America’s Full-Size Pickup Trucks Ranked By Reliability
Pickup trucks are becoming an increasingly common choice of vehicle for American drivers. While some opt for a compact or mid-size truck as a way to get all the practical benefits without compromising on maneuverability, full-size trucks remain the most popular choice, due to their larger cargo and passenger space and increased hauling and towing capabilities. This list ranks the full-size pickup trucks currently on sale in the US market, ranked from the least to the most reliable according to a variety of metrics including J.D. Power Quality and Reliability score, number of recalls and NHTSA complaints.
The data on this list has been compiled from a variety of reputable sources, including J.D. Power’s Quality & Reliability rating, NHTSA recalls and complaints, and manufacturer-supplied sales figures. New vehicles may be ranked lower on this list by virtue of not having a Quality & Reliability score. Recall, complaint, and sales figure data are accurate as of the date of publication but are subject to change.
6 Toyota Tundra
- J.D. Power Quality and Reliability Rating: 78
- No. Of recalls: 13
- NHTSA Complaints/1,000 vehicles: 0.85
The Toyota Tundra is currently in its third generation, which has been on the market since the 2022 model year. While the 2023 and 2024 models both have a J.D. Power Quality and Reliability score of 78, the score for the 2022 model dropped to 70, indicating the third-gen Tundra experienced some teething issues during its first year on the market.
This is reflected in the overall trend for the number of NHTSA complaints: the 2022 Tundra had 161 complaints, but this number went down for the following two model years, which respectively have 109 and 31 complaints to their name.
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Most complaints for the 2022 model were about issues with the engine and fuel system, forward collision avoidance system, and electrical issues; while these continued to be the most frequently recurrent issues for the 2023 and 2024 models, the overall number of complaints went down.
The 2024 model also saw an improvement in terms of number of recalls; while the previous two years both had 10 active recalls, the 2024 Tundra only had 3. Two recalls were about incorrect labels displaying the wrong maximum weight values, while the third was about unexpected vehicle movement when in neutral. None of the recalls are classified as urgent.
5 Ford F-150
- J.D. Power Quality and Reliability Rating: N/A (2023 model: 78)
- No. Of recalls: 28
- NHTSA Complaints/1,000 vehicles: 0.58
The best-selling vehicle in America for around forty years, the Ford F-150 (and the F-Series) is the quintessential pickup truck; its fourteenth and current generation was launched for the 2021 model year. The 2024 model does not have a J.D. Power reliability score, and the overall trend for the current generation has been fairly inconsistent: the debut model had a score of 77, which jumped up to 86 for the 2022 model year and then went back down to 78 for 2023. Perhaps this has something to do with Ford having the most official recalls for the third year running?
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However, when looking at the number of NHTSA complaints and recalls, the overall trend is positive, with the F-150 getting more and more reliable over the years after some initial teething issues. The first two model years of this generation are affected by an open investigation regarding loss of power due to engine failure; the 2021 model also has an urgent safety recall regarding loss of steering due to damaged steering gear.
As well as fewer recalls, the most recent models also have fewer complaints. Complaints about the 2023 F-150 have mainly focused on issues with the electrical system and loss of power, while the current model only has seven complaints to its name, with forward collision avoidance system issues being the main culprit.
4 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
- J.D. Power Quality and Reliability Rating: 80
- No. Of recalls: 20
- NHTSA Complaints/1,000 vehicles: 0.42
Chevrolet’s flagship pickup truck, the Silverado, has been on the market in its fourth generation since the 2019 model year. The model’s J.D. Power score has been fluctuating over the course of this generation, with no identifiable trend; the very first model year, 2019, only achieved a score of 79, which went up to the low eighties over the next couple of years. The 2022 model had no score at all, and the two most recent Silverados dropped back down to a score of 80.
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While the 2019 and 2020 models both had 10 recalls to their name, the number dropped to 5 the following year, and has been on a downward trend since. The current model year has no recalls at all, and the 2023 Silverado only has one, regarding running lights not deactivating and resulting in glare which could increase the risk of a crash. The number of complaints filed to the NHTSA has also been going down over the years; the current model year only has 12 complaints, most of which are about problems with the electrical system or engine issues. Some recurrent subjects of complaints in previous years include the forward collision avoidance system, braking system and rearview camera.
3 GMC Sierra 1500
- J.D. Power Quality and Reliability Rating: 84
- No. Of recalls: 17
- NHTSA Complaints/1,000 vehicles: 0.48
The Sierra is the GMC-badged counterpart of the Chevrolet Silverado; the Silverado’s fourth generation is the GMC Sierra’s fifth. Both were introduced at the same time for the 2019 model year.
The Sierra’s J.D. Power score has been consistently good throughout this generation, except for the very first year. While all fifth-gen models have achieved scores in the mid-80s (except for the 2022 model, which wasn’t assigned a score), the 2019 Sierra only got a score of 76, indicating some reliability issues which were later ironed out, as is common when a vehicle’s new generation is introduced.
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The overall trend for both recalls and complaints is positive, with numbers for both going down over the course of this generation. As is the case with the Silverado, the Sierra’s current model has no recalls, while last year’s had one, regarding the same issue as the Chevy: running lights failing to deactivate and increasing the risk of accidents due to glare. Going further back in time, the 2020 and 2021 models are also the subject of an investigation regarding a malfunctioning airbag.
In terms of NHTSA complaints, the issues that have cropped up most frequently in recent model years are related to the electrical system, lighting, and a malfunctioning tailgate opening by itself.
2 Nissan Titan
- J.D. Power Quality and Reliability Rating: 88
- No. Of recalls: 15
- NHTSA Complaints/1,000 vehicles: 1.80
The Nissan Titan is the oldest model on the list, with its second generation having been on the market since the 2016 model year. However, the 2024 Titan is going to be the last; Nissan announced the model is being discontinued this year, with production ending over the summer, due to low sales figures. While the 2024 and 2023 models have achieved a high J.D. Power score of 88, scores dropped for previous model years, indicating the Titan’s reliability has been gradually improving.
The first four model years of the Titan’s current generation are the subject of two open investigations. The first is related to a broken crankshaft causing loss of power, while the second is connected to the wider Takata airbag recall, with older Titans’ airbags causing a risk of severe injuries.
The overall number of recalls, though, has been consistently low over the years, with no Titan model from the current generation having more than 5 recalls to its name. The current model only has one (once again related to the Takata airbag), while last year’s Titan has two, regarding defective tires and a transmission issue that may cause the vehicle to roll away.
The number of NHTSA complaints has also been steadily going down, except for a small spike for the 2022 Titan. The most frequently complained about component in recent model years is the transmission, which has caused several customers’ vehicles to lurch forward unexpectedly.
1 Ram 1500
- J.D. Power Quality and Reliability Rating: 88
- No. Of recalls: 46
- NHTSA Complaints/1,000 vehicles: 0.72
The top spot on the list goes to the Ram 1500, whose fifth generation has been on the market since 2019 (the Classic variety, however, is going out of production this year). While the current model has a very high J.D. Power rating, previous models from this generation either have lower scores or were not assigned a score. This generation’s first model year fared particularly badly, only achieving a score of 69.
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The 2021 model is affected by an urgent safety recall, due to the risk of a detaching brake pedal. However, the overall trend points towards an improvement in reliability, with both recalls and NHTSA complaints going down over the course of this generation. The 2024 model has a single recall to its name, regarding a malfunctioning airbag at risk of not deploying properly in the event of a crash.
The most frequent issues showing up on the complaints list are related to the engine, electrical system, lighting, and forward collision avoidance system.
