When buying used pickup trucks, some of the key factors most gearheads consider include the overall condition, size, towing capacity, mileage, and price. However, one vital factor that many don't even think about is reliability.
Reliability is arguably the most important quality in a pickup truck. After all, pickup trucks take a beating on a much higher level than other types of vehicles. That is why you must ensure you find one that can handle everything you throw at it without forcing you to spend a fortune on repairs and maintenance. With this in mind, we researched and dug up ten of the most reliable American pickup trucks you can find in the used cars market.
10 2009 Ford F-150
The F-150 is the Blue Oval brand's pride and joy. Ever since its introduction in 1975, the F-150 has been one of the best-selling vehicles in the US. There's a lot to love about the F-150 — it's strong enough to serve as a workhorse, practical and comfortable enough to be a daily driver, and well-equipped for off-roading.
Another thing people love about the F-150 is its reliability. It's not unusual to find an F-150 with more than 300,000 miles on the odometer still running perfectly. Of all the modern F-150s you can buy, the 2009 model is the most reliable, having scored 81 out of 100 in the J.D. Power reliability ratings.
9 2011 GMC Canyon
The Canyon is a series of compact and mid-sized pickup trucks that GM introduced in the early 2000s to replace the Sonoma. The Canyon has been popular throughout its production run, as it offers similar capabilities to bigger trucks in a smaller and more affordable package.
While previous generations of the Canyon have been criticized for having an uninviting cabin and cramped rear seats, they're lauded for their reliability. For example, the 2011 Canyon garnered a commendable 85 out of 100 in J.D. Power reliability ratings.
8 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Introduced at the turn of the century, the Silverado is a full-size pickup truck that succeeded the long-running Chevy C/K model line. The Silverado has been one of Chevrolet's most popular models over the last two decades, having sold over 12 million units since its debut.
Over the years, the Silverado has stood out for its hauling and towing capabilities, comfortable passenger cabin, and generally high reliability ratings. Most Silverados produced over the last decade have above-average reliability ratings, but the 2014 model shines with its 78 out of 100 J.D. Power score.
7 2013 Ram 1500
After the huge success of the Ford F-150, Dodge went to work and came up with a worthy competitor five years later — the Ram truck. Ram pickup trucks have a lot of fans thanks to their strength, durability, plush cabins, and exceptionally comfortable ride.
Most Ram trucks are reliable, but our pick today is the superb 2013 Ram 1500. This magnificent truck scored 83 out of 100 in the J.D. Power reliability ratings and also won Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year award.
6 2010 Dodge Dakota
The Dodge Dakota — also known as the Ram Dakota — is a mid-size pickup truck produced from 1986 to 2011. Even though it was discontinued, there was a lot to love about the Dakota. It was the first pickup truck to offer rack and pinion steering, the first mid-size pickup truck with an optional V8 engine, and with its 7,250-lb towing capacity, it stood out among compact pickup trucks.
When it comes to reliability, the 2010 Dakota is the best choice, having scored 87 out of 100 in J.D. Power's ratings.
5 2011 Chevrolet Avalanche
The Avalanche is one of those discontinued vehicles that gearheads wish would be revived. Introduced in 2002, the Avalanche was basically a Chevrolet Suburban with a small truck bed instead of the Suburban's large cargo area.
If you're looking for a workhorse to haul items in, the Avalanche is probably not the truck for you, as it has a small bed. However, if you're looking for a reliable family transporter with some pickup capabilities, the Avalanche is perfect. For reliability, the 2011 model is the top choice with its 81 out of 100 J.D Power score.
4 2009 Ford Ranger
For almost three decades, Ford produced one of the cheapest and most reliable compact pickup trucks — the Ranger. The Ranger was adored for delivering a no-frills trucking experience and its ability to withstand constant torture without breaking down.
While the last three production years of the Ranger were criticized for having an outdated design, they made up for it with excellent reliability ratings. The 2010 and 2011 models earned an above average score in J.D Power's reliability ratings, while the 2009 model scored 86 out of 100.
3 2011 Cadillac Escalade EXT
The Cadillac Escalade EXT is a sport utility truck produced in the 2000s. Unlike most pickup trucks, the Escalade EXT was geared towards people who value luxury and comfort over towing, hauling, and other typical pickup truck features.
Vehicles with the luxury features found in the Escalade EXT are usually troublesome, but that's not the case with this vehicle. The 2011 model, for instance, was one of the most reliable trucks of its day, according to J.D Power's reliability ratings.
2 2010 Chevrolet Colorado
The Chevy Colorado has had its fair share of ups and downs over the last decade. The current generation of the Colorado had a tough start to life as it was unreliable despite being better by almost every measure than the previous generation.
While the old Colorados were outdated, they were praised for their excellent fuel economy and strong reliability ratings. The 2010 Colorado was particularly strong, scoring 83 out of 100 in J.D Power reliability ratings
1 2014 GMC Sierra 1500
The GMC Sierra is one of the best full-size trucks available today, loved for its towing and hauling capabilities, powerful-yet-fuel-efficient V8 engines, and excellent reliability ratings, particularly models built between 2009 and 2016.
The 2014 Sierra 1500 underwent a complete redesign that most gearheads loved. While most vehicles experience a dip in quality and reliability after a major redesign, the 2014 Sierra was almost as reliable as its predecessors, earning a 75 out of 100 reliability score from J.D. Power. If you're willing to sacrifice the 2014 Sierra upgrades for a bit more reliability, you can get the 2013 model, which scored 86 out of 100.