10 Used Pickup Trucks That Will Run Forever

RELATED: 15 Most Reliable Pickup Trucks

11 2000 Ford F-350

Front and side view of a 2000 Ford F-350

The 2000 Ford F-350 is a heavy-duty truck built to work and tow, but it can easily be an off-road adventurer with the proper set-up. The truck came with a 5.4L V-8, 6.8L V-10, or a 7.3L diesel engine. The 7.3L Power Stroke is a legendary diesel engine that is highly sought after in the segment because it is well-known for its reliability and work ethic.

2000 Ford F-350 Reliability Based On Owner Feedback

Reading through the numbers of owner feedback, one thing becomes quickly apparent; they love their Ford F350s with the diesel engine under the hood. They claim that with regular maintenance and upkeep, their trucks run for as long as they need them to, without ever having to invest a substantial amount of time or money into them.

• Problems Owners Reported:
  Tie rods, ball joints, bearings, and brake rotors warp easily

• Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey:
  170,000

10 2004 Ram 3500

Side and front view of a 2004 Ram 3500

If there was ever any doubt about a heavy-duty work truck being taken off the front lines and making a decent show truck, the 2004 Ram 3500 shows it is more than possible. But, you already knew that the Ram was a great truck because it is quickly becoming one of the best in the industry.

2004 Ram 3500 Reliability Rating Based On Owner Feedback

Even though the online reviews show that the average evaluation from consumers for the 2004 Ram 3500 ranges from 7 out of 10 to 3.5 out of 5, the low numbers are a little misleading. Owners are only unhappy with the truck’s lack of options and mid-range trim levels that would allow them to use the pickup on more of a daily driver basis. As a work truck, not much can compare.

• Problems Owners Reported:
  Odors in the air conditioning, replace pressure solenoid in transmission, engine cranking problem due to WCM, faulty thermostat, and sunroof cable

• Highest Mileage Reported On Cars:
  298,258

9 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

Reliability Score: 5/5

Side and front view of a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

The 2007 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is also a work truck that can be used as a play truck or even a daily driver because it is not as stiff as the 3500HD. One of the most awesome features that could have been added as an option is a backup camera display in the rearview mirror.

Reliability

The mid-range Chevy work truck receives a 5 out of 5 by Consumers Report. It came with the choice of a 6.0L V-8 or a 6.6L turbo diesel, as well as other fundamental decisions such as four-wheel drive and extended cab. The Duramax diesel provides good acceleration and performance overall and is extremely reliable when the maintenance schedules and required upkeep is completed on time.

• Average Yearly Maintenance Costs:
  $601 (RepairPal)

• Estimated Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years:
  $14,644 (CarEdge)

• Total Recalls:
  3 (Passenger side air bag inflator, melted fusible link)

• Worst Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD To Buy Used:
  2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD (EGR system failure, DEF system failure, in-car electronics, and electrical system)

RELATED: 15 Pickup Trucks With Best Towing Capacity

8 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD

Reliability Score: 5/5

A front 3/4 studio shot of a 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD

Like most trucks today, the 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD was offered in two-wheel and four-wheel drive configurations. Still, disappointingly they were not offered with a selectable gearbox. Under the hood, you will find either a 6.0L gasoline-fed V-8 or a 363 horsepower 6.6L turbo diesel that can push out up to 660 pound-feet of torque.

Reliability

The 2009 GMC Sierra 2500HD has the same reliable diesel engine as the Chevy Silverado 2500HD. You know it makes a great work truck, especially as a construction work truck. It is also reliable as a play truck or adventurer on the backroads. Consumer Reports has given it a 5 out of 5 reliability rating and shows through customer feedback that the Duramax Diesel is an engine built to tow, with very few complaints lodged by current or past owners against it.

• Average Yearly Maintenance Costs:
  $912 (RepairPal)

• Estimated Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years:
  $13,029 (CarEdge)

• Total Recalls:
  6 (Passenger side air bag inflator, fire extinguisher clogged, melted fusible link, and heated windshield washer module short circuit)

• Worst GMC Sierra 2500HD To Buy Used:
  2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD (premature brake caliper wear, excessive balljoint wear, steering line leaks, head gasket leaks, turbocharger failure, and fuel injection issues)

7 2003 Ford F-250

Front and side view of a 2003 Ford F-250 

Just like the Ford F-350 mentioned earlier, the 2003 Ford F-250 came with the choice of three different engines under the hood and a two- or four-wheel drive configuration. The 5.4 Triton V-8 was an option, but it is best avoided because of its associated problems. The other options were the 6.8 V-10 and the amazing 7.3L turbo diesel that could push out up to 525 pound-feet of torque.

2003 Ford F-250 Reliability Based On Owner Feedback

The best heavy-duty Ford to get is the one powered by the 7.3L Power Stroke diesel. If you prefer a gasoline-fed engine, the V-10 is also a great engine that can be relied upon to get the job done, but it only gets about 10 mpg in the city, so if that is an issue, be aware of the costs. Overall when looking through the review sites, the 2003 F250 gets at least 4.5 out of 5 stars, so it is safe to say that it is a reliable pickup truck.

