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When you buy a pickup truck, you’re likely looking for a vehicle with the durability and dependability to last many years and miles. Specifically, you want a reliable truck. For trucks, you can buy a small model in the compact or midsize truck segment, or you can go big and get a full-size truck. The question is, “Are small pickup trucks more reliable than full-size truck models?” Take a look at Consumer Reports reliability scores to get a clearer picture.

Consumer Reports: The most and least reliable small pickup trucks

White 2022 Ford Ranger driving up a rocky hill, with a Consumer Reports reliability rating of 4 out of 5
2022 Ford Ranger | Ford

One of the most trustworthy sources for reliability ratings for trucks and other vehicles is Consumer Reports. The publication provides a five-tier predicted reliability scoring system, with 1 out of 5 indicating poor reliability and 5 out 5 indicating excellent reliability.

Here are the Consumer Reports predicted reliability ratings for small pickup trucks:

  • 2022 Honda Ridgeline: 4/5
  • 2022 Ford Ranger: 4/5
  • 2022 Toyota Tacoma: 3/5
  • 2022 Ford Maverick: 3/5
  • 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz: 2/5
  • 2022 Chevy Colorado: 2/5
  • 2022 GMC Canyon: 2/5
  • 2022 Jeep Gladiator: 2/5
  • 2022 Nissan Frontier: 2/5

According to Consumer Reports, the most reliable small pickup trucks are the 2022 Honda Ridgeline and 2022 Ford Ranger. The two trucks both have predicted reliability ratings of 4 out of 5. Five models share the title of the least reliable small truck with scores of 2 out of 5: 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz, 2022 Chevy Colorado, 2022 GMC Canyon, 2022 Jeep Gladiator, and 2022 Nissan Frontier.

Consumer Reports: The most and least reliable full-size pickup trucks

Blue 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 parked in a field, with a Consumer Reports reliability rating of 1 out of 5
2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 | Chevrolet

Now let’s take a look at full-size pickup truck reliability. Here are the Consumer Reports predicted reliability ratings for full-size pickup trucks:

  • 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500HD: 4/5
  • 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD: 4/5
  • 2022 Ram 1500: 3/5
  • 2022 Ram 2500: 3/5
  • 2022 Ram 3500: 3/5
  • 2022 Ford F-250: 3/5
  • 2022 Chevy Silverado 3500HD: 3/5
  • 2022 GMC Sierra 3500HD: 3/5
  • 2022 Toyota Tundra: 3/5
  • 2022 Ford F-150: 2/5
  • 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning: 2/5
  • 2022 Ford F-350: 2/5
  • 2022 Nissan Titan: 2/5
  • 2022 GMC Hummer EV Pickup: 2/5
  • 2022 Nissan Titan XD: 2/5
  • 2022 Rivian R1T: 2/5
  • 2022 Tesla Cybertruck: 2/5
  • 2022 GMC Sierra 1500: 1/5
  • 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500: 1/5
  • 2022 Ram 1500 Classic: 1/5

Based on Consumer Reports reliability ratings, the most reliable full-size pickup trucks are the 2022 Chevy Silverado 2500HD and 2022 GMC Sierra 2500HD, with scores of 4 out of 5. For the least reliable full-size pickup truck, three models earned a worst-possible 1 out of 5 reliability rating: 2022 GMC Sierra 1500, 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500, and 2022 Ram 1500 Classic. 

Small pickup trucks are more reliable than full-size truck models, according to Consumer Reports

Red 2022 Honda Ridgeline driving on a dirt road, with a Consumer Reports reliability rating of 4 out of 5
2022 Honda Ridgeline | Honda

The Consumer Reports reliability ratings vary within each truck segment. However, overall, small pickup trucks are more reliable than full-size truck models. Despite the fact that there are considerably more full-size trucks available, only two achieved a 4 out 5 reliability rating, the same number for small trucks. 

Also, even more glaringly, Consumer Reports didn’t score any small pickups as low as the least reliable full-size truck models. While three full-size trucks received a 1 out of 5 reliability rating, the lowest reliability rating that a small pickup received was 2 out of 5.

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Staff Writer, Producer - SUVs

Mark Putzer

With seven years of experience writing in the automotive industry prior to joining MotorBiscuit in 2021, Mark’s work can be found on dealership websites across North America. A Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison sent Mark into the wilderness for environmental studies. Here, he discovered a passion for driving off-road trucks and SUVs off the beaten path.

During his extensive international travels, Mark developed an affinity for foreign cars and international automotive markets. Inspired by the industry-wide push toward environmentally-friendly EVs and hybrids, Mark covers topics about recent advances in the automotive industry, in addition to everything from off-road concepts to emerging EV technology.