U.S. Pickup Trucks Makers Struggle in Consumer Reports' Reliability Study

Consumer Reports' most recent reliability study (considered to be the largest and most influential of its kind), based on a survey of new-vehicle purchasers, shows that U.S. pickup truck manufacturers (Ram, Chevy, GMC and Ford) are still struggling. According to the Detroit News, the only exception seems to be Toyota, which makes both the Tacoma and Tundra in San Antonio. Toyota has traditionally done well in these kinds of surveys, and this year ranks in the No. 2 spot (same as last year), with its luxury division Lexus at No. 1.

The survey does not separate pickups from other car segments, but considers all the vehicles in a manufacturer's lineup. Specifically, pickup truck makers such as Honda fell two spots (from 6 to 8), GMC moved up (from 12 to 9), Chevrolet dropped (from 15 to 17), Ram moved up by the largest margin of any truck maker (from 25 to 19), Nissan fell by the widest margin (from 13 to 22), and Ford stayed flat, finishing at 26, one spot lower than last year. It's worth noting that the vehicle that scored best in the annual survey for Ford was a 3.7-liter V-6-equipped F-150, and the EcoBoost twin-turbo F-150's reliability rating dropped from last year.

To read a copy of the full report or find out where your new pickup ranked, you'll have to subscribe to Consumer Reports to gain access to the report.