Pickups are supposed to be as steady as a rock, or rather as steady as a fast-moving, load-carrying, weight-hauling rock can be. And most pickups are made to be steady even on the worst of terrains, carrying as much load as their owners feel they can carry safely. But sometimes, now and then, automakers release pickups that could have a fatal flaw in them – that of being more prone to rollovers than their compatriots.
Vehicles prone to rolling over put their owners at risk, and yet, all vehicles can roll over if driven wrong. There are two kinds of vehicular rollovers: tripped rollovers happen when there are external forces at work, such as collision with another vehicle or object. Untripped rollovers happen because of cornering forces that destabilize the vehicle and can occur because of incorrect driving, bad terrain, or vehicular faults.
So before you go looking for the perfect truck for you and your family, check our list of pickups that are in danger of rolling over and some that are steady as a rock.
15 In Danger Of Rolling Over: 2011 Ford Ranger
Call it the Ford Ranger or the Mazda B-Series pickup truck, because they were both the same – but do remember to call it a truck prone to rollovers, because that’s what the NHTSA had to say about it. With only two-star safety ratings, you have to be careful about buying this, considering there are safer options available.
14 In Danger Of Rolling Over: 2011 Dodge RAM 1500
According to JD Power, the Dodge Ram 1500 was given only two out of five points when it came to quality, and the point loss was because of the bad safety ratings. Front offset tests, as well as bad protection for legs and heads, made the “tipping point” for the Dodge Ram 1500 fall out of favor. However, more than 157,000 were sold in 2011 alone.
13 In Danger Of Rolling Over: 2017 Chevrolet Colorado
The 2017 Chevy Colorado gets three out of five points in the NHTSA’s rollover test and reduced the safety score from a five to an overall four. Obstructions on the road give it a 22% score of tipping over, and the same goes for the GMC Canyon, making them less than a stellar drive for consumers.
12 In Danger Of Rolling Over: 2016 Ford F-250
A Ford F-Series, on this list? Well, despite the high safety marks the F-150 gets, the 2016 F-250 model’s records are less than its lesser-powered sibling. The rollover tests rated it at a 23.7% chance of rolling over which can give many owners sleepless nights over their less-than-stable choice of a pickup truck.
11 In Danger Of Rolling Over: 2016 Ram 2500
The 2016 Ram 2500 stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the 2015 Ford F-250, in rolling over percentages, which isn’t the best way for pickup trucks to show solidarity with each other because all consumers want is value for money. A shaky pickup that has a 23.7% chance of rolling over doesn’t fit the bill.
10 In Danger Of Rolling Over: 2003 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
There is a reason why the Ford F-150 has always been a popular choice with American buyers, and why many other Ford trucks are often left to collect dust. The Ford Explorer Sport Trac got two out of five stars in rollover ratings which means we will probably be sticking with the Ford F-150s for now because 40% of a rollover chance is just too much of a gamble.
9 In Danger Of Rolling Over: 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
In case you looked at the Chevrolet Colorado with disdain, feeling far superior in the Chevy Silverado, it too has a 20.5% rollover chance. Of course, there is probably no car that can guarantee that it will never have a rollover, but usually, pickup trucks are known to be the steadiest of the lot. Sometimes, incorrect driving in a sudden situation can make even the best of trucks tip over.
8 Steady As A Rock: 2020 Ford F-150
It’s not as if the Ford F-150 never had any recalls or has not faced consumer complaints ever, but with a five-on-five-star safety rating, it is one of the safest trucks to drive, for sure. Plus it comes with all technological advancements and is usually ahead of the competition in every way.
7 Steady As A Rock: 2020 GMC Sierra 1500
The GMC Sierra has wisened up for the year 2020 and now comes with a four on five safety rating. It may not be as safe as the Ford F-150, but if the Sierra suits you better, it’s a good bet to go for. With great new looks and refurbished tech, the 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 is as good a truck as any.
6 Steady As A Rock: 2020 Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma is a beautiful truck and the 2020 model rates a four out of five in both rollover and safety, which is a lot better than the two of fives mentioned in our list before. Its rear-seat safety is a full five on five, so that makes it a good family truck to go for in case you have kids around.
5 Steady As A Rock: 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is a lot better when it comes to safety than previous generations because now it comes with a four out of five-star rollover rating. The front passenger safety is also where it loses a single star, but the rear and side crash ratings are all five stars.
4 Steady As A Rock: 2020 Honda Ridgeline
A midsize truck, the 2020 Honda Ridgeline may not have changed too much about itself, mostly because it doesn’t need to, and comes replete with a five-star safety rating. So not only do you get an A-class Japanese truck to help you achieve your best but in the Ridgeline, you also get the perfect combination of safety and comfort.
3 Steady As A Rock: 2019 Nissan Titan
Because of a slight weakness found during the safety tests of the Nissan Titan that do not keep the front passenger or driver all that safe, the Nissan Titan has a four out of five-star safety rating and rollover rating. Else, the truck is good and solid and it would take some shoddy driving to make it prone to rolling over.
2 Steady As A Rock: 2019 RAM 1500 Quad Cab
The 2019 RAM 1500 Quad Cab also loses mark in frontal safety, this making the NHTSA give it a four on five safety and rollover rating. Side crash and rear passenger safety rank at five stars, and the rollover rates on this are pretty low as well. The RAM has come a long way from its rollover days.
1 Steady As A Rock: 2019 Toyota Tundra
Rollover ratings for this are at a four out of five, but the 2019 Toyota Tundra is otherwise an excellent truck, with one solid Japanese engine. Of course, true blue American truck lovers may never see its advantage but there is always a niche set of buyers of the Tundra that would look no other way.