The 10 Best Pickup Trucks Of The Last 10 Years

When it comes to pickup trucks, one of the most important aspects is the models’ reliability. Vehicles are expensive enough as it is, but pickup trucks are on another level. It doesn’t matter if you’re buying new or used; you’re going to have to shell out for a clean truck, so you want to make sure your investment is backed up with proven reliability that will keep it on the road for years.

Base Trim Engine: 6.6L V8 Gas
Base Trim Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain: Rear-Wheel Drive

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To help make your search a bit easier, we’ve compiled a list of the ten most reliable pickup trucks of the last decade. There are midsized trucks all the way up to heavy-duty pickups on this list, and we’ve analyzed their official NHTSA recalls and complaints, along with their J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score, to determine the pickups that are more likely to treat you right than any other.

To figure out the most reliable pickup trucks, we looked at the information above, and then ordered them from least to most reliable with preference to the J.D. Power scores first, and the recalls and complaints per 1,000 units second. Additionally, we only include one entry per nameplate.

10

2021 Toyota Tundra

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 84
Recalls: 3
Complaints: 20
Sales: 81,959
NHTSA Complaints per 1,000 Units: 0.24

The 2021 Toyota Tundra was the last model year of the long-running second generation. Everything about this truck had been firmly ironed out by 2021, with the stout body-on-frame design, robust powertrain, and relatively simple technology making it the truck to get if you hold reliability above all else.

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The recalls were minor, having to deal with an electrical issue, headlight connectors, and a power steering leak, and most examples should already have these fixed, if they were an issue at all. Complaints were also low, which shows that sometimes all buyers want is something dependable.

9

2015 Toyota Tacoma

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 85
Recalls: 4
Complaints: 93
Sales: 179,562
NHTSA Complaints per 1,000 Units: 0.58

Coming in with a slightly better J.D. score is the 2015 Toyota Tacoma, also the last year for this nameplate’s second generation. This generation was beloved for its robust powertrains and rugged design, but we can’t help but feel the following generation really perfected the formula. The last model year of the Tacoma proved to be a great one for its reliability, even if the recalls and complaints seem a bit high.

Most of these issues were, again, minor in nature, having to deal with labels or electrical faults, and the complaints had more to do with peeling paint and cracking dashboards. While the frames rusting out on this generation caused a real problem, by the last model year, it seems Toyota had addressed most concerns.

8

2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 87
Recalls: 5
Complaints: 317
Sales: 324,603
NHTSA Complaints per 1,000 Units: 0.98

General Motors has been investing heavily in the reliability of its products, so it’s not surprising the 2022 Silverado 1500 finds its way onto this list. Yes, the complaints per 1,000 units are high, but the J.D. score is high too, and most of these complaints have to do with the car’s electronics and infotainment system.

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Unfortunately, this vehicle is also included in the recent dreaded 6.2-liter V8 recall, and it’s going to force GM to step up to the plate to right that wrong, much in the same way Toyota just had to step up in order to fix its twin-turbo V6s. However, compared to most other pickup trucks you can buy, this model is a safe bet.

7

2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 87
Recalls: 1
Complaints: 21
Sales: 32,033
NHTSA Complaints per 1,000 Units: 0.65

Although many will argue about the merits of the Hyundai Santa Cruz, it’s a vehicle that can do most of the same truck things as the rest of the pickups on this list, and it does them with much greater comfort, and at a very accessible price point. Not to mention, it turns out it’s grown to be an impressively reliable vehicle, with only one recall for 2024, and just 21 complaints.

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If you’re looking for the perfect cross-roads of safety, reliability, and price, this pickup truck can’t be beat.

Yes, given the low number of sales, the complaints per 1,000 units are still high, but the rest of the excellent fit and finish of the vehicle ensured a high J.D. Power score. While it’ll never be a volume seller like the Ford Maverick, it will continue to be one of the best-kept secrets on sale today, and the perfect vehicle for anyone with an active lifestyle.

6

2023 Jeep Gladiator

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 87
Recalls: 5
Complaints: 33
Sales: 55,187
NHTSA Complaints per 1,000 Units: 0.58

Despite the brand’s best efforts, Jeep hasn’t really been known for its reliability for some time now. Many of its models can and do travel hundreds of thousands of miles without a major fix, but others? Not so much. However, the 2023 Jeep Gladiator has proved to be one of the most reliable trucks of the last decade, hitting a J.D. Power score of 87, and only warranting 33 complaints since.

Five recalls are a bit high, but all of them, from fuel tank assembly issues to airbag sensors, have been corrected through service campaigns. While grabbing a model from this year will mean you have to forgo the nice new screen and sweet colors of the recent Gladiators, we say that’s an easy trade-off for dependability.

5

2023 Ford Ranger

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 87
Recalls: 2
Complaints: 13
Sales: 32,334
NHTSA Complaints per 1,000 Units: 0.40

Coming in a little better is the last year of the fourth-gen Ford Ranger in 2023. Again, it always takes a little time for automakers to figure a vehicle out, and sometimes it doesn’t even come until the very end. This generation Ranger was always an odd duck, as it was a model made for the rest of the world, but sold here because Ford didn’t have anything ready yet. In some ways, it was great, particularly in the performance department, but the ride could be harsh, and the movements disappointing.

The two recalls had to deal with an incorrect rear label and a loose lug nut, easy fixes, while only 13 complaints with 32,334 vehicles sold made for a pickup that its owners are pretty happy with. It’s nearly the highest-placed, mid-sized pickup on this list, but the real winner shouldn’t be a surprise.

4

2023 GMC Sierra 2500HD

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 87
Recalls: 1
Complaints: 18
Sales: Doesn’t separate HD truck sales
NHTSA Complaints per 1,000 Units: Unknown

We told you GM has been working on its reliability, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the company’s heavy-duty pickup trucks. Both Chevrolet and GMC offer quality, reliable options, and the first on this list is the Sierra 2500HD. As one of the most luxurious heavy-duty pickup trucks on the market, there’s a lot to love about this pickup, and that’s before you get to the reliability numbers.

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With heavy hauling and towing capability, the Sierra 2500HD gives you all the Chevy Silverado 2500HD ability in a slightly more upmarket package.

An 87 score is good in its own right for the 2023 vehicle, but only a single recall, and a mere 18 complaints, put it over the top. While we did say we didn’t want to include models without all the information, even if the 2500 HD only came out to a quarter of the 106,449 HD sales the brand had that year, it’d still be one of the most reliable trucks on this list.

3

2019 Nissan Frontier

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 87
Recalls: 1
Complaints: 21
Sales: 72,369
NHTSA Complaints per 1,000 Units: 0.29

Coming in as the most reliable mid-sized pickup truck of the last 10 years is the Nissan Frontier, particularly the 2019 model year. Look, a score of 87, a single recall, and only 21 complaints are all-star numbers, and they are a testament to the fact that sometimes old school really is the way to go.

By 2019, this Frontier generation had been on sale for nearly 15 years, and Nissan had ironed out every little defect during that period. Sure, it came in last in nearly every comparison except price, but it was wonderfully simple, with everything you needed, and nothing you didn’t. We won’t be surprised if prices on these trucks start to rise in the near future.

2

2023 Nissan Titan

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 88
Recalls: 2
Complaints: 9
Sales: 19,189
NHTSA Complaints per 1,000 Units: 0.47

However, even the Frontier was incapable of proving more reliable than its older brother, the Nissan Titan. The Titan was and is the most underrated truck of the 21st century, because it offered much of the same capability as the rest of the light-duty class, but never received the same respect. It offered power, value, and plenty of reliability, especially in its second-to-last model year, when Nissan finally figured out how to make it click.

Why The Nissan Titan Is The Most Underrated Full-Size Truck Ever Built

While it’s not a titan of the segment, the Nissan Titan still deserves some recognition.

A J.D. Power score of 88 is great, and so are only two recalls that have to deal with the light function and seatbelt latches. Only 9 complaints is phenomenal, and the complaints per 1,000 units would only be better had Nissan found some more sales. This truck may be gone, but don’t count it out.

1

2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

J.D. Power Quality & Reliability Score: 88
Recalls: 1
Complaints: 21
Sales: 188,544 (overall HD sales)
NHTSA Complaints per 1,000 Units: Unknown

However, it can’t stand up to the awesome might of the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD. Yes, GMC isn’t having all the fun on this list, as its cousin has enjoyed even more favorable reliability scores that put it all the way up at the top spot. A single recall marks its record for a tailgate switch that could short out when wet, and other than that, you only have 21 complaints from owners.

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Need to pull your house up a muddy hill? Chevy’s got your back.

While this is another case of not separating sales, we once again conservatively looked at a quarter of the brand’s 2023 HD truck sales, and still, the truck’s complaints per 1,000 units only came out to .44, which goes to show that the Bowtie brand is the one to reach for if you’re looking for something powerful and reliable (just don’t forget that 6.2-liter V8 recall).

Sources: Chevrolet, Nissan, GMC, Ford, Jeep, Hyundai, Toyota, NHTSA, J.D. Power

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