Head-to-head reliability
BMW M5 vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the BMW M5 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 M5 vs Chevrolet Silverado: The M5 has 21 complaints and 15 recalls over 10 years, with no crashes or injuries. The Silverado has 8,227 complaints, 101 recalls, 233 crashes, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths. The M5 shows fewer issues per year, but both have serious reported problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW M5 or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW M5
The BMW M5 is a high-performance luxury sedan that demands careful ownership. Over 10 years, it has 21 complaints (2.1 per year) and 15 recalls, with no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data. Owners frequently report engine coolant leaks, catastrophic engine failures, and transmission problems that can lead to sudden power loss. These issues often result in expensive repairs, making thorough pre-purchase inspections essential.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint volume: 8,227 complaints over 10 years (822.7 per year) and 101 recalls. The data includes 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths. Common owner reports include engine failures, transmission problems, electrical glitches, and brake issues, some occurring at very low mileage. This suggests a pattern of 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 M5 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 21 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 15 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 2.1 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 M5
- 01ENGINE8
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 03POWER TRAIN5
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
- 05ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
Owners report coolant expansion tank failures that can damage critical engine components, and some experience catastrophic engine failure with metal shavings, requiring complete replacement. These failures often occur without warning and can lead to costly repairs.
Complaints include the car jerking and kicking out of drive into neutral at highway speeds, causing sudden deceleration. Another owner reported total engine failure at less than 50,000 miles with no warning lights.
Owners report faulty fuel injectors and ignition coils, with multiple injectors failing in sequence. This can cause engine misfires and may lead to reduced performance or stalling.
Some owners report non-mechanical issues like the front license plate holder separating from the bumper and windshields cracking spontaneously without impact. While not safety-critical, these suggest build quality inconsistencies.
“I actively participate in online F90 forums, and it seems like the coolant expansion tank seems to fail for almost all owners (both pre-LCI and LCI). In many cases, it also damages critical engine components underneath the tank and results in expensive repair…”
“Despite following the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and having the car serviced at authorized BMW dealerships, I am facing an engine failure that BMW has quoted $44,000 to repair. BMW is only offering $4,000 towards this repair, leaving us w…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners report engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start.' Others experience diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events requiring dealer service. These can leave drivers stranded or cause dangerous situations.
Complaints include the vehicle suddenly going into neutral while driving slowly uphill, and transmission issues that may cause loss of power. This can happen at very low mileage, even under 300 miles.
Owners report sudden loss of normal braking, with a firm brake pedal but ineffective stopping, and engine shut-offs while driving. These electrical glitches can disable critical safety systems.
Complaints include complete loss of braking ability and the truck shutting off with all screens going blank, preventing acceleration. These brake failures pose serious safety risks.
“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 M5 — 15 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 M5 and 2020 M8 Gran Coupe, M8 Coupe, and M8 Convertible vehicles. The transmission wiring harness can become damaged, resulting in an electrical short circuit.
The risk: An electrical short circuit can cause the transmission to shift to neutral resulting in a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace any damaged transmission harnesses. All harnesses will be rerouted and secured. These repairs will be performed, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 3, 2020. Owners may…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 750i xDrive, 2019 M850i xDrive Coupe, M850i xDrive Convertible, X5 xDrive50i, X7 xDrive50i, and M5 vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may not have been properly attached to the engine, which may cause the fuel pump flange to crack, result…
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pumps, free of charge. The recall began August 27, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Co…
The risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may c…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 X3 sDrive 30i, X3 xDrive 30i, X3M 40i, X3 xDrive 30e, X4 xDrive 30i, X4M 40i, 530i, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 550e, 550e xDrive, and 550e iPerformance vehicles. A small portion of the rearview image may be slightly obscured.…
The risk: If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, program the rearview camera with updated software. The recall began November 18, 2020. 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 M5 or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The BMW M5 has far fewer complaints per year (2.1 vs. 822.7) and no reported crashes, injuries, or deaths in the data, while the Chevrolet Silverado has 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths. In practice, this means the M5 may have fewer overall issues, but its problems can be severe and expensive, whereas the Silverado's high volume of complaints suggests widespread reliability and safety concerns.
Key differences
- The BMW M5 has 21 complaints over 10 years, while the Chevrolet Silverado has 8,227, a massive difference in reported issues per year.
- The Silverado has 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths; the M5 has none in these categories.
- M5 owners report coolant tank failures and engine destruction; Silverado owners report engine shutdowns, brake loss, and transmission slipping into neutral.
- Both have recalls, but the Silverado has 101 vs. 15 for the M5, covering issues like fuel pumps, brakes, and forward collision warnings.
- Check the coolant expansion tank for cracks or leaks, as owners report frequent failures that can damage engine components.
- Listen for engine noises or check for metal shavings in the oil, as some owners experienced catastrophic engine failure without warning.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for any loss of braking power or firm pedal with reduced stopping, as owners reported sudden brake failure.
- Check for transmission issues like sudden neutral engagement or jerking, especially at low speeds or during uphill driving.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been addressed.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the engine, transmission, and brakes for signs of the reported failures.
- For the M5, specifically pressure-test the cooling system and check for coolant leaks.
- For the Silverado, test drive at various speeds and check for electrical glitches, brake performance, and transmission behavior.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records and be wary of vehicles with frequent repair history.
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 M5 | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 120 |
| 2025 | 2 | 157 |
| 2023 | 1 | 450 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 2 | 961 |
| 2020 | 2 | 868 |
| 2019 | 8 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 4 | 597 |
| 2017 | 0 | 1154 |
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 M5 or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW M5 vs Chevrolet Silverado
- BMW M5 total complaints
- 21
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- BMW M5 total recalls
- 15
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- BMW M5 avg complaints/year
- 2.1
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- BMW M5
- BMW M5 top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE