10 Used Pickup Trucks With The Most Reliable Engines

Across the globe, the pickup truck stands as an automotive monument to the utilitarian and industrial spirit of the working-class citizen. Whether mid-sized or full-sized, a good pickup truck should withstand the test of time and all the rough miles to and from the office or the job site. These ten pickups do just that. For the purpose of this list, we picked 10 pickups that were at least a decade old and whose powertrains still do the most important thing - get the job done.

Whether a consumer is delving into the used market for themselves or their company, these 10 trucks still stand as reliable options to keep the wheels turning for any commercial or personal needs.

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In compiling this article, we have cross-referenced information for vehicle reliability, maintenance, and pricing from sources like J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, RepairPal, CarEdge, and Consumer Reports to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible. Please note that we have ranked the following models based on least reliable to most reliable.

2010 Nissan Frontier

Reliability Score: 79/100

Nissan

The 2010 Nissan Frontier may not be the first truck that comes to mind when picturing the Mount Rushmore of pickup trucks, but the fact of the matter is that these year models can still be seen at job sites or towing small trailers to and fro around the country, especially outside the continental United States.

The V-6 option in these trucks provides plenty of light-duty towing power, and the optional shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive packages with both high and low-range selection give anyone working in rugged terrain the ability to not only get to the job, but back out again as well.

Reliability

One of the major issues plaguing this generation of these trucks is still radiator failure. Sometimes, it can cause cross-contamination with transmission fluid, resulting in eventual transmission failure. The engine, though, has been proven to be mostly problem-free, save for the odd and end cam sensor failure.

Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $444 (RepairPal)
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,854 (CarEdge)
Total Recalls: 6
Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2005

2012 Nissan Titan

Reliability Score: 80/100

Nissan

Sticking with Nissan, one size up from the Frontier lies the company's full-size option - the Titan. For those looking for a bit more towing power, the Titan's 5.6-liter V-8 offers just that, with over 315 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque. The Titan offers the same four-wheel drive configuration as the Frontier, but with the extra power and wheelbase of a full-size pickup.

Reliability

Most of the issues surrounding Titans reported to RepairPal.com surround its fuel pump system, which can wear down over time, and while that isn't directly an engine issue, it still serves as a relatively cheap part to replace in the grand scheme of things. The annual repair cost of a Titan is, of course, higher than the Frontier, but that's the risk taken more times than not when jumping up to a full-size pickup.

Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $619 (RepairPal)
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $9,116 (CarEdge)
Total Recalls: 2
Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2004-2008, 2016-2018

2010 Ford Ranger

Reliability Score: 81/100

Bring a Trailer

Considered by some to be the king of mid-size or compact trucks, the previous generation of Ford's iconic pickup served as its last hurrah before the company brought back the model line a few years ago. If a buyer can find one of these later model years on the used market, they serve as an excellent option. On top of that, the design of the Ranger didn't shift all that much from the late nineties into the 2000s and early 2010s, meaning that Ford had plenty of time to work out the kinks of the model before its sendoff.

Reliability

The smaller engines in these year models were plagued with knock sensor issues, but the 4.0-liter V-6 option offers a more rugged and reliable powertrain, with enough towing power for small trailers to boot. These models did have a plethora of recalls for airbag systems, though, so be wary.

Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $619 (RepairPal)
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $10,511 (CarEdge)
Total Recalls: 9
Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 1999,2001

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2015 Chevy Colorado

Reliability Score: 81/100

Chevrolet

As the newest model of trucks on this list, the 2015 Chevrolet Colorado offers some more modern creature comforts than other competitors, along with advanced trim levels for those who sometimes may supervise work rather than get their hands dirty.

Reliability

With a newer vehicle comes newer vehicle problems, such as emissions regulation system issues. These trucks weren't plagued by them, but there have been reported issues with things like valve seats and EGR problems.

Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $580 (RepairPal)
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $10,368 (CarEdge)
Total Recalls: 7
Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2004-2005

2006 Toyota Tacoma

Reliability Score: 82/100

Toyota

The 2006 Toyota Tacoma is one that Toyota got right straight out of the gate. Its 82/100 reliability score from J.D. Power explains why people can see them still on the road today.

Reliability

The issues with these trucks primarily circled around O2 and Mass Air Flow sensors, which stand as cheap parts to replace, and as with any Toyota, spares are plentiful.

Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $478 (RepairPal)
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,731 (CarEdge)
Total Recalls: 11
Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2016-2017

2010 Ford F-150

Reliability Score: 83/100

Bring a Trailer

The F-150 received a major facelift in 2009, and in 2010, Ford set about fixing what few issues the new platform had. Consider that mission accomplished, as these trucks only ever had one recall. These trucks came with two V-8 options, a 5.4-liter, and Ford's trusty 4.6-liter. The 5.4-liter always had problems, but in this specific year's model, the 4.6-liter is the one to spring for.

Reliability

The 5.4-liter was plagued with cam phaser issues, but the 4.6-liter avoided most of those while still providing ample power and performance.

Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $749 (RepairPal)
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $10,991 (CarEdge)
Total Recalls: 1
Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2004-2005

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2013 Toyota Tundra

Reliability Score: 85/100

Toyota

Consider the 2013 ToyotaTundra one of the first truly heavy hitters on this list. Its nearly unrivaled power in the class paired with its nearly bulletproof engine makes this a solid option for anyone in the used pickup market.

Reliability

These trucks had one major flaw from the factory as a result of debris left in the engine at the point of manufacturing, most of which were repaired across the board. If one can find a 2013 model that went through the recall, it's a safe bet.

Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $642 (RepairPal)
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,922 (CarEdge)
Total Recalls: 6
Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2012

2006 Toyota Tundra

Reliability Score: 85/100

Toyota

Toyota comes in yet again with this heavy-hitting option in an even earlier form than the last one. The 2006 Tundra was the last before its own facelift and redesign, making this the preferred year model for those in favor of a more classic, rugged look and feel.

Reliability

The exhaust manifolds on these trucks tend to go out long before the engine even begins to think about doing so, as the V-8-powered Tundras of this era keep on ticking. They did have plenty of recalls, mostly for airbag-related issues.

Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $606 (RepairPal)
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,922 (CarEdge)
Total Recalls: 13
Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2012

2012 GMC Sierra 1500

Reliability Score: 86/100

GMC

The 2012 GMC Sierra with the 5.3-liter V-8 option stands as one of the most popular trucks in the space at the time. These model years have held up, especially in the engine department, and still service every job site imaginable today.

Reliability

Active Fuel Management lifters were problematic for some of these models, but by and large, GM was one of the few companies to get cylinder shutdowns right out of the gate.

Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $600-733 (RepairPal)
Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: 9,438 (CarEdge)
Total Recalls: 5
Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2014-2015

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2012 Dodge Ram 1500

Reliability Score: 87/100

Stellantis Media

Finally, the number one pickup whose engine has withstood the test of time is the 2012 Dodge Ram 1500. With an 87/100 reliability score from JD Power, it doesn't get much better than this when talking about a used pickup.