Which Is the Most Reliable Full-Size Truck?

Most Reliable Full Size Trucks

Each brand works equally hard at telling you they have the most reliable truck you can buy. But which brand actually does?

Reliability is a key metric when determining our list of the best trucks.

We researched full-size trucks using trusted resources that derive their data from owner surveys. We used Consumer Reports' data, the J.D. Power Dependability Study, and CarComplaints.com as our metrics. We then come up with our own letter grade on the model's reliability.

Here is our list of the most reliable full-sized pickup trucks for sale in America.

Check out our top picks for the most reliable trucks >>

Read about how we rank our trucks >>

Where Data Comes From

Who Provided the Data For This List?

To determine which are the most reliable, we used three trusted sources of information, all of which rely on owner-reported data. Consumer Reports rates vehicles based on a 1-5 scale, with 5 being the most reliable. We used multiple years of Consumer Reports ratings and then averaged them to get one number.

Next, we look at the J.D. Power and Associates vehicle dependability study. This study looks at the number of owner-reported defects in vehicles that have been in service for three years. The J.D. Power study is a brand-wide look at which companies make reliability a focus.

Finally, we look at each model on the CarComplaints website to see if owners report any frequent big-ticket repairs. From all of this data, we then assign a simple letter grade to each model from A to D.

Most Reliable Full-Size Trucks Comparison

Model Consumer Reports Ranking
(Higher is Better)
J.D. Power Brand Ranking
(Lower is Better)
Our Ranking
Toyota Tundra
4.5
98
A
Ram 1500
2.25
123
B-
Ford F-150
1.75
130
C
Chevy Silverado
1.5
115
C-
GMC Sierra
1.5
143
D

1. Toyota Tundra

Toyota Tundra Reliable

Toyota has built its global brand on reliability, durability, and quality. You may have noticed that we didn’t say horsepower, payload, or towing capacity. While the rest of the truck makers vie to give you the largest digits on a specification sheet, Toyota focuses on building a truck that won’t break.

The Tundra leads its class in zero ways other than reliability. It has the oldest engine technology, the fewest options for buyers, and although Toyota does offer a TRD version of its Tundra, Toyota doesn’t make anything that rivals the Ram TRX or Ford Raptor. If a Toyota pickup meets your needs, we suggest you seriously consider it if reliability matters to you.

Toyota Tundra Feature

  • #1 truck in quality by a country mile

 

Current Toyota Tundra Deals & Incentives

YearMakeModelCash Incentives (up to)Best Avail. APRLease OffersExpiration
2023ToyotaTundra$1,0004.99%$519/month for 36 months, $4,999 due at signing4/1/24
2024ToyotaTundra$1,0004.99%$499/month for 36 months, $3,999 due at signing4/1/24

You may qualify for deals and incentives, check out this month's Toyota deals

2. RAM 1500

Ram 1500 Reliable

Drive a new Ram 1500, and you will find it offers the best ride in the segment. Based on our testing, this is true across the model lineup and across the range of prices for this truck model. Ram also has adopted the modern tablet-like infotainment system that many shoppers now prefer.

The good news is that Ram’s soft ride does not mean it’s a “soft” truck. Ram offers the highest reliability full-line truck model in America. Ram is also the top brand for reliability when payload, towing, and performance matter to a truck shopper.

RAM 1500 Features

  • TRX trim offers 702 hp and desert-racer capability
  • Best in class comfort
  • Best in class infotainment options
  • Diesel offerings

 

Current RAM 1500 Deals & Incentives

YearMakeModelCash Incentives (up to)Best Avail. APRLease OffersExpiration
2023RAMRam Pickup 1500$4,0004.90%4/1/24
2024RAMRam Pickup 1500$3,5006.90%4/1/24

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's RAM deals

3. Ford F-150

Ford F-150 Reliable

Ford’s F-150 line is the broadest in the truck segment, and Ford tops all of the sales charts. Ford didn’t build that volume of sales and its loyal ownership base by making a bad truck. Quite the contrary, Ford trucks have a reputation for being tough on the job site or the campsite.

Ford has gone beyond all other truck makers to offer modern turbocharged and hybrid powertrain offerings. Ford has also been the materials leader in the truck industry, demonstrated by its adoption of aluminum body panels. There are many ways Ford pushes the envelope. This kind of cutting-edge technology sometimes has a downside in reliability, but other times, such as the rust-proof aluminum the company uses, it pays benefits.

Ford F-150 Features

  • Diesel offerings
  • Hybrid options with on-board generators
  • Modern infotainment
  • Raptor desert-racer option

 

Current Ford F-150 Deals & Incentives

YearMakeModelCash Incentives (up to)Best Avail. APRLease OffersExpiration
2023FordF-1503.90%$516/month for 48 months, $4,099 due at signing4/2/24
2024FordF-150$521month for 48 months, $4,378 due at signing4/2/24

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Ford deals

4 & 5. GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado

GMC Sierra Reliable

We were surprised to see the results of the GM truck twins. Although Chevy scores well overall on the J.D. Power brand rankings, its Consumer Reports ratings were less than stellar. Both the Sierra and Silverado 1500 truck models have a ⅕ reliability rating for the 2020, 2019, and 2018 model years.

The brand that pounded our TV screens and radio speakers with the “Like a Rock” reliability advertisement campaign has the lowest scores we could find for reliability. Incredibly, the “Professional Grade” GMC brand does not even score above average on the J.D. Power reliability chart.

GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado Features

  • Two brands from which to choose
  • Wide range of trim options and special editions
  • Diesel offerings

 

Current GMC Sierra Deals & Incentives

YearMakeModelCash Incentives (up to)Best Avail. APRLease OffersExpiration
2023GMCSierra 1500$8,0001.90%$329/month for 24 months, $3,409 due at signing4/1/24

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's GMC deals

Current Chevy Silverado Deals & Incentives

YearMakeModelCash Incentives (up to)Best Avail. APRLease OffersExpiration
2023ChevroletSilverado 1500
2024ChevroletSilverado 1500$2,7504/30/24

You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Chevrolet deals

Which Is the Most Reliable Full-Size Truck?

Toyota Tundra Most Reliable

Receiving the highest reliability scores from both Consumer Reports and J.D. Power, the Toyota Tundra is also our top pick for the most reliable truck in 2024. Toyota has built its brand on making vehicles that don’t break, and we know from past reporting that the brand also has the customer base that keeps their vehicles the longest.

We were surprised to see how strong the Ram brand’s quality had risen. Ram and other Stellantis brands like Jeep and Dodge already make some of the most exciting products in the auto industry. Now that the company’s focus has turned to quality control, this is the truck to watch in the future.

Note: We didn’t include Nissan in our list because of a lack of data (low sales rate). The data we could find would not have put Nissan on the podium in any case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which truck brand ranks highest in reliability?

Toyota’s Tundra has the highest owner-reported reliability. This is not a one-year score but a trend that has been reported for many consecutive years.

Which full-size truck has the lowest reliability?

Based on our research, GMC’s Sierra 1500  has the lowest owner-reported reliability scores.

Which full-size trucks last the longest?

Reliability data from multiple sources point to the Toyota Tundra as the longest-lasting full-size truck.

Which high-performance truck has the best reliability?

Performance trucks push the envelope to get results off-road. Ram’s focus on high-performance products from a parent company that produces the widest range of high-performance vehicles indicates that the Ram TRX may be the best bet for those looking for a truck that blends high performance with high reliability.