The Most Reliable Pickup Truck Took a Massive Tumble
When you think about the most reliable pickup truck, the Toyota Tundra or Ford F-150 may come to mind. One model certainly has a better reputation for reliability, but things are starting to slip. The durable 2023 Toyota Tundra might not be as dependable as expected.
Updated on 06/27/2023 for freshness.
What is the most reliable pickup truck for 2023?
The 2023 Ram 1500 ranks as the most reliable full-size pickup truck this year. It outranks popular options like the Ford F-150, Toyota Tundra, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500. This might be a surprise because the Ram truck doesn’t have the best reputation.
However, since the Ram 1500 was redesigned back in 2019, it has made significant improvements to improve its quality. However, the Toyota Tundra was redesigned in 2022, and that’s when its reliability rating took a tumble.
According to Consumer Reports, the 2023 Ram 1500 is expected to be just as reliable as the average new car, while other outlets provided an above-average rating. The 2023 Toyota Tundra and 2023 Ford F-150 are expected to be less reliable than average new vehicles.
J.D.Power gave the 2022 Ram 1500 a predicted reliability rating of 0 out of 100 for 2022. It doesn’t have a score for 2023. This puts it in the average category.
The 2023 Toyota Tundra got a score of 70 out of 100, so it almost landed in the below-average range. Also, the 2023 Ford F-150 earned an above-average score of 86 out of 100.
Why isn’t the Toyota Tundra the most reliable truck?
The 2023 Toyota Tundra isn’t the most reliable pickup truck anymore due to changes made to the frame, suspension, and engines. The 2021 Tundra is the last model from the previous generation.
The 2022 model has a reliability ranking of 86 out of 100 from J.D.Power, which is above average. Anything between 81 and 90 is great, while scores between 70 and 81 are average, and anything in the 91 to 100 range is best.
Plus, the 2021 Tundra has an above-average rating from Consumer Reports. Now, the 2023 model has a score of 70 from J.D.Power. It barely made it to the average category and almost fell below it.
One of the most significant issues relates to changing engines. The outgoing model used the 5.1-liter i-FORCE V8 engine with 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. It’s regarded as one of the most reliable engine options ever.
The 2023 model starts with a standard turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine with 389 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. The i-FORCE Max Hybrid setup pairs the same engine with a battery-electric system to crank out 437 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque.
Engine problems started to emerge with the launch of the new generation. For example, the wastegate is prone to failing, causing the engine to get stuck in limp mode. The engine may also surge, suddenly lose power, and axle shaft separation.
How many miles will the most reliable trucks last?
We will start with the most reliable pickup truck for 2023. The average Ram 1500 model is expected to make it between 250,000 to 300,000 miles. With proper care and regular maintenance, it can easily surpass 300,000 miles.
The 2023 Ford F-150 can make it to 200,000 miles. However, it’s not uncommon for some models to make it past 300,000 miles and keep going. The 3.5 EcoBoost engine is the best option for success.
Also, the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 can make it to 200,000 miles before more severe problems start to emerge. It’s more likely to make it between 250,000 – 300,000 miles with the proper care.
The 2023 Toyota Tundra should make it between 200,000 to 250,000 miles. It should make it to 300,000 miles with proper maintenance. The previous generation can make it to 400,000 miles, with examples that have made it over 1,000,000 miles.
Stay tuned because the rankings for the most reliable pickup truck are constantly changing as new models are put to the test and updated. We’re stillwaiting for J.D.Power to rank the 2023 RAm 1500.