Head-to-head reliability
BMW R 1300 GS vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the BMW R 1300 GS 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 1300 GS averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. BMW R 1300 GS has 3 complaints and 2 recalls on record; Chevrolet Silverado has 6,206 complaints and 100 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | BMW R 1300 GS | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3 Better | 6,206 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 2 Better | 100 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 1 Better | 191 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 1.0 Better | 620.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 118 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 2 |
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 1300 GS
- 01POWER TRAIN1
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
“Component/System: Clutch assembly (friction plates/engagement mechanism) While riding my 2024 BMW R1300GS with approximately 3,000 miles on the odometer, the clutch suddenly failed while climbing a rocky hillside trail. The clutch stopped engaging entirely, w…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE1,790
- 02POWER TRAIN1,742
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,171
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,029
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER677
“Truck has less than 1800 miles. Was at a stop light and the vehicle started shaking and making metal tin rattling sounds. Stopped for gas, started the vehicle all noises went away. Got onto the freeway and about 1 mile down the road the truck lost power at 70…”
“November 28th 2025 we were coming down Logan canyon in Utah at 50 miles an hour when i was passing another vehicle on the left I felt a hard shift and a prompt came on the dash that said reduced acceleration. So as I was passing the vehicle I was pulling in f…”
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 1300 GS — 2 recalls
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024 R 1300 GS motorcycles. The housing for the starter motor relay may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in a damaged relay that can overheat.
The risk: An overheated electrical relay increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will replace the starter relay and update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 23, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2025 F 900 GS, F 800 GS, R 1300 GS Adventure, R 1300 GS, S 1000 RR, S 1000 R, and K 1600 GT vehicles equipped with the optional emergency call system. The emergency call system (eCall) may have been deactivated due to a software programming error.
The risk: In an emergency, first responders may not receive notification of the crash or emergency location, increasing the risk of injury to riders.
The fix: The electronic control unit software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed September 12, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV electric vehicles. After experiencing an electronic stability control (ESC) system malfunction, the ESC malfunction warning light may not illuminate on the next key cycle. As such, these vehicles fail to com…
The risk: An indicator light that does not illuminate may fail to warn the driver of an ESC system issue, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The EBCM software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 15, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or G…
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 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 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yuko…
The risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 22, 2026. Ow…
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 1300 GS | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 58 |
| 2025 | 2 | 120 |
| 2024 | 1 | 479 |
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 1300 GS or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- BMW R 1300 GS vs Chevrolet Silverado
- BMW R 1300 GS total complaints
- 3
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 6,206
- BMW R 1300 GS total recalls
- 2
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 100
- BMW R 1300 GS avg complaints/year
- 1.0
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 620.6
- More reliable overall
- BMW R 1300 GS
- BMW R 1300 GS top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE