Pickup trucks have become a household name. Consumers who were once concerned with safety and off-road capability switched from purchasing sedans to purchasing big vehicles such as pickups. Apart from the good road visibility that a pickup provides due to the elevation, the vehicle provides a thrilling ride off-road, and most have a high loading capacity. Drivers have figured out that they can use pickups for various purposes, as opposed to only transporting the family and small loads. Some drivers have chosen a pickup as part of a lifestyle choice.

Whatever the reason for the driver's choice in pickups, it has helped to boost the segment into the mainstream. Pickups have become so popular that the best selling vehicle in the U.S. for the last few decades was the F-series. Pickups have been around since the early 1900s, with numerous models produced. Since innumerable pickups are available, how do consumers know which ones to buy?

We gleaned sales, repairs and reliability reports from Consumer Reports, industry regulators and insurance companies to determine which pickups have stood the test of time. We wanted to help consumers find out which pickups they should avoid if they don't want to waste their money. On the other spectrum, we also found out which pickup models are considered a collector's delight.

25 Avoid: 2005 Chevrolet Colorado

via Car Gurus

Consumers who want a smaller pickup than the conventional half-ton truck and don't need to tow might find the Chevrolet Colorado appealing, as the vehicle is more efficient, less expensive and easier to handle, according to Autowise.

That might sound like a good deal, but the Colorado isn't all peaches and cream. Consumers who want a Colorado should avoid the 2004 and 2005 models, as the cars had many problems with the air-con heater, engine start failure and water leaking into the cabin.

24 Avoid: 2001 Ram 1500

via Car Domain

Car experts have praised the latest model and deemed it to be one of the best trucks on the market. Although Ram 1500 is garnering positive attention with its latest model, that wasn't the case with the early 2000 models.

Consumers who want to avoid countless headaches should stay away from the 2001 to 2003 models. The vehicles were prone to transmission failures, engine failures, cracked dashboards, and oil sludge build ups. The culprit in most cases was the 4.7-liter Magnum V8.

23 Avoid: 2006 Dodge Dakota

via Car Domain

I listed the 2006 model as the most troublesome, but consumers should be aware of all the models from 2000 until 2006. The 2000 year models gave drivers headaches due to the loss of oil pressure that oil sludge built up, as well as brake problems.

The 2002 model also provided plenty of brake troubles. The brakes would randomly lock up, requiring pads and rotor replacements. The 2004 model provided problems with the erratic shifting. Do we need to go on? Well, Dakota's engine provided rough idling, too.

22 Avoid: 2008 Nissan Frontier

Avoid 2008 Nissan Frontier
via Car and Driver

The manufacturer from Japan has produced magnificent vehicles such as the 350Z, and the latest Titan has provided a pleasurable ride to many pickup drivers, but the Frontier seems to be the black sheep of the family.

Consumers who insist on a Frontier should avoid 2005 until 2008 models. The second generation Frontier has outdated styling, not to mention mechanical problems. You can count on the 2008 model to give you consistent transmission failure. The radiator design flaw is the cause of most of its problems.

21 Avoid: 2006 Honda Ridgeline

via Simple Home Decor Ideas

Considering that Honda has produced one of the best selling vehicles in the U.S., it's no wonder that the market would rush to see what the automaker is offering in pickups. The latest Ridgelines are great; don't get us wrong, although consumers should probably avoid the 2006 until 2008 models.

The 2007 and 2008 models experienced issues with the peeling paint, a malfunctioning air-con, and premature rust. The 2006 model had major issues with the cylinder, which would become rotten, leading to compulsory engine swaps.

20 Avoid: 2006 Dodge Ram Daytona

via Concept Carz

One of the major aspects that attracted consumers to the Daytona was the appealing exterior design coupled with the performance. The Daytona could beat most pickup trucks in a drag race. Is it possible to haul heavy loads with the Daytona? No. The designers made the rear spoiler permanent, making the bed almost useless for hauling materials other than lumber.

Consumers who wanted a fast pickup that didn't have the regular functionality of a pickup would have opted for the Daytona.

19 Avoid: Chevrolet SSR

via Silver Arrow Cars

Technically, the SSR was a pickup, though most people would not consider it one since it was a hardtop convertible and lacked hauling power. Under the bonnet was a 5.3-liter V8 engine that needed 7.7 seconds to reach 0 to 60 mph. Not only did the SSR not perform, but it also couldn't haul a heavy trailer.

Drivers who lowered the top didn't feel they got the convertible experience due to the subpar performance and couldn't use it as a truck to haul loads. Not only did it fail at hauling, but it also failed to sell.

18 Avoid: 2003 Lincoln Blackwood

via Top Speed

Ford wanted to produce a luxury pickup, so the designer's efforts resulted in the Blackwood. Jacques Nasser, Ford CEO at the time, thought that the Blackwood would be more exclusive if it had a trunk instead of a flatbed, according to A1 Auto Transport. The idea confused customers, as they wanted a luxury truck that could haul heavy loads.

The car remained in production for only one year after poor sales forced Lincoln to pull the production plug. Nasser regretted the decision not to fit a flatbed on a truck.

17 Avoid: 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD

via Car and Driver

When Consumer Reports tested the GMC Sierra, the watchdog discovered that the pickup provided poor reliability; hence, it stamped a 'poor reliability' mark on the car. Considered the counterpart to the Chevrolet Silverado, the GMC shares the strengths and weaknesses with it.

Some of the major problems that owners reported with the GMC were troubles with the fuel system, body integrity standout, and minor transmission components. Consumer Reports gave the Sierra 2500HD a reliability score of 16%.

