The sticker price doesn’t always reveal the real cost of a pickup. Beneath flashy marketing and oversized grilles, some models hide glaring reliability issues or performance letdowns. This gallery list pulls back the curtain on pickups that disappointed where it counted most. Read on to make sure your next truck isn’t on it.

2006 Dodge Ram 1500

Steel shouldn’t disintegrate this quickly. Reports flooded the NHTSA about structural rust, especially around the rear crossmember, compromising safety long before the odometer hit six digits. Ram issued a partial recall, but many owners were left footing the repair bill. It’s not exactly the long-term value most truck buyers expect.

2004 Ford F-150

How does a top-selling truck end up with thousands of transmission complaints? The 2004 F-150 had gear slipping, delayed shifting, and early failure—all before 60,000 miles. Spark plug issues and fuel system faults piled on. At a point, owners found out the hard way that reliability wasn’t part of this package.

2008 Chevrolet Avalanche

You’d expect better mileage from a daily driver. With an EPA-estimated 17 mpg combined, the 2008 Avalanche left wallets emptier with every trip. Owners also reported electrical issues and nagging repairs. Consumer Reports ranked it near the bottom, and few would disagree after owning one for a full year.

2005 GMC Canyon

Pickup performance starts under the hood—but not in this case. The 2005 Canyon’s base engine offered just 175 horsepower, which led to sluggish acceleration and unimpressive towing. Critics and owners alike labeled it unfit for anything beyond light-duty errands. If you needed muscle, this truck didn’t deliver it.

2016 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel

FCA’s EcoDiesel promised cleaner emissions; however, lawsuits told a different tale. Emissions-cheating software led to a $300 million settlement, followed by recalls for potential fires and engine flaws. What seemed like a smart diesel alternative turned costly. Buyers found themselves paying for fixes that never should’ve been necessary.

2013 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

When the inside of a truck wears out fast, it ruins the driving experience. In the 2013 Silverado, cracked panels and rattling dashboards wore down the drivers’ patience. Consumer Reports logged frequent complaints because the cabin’s early wear made owners feel like they were riding in a truck twice its age.

2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac

Trying to do two jobs at once rarely ends well. This SUV-truck hybrid proved that. Its road handling felt shaky, and its off-road performance disappointed. Built on outdated parts with a soft suspension, it became a middle-ground option that never stood out where it counted.

2010 Chevrolet Colorado

Overheating was a design flaw here rather than just an occasional nuisance. Radiator leaks and weak cooling components in the 2010 Colorado led to warped engine blocks and failed head gaskets. RepairPal pegged repair costs in the thousands. Mechanical issues like these make the truck hard to trust.

2015 GMC Sierra 1500

Brake assist systems are essential. In the 2015 Sierra, sudden loss of brake pressure became a widespread concern. GM eventually issued a recall, but not before many owners reported terrifying near-misses. For a full-size pickup, compromised stopping power creates a hazard too big to ignore.

2001 Dodge Dakota

Every bump felt like a crater in this mid-size pickup. The 2001 Dakota suffered from poor suspension calibration and excessive body roll, which made long hauls unpleasant and unsafe. Even on well-paved roads, handling remained twitchy. Reviews at the time warned that comfort and stability weren’t part of the experience.