The 2000s saw pickup trucks embrace the 21st century well. The realization came that picks up weren’t just for hauling anymore but could be used for everyday drives as well. This led to the mix of pickup and SUV, although we still had top-notch pickups capable of amazing performance, with many still holding strong today as used vehicles. Sadly, not every pickup of this decade deserves to be remembered.

A few cases were decent ideas that sadly faltered in execution. Others were trucks that otherwise were good in other years but suffered a terrible model in another. It’s too bad as the technology was always there to create some great pickups but too often failed. Some were not just bad but have become infamous flops in the automotive world and should be avoided on the backlots. These are ten of the worst pickups of the 2000s to show that decade had some rough stuff to miss on the back market.

11 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche

The Avalanche is one of those trucks that seemed to balance pleasant and competent models with absolutely horrible ones. The first generation was marked with issues like cladding and some engine problems. But 2007’s problems were so huge that it cast a shadow that would eventually end the entire line.

2007 Chevrolet Avalanche
Via: AutoTrader

The biggest issue was excessive oil consumption combined with the engine misfiring or just coming to a stop without warning. This Avalanche lived up to its name as a disaster.

10 Subaru Baja

2002 Subaru Baja
guideautoweb.com

Hands down the biggest flop in Subaru’s history, the Baja had major hype when it debuted in 2002. Part of the "utility coupe” wave, Subaru was confident enough to boast they would move at least 24,000 per year. By the time the line ended four years later, they had barely gotten 30,000 total.

Via: https://blog.tirebuyer.com/the-15-ugliest-cars-of-all-time/

Despite good initial reviews, the Baja was soon known for lack of support and weaker performance to transform into a truck few even remember, let alone want to have today.

Related: 10 Pickups We'll Always Stay Away From

9 Dodge Ram Daytona

via YouTube user Muscle vs Tuner

If not for one glaring design flaw, the Dodge Ram Daytona would be better regarded. It had good cargo space, strong power, a strong Hemi engine and towing power of 1750 pounds. It could have been a fine special edition entry...and then someone decided to put a wing on it.

the back side of a Dodge Ram Daytona pickup truck
via SPV Automotive

Not just any wing but a nearly foot-wide massive spoiler that couldn’t be removed. That was a literal spoiler to turn an otherwise promising truck into a total mess.

8 2006-08 Mitsubishi Raider

conceptcarz.com

The attempt by Mitsubishi to emulate the Dodge Dakota, the Raider is one of the more forgettable entries in the company's history. The engine was underpowered and it lacked many safety features. The shame is the interior is better than a Dakota but the performance is lacking.

via SalvageReseller

In fact, the 2008 version was rated one of the worst performers of any vehicle model of that year with terrible fuel consumption. The sad part is the 2009 Raider is a dependable truck but too late to save the dying model thanks to those horrible early years.

7 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
via youtube

Being the first model year is a risk as there’s always the danger that the kinks haven’t been worked out, so it’s bad. Sadly, the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac falls firmly into that category. Granted, even the later Sport Tracs had their issues, but the first was a failure that nearly ended the line immediately.

Via: Bing

The cargo space was too small, and the towing also weak. Yet what made it awful were the engine issues and failing to handle well. It picked up down the line, but its debut year is one to avoid.

Related: These Are The Most Disappointing Pickup Trucks Ever

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5 2005 Dodge Dakota

While a Dodge Dakota is usually a great truck, the 2005 model is one to avoid. It should have been great, but somehow, Dodge did everything wrong with it. It doesn’t shift properly, shakes hard even when idling, the suspension awful, the steering troublesome, and it rusts ridiculously fast.

flickr.com

That’s without problems of the engine, transmission, and braking on top of being part of the Takata airbag recall, so 2005 is a year Dodge fans don’t remember well.

Related: Owners Are Embarrassed Of These 10 Pickup Trucks

4 Cadillac EXT

via Pinterest

Cadillac has made more than its shares of mistakes over the years. But turning the Escalade into a pickup is still one of their dumbest. The price tag was outrageous for a pickup that borrowed much of its style from the Avalanche.

Travis Barker drives a stunning 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
Via Car Domain

The powertrain was too slow to respond, and the Escalade’s luxury style didn’t lend itself to a pickup. It was an attempt to catch the “crossover” appeal of the time but only drove away any customers.

3 GMC Envoy

2004 GMC Envoy XUV
via CarForSale

Now and then, a manufacturer has a car that is terrific in theory, but the execution is sorely lacking. The GMC Envoy is a fine example as mixing a pickup, and an SUV could have worked out. Stretched out with plenty of space, it could have appealed to fans of both styles.

gmc envoy xuv
via driving.ca

However, the design was faulty, and the retractable roof and swinging door failed to work as hoped. This led to scores of transmission to engine issues so the Envoy never came close to its potential.

Related: These Are 10 Of The Most Unreliable Cars Ever Made

2 Lincoln Blackwood

Via Pinterest

The tragedy of the Lincoln Blackwood is that it had all the ingredients to be a great pickup. The 300-hp 5.4L V8 engine was good, and the design was decent. But the idea of a trunk was idiotic, especially one made for a “luxury” ride with carpeting.

Lincoln Blackwood
Via Reddit

There was also how the payload was just 1200 pounds, so the truck was weighed down with a handful of passengers, let alone cargo. An epic flop, the Blackwood barely moved 3356 units to make it one of the most notable “one-year-only” disasters in automotive history.

1 Chevrolet SSR

Via Hagerty

It’s a mystery who thought the SSR was a good idea. It was decent as a convertible sports car although the larger size hurt its performance but not large enough to be utilized for running cargo.

via BestCarMag

It wasn’t strong enough to handle regular hauls (only 2500 pounds towing power), and the lack of space made it quite impractical. It’s proof trying to mix two very different types of cars doesn’t go very well, and even “pleasure truck” fans avoid the SSR.

Sources: motorjunkie.com, autowise.com, jalopnik.com, motor1.com

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