Head-to-head reliability
BMW I4 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the BMW I4 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 I4 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The i4 averages 18.4 complaints per year over 5 years, while the Silverado averages 510.5 per year over 10 years. The i4's issues often involve sudden loss of control, whereas the Silverado's are more engine and transmission related. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW I4 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW I4
The BMW i4 is a relatively new electric vehicle with a moderate complaint rate, averaging about 18 complaints per year over five years. Owners report issues that can affect safety and drivability, including sudden power surges, loss of braking and steering, and unexpected vehicle movement. These problems often stem from the electrical system and powertrain, suggesting software or control module glitches. While not as numerous as some trucks, the nature of the complaints—especially those involving loss of control—makes them serious for a buyer to consider.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a high-volume pickup with a much higher complaint rate, averaging over 510 complaints per year over ten years. The majority of complaints involve the engine and powertrain, with owners reporting failures like sudden loss of power, transmission issues, and severe braking problems. The Silverado also has a higher number of crash-related complaints and injuries, reflecting its larger ownership base and the severity of some reported failures. Buyers should be aware that these issues can lead to costly repairs and potential safety hazards.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW I4 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 92 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 20 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 22 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 18.4 Better | 510.5 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 8 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 I4
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM26
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER22
- 03POWER TRAIN20
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE13
- 05SERVICE BRAKES13
Owners report sudden power surges, unintended steering, and stalling at speed, often accompanied by drivetrain malfunction warnings. These issues can lead to loss of control and are a major safety concern.
Complaints include the vehicle pulling or swerving to one side, making it hard to keep in a lane, and a gear selector that can be accidentally shifted into Reverse, posing a risk of unintended movement.
There are reports of complete loss of braking and steering while driving, along with multiple error warnings. This suggests a serious failure in the electric drivetrain or related systems that can leave the driver without control.
Some owners report that the system fails to brake when needed, or that the driver assistance features become restricted, disabling adaptive cruise control and lane departure warnings, which can increase the risk of collisions.
“The contact owns a 2022 BMW i4. The contact stated that while pulling into her apartment's parking garage, the vehicle surged forward as the steering wheel independently maneuvered to the left without warning. The vehicle initially hit the rear bumper of her…”
“I am reporting a serious and recurring safety issue with my 2024 BMW i4, which I leased new in December 2023. The vehicle currently has approximately 20,000 miles and has stalled multiple times at high speeds, displaying a drivetrain malfunction warning and i…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
Frequent complaints include engine failures, often with the 6.2L or 6.6L Duramax diesel, such as excessive soot accumulation in the diesel particulate filter, leading to loss of power and requiring dealer intervention.
Transmission issues are common, with reports of the vehicle suddenly shifting into neutral while driving, especially at low speeds, which can be dangerous in traffic or parking garages.
Owners report sudden loss of braking effectiveness, with the brake pedal firm but the vehicle not stopping, and in some cases, loss of motive power and steering, often accompanied by warning lights.
Brake failures are a significant concern, with reports of the vehicle not stopping normally, sometimes leading to crashes. This is a critical safety issue that requires immediate attention.
“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 I4 — 20 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 iX xDrive40, iX xDrive50, iX M60, 2022 i4 eDrive40, and i4 M50 vehicles equipped with hybrid electric powertrains. While in Valet Parking Mode, the Central Information Display (CID) may not display critical safety information, such as w…
The risk: A display that does not show critical information, such as warning messages and/or warning lights, can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the display's head unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 iX xDrive50, iX M60, 2022 i4 eDrive40, and i4 M50 vehicles. The high voltage battery may have internal damage, resulting in an electrical short-circuit.
The risk: A short-circuit in a high voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive or charge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the high voltage battery, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informi…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 iX xDrive40, iX xDrive50, iX M60, i4 eDrive35, i4 eDrive40, i4 M50, and 2023 i7 xDrive60 vehicles. The high voltage battery electronic control unit (ECU) software may cause an interruption of electrical power.
The risk: An interruption of electrical power may result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the high voltage battery ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed February 10, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2022-2023 i4 eDrive40 and iX xDrive50 electric vehicles. During vehicle start-up, the artificial sound generator control unit may experience a fault and fail to generate the external pedestrian warning sound. As such, these vehicles fail to compl…
The risk: Without external warning sounds, pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the external artificial sound generator software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 9, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 I4 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The BMW i4 has far fewer complaints per year (18.4) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (510.5), indicating a lower rate of reported issues. However, the i4's problems often involve sudden loss of control, which can be just as serious. In practice, the Silverado's higher volume of complaints suggests more frequent and varied problems, but the i4's issues are more concentrated in safety-critical systems.
Key differences
- The BMW i4 has significantly fewer complaints per year (18.4) than the Silverado (510.5), indicating a lower rate of reported issues.
- The i4's top problems are electrical and powertrain-related, leading to sudden loss of control, while the Silverado's top problems are engine and powertrain failures, often causing loss of power.
- The Silverado has a higher number of crash-related complaints (117) and injuries (104) compared to the i4 (22 and 8), but the i4's issues can also lead to crashes.
- The i4 is an electric vehicle, so its powertrain issues are unique to EV technology, while the Silverado's issues are typical of internal combustion engines and transmissions.
- Check for any recalls related to the electrical system or battery, and have the dealer verify that all software updates are current.
- Test the vehicle's braking and steering at various speeds, and be alert for any warning messages or unusual behavior like surging or unintended lane changes.
- Inspect the engine and transmission for any signs of oil leaks or unusual noises, and ask for service records to see if there have been any repairs for engine or transmission issues.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially at low speeds, and check for any warning lights related to the brake system or electrical system.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for any open recalls on the specific VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the electrical system and powertrain for the i4, and engine and transmission for the Silverado.
- Take a thorough test drive that includes city and highway driving, and test all driver assistance features.
- Ask the seller for all maintenance and repair records, and look for any patterns of repeated issues.
- Consider purchasing an extended warranty or service contract to cover potential costly repairs.
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 I4 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 98 |
| 2025 | 12 | 150 |
| 2024 | 26 | 0 |
| 2023 | 44 | 0 |
| 2022 | 9 | 1340 |
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 I4 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW I4 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- BMW I4 total complaints
- 92
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- BMW I4 total recalls
- 20
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- BMW I4 avg complaints/year
- 18.4
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- BMW I4
- BMW I4 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE