Head-to-head reliability
BMW I5 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the BMW I5 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 I5 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The i5 averages 9.3 complaints per year with 10 recalls, while the Silverado averages 822.7 complaints per year with 101 recalls. The i5 has fewer reported issues, but both have safety-related complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW I5 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW I5
The BMW i5 is an electric luxury sedan with a relatively low complaint rate of about 9.3 per year over three years. Owners report issues with brakes, electrical systems, and driver-assist features, including unexpected braking and loss of power steering. While the number of complaints is small, the nature of the problems—such as sudden braking or steering failure—can be serious. Recalls address some of these concerns, but buyers should be aware of potential electronic and brake quirks.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate of about 823 per year over ten years. The most common issues involve the engine, power train, and electrical system, with reports of engine shutdowns, transmission problems, and brake loss. These problems can leave drivers stranded or create dangerous situations. With many recalls, the Silverado has a history of reliability challenges that buyers should carefully consider.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW I5 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 28 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 10 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 4 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 9.3 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 3 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 I5
- 01SERVICE BRAKES11
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE6
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
- 05ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)5
Owners report unexpected braking or unintended acceleration, such as a brand-new i5 moving forward and hitting a car at a stoplight. Another complaint describes a brake system warning during acceleration, requiring extra force to brake. These issues could lead to collisions, especially in traffic.
Complaints include sudden loss of power steering with no warning, making the car hard to steer at low speeds. Also, automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning may fail, potentially endangering pedestrians. These electrical glitches can compromise safety and require dealer attention.
Owners report errors with automated driving features, such as reduced functionality or failure of pedestrian warning sounds. One complaint noted a persistent acoustic pedestrian warning failure, violating safety standards. These failures mean advanced safety systems may not work as expected.
Some complaints involve unfixable defects like a water valve/coolant issue that can affect the high-voltage battery, creating a safety hazard. Others mention recall-related concerns. These miscellaneous problems can be frustrating and costly if not resolved.
“I was driving a brand-new 2025 BMW i5 electric car, just leased from dealer the day before. The car was at rest, waiting for traffic light to turn green. Then the car started to move forward, and suddenly hit the car in front with a big thrust. My foot was on…”
“While merging onto [XXX] from an on-ramp in [XXX] , I received a dashboard warning stating “Brake system and chassis stabilization – braking may require additional force.” This occurred during active acceleration and merging into highway traffic. At the time…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engine shutdowns while driving, requiring restart, and diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events that need dealer service. These issues can cause loss of power and leave drivers stranded, especially during family trips.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly going into neutral while driving slowly uphill, and transmission problems that may cause loss of motive power. Such failures can be dangerous in traffic and may require expensive repairs.
Reports of sudden loss of normal braking, with a firm pedal but reduced braking effect, and engine shutting off while driving with messages like 'Return to Neutral'. These electrical faults can lead to crashes and are critical safety concerns.
Owners describe severe loss of braking, where the vehicle won't stop normally at a stop sign, and complete shutdown of screens and acceleration in a parking lot. These brake issues could result in collisions and should be addressed immediately.
“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 I5 — 10 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 2024 i5 eDrive40 and i5 M60 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 comply with the requirem…
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 February 16, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This is an expansion of Recall…
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, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 i4 xDrive40, i4 M50 and i5 eDrive40 vehicles. The high-voltage battery module may contain insufficient weld seams, which can result in the battery overheating.
The risk: An overheated battery module increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the high-voltage battery module, free of charge. 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 I5 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The BMW i5 has far fewer complaints per year (9.3 vs. 822.7), suggesting a lower frequency of reported problems. However, the Silverado's higher volume means more individual owners may experience issues. In practice, the i5 may be less likely to leave you stranded, but both have serious safety-related complaints that warrant attention.
Key differences
- The BMW i5 has about 9 complaints per year, while the Silverado has about 823 per year, indicating a much higher reported issue rate for the Silverado.
- Silverado owners frequently report engine shutdowns and transmission problems, whereas i5 complaints center on brakes and electrical glitches.
- The i5 has 4 crash-related complaints and 3 injuries; the Silverado has 233 crash-related complaints and 160 injuries, showing a larger safety concern volume.
- Both have recalls for forward collision avoidance warnings, but the Silverado also has recalls for fuel pump and tire pressure issues.
- Check for any history of unintended braking or acceleration, especially at low speeds or when stopped, as reported by owners.
- Test the power steering and all driver-assist features, including automatic emergency braking and pedestrian warning sounds, for proper function.
- Listen for engine noises and check for any signs of rough running or shutdowns; test drive at various speeds and conditions.
- Verify that the transmission shifts smoothly and does not slip into neutral unexpectedly; also test the brakes for firmness and stopping power.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all safety recalls have been performed.
- Take a lengthy test drive that includes highway merging, stop-and-go traffic, and parking lot maneuvers to check for braking, steering, and transmission issues.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle, focusing on the engine, transmission, electrical system, and brakes.
- For the i5, specifically test the forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems; for the Silverado, check for diesel particulate filter issues if equipped.
- Ask the seller for any repair records and be wary if there are repeated complaints or unresolved defects.
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 I5 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 120 |
| 2025 | 8 | 157 |
| 2024 | 20 | 527 |
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 I5 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW I5 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- BMW I5 total complaints
- 28
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- BMW I5 total recalls
- 10
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- BMW I5 avg complaints/year
- 9.3
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- BMW I5
- BMW I5 top complaint area
- SERVICE BRAKES
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE