2021 didn't disappoint when it comes to new pickups, but surprisingly, some of the worst ones come from America.
The primary reason anyone would get a pickup truck is for its dependability as a workhorse. A good pickup truck is supposed to serve its owner for donkey years before any mention of replacement comes into the discussion. While there are some pickup trucks that drivers, regardless of their expertise, can rely on, there are those that suffer from a plethora of mechanical and electrical issues. It’s disheartening to have a pickup truck that doesn’t haul or pull, and even when it manages to do so, it throws a tantrum in the middle of a journey. This is why the importance of getting a reliable pickup truck, and not just an affordable one, cannot be overemphasized.
Related: These Are The 10 Most Reliable Used Japanese Trucks With modern pickup trucks sporting high-tech features to provide utmost convenience and safety, the reliability of a particular truck goes way beyond electrical and mechanical issues. This is why we have taken the time to peruse several sources such as J.D Power, Consumer Reports, U.S. News, and Edmunds, to show you the 5 best and worst pickup trucks of 2021.
The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup truck that comes with a lot of troubles. According to Consumer Reports, the Silverado ranks as one of the most unreliable cars in 2021, with 4 recalls by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) due to issues with the seat belt bracket, seat belt assembly, tires, and airbag.
Although the 2021 Silverado comes with a smooth, responsive transmission, the fuel economy is below average. In the city, the Silverado gets 11 mpg, while on the way, it manages to get 24 mpg. For a pickup truck that gulps so much gas, it doesn't make up for it by offering a comfortable ride.
The Ford F-250 always gets harsh reviews from critics over its 32 model years, and this isn't surprising because it has recorded over 572 complaints since it was first rolled into the market. However, Ford took everyone by surprise with the reliability, towing capacity, and performance of the 2021 F-250.
According to Consumer Reports, the 2021 F-250 is one of its favorite heavy-duty pickup trucks, owing to its exceptionally powerful engines: the 6.2L V8 gasoline, the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel V8 and the 7.3L V8 gasoline.
The 2021 Nissan Titan is not a good option if you are looking for a reliable full-size pickup truck. In fact, Consumer Reports rates it a two out of five for reliability.
It would have been manageable if reliability was the only big issue with the 2021 Nissan Titan. The NHTSA records that the Nissan Titan Cab Crew has 13 complaints, as well as two recalls due to problems with the tires and exterior lighting.
With the number of issues plaguing the Titan, it isn't a shocker that its sales numbers hit an all-time low in Canada, selling just over 372 units. Although in the United States, the 2021 Titan sold over 22,771 units, that's not impressive when you compare it to the last four model years.
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Despite the fact that Toyota Tacoma finds itself in the fiercely competitive midsize pickup truck class with a rival like Jeep Gladiator, it still comes out on top, thanks to its off-road capabilities, utility, and exquisite design.
J.D. Power rates the reliability of the 2021 Tacoma to be 81%, which is great for a pickup truck. What's even greater is the 98% resale value of the 2021 Tacoma. This means you can rest assured of the reliability, even if you are buying a used one. When it comes to sales numbers, the 2021 Toyota Tacoma has a pretty good figure in the U.S. market, selling over 233,067 units.
General Motors did its best to improve the powertrain, towing capacity, and fuel efficiency of the 2021 Sierra 1500, but unfortunately, its best wasn't good enough. Consumer Reports points out that the Sierra 1500 has three recalls due to seat belt issues.
Sierra 1500 drivers have also reported that they have to deal with troubled areas like the brakes, transmission and electronic equipment. Notwithstanding these issues, the sales figures of the 2021 Sierra aren't all that bad, especially in the United States, where it has sold over 191,186 units as of September 2021.
The 2021 Chevrolet Colorado midsize pickup that's fun to drive, thanks to its three powertrain variants: 2.8-liter turbocharged Duramax, 2.5-liter 4-cylinder base engine, and 3.6-liter V6 engine that produce 181-hp, 200-hp, and 300-hp, respectively.
Beyond the remarkable performance, Colorado, driving through busy streets and rough terrains aren't much of a big deal for the 2021 Colorado. With the Z71 and ZR2 off-road trims of Colorado, you can take your adventure to the next level by treading on forested areas, rolling hills, and sandy dunes without breaking a sweat. J.D. Power scores the 2021 Colorado 82 out of 100 in terms of reliability and quality, so you know you are getting a good deal with the midsize truck.
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Although the Ford F-150 beat contenders like the Jeep Gladiator and Ram 1500 TRX to win the award for the North American Truck of the Year in 2021, we feel that honor may have come a little bit too early, as the F-150 already struggled with a plethora of mechanical and electrical issues upon release.
According to the NHTSA, the Ford F-150, which has 6 recalls, is plagued primarily with seat belts issues, that may cause it not to offer adequate protection in the event of a crash. J.D. Power considers the F-150 as an average pickup truck, with a score of 77 out of 100.
The 2021 Ford Ranger is a jack of all trades, but master of none. Ranger does a fine job of making a compact pickup truck that is suitable for commute, work, and off-road adventures. The 2021 Ranger Tremor gets its power from a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder that works with a 10-speed automatic transmission to produce an output of 270 horsepower and torque of 310 lb-ft.
J.D. Power gave the Ford Ranger a reliability score of 85/100, which is great by all standards. Since the release of the Ford Ranger pickup line in 2005, the 2021 model year is the fourth highest-selling model, with over 87,763 units sold so far.
Related: These Are The Coolest Ford Pickup Trucks Ever
The 2020 GMC Canyon was super reliable, as it earned a five-star rating from Consumer Reports. One would have expected General Motors to build on that pedestal, with the 2021 Canyon, but sadly that wasn’t the case. The 2021 GMC Canyon got below an average reliability score from Consumer Reports, U.S. News & World Report, and J.D. Power.
To get a sense of how shoddy the 2021 GMC Canyon is, a reviewer on Edmunds by the name Timothy Yaniko, mentioned that he would have given the compact pickup truck a zero star if it were possible. He complained about the non-stop electrical issues of the vehicle, pointing out that the vehicle has been in his garage for 36 out of 113 days since he bought it.
The Ram 2500 wouldn’t be a great heavy-duty pickup truck without its remarkable towing and hauling capacities. Its rear-drive cab diesel version can tow a load of over 19,680 pounds, while the gas V-8 engine is capable of pulling 17,350 pounds. J.D. Power gives the 2021 Ram 2500 a reliability/quality rating of 86/100 and ranks it as one of the best large heavy-duty pickup trucks to be rolled out in 2021.
The Ram 2500 has healthy sales numbers, selling over 434,773 units as of September of 2021. Despite its superb reliability, performance and towing capacity, the Ram 2500 is more affordable than rivals such as the Ford F-250 Super Duty and Chevy Silverado 2500.
While some pickup trucks are worth their weight in gold, others prove to be a burden after just a few years of ownership.
Peter Akpejeluh is a content writer with years of experience in the automotive industry. His love for cars makes crafting colorful stories around them quite effortless. When Peter is not developing automotive content, you can find him taking one of his favorite cars for a spin.