Most Reliable Used Trucks for 2024

Pickup trucks are the best selling, most popular vehicles in the American new car market, which means they are also quite prevalent in the used market. Buyers looking to avoid new truck prices while still enjoying the payload, towing, and off-road capability trucks provide can start their search for the best used trucks here. Whether you’re looking for a basic workhorse or a premium people-mover with high-end features, iSeeCar has identified the most reliable used pickup trucks available.

Full-size pickup trucks are the most popular, and capable, models for buyers seeking maximum payload and towing capacity. These trucks come in the widest range of configurations, with powertrain options ranging from fuel efficient four-cylinders to high-horsepower V6 and V8 engines or turbo diesel engines generating massive pulling power. Shoppers seeking the most reliable trucks should know that while diesel engines are typically the most expensive powertrains on new models, they are also the most durable, offering the longest lifespan with the lowest maintenance costs. And their mpg figures are often higher than gasoline V6 or V8 engines.

American full-size pickups represent the bulk of the truck market, with the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 available in multiple cab styles, bed lengths, and trim levels. But viable import options like the Nissan Titan and Toyota Tundra launched in America over the past two decades, and they now have enough model years under their belt to confirm a level of quality and durability rivaling their American counterparts.

Smaller, midsize trucks are available for buyers needing to balance truck capability against size and fuel economy concerns. Longstanding models with an impressive record of reliability include the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma. Newer trucks, such as the Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline, Chevrolet Colorado, and GMC Canyon, don’t have as much history but appear similarly durable.

None of these models offer the large V8 or diesel engine options available in full-size trucks, but their capable V6 engines can still meet the needs of most truck buyers. Many include trims with increased ground clearance, underbody skid plates, and advanced four-wheel drive systems to improve off-road performance. The Ford Ranger Raptor and Toyota Tacoma TRD are two examples.

Beyond overall size and capability, consider how many passengers and what level of interior amenities you need from a truck. Regular cab pickups only offer a single row of seating and comfort for two or three people, while extended cab models include a rear seat that may still be too cramped for full-size adults. Crew cab trucks have four full-sized doors and two rows of roomy seating. Think of them as sedans with large, open-air trunks.

Interior space will of course be greater in a full-size Ford F-Series or Chevy Silverado versus a midsize truck like the Chevy Colorado. But for average-sized adults and children a modern midsize crew cab pickup should provide sufficient passenger room to seat five comfortably. A trip to your local dealership can confirm the best used pickup for your passenger needs.

A dealership visit will also let you try out a given model’s seat comfort, infotainment system, and drivetrain characteristics, including engine power and automatic transmission performance. As with all automotive purchases, a test drive before buying is a prudent step in the research process.

You can begin that process with the information on these pages, with the most reliable pickup trucks in each category listed below.