Whether you are looking for a brand-new or used pickup truck, an important factor you can't ignore is the maintenance and repair costs. While reliable pickup trucks tend to have lower maintenance costs, you have to investigate further because replacing just a part of that reliable truck can take over $500 from your bank account. Maintenance and repair costs for pickups are usually based on the segment’s size categories. That means you will usually spend more on maintaining a heavy-duty or full-size half-ton pickup than a compact or midsize model.
In this piece, we look at what it would cost to keep a pickup in good shape for over a decade and the most problematic model year to avoid. On top of that, we highlight the common problems plaguing these pickups. That said, here are the 10 most expensive pickup trucks to maintain and repair.
10 2002 Dodge Dakota
Until its discontinuation in 2011, the Dodge Dakota was a midsize pickup with some excellent qualities, which were overshadowed by the engine, brakes, and electrical issues. Many owners of the Dodge Dakota reported having engine-related troubles like the recurring misfire on the same cylinder, oil sludge.
The 2002 Dakota is the most problematic model year, with 12 recalls and 1,000 complaints. You may spend up to $3,500 fixing the brake cylinder lock-up and oil pressure loss problems on a 2002 Dakota, which should have grossly depreciated by now.
9 2008 Toyota Tundra
The Toyota Tundra offers an excellent off-road capability and clutter-free cabin for occupants, but you have to avoid the 2008 Tundra, which is plagued with engine problems that cost around $2,300 to fix.
Owners of the Tundra generally have to grapple with engine, paint, brakes, and electrical system problems. The Tundra will depreciate by over 39% in the first five years after purchase, so it's not exactly the best automotive investment out there.
8 2005 Nissan Frontier
The Nissan Frontier has been on US roads since 1998, and the latest model years offer superb handling and driving experience. But before Nissan got it right, they had to struggle with their earlier models, especially the 2005 Frontier, with 6 recalls and over 1,000 complaints.
The major problems weighing down the 2005 Frontier include transmission, engine, fuel system, and paint. It may cost around $3,700 to fix these issues. And bear in mind that a 2005 Frontier has already depreciated by at least 70%.
7 2006 Honda Ridgeline
Introduced as a lifestyle pickup in 2006, the Honda Ridgeline never really took off due to the issues with the steering, brakes, paint, lights, engine, and wheels. If there's any year you should avoid, it's the 2006 Ridgeline with 13 recalls and 339 complaints.
To fix the rattling from the engine and other problems of the 2006 Ridgeline, you may have to spend roughly $4,000. But that's not even the worst part. The resale value of a 2006 Ridgeline is so low that you may have to just settle for selling the parts.
6 2003 Dodge Ram 3500
If you are looking for a trouble-free full-size pickup truck, you shouldn't consider the 2003 Ram 3500, which has suffered from over 15 recalls and 474 complaints. The 2003 Ram 3500 spends more time with the mechanic than on the road, as decried by this Ram 3500 owner.
The engine of the Ram 3500 is the bane of the truck, costing over $4,000 to fix. But other problems with the interior accessories like cracking of the dashboard occur quite often too.
5 2015 GMC Canyon
The precise and responsive handling of the GMC Canyon makes it a great alternative for those who don't want a full-size pickup. But before heading to that dealership, you have to know that the 2015 Canyon majorly suffers from problems with the transmission, steering, AC/heater, and brakes.
These problems will take close to $1,000 from your pocket annually, and if you bought the Canyon in 2015, it should be only worth 53% of its original value by now.
4 2009 Toyota Tacoma
Toyota Tacoma has been around for over 25 years, and that's because it's built to conquer any terrain while keeping the driver and passengers safe and relaxed. But owners of the compact pickup truck have some sad tales, especially regarding the 2009 model.
The most common complaints about the 2009 Tacoma have to do with the interior accessories like radio, passenger seats, and CD player. It's also worth mentioning that the 2009 Tacoma is no stranger to clutch slipping and headlights overheating. These problems can squeeze out over $2,000 from your bank account.
3 2006 Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 is one of the best-selling pickups in America, but it's far from being perfect. The older models tend to be quite unreliable, especially the 2006 F-150, with over 14 recalls and 936 complaints. Just to give you a sense of how bad this pickup is, Ford has recalled over a million units of the 2006 F-150.
Many owners of the 2006 F-150 have had to struggle with the spark plug breaking off or blowing, and this problem costs an average of $1,210 to fix. But the less frequent, yet expensive problem with the F-150 is engine failure, which costs around $4,000 to resolve.
2 2002 Dodge RAM 1500
Yes, RAM pickups have indeed built a solid reputation over the years, but it's also true that these trucks are not trouble-free. The earlier models like the 2002 RAM 1500 come with a truckload of troubles. Dodge has recalled a total of over 700,000 units of 2002 RAM 1500 on 14 different occasions.
Out of the 2,000+ complaints on the 2002 RAM 1500 alone, engine failure seems to be worst, as it costs roughly $3,600 to put in order. But interior accessories of the RAM 1500 seem to malfunction every other day, accounting for roughly 25% of the total complaints about the 2002 RAM 1500.
1 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Anyone who has had a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for a while would always pay a frequent visit to the mechanic shop for issues primarily with the transmission, engine, and electrical parts. If there's a year that's staggeringly worse than others, it's the 2014 Silverado 1500, with 20 recalls and 2,000+ complaints.
According to a 2014 Silverado 1500 owner by the name Winston Salem from Dakota, he started noticing transmission clunk at just 12,000 miles, and he's not even very optimistic about Dodge's dealership response to the situation, going by the way they have handled others. You may spend up to $3,000 fixing the problems with 2014 Silverado 1500.