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 760li or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW 760li vs Chevrolet Silverado
- BMW 760li total complaints
- 3
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- BMW 760li total recalls
- 19
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- BMW 760li avg complaints/year
- 0.3
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- BMW 760li
- BMW 760li top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE