5 Pickup Trucks Linked to High Repair Bills
U.S. drivers will always love the size and power of pickups, and today's models are practical and flexible enough to replace a sedan, hatchback or SUV as an all-round family car. Still, truck brands known for their consistency and quality can release duds on occasion, and less reputable brands might have solid and dependable outliers among their lineups.
Reliability is one of the more difficult things to assess without consulting an expert or conducting trustworthy internet research. For tips on what trucks will breakdown more frequently and cost the most over time, we turned to Chris Pyle, verified auto expert with JustAnswer, who drew on his half-century of diagnosing and repairing expertise.
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Here are five trucks that will cost you valuable time and money over the years, according to Pyle, starting with North America's oldest automakers.
1. 2003-2005 Ford Super Duty
As Pyle noted, "These were the first years for the 6.0 diesel and Ford tried to get ahead of the soon-to-come emissions standards." Unfortunately, with Ford pushing to get this engine out quickly, there were certain issues that arose. "Ford found it is super hard to make diesels run clean," said Pyle. "It took a couple of years for Ford to get it figured out. As with any diesel, repairs are expensive."
2. 2006-2013 Ram
Ram is the costliest popular auto brand to maintain. According to Pyle, "They have steering and suspension concerns resulting in a death wobble and need multiple repeat repairs to get the truck safe and dependable."
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3. 2005-2010 Nissan Frontier
Like its Pathfinder and Xterra SUVs, Nissan Frontier trucks from the mid-to-late 2000s suffered from frequent transmission and engine failures, per RepairPal. "The cooler is inside the radiator," stated Pyle. "It fails, allowing coolant to get into the transmission which ruins the clutch plates very fast. Resulting in an expensive overhaul or trans replacement.
4. 2004-2006 Ford F150
The F Series is the most popular vehicle of any kind in the United States. However, popularity doesn't necessarily equate to reliability and cost-effectiveness. "The 5.4-liter engine spark plugs get stuck in the engine and often break off during removal, turning an eight-minute job to change one spark plug into an hour or more if all eight spark plugs break off," said Pyle.
5. 2000-2006 Toyota Tundra
Like the Nissan Frontier, "Transmission failures from cooler failures," are common with the Tundra, Toyota's second attempt at a full-sized pickup (after the T100). But there's also "repeat exhaust system failures because it was cheap material and thin-walled," according to Pyle. "It just rotted out. You had to use aftermarket parts to get better longevity."
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This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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