• Problems Owners Reported:
  Prone to rust, transmission problems, and computer issues

• Highest Mileage Reported On Cars:
  251,249

6 2003 Ram 2500

Side view of a 2003 Ram 2500

If you are looking for a reliable pickup truck that you can use for work, play, and daily driving, one of the best choices on the market is the 2003 Ram 2500. It came with the choice of three different engine sizes, starting with the 5.7L Hemi. Next was the 8.0L V-10, and then one of the most popular choices, the 5.9L inline-six Cummins turbo diesel.

2003 Ram 2500 Reliability Based On Owner Feedback

Overall, consumers like you have had varying reviews on the 2003 Ram 2500, but most state that the truck continues to drive on and on and on, like the Energizer Bunny. Owners use their Ram trucks for various tasks, from working on construction sites and home improvement projects to hauling things to the lake and campsite. In contrast, others prefer to use it for daily needs such as trips to the store and dropping the kids off at school.

• Problems Owners Reported:
  Engine cranks but won’t start, pressure solenoid in transmission, water leaks through the rear window, vibration in the steering wheel

• Highest Mileage Reported On CarGurus:
  300,000

RELATED: 15 Most Unreliable Pickup Trucks

5 2000 Toyota Tacoma

Reliability Score: 5/5

Front and side view of a 2000 Toyota Tacoma

It is tough to pick just one year of the Toyota Tacoma to add to this list because most of the Tacomas, and to be totally honest, the Toyota trucks all the way back into the 80s, have a reputation for being tough and reliable. For the sake of argument, though, because it had to come down to just one, the 2000 Toyota Tacoma is the number one pick.

Reliability

The 2000 Tacoma came with a few options, just like the other work trucks on this list. The first, which is the standard engine in all two-wheel drive versions, is the 2.4L four-cylinder. The optional engines are the 2.7L four-banger and the 3.4L six-cylinder that can push out 190 horses. The best thing about the Tacoma is that it has so many trim levels that you can match the exact truck to your specific needs, including an offroad trim level designed to maximize any driving off-the-beaten-path.

• Problems Owners Reported:
  Prone to rust, squeaking from the clutch, water leaking into the cab through seals, dash rattles, paint peels and chips, and the TRD emblems falling off

• Highest Mileage Reported On Cars:
  292,000

4 1999 Nissan Frontier

Side view of a 1999 Nissan Frontier

Nissan may not be one of the companies you would expect to see on this list, especially if you are looking for one of the best trucks for construction workers, but you may be surprised. The Frontier can easily handle basic tasks up to towing 5,000 pounds and hauling 1,779 pounds.

1999 Nissan Frontier Reliability Based On Owner Feedback

Since the 1999 Nissan Frontier is not strictly designed for work, there are numerous trims and styles to choose from. Owners across the internet all have negative things to say about the truck, but most are simply problems that could have been caught during routine maintenance. Otherwise, people that park the Frontier in their driveways plan to keep them until they replace them with a newer Nissan.

• Problems People Reported:
  Exterior trim falls off, paint turns chalky, transmission synchronization when shifting fast is off

• Highest Mileage Reported On CarSurvey:
  273,684

3 2013 Chevy Avalanche

Reliability Rating:82/100

Side view of a 2013 Chevy Avalanche

The debate still continues on, and it probably will until the end of time, about whether the Chevrolet Avalanche is a truck. According to the class it falls under, it is a pickup, and since it is one of the most reliable on the market, it deserves a place on this list.

Reliability

The people at J.D. Power gave the 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche an overall reliability rating of 82 out of 100, which placed it in 3rd overall in the large light-duty pickup truck class. The truck came with the choice of three engine options, all of which are reliable. The 5.3L V-8 or the 5.3L E85 V-8 is basically the flex fuel engine and the non-flex fuel engine. The final option is the 6.0L V-8, the powerhouse of the three available engines.

• Average Yearly Maintenance Costs:
  $722 (RepairPal)

• Estimated Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years:
  $7,220 (722×10 because there is no data online for 10-year estimates)

• Total Recalls: 1
  (Shifting out of park)

• Worst Chevrolet Avalanche To Buy Used:
  2005 Chevrolet Avalanch (transmission failure is common)

2

1 2013 Honda Ridgeline

Reliability Rating: 5/5

Now that the best has been saved for last, it is time to discuss the Honda Ridgeline. A truck that many claim will never be a truck because it is a car with a small bed. The truth is that the Ridgeline can tow up to 5,000 lbs, and since the average camper is 4,500 pounds, you have a little room to spare.

Reliability

It may surprise you to find out that people absolutely love their Honda Ridgelines. They complain that the tailgate is not designed to lock, but other than that, they love the style, the comfort, and, most importantly, the truck’s reliability. Consumer reports has given Honda a 5 out of 5 for reliability and a 5 out of 5 for customer satisfaction, which you do not see every day from them.

• Average Yearly Maintenance Costs:
  $534 (RepairPal)

• Estimated Maintenance Costs During First 10 Years:
  $8,263 (CarEdge)

• Total Recalls: 8
  (Frame corrosion, accelerator pedal binding, airbag inflators)

• Worst Chevrolet Avalanche To Buy Used:
  2005 Chevrolet Avalanche (transmission failure is common)