I've owned trucks from three different manufacturers and kept detailed records of every issue. I think truck reliability stories from actual owners are way more valuable than manufacturer claims. Anyone want to share their experiences? Both positive stories about trucks that surprised you and negative ones about models that disappointed.
I'll start with a positive truck reliability story. My 2015 F150 with the 5.0L V8 has 185,000 miles of construction site use. Only issues have been a wheel bearing and some brake work. It starts every morning, hauls what I need, and hasn't left me stranded once. For a half ton truck worked hard, that's impressive.
Negative story here. A customer bought a 2020 Ram 1500 with the etorque system. At 45,000 miles, the hybrid system failed. $4,800 repair out of warranty. The truck was only 2 years old. These complex systems might improve fuel economy slightly, but they add failure points. Sometimes simpler is better for reliability.
Our fleet has a mix, so I have both types of truck reliability stories. The good: 2018 Silverado 2500s with the 6.6L gas engine averaging 0.3 repairs per year at 60k miles. The bad: 2021 F150 PowerBoost hybrids averaging 1.2 repairs per year at 40k miles. The new tech isn't always more reliable.
One of my favorite truck reliability stories involves a 2003 Toyota Tundra owned by a plumbing company. 575,000 miles, original engine and transmission. The owner says he's replaced the alternator twice, the starter once, and done regular maintenance. That's it. No major repairs. That's the kind of reliability that saves businesses money.