16 Avoid: 2007 Chevrolet Silverado

via Car Gurus

Chevrolet has cleaned up its act with the Silverado, as the pickup has become a favorite for pickup drivers.

Although the newer models could compete with the F-series, the 2004 and 2005 models provided steering problems and clunking noises during the commute, but the one that consumers should avoid the most is the 2007 model. If the model has a 5.3-liter V8 engine, you can be certain that it guzzles gas and oil. Yes, I said oil. Owners of the 2007 model reported pouring oil every 1,000 miles.

15 Avoid: 2004 Ford F-150 SVT Lighting

via Hagerty

I understand that many consumers love the SVT Lighting and think that it was an incredible invention that never should've left the market. Although the Lighting was a high-performance version of the F-150 pickup truck, it wasn't a proper pickup truck.

That's the problem with the SVT Lighting. Drivers could achieve high speeds with the Lighting that they couldn't get from a regular truck, but they couldn't tow heavy loads, as it had a limited payload capacity and no off-road capability. If it can't perform those functions, then you might as well buy a sporty sedan that is cheaper.

14 Avoid: 2008 Toyota Tundra

via Pinterest

The latest Tundra models received praise from critics, but the 2008 model was the one that fell off the radar. Although Toyota is known for manufacturing reliable and fuel-efficient vehicles, it failed with the 2008 Toyota Tundra. Drivers who want the 2008 model will have to tolerate the 13 mpg in the city and 16 mpg on the highway. That is lower than some sports cars.

Consumers who get their hands on the TRD Supercharged version will experience 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds but will pay the price at the gas station.

13 Avoid: 2010 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

via Zombdrive

The Explorer Sport Trac debuted in 2001 and lasted until 2005. Ford resurrected the vehicle in 2007 and kept it on the production line until 2010. The pickup shared its chassis and much of its body with the Explorer SUV.

Consumers who wanted a truck that had more power than a regular pickup would have gotten it from the 4.6-liter V8 engine. Drivers could tow 7,160 pounds with the Explorer. So far, everything seems good. So, what was wrong with the Explorer? Reliability. The car received lower than average reliability scores. Consumers who weren't worried about breakdowns would have opted for the Explorer.

12 Avoid: 2012 Suzuki Equator

via Motor Trend

Production for the Equator lasted from 2008 until 2012 in the U.S. According to U.S. News, Suzuki withdrew its business from the U.S. in 2012, which should raise flags for potential consumers of the Equator. Since many car pundits considered the Equator as a disguised Nissan Frontier, many of its replacement parts should be available.

The other side of the coin is that many of Frontier's weaknesses would also apply to the Equator. The cabin is of subpar quality, the rear seat is tight, and the car is unreliable.

11 Avoid: 2018 Ram 3500

via Glendora Chrysler Jeep Dodge

While testing all the pickups to determine which ones were unreliable, Consumer Reports discovered that the 3500 provides the worst reliability. Ram 3500 was so unreliable that it ranked worst in reliability from all the segments. Consumer Reports didn't hesitate to feature the car as the least reliable car on the U.S. market.

What was wrong with the 3500? What wasn't wrong with it, is a better question. Owners reported transmission, suspension, steering, and fuel system problems, according to Cheat Sheet.

10 Collect: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

via Car and Driver

The safest option when purchasing a pickup is to select the one that is the best seller. Consumers should get their hands on the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor as it is one of the models that make the F-series the best selling vehicle in the U.S.

Pickup drivers who wanted as much fun off-road as on the road will find the Raptor to be the most appealing pickup. The hard-core suspension gives the Raptor great off-road capability, and the dashing exterior is enough to make by-passers swoon over the vehicle.

9 Collect: 1955 Chevrolet 3100

via Barrett-Jackson

Although Ford produced the V8 block engine since 1932 and Dodge offered the overhead valve V8 engine in its 1954 trucks, Chevrolet's V8 engine in the 1955 truck proved to be the most popular US truck engine of all time, according to Edmunds.

The four-barrel carburetor allowed the 4.3-liter engine to pump out 180 horsepower. The other feature that made the 1955 Chevrolet so alluring was the bold design. Drivers of the 3100 felt that they were driving a luxury pickup that could perform well.

8 Collect: 1925 Ford Model T Runabout With Pickup Body

via Auto Info

If you don't like pickups, you should still buy the Model T Runabout with the pickup body, as the car's price is set to explode once it goes on auction. Henry Ford envisioned a future where the average citizen could purchase a car. His dream resulted in the Model T.

Ford sold more than 16 million units of the Model T, making it one of the best selling vehicles of all time. Once Ford added a flatbed to the Model T, the car became a rare collector's item. Although Model T produced only 20 horsepower, it changed many lives.

7 Collect: 1997 Toyota Hilux

via Auto Mart

The Hilux was available in most markets outside of North America. That is one of the reasons that collectors in the U.S. should get it. The other reason is that the car was one of the best models that Toyota produced. Although the Tacoma can handle heavy loads, it's not the hauler that Hilux is capable of achieving.

Toyota has produced the Hilux since 1968, but it was the 1997 model that produced the most magic. The car was so popular that Toyota sold 500,000 units in South Africa. The 4Runner was the camper version of the Hilux in 1984.

6 Collect: 1942 Willys Pickup

via Pinterest

The Willys Americar was a popular line of automobiles that Willys produced as a sedan, station wagon, coupe and pickup truck. The coupe version proved to be a popular hot rod choice. The car debuted in 1937 and lasted until 1942. The manufacturer referred only to the 1941 and 1942 models as the Americar.

Willys sold 22,000 units of the 1942 and more than 7,000 in the following year. One of the aspects that makes Willys so special is that it was one of the companies awarded a contract to produce Jeep.