Head-to-head reliability
BMW M235i vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the BMW M235i 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 M235i vs Chevrolet Silverado: The M235i averages 2.4 complaints per year over 8 years, while the Silverado averages 510.5 per year over 10 years. The Silverado has 117 crash-related complaints and 104 injuries, whereas the M235i has none. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW M235i or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW M235i
The BMW M235i is a compact performance coupe that, in ownership terms, shows a moderate but consistent stream of complaints over eight years, averaging about 2.4 per year. The issues cluster around electrical gremlins, powertrain glitches, and exterior lighting, with owners reporting specific failures like faulty tail light wiring and transmission sensor problems. While no crashes or injuries are reported, the nature of the complaints suggests a car that can be finicky, especially with electronic and drivetrain components, which could lead to unexpected visits to the dealer.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 510 per year over a decade, reflecting its popularity and widespread use. The dominant issues are engine and powertrain problems, with owners describing severe events like sudden loss of power, transmission failures, and brake system malfunctions. The presence of crash-related complaints and injuries underscores the potential safety implications of these failures, making reliability a critical concern for buyers.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW M235i | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 19 Better | 5,105 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 8 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 117 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.4 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 M235i
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
- 02POWER TRAIN3
- 03EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
- 04ENGINE2
- 05AIR BAGS2
Owners report rear brake light failures due to faulty wiring, a known issue on older BMWs, and transmission sensors getting wet from spills, causing warning lights and potential drivetrain issues.
There are reports of drivetrain malfunction warnings leading to engine stall, and a transmission leak through the metal case, which is a serious and costly repair.
Beyond brake light wiring, owners complain about low-contrast instrument clusters that are nearly invisible in daylight, which can affect readability and safety.
The N55 engine can suffer oil starvation during high-G driving, leading to potential engine damage, and there are instances of engine stall linked to drivetrain issues.
“Rear brake light failure due to faulty wiring. Identical to the details located in this article (https://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/01/bmw-recalling-241-000-3-series-models-over-faulty-tail-lights/) for which the NHTSA had issued a recall for older BMW models i…”
“According to the dealer, a transmission sensor underneath the gear shifter got wet due to a liquid spill from the cupholders. While driving on the highway returning from scheduled dealer maintenance on the car, the informations screen showed a warning that th…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,698
- 02POWER TRAIN1,453
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM982
- 04SERVICE BRAKES691
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER542
The most frequent complaints involve engine failures, such as the 6.2L motor experiencing issues shortly after purchase, and diesel particulate filter clogging on Duramax engines, requiring repeated dealer visits.
Transmission problems are common, including sudden shifts into neutral while driving and loss of motive power, which can be dangerous in traffic.
Electrical issues often accompany powertrain failures, with reports of loud pinging sounds, loss of power, and inoperable brakes and steering, indicating potential system-wide malfunctions.
Brake failures are reported, such as sudden loss of normal braking with a firm pedal, which is a critical safety concern.
“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 M235i — 8 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 228i Coupe, M235i Coupe, 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, ActiveHybrid 3, 328xi Sports Wagon, 428i Coupe, 428xi Coupe, 435i Coupe, 435xi Coupe, 428i Convertible, 428xi Convertible, 435i Convertible, 328xi Gran Turismo, 335xi…
The risk: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on May 28, 2015. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 4…
The risk: An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive), and 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i, M235i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fa…
The risk: An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 228i, 228i xDrive, and M235i xDrive vehicles. If the driver initiates an automatic closure of the sunroof, and the vehicle key status is changed to "off" or "lock," the sunroof may continue to close. As such, these vehicles fail to comp…
The risk: If the sunroof continues to close after the vehicle is shut off, it may increase the risk of injury.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the sunroof electronic coding software, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. 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 M235i or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The BMW M235i has far fewer complaints per year (2.4) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (510.5), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the Silverado's problems are more severe, including crashes and injuries, so the M235i appears more reliable in terms of complaint rate, but buyers should still be aware of its specific electrical and powertrain quirks.
Key differences
- The M235i has a much lower complaint rate (2.4/yr) than the Silverado (510.5/yr), but the Silverado's complaints are more likely to involve safety-critical failures like engine stall and brake loss.
- M235i issues are often electrical or related to lighting and sensors, while Silverado issues are dominated by engine and powertrain problems, including catastrophic failures.
- The Silverado has a higher incidence of crash-related complaints (117) and injuries (104), whereas the M235i has none reported.
- Recalls differ: M235i recalls focus on fuel pump, air bags, and power windows, while Silverado recalls include tailgate latches, steering, and brake fluid sensors.
- Check the rear brake light wiring for signs of chafing or failure, as this is a common issue.
- Inspect the area around the cupholders for spill damage that could affect the transmission sensor.
- Listen for abnormal engine noises or warning lights indicating potential engine or transmission failure.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, especially for sudden loss of braking power, and check for any recalls related to brake fluid sensors.
Before you buy
- For the M235i, have a mechanic inspect the electrical system, especially the tail light wiring and transmission sensor area.
- For the Silverado, review the service history for any engine or transmission repairs, and check if all recalls have been performed.
- Test drive both vehicles at highway speeds to feel for any drivetrain hesitations or brake anomalies.
- Check the NHTSA website for the latest recall information on the specific model year you're considering.
- Consider a pre-purchase inspection by a dealer or independent specialist familiar with these models.
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 M235i | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1340 |
| 2021 | 0 | 934 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 |
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 M235i or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW M235i vs Chevrolet Silverado
- BMW M235i total complaints
- 19
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 5,105
- BMW M235i total recalls
- 8
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- BMW M235i avg complaints/year
- 2.4
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 510.5
- More reliable overall
- BMW M235i
- BMW M235i top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE