Head-to-head reliability
BMW R 1250 R vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the BMW R 1250 R 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 R 1250 R vs Chevrolet Silverado: The BMW has 2 complaints over 6 years (0.3/year) and 4 recalls, while the Silverado has 8,227 complaints over 10 years (822.7/year) and 101 recalls. The BMW reports no crashes, injuries, or deaths; the Silverado reports 233 crashes, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the BMW R 1250 R or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
BMW R 1250 R
The BMW R 1250 R is a premium sport-touring motorcycle with very few reported problems: only 2 complaints over 6 years, averaging 0.3 per year. The complaints that do exist describe sudden engine power loss at highway speed and a check engine fault that makes the bike run poorly. There are also 4 recalls, including brake fluid and brake light issues, but no crashes, injuries, or deaths reported in the data. For a buyer, this suggests a machine that is generally reliable but where the rare failure can be serious because it happens while riding.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a huge number of complaints: 8,227 over 10 years, averaging about 823 per year. Owners report serious problems including engines shutting off while driving, sudden loss of braking, transmissions going into neutral, and diesel exhaust issues. There are also 101 recalls and 233 crash-related complaints, plus 160 injuries and 3 deaths in the data. For a buyer, this points to a vehicle that can be capable but has a wide range of reliability and safety concerns that need careful checking.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW R 1250 R | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 2 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 4 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 0 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 0.3 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 R 1250 R
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
- 02VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
- 03ENGINE1
Owners report the engine suddenly losing power and dropping speed dramatically at highway speeds, plus a check engine fault that makes the bike run poorly. These electrical glitches can leave you stranded or worse in traffic, so any warning light or rough running should be taken seriously.
The same sudden power loss complaint is also filed under speed control, meaning the bike may not respond to throttle input as expected. This is a critical safety issue because it can happen without warning at speed.
The engine complaint mirrors the power loss event, suggesting a possible stall or shutdown while riding. For a buyer, this means test-riding and checking for any hesitation or cut-out is essential.
“I WAS ON THE CALIFORNIA FREEWAY I-60 HEADING EAST NEAR CHINO SECTION ON A STEADY 65 MPH IN THE CARPOOL LANE, ENGINE SUDDENLY LOSS POWER AND DROPPING SPEED DRAMATICALLY. I WAS IMMEDIATELY SET THE EMERGENCY FLASH LIGHT AND MOVED TO LEFT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY (NO…”
“Vehicle displays a Check Engine Fault error and then runs poorly.”
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 models suffering repeated exhaust soot accumulation that requires dealer repair. These issues can leave you stranded and are expensive to fix, especially the diesel problems.
Complaints include the transmission suddenly going into neutral while driving slowly, such as in a parking garage, causing loss of power. This is dangerous because you can't accelerate when needed, and it may indicate a serious transmission defect.
Owners describe sudden, severe loss of normal braking with a firm pedal but poor stopping, as well as the engine shutting off and screens going blank. These electrical faults can disable critical safety systems, making the truck unsafe to drive until fixed.
Braking problems are reported where the pedal feels firm but the truck doesn't stop normally, and in one case the truck shut off completely during low-speed maneuvering. Brake failures are among the most dangerous issues, so any brake warning or odd pedal feel is a red flag.
“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 R 1250 R — 4 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 F900R, F900XR, S1000RR, F750GS, F850GS, F850GS Adventure, R1250GS, R1250GS Adventure, R1250RS, R1250R, RnineT, RnineT Pure and RnineT Scrambler and 2019-2020 S1000R motorcycles. The brake light may flash instead of remain steady during emerg…
The risk: A flashing brake light can cause confusion to other drivers on the road, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owner, and dealers will reprogram the emergency stop signal function, free of charge. The recall began May 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018-2020 RnineT Scrambler and RnineT, 2020 R1250R and R1250RS, 2019-2020 Rnine T Pure, R1250GS,R1250GS Adventure and R1250RT and 2018 RnineT Racer motorcycles. The brake fluid reservoir cap may not clearly state the required type of brake fluid…
The risk: Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain Motorcycle Accessory Brake Fluid Reservoir Covers, part numbers 8405-752, 8405-753, 8405-754 and 9829547 designed to fit certain 2019-2020 BMW R 1250 motorcycles, and part numbers 8404-098, 8405-100, 8405-102, and 1542056 designed to fit certain…
The risk: Improper brake system maintenance could affect braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake fluid reservoir cap, free of charge. The recall began December 14, 2020. Parts will be available in mid-September 2020 for the recall repairs. Owners may contact BMW customer servi…
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 R 1250 RT, R 1250 R, R 1250 RS, R 1250 GS and R 1250 GS Adventure motorcycles. The tire pressure labels may not remain affixed to the motorcycle frame. As a result, these motorcycles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehi…
The risk: If the label detaches from the motorcycle, proper tire pressure information may not be readily available. This could result in the rider improperly filling the tires which may affect motorcycle handling and control, increasing the risk of…
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the tire pressure label, free of charge. The recall began October 19, 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 R 1250 R or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The BMW R 1250 R has far fewer issues per year (0.3 vs. 822.7), but its rare problems can be severe, like sudden power loss. The Chevrolet Silverado has a much higher rate of complaints, including many that affect braking, engine, and transmission, leading to crashes and injuries. In practice, the BMW is less likely to leave you stranded, but the Silverado's issues are more widespread and potentially more dangerous in daily driving.
Key differences
- The BMW R 1250 R has only 2 complaints over 6 years, while the Chevrolet Silverado has 8,227 over 10 years, a massive difference in reported problem frequency.
- BMW complaints center on sudden engine power loss and electrical faults, whereas Silverado complaints include engines shutting off, brake loss, and transmission neutral drops.
- The Silverado has 233 crash-related complaints, 160 injuries, and 3 deaths in the data; the BMW has none of these reported.
- Both have recalls, but the Silverado has 101 recalls covering fuel pumps, brakes, and driver alerts, while the BMW has 4 recalls for brake fluid, brake lights, and labels.
- Check for any history of sudden engine power loss or stalling, especially at highway speeds, as reported by owners.
- Look for check engine lights or rough running that could indicate electrical system faults.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for any firm pedal with poor stopping, a reported symptom of brake system failure.
- Listen for engine shutdowns or messages like 'Return to Neutral' during a test drive, and check for diesel exhaust soot issues if equipped.
Before you buy
- Run a VIN check for open recalls on both vehicles, focusing on BMW brake fluid and brake light recalls, and Silverado fuel pump and brake recalls.
- For the BMW, take a long test ride at highway speeds to check for sudden power loss or hesitation.
- For the Silverado, test drive at low speeds and in parking lots to check for transmission neutral drops and brake performance.
- Ask for maintenance records, especially for the Silverado's engine and transmission, and the BMW's electrical system.
- Have a mechanic inspect the BMW's electrical system and the Silverado's brakes, engine, and transmission before buying.
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 R 1250 R | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 0 | 527 |
| 2023 | 0 | 450 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1390 |
| 2021 | 0 | 961 |
| 2020 | 1 | 868 |
| 2019 | 0 | 2003 |
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 R 1250 R or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW R 1250 R vs Chevrolet Silverado
- BMW R 1250 R total complaints
- 2
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- BMW R 1250 R total recalls
- 4
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- BMW R 1250 R avg complaints/year
- 0.3
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- BMW R 1250 R
- BMW R 1250 R top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE