CONSUMER REPORTS LEAST RELIABLE FULL-SIZE TRUCKS FOR 2026

testerdahl

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Combing through rankings and information from Consumer Reports, combined with our expertise, we can present to you the worst-to-first list of pickup truck reliability for the 2026 model year in the full-size category, with some shakeups from the 2025 ranking. 2026 Ram 1500 Moving down a spot in the rankings from last year, the 2026 Ram 1500 is […] (read full article...)
 
Love to see each brands position and how it's changed over the last 5-10 years. Has Ram always been last and has Ford always been #1? I don't think so. They move up and down seemingly every year that the actual reliability of all of them cannot be far apart from each other.
 
Love to see each brands position and how it's changed over the last 5-10 years. Has Ram always been last and has Ford always been #1? I don't think so. They move up and down seemingly every year that the actual reliability of all of them cannot be far apart from each other.
 
Actually RAM #2 on and off for 4 years or so and not last. Like all these brands you have to look at the better years before purchasing.
 
Combing through rankings and information from Consumer Reports, combined with our expertise, we can present to you the worst-to-first list of pickup truck reliability for the 2026 model year in the full-size category, with some shakeups from the 2025 ranking. 2026 Ram 1500 Moving down a spot in the rankings from last year, the 2026 Ram 1500 is […] (read full article...)
Exactly. Since Tim k. Took over about every truck has turned around with also more engine options. Just the ride and the inside of the cab is so much better than any large truck maker.
 
Everyone I know with a dodge ram, whether 1500 or 2500 had serious problems with them. I steer clear. That said, since 2021, they’ve all gotten worse. Ford’s new F150 still has the same issues in 26 as it did when it launched in 21. I’d love a new F150 with the 5-OH, but just don’t trust the gen, or the Tundra, or any GM so I’m chilling in a Tacoma until the full size market is less risky. I don’t really trust Consumer Reports either. I’m not confident their methodology is sound year to year.
 
Leason I've had 3 Dodge Challengers each with different drive trains and not ANY problems, all different years. Consumer reports dis- Liked them. There lies the problem . Money has a lot to do with it, trust me.
 
For the Dodge 1500's RAM S only. Ones with the least problems are 2009 to 2011. 2020 through 2025 are recommended.
 
This is the most ridiculous ranking ever. 1st off, the ram is last due to a instrument cluster not showing correct gauge info? How wide spread is this, I'm a mechanic, never seen it. But I have seen it on Silverados. Doesn't mean it doesn't exist but I'm very tapped in to the automotive world. Why would this small issue place it last when you stated engine failure concerns on basically every other truck on the list. Why is the Chevy and gm placed differently between the Toyota? THEY ARE THE EXACT SAME TRUCK. if the Chevy places 2nd, then the GM does as well, like DUH!
Ask yourself, would u rather have a gauge fail on your dash and keep driving, or be on the side of the road with a blown engine? Don't even get me started on the HORRENDOUS reliability of the gm 10sp transmission. Ford dropped this shared tranny for a reason. There is so much more I could go into here but this is long enough. Seems to me this ranking is a paid for placement with ad dollars it hasn't even touched on many of the actual issues all these trucks suffer from. To me, from my own first hand experience, its a hemi ram and 5L Ford at the top, then 5.3L gm/Chevy and Toyota in last. Take it for what you will.
 
Everyone I know with a dodge ram, whether 1500 or 2500 had serious problems with them. I steer clear. That said, since 2021, they’ve all gotten worse. Ford’s new F150 still has the same issues in 26 as it did when it launched in 21. I’d love a new F150 with the 5-OH, but just don’t trust the gen, or the Tundra, or any GM so I’m chilling in a Tacoma until the full size market is less risky. I don’t really trust Consumer Reports either. I’m not confident their methodology is sound year to year.
A ram classic 2020-24
Everyone I know with a dodge ram, whether 1500 or 2500 had serious problems with them. I steer clear. That said, since 2021, they’ve all gotten worse. Ford’s new F150 still has the same issues in 26 as it did when it launched in 21. I’d love a new F150 with the 5-OH, but just don’t trust the gen, or the Tundra, or any GM so I’m chilling in a Tacoma until the full size market is less risky. I don’t really trust Consumer Reports either. I’m not confident their methodology is sound year to year.
A ram classic 2020-24 with a hemi is a rock solid platform. Basically no issues inside 100k miles. This is coming from an actual mechanic and first hand experience of what I see in the real world. If you want brand new, the hemi is back for 26. And also if your buying new and selling inside the 7yr 100k mark, your not gonna have any issues with really any platform. Millions of these trucks are sold every year, you only hear about the bad ones, but never in contrast to the millions of good ones, nobody hears from the people that don't have problems as there's nothing to complain about. A mechanics tip for you, ignore the dealer or owners manual and change your oil no later than 6k miles(5k is better) and run 0w30 oil like Valvoline or mobil 1. U get the protection of a 30w oil and the fast distribution flowability on cold startup of a 0w. This can eliminate many of the lifter issues many of these engines suffer from. A 20w oil and 10k+ mile oil changes over the course of 6 or 7 years kills these things. Don't be scared of a full size. Proper Maintenance is key and there's plenty of solid trucks out there. Just don't ask for fuel economy lol
 
Good advice for sure. Note that my 3rd vehicle is a 22 F350 Tremor with the 7.3 gasser, so definitely not afraid of full+ size, I just want to avoid all the pandemic design, manufacturing, and other issues across the full size spectrum. Always change oil by 1k, then 5k, and every 5k afterwards. Not that it helped the tundra crowd, I still follow it on my Tacoma, F350, and Land Cruiser.
 
For the Dodge 1500's RAM S only. Ones with the least problems are 2009 to 2011. 2020 through 2025 are recommended.
I've read that the 14s-15s are reliable years with the 17 model having fewer issues than earlier years. I'm looking into getting my wife her first full-size pickup since she's been wanting one for years. She prefers comfort, which I've also read that Rams 1500s are known to be since they have the coil-spring rear suspension. She'll mainly be driving it daily to work and back (9 miles roundtrip) and some light hauling of stuff from Lowe's by me :) that we can't with our Honda CR-V's. We might take it on periodic road trips (4 hours roundtrip). I thought about a Tundra, F-150, and Sierra, but I feel that the Ram would give her the most comfort. Your thoughts?
 
This is the most ridiculous ranking ever. 1st off, the ram is last due to a instrument cluster not showing correct gauge info? How wide spread is this, I'm a mechanic, never seen it. But I have seen it on Silverados. Doesn't mean it doesn't exist but I'm very tapped in to the automotive world. Why would this small issue place it last when you stated engine failure concerns on basically every other truck on the list. Why is the Chevy and gm placed differently between the Toyota? THEY ARE THE EXACT SAME TRUCK. if the Chevy places 2nd, then the GM does as well, like DUH!
Ask yourself, would u rather have a gauge fail on your dash and keep driving, or be on the side of the road with a blown engine? Don't even get me started on the HORRENDOUS reliability of the gm 10sp transmission. Ford dropped this shared tranny for a reason. There is so much more I could go into here but this is long enough. Seems to me this ranking is a paid for placement with ad dollars it hasn't even touched on many of the actual issues all these trucks suffer from. To me, from my own first hand experience, its a hemi ram and 5L Ford at the top, then 5.3L gm/Chevy and Toyota in last. Take it for what you will.
You stated that you'd recommend a Hemi Ram. I'm considering looking into getting my wife her first truck and was considering a Ram 1500. She prefers comfort, which I know the Rams have a coil-spring rear suspension. Which years and models would you recommend, and I'm definitely not opposed to a Hemi. She'd be driving it daily to work and back (9 miles) and occasional 4 hour road trips.
 
I’d go with a ram with the 3.6l v6. You will save on gas, it’s more reliable than the Hemi and it sounds like it will not be used to tow anything heavy so the v6 is plenty.

You’re right, the rams will be more comfortable than other brands.
 
I’d go with a ram with the 3.6l v6. You will save on gas, it’s more reliable than the Hemi and it sounds like it will not be used to tow anything heavy so the v6 is plenty.

You’re right, the rams will be more comfortable than other brands.
Any specific year(s), engine type, and trim for the 3.6L V6 that are the most reliable with fewer issues. And, is there a significant difference in the in-town MPG between the V6 and V8? If not, might as well go with the Hemi.
 
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Everyone I know with a dodge ram, whether 1500 or 2500 had serious problems with them. I steer clear. That said, since 2021, they’ve all gotten worse. Ford’s new F150 still has the same issues in 26 as it did when it launched in 21. I’d love a new F150 with the 5-OH, but just don’t trust the gen, or the Tundra, or any GM so I’m chilling in a Tacoma until the full size market is less risky. I don’t really trust Consumer Reports either. I’m not confident their methodology is sound year to year.
It’s funny I’ve had dodge/ram vehicles since 2002 with no problems. 2002 Dakota with the small v8, 2010 ram 1500 trx4(it was a trim back then) with a hemi, 2017 ram 1500 outdoorsman with a hemi, and now a 2023 ram 1500 sport (it’s a trim in Canada) with a hemi.
Friends of mine have owned gm and ford’s in that time. Mostly problem free except my buddy’s S10 which was a lemon.
 
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I wasn’t very enthusiastic about consumer reports after I found out that they don’t include recalls as any type of problem even when that recall required engine replacement like the Tundra. How the Tundra isn’t the bottom is beyond me.
 
Any specific year(s), engine type, and trim for the 3.6L V6 that are the most reliable with fewer issues. And, is there a significant difference in the in-town MPG between the V6 and V8? If not, might as well go with the Hemi.
2019+ for reliability and you get about 5mpg better fuel economy in-town with the 3.6 vs the Hemi (15mpg vs 20mpg). I can’t comment on specific trim levels as the 3.6l is not offered on a lot of trims.
 
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