Head-to-head reliability
BMW Activehybrid 5 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the BMW Activehybrid 5 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 Activehybrid 5 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The BMW has 0 complaints and 2 recalls over 6 years, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints, 101 recalls, and 233 crash-related reports over 10 years. The Silverado's engine, power train, electrical, and brake issues are frequently reported by owners. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW Activehybrid 5 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW Activehybrid 5
The BMW Activehybrid 5 is a rare hybrid luxury sedan with no owner complaints filed over six years, suggesting either very low ownership or no recurring pattern of failures. Two recalls exist for the driver-side airbag inflator and exterior lighting, which are safety-related but not tied to any reported crashes or injuries. In ownership terms, it appears to have a quiet record, but the lack of complaint data means buyers have little real-world information to rely on.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a massive complaint history: 8,227 complaints over ten years, including 233 crash-related reports, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths. The most common trouble spots are the engine, power train, electrical system, and service brakes, with owners describing sudden engine shutdowns, transmission failures, and brake loss. Recalls cover fuel pump control, tire pressure monitoring, and forward collision warnings, adding to the list of safety concerns.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW Activehybrid 5 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 0 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.0 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 Activehybrid 5
No component data available.
The driver-side frontal airbag inflator is under recall. A defective inflator can rupture during deployment, sending metal fragments into the cabin. Buyers should confirm the recall repair was completed.
A recall exists for exterior lighting, which could mean lights may fail or not meet visibility standards. This matters for nighttime safety and state inspections.
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engines shutting off while driving, sometimes with a 'Return to Neutral' message, and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation requiring dealer service. These can leave you stranded or cause a loss of power in traffic.
Complaints describe the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral or losing acceleration, even at low speeds in parking lots. This can make the truck unpredictable and hard to control.
Reports include sudden loss of normal braking, with a firm pedal but reduced stopping power, and screens going blank while driving. Electrical glitches can disable critical safety features without warning.
Owners describe brake pedal firmness but ineffective braking, and instances where the truck shut off and could not accelerate. Brake problems are especially dangerous because they directly affect your ability to stop.
“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 Activehybrid 5 — 2 recalls
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 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Saf…
The risk: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 Activehybrid 5 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The BMW Activehybrid 5 has 0 complaints per year versus the Chevrolet Silverado's 822.7 per year, a huge gap. In practice, the Silverado has a well-documented pattern of engine, transmission, electrical, and brake failures, while the BMW has no reported complaint pattern at all. That means the Silverado carries far more risk of unexpected breakdowns and safety incidents.
Key differences
- The BMW Activehybrid 5 has zero owner complaints and two recalls, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints and 101 recalls.
- Silverado owners report sudden engine shutdowns, transmission neutral drops, and brake loss; the BMW has no reported failure symptoms.
- The Silverado has 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths; the BMW has none.
- Silverado recalls include fuel pump control and forward collision warning issues, while BMW recalls are limited to airbag inflator and exterior lighting.
- Check that the driver-side airbag inflator recall was performed; an unrepaired inflator can rupture in a crash.
- Inspect all exterior lights for function, as a lighting recall may indicate a defect that could cause failures.
- Test drive at low speeds and in parking lots to feel for sudden neutral engagement or loss of acceleration.
- Ask for service records on diesel particulate filter cleaning or replacement if equipped with the Duramax diesel, and check for any engine stall history.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA.gov to confirm all recalls are closed for the specific vehicle.
- For the Silverado, request a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine, transmission, electrical, and brake systems.
- For the BMW, verify the airbag inflator and lighting recalls were repaired by a dealer.
- Test drive the Silverado in stop-and-go traffic and parking lots to check for stalling or shifting into neutral.
- Ask for a complete maintenance history, especially for the Silverado's fuel pump and brake components.
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 Activehybrid 5 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 0 | 597 |
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 Activehybrid 5 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW Activehybrid 5 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- BMW Activehybrid 5 total complaints
- 0
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- BMW Activehybrid 5 total recalls
- 2
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- BMW Activehybrid 5 avg complaints/year
- 0.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- BMW Activehybrid 5
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE