Vehicles are all about working onerous, hauling masses, and towing massive rigs, particularly the full-size vans the place you’ll discover rivals such because the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 duke it out for sophistication honors. Reliability is an important ingredient on this recipe, as a result of the workhorse variants of those vans typically cowl lengthy distances in any respect hours on any sort of street and within the worst climate, so that you desire a reliable truck. Even when solely referred to as upon for household obligation, you don’t need it breaking down together with your family members on board.
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In the marketplace for a full-size pickup? Listed below are the least and most dependable fashions accessible
V8 engines are nonetheless very a lot an American staple, however they’ve been disappearing of late. They’re nonetheless widespread amongst heavy-duty vans. GM has dedicated to creating a subsequent era of LS V8, whereas others like Stellantis are removing V8s of their common full-size vans altogether, changing them with extra environment friendly turbocharged six-cylinder engines. So, whereas we nonetheless have sufficient V8-powered full-size and HD vans round to fill this listing, let’s see which of them are probably the most dependable.
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The V8 pickup truck is not lifeless but, so let’s rejoice probably the most highly effective of them earlier than they’re gone.
We assess vans accessible with gasoline or diesel V8 engines. NHTSA recall and grievance information are from the 2024 and 2025 mannequin years, aside from the Ram 1500, which has a V8 engine as much as MY2024 solely, and the Nissan Titan, whose final mannequin 12 months is 2024. The place 2024 or 2025 information aren’t accessible for the others, we’ll use 2023 information or, missing that, 2022 information. None of those vans have been redesigned since 2021, so newer information than that ought to nonetheless present a reasonably correct indication of reliability. We rank them in response to J.D. Energy’s rating for the 2025 High quality & Reliability evaluation, with NHTSA remembers and complaints appearing as a tiebreaker the place vans rating equally. All information have been correct on the time of publication.
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In Common Cab kind with none costly extras, the true worth of a pickup truck is most evident.
10 GMC Sierra 2500 | 3500 HD
Reliability outcomes 2500 HD | 3500 HD
2025 J.D. Energy High quality & Reliability rating: 75 2024 NHTSA remembers: 2 2025 NHTSA remembers: 0 2024 NHTSA complaints: 29 | 12 2025 NHTSA complaints: 0
MY2025 quick details:
V8 Engine Choices
6.6L NA gasoline V8 | 6.6L turbo-diesel V8
Horsepower
401 | 470 hp
Torque
464 | 975 lb-ft
Drivetrains
10-speed automated, 2WD/4WD
The GMC Sierra HD was redesigned 5 years in the past, and its J.D. Energy High quality & Reliability rating of 75 out of 100 isn’t unhealthy, however it’s the bottom of the vans right here. The 2500 registered no complaints or remembers registered for 2025, however the 2025 3500 has not but been evaluated. Each have been evaluated for 2024, which resulted in two remembers for each; 29 complaints for the 2500, and 12 complaints for the 3500.
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With heavy hauling and towing functionality, the Sierra 2500HD provides you all of the Chevy Silverado 2500HD capability in a barely extra upmarket bundle.
Each the gasoline and diesel engine choices for the Sierra HD are V8s, and there are seven trim ranges within the 2025 lineup, with the workhorse Professional on the base and the Denali Final on the prime at over $90k. Common, double, and crew cabs can be found, in addition to varied mattress lengths and twin rear wheels.
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After 14 Ford F-150 generations, rather a lot has modified with one in every of America’s favourite vans. Learn all about it right here.
9 Ford F-150
Reliability outcomes:
2023 J.D. Energy High quality & Reliability rating: 78 2024 NHTSA remembers: 2 2025 NHTSA remembers: 0 2024 NHTSA complaints: 11 2025 NHTSA complaints: 0
MY2025 quick details:
V8 Engine Choices
5.0L NA gasoline V8 | 5.2L supercharged V8
Horsepower
400 | 720 hp
Torque
410 | 640 lb-ft
Drivetrains
10-speed automated, 2WD/4WD
Proof, as soon as once more, that the top-selling car isn’t essentially probably the most dependable one. No 2024 or 2025 J.D. Energy rating is obtainable for the F-150, however the final time it was evaluated for MY2023, it scored 78 out of 100 for High quality & Reliability, however even a small enchancment within the meantime wouldn’t have pushed it a lot additional up this listing. Fortunately, there weren’t too many remembers or complaints.
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The desert-running Raptor model is now a whole sub-niche. The F-150 model could solely be three generations in, however rather a lot has modified through the years.
There are two accessible V8 engines within the F-150 lineup – the naturally aspirated 5.0L within the common fashions for purchasers that choose it to the turbocharged 3.5L V6, and the supercharged 5.2L unit within the Raptor R. The F-150 could be had in a daily cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew configuration, with three mattress sizes accessible.
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The heavy-duty Ram 2500 comes with stout gasoline and turbo-diesel engines and might haul and tow with the most effective at school. Here is what’s modified over time.
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8 Ram 2500 | 3500 HD
Reliability outcomes 2500 HD | 3500 HD:
2022 J.D. Energy High quality & Reliability rating: 79 | TBC 2024 NHTSA remembers: 3 | 2 2025 NHTSA remembers: 0 2024 NHTSA complaints: 4 | 5 2025 NHTSA complaints: 0
MY2024 quick details:
V8 Engine Choices
6.4L NA gasoline V8
Horsepower
410 hp
Torque
429 lb-ft
Drivetrains
8-speed automated, 2WD/4WD
The current reliability information for the Ram HD are skinny on the bottom, and the freshest rating of 79 out of 100 from J.D. Energy belongs to the MY2022 2500. It may need improved by now, however it must be by a considerable two proportion factors to problem the next-higher truck, so its place on this listing might be secure for now. The 3500 has no J.D. Energy rating in any respect for the final couple of years, however with the identical powertrain, we count on it to fare equally.
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Just one V8 engine is obtainable for the HD Rams – a 6.4L Hemi V8 – as a result of the diesel possibility is a Cummins inline six-cylinder. There’s loads of selection within the lineup, with common, Crew Cab, and Mega Cabs and two mattress lengths on the menu, in addition to accessible twin rear wheels for the 3500.
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Not like its Toyota Tundra rival, the Nissan Titan by no means offered effectively within the US and is being discontinued after two generations of flagging gross sales.
7 Nissan Titan | Titan XD
Reliability outcomes Titan | Titan XD:
2024 J.D. Energy High quality & Reliability rating: 81 | N/A 2024 NHTSA remembers: 2 | 0 2024 NHTSA complaints: 5 | 0
MY2024 quick details:
V8 Engine Choices
5.6L NA gasoline V8
Horsepower
400 hp
Torque
413 lb-ft
Drivetrains
9-speed automated, 2WD/4WD
The 2024 Titan would be the final mannequin 12 months of the truck, as Nissan is discontinuing it, so we solely present 2024 information right here. The Titan’s J.D. Energy High quality & Reliability rating is an excellent 81 out of 100, however it took an unlucky dive from the 2023’s mannequin’s 88; had it been in a position to preserve that up, it will have scored a lot increased on this listing. The explanation why we group the Titan XD with the common Titan right here is as a result of it doesn’t have a J.D. Energy rating, however it’s mechanically similar to the common Titan and suffered even fewer remembers and complaints, so it’s at the least as dependable, if not higher, even when we don’t have a rating to go on.
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The Nissan Titan’s manufacturing is slated to finish summer season of 2024 on the Canton plant in Mississippi.
If there’s one factor that counts in opposition to the Titan, it’s the shortage of selection, with solely two physique kinds – King Cab and Crew Cab – to select from, in addition to two mattress lengths. There’s solely a single engine too, a naturally aspirated gasoline V8, with no diesel possibility provided in any respect. However the Titan XD is disappointing as a heavy-duty truck, which maybe assist clarify the poor gross sales. It will probably solely tow a most of about 11,000 kilos, whereas the newest Ford Tremendous Responsibility is able to 40,000 kilos, so it’s been totally outclassed in its phase.
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It has been round for 5 generations, however rather a lot has modified because the first Ford F-350 Tremendous Responsibility vans hit the market within the late 90s.
6 Ford F-Sequence Tremendous Responsibility
Reliability outcomes F-250 | F-350 Tremendous Responsibility:
2022 J.D. Energy High quality & Reliability rating: 83 | TBC 2024 NHTSA remembers: 0 2025 NHTSA remembers: 0 2024 NHTSA complaints: 0 | 8 2025 NHTSA complaints: 0
MY2025 quick details:
V8 Engine Choices
6.8L | 7.3L NA gasoline V8 | 6.7L | 6.7L HO turbo-diesel V8
Horsepower
405 | 430 | 475 | 500 hp
Torque
445 | 485 | 1,050 | 1,200 lb-ft
Drivetrains
10-speed automated, 2WD/4WD
The F-Sequence Tremendous Responsibility fares considerably higher than the light-duty F-150, even when the F-250’s J.D. Energy rating is now a number of years previous, with the newest one coming from MY2022. We’re assured that it’s nonetheless in that league, as there have been no remembers for the previous few years, no complaints for the 2025 mannequin, and solely eight for the 2024 fashions. It’s nonetheless the identical era with out a redesign as effectively, however we place it beneath the equally scored GMC Sierra 1500, as a result of the Sierra’s rating is more moderen. There’s no rating for the F-350, however precisely the identical configurations and powertrains are provided, with the F-350 rated for increased masses and more durable work, so their scores must be all however similar. A comparable lack of remembers helps this notion.
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Throughout 5 Ford F-250 generations and 26 mannequin years, the Blue Oval’s Tremendous Responsibility truck stays an American favourite.
On paper, the Tremendous Responsibility vans are probably the most succesful available on the market, with a most towing capability of 40,000 kilos and a most torque output of 1,200 lb-ft from its strongest diesel engine. It comes with a powerful vary of V8 engines, with two gasoline V8s and a turbo-diesel V8 – the latter in two outputs – protecting all of the bases. There are common, Suber Cab, and Crew Cab our bodies, and two mattress sizes.
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There have been 5 generations of GMC Sierra within the USA, with a number of minor updates and facelifts over the past thirty-five years.
5 GMC Sierra 1500
Reliability outcomes:
2025 J.D. Energy High quality & Reliability rating: 83 2024 NHTSA remembers: 0 2025 NHTSA remembers: 0 2024 NHTSA complaints: 20 2025 NHTSA complaints: 0
MY2025 quick details:
V8 Engine Choices
5.3L | 6.2L NA gasoline V8
Horsepower
355 | 420 hp
Torque
383 | 460 lb-ft
Drivetrains
10-speed automated, 2WD/4WD
The GMC Sierra may need scored the identical because the F-Sequence Tremendous Responsibility, however the Sierra’s rating is 2 years newer and thus extra related and legitimate, so it finishes forward of the Ford on this listing. There have been fairly a lot of complaints for the 2024 mannequin, however no remembers have been registered on the time of writing.
The 2 gasoline engines are each naturally aspirated V8s with as much as 420 hp, however a high-torque turbo-diesel six-pot is obtainable as effectively. As is widespread on this class, the Sierra 1500 comes with the anticipated selection of three physique kinds – common, double, and crew cab – and three mattress sizes.
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All the things You Want To Know Earlier than Shopping for A Used Third-Gen Chevrolet Silverado 1500. All Trims and Facelift Included
4 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Reliability outcomes:
2025 J.D. Energy High quality & Reliability rating: 84 2024 NHTSA remembers: 1 2025 NHTSA remembers: 0 2024 NHTSA complaints: 19 2025 NHTSA complaints: 0
MY2025 quick details:
V8 Engine Choices
5.3L | 6.2L NA gasoline V8
Horsepower
355 | 420 hp
Torque
383 | 460 lb-ft
Drivetrains
10-speed automated, 2WD/4WD
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 outdid its barely extra premium GMC Sierra 1500 clone to attain a single proportion level increased, in response to J.D. Energy. The 2024 mannequin registered one fewer grievance and another recall than the GMC.
Underneath the pores and skin, the 2 vans are similar, however the Chevy affords cheaper workhorses within the lineup on account of its market positioning, and a decrease beginning value as effectively.
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All the things You Want To Know Earlier than Shopping for A Used Third-Gen Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
3 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 | 3500 HD
Reliability outcomes 2500 HD | 3500 HD:
2025 J.D. Energy High quality & Reliability rating: 85 | TBC 2024 NHTSA remembers: 2 | 2 2025 NHTSA remembers: 0 2024 NHTSA complaints: 50 | 19 2025 NHTSA complaints: 0
MY2025 quick details:
V8 Engine Choices
6.6L NA gasoline V8 | 6.6L turbo-diesel V8
Horsepower
401 | 470 hp
Torque
464 | 975 lb-ft
Drivetrains
10-speed automated, 2WD/4WD
The Silverado HD performs very effectively within the reliability stakes, with the 2500 HD scoring a wonderful 85 out of 100 for High quality & Reliability at J.D. Energy – inexplicably a full ten proportion factors higher than its supposedly similar and extra upmarket GMC Sierra HD twin. There’s no rating for the 3500 HD, however it’s an similar truck in all respects, with the identical powertrains, aside from the latter being rated for increased payloads and towing numbers, and coming with twin rear wheels. In reality, with the identical variety of remembers and 31 fewer complaints (2024 figures), the 3500 HD may rating even higher than the 2500 HD, however with out an official score, we put them on a good keel.
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The 2500HD has been with us for 1 / 4 of a century and might haul and cargo greater than ever earlier than, with a strong diesel engine with 470 hp on faucet.
As is the case with the same GMC, the Chevy HD truck is available in common, double, and crew cab our bodies, and with a selection of mattress lengths, in addition to the identical two V8 engines – a naturally aspirated gasoline unit and a turbo-diesel. It has a most towing capability of 36,000 kilos.
2 Ram 1500 Traditional
Reliability outcomes:
2023 J.D. Energy High quality & Reliability rating: 88 2024 NHTSA remembers: 7 2024 NHTSA complaints: 47
MY2024 quick details:
V8 Engine Choices
5.7L NA gasoline V8
Horsepower
395 hp
Torque
410 lb-ft
Drivetrains
8-speed automated, 2WD/4WD
In an surprising flip of occasions, two Ram merchandise prime this listing. The Ram 1500 Traditional is the previous-generation Ram truck that debuted 15 years in the past that also troopers on on the backside of the lineup. However with solely a 2024 mannequin listed on the Ram web site and NHTSA information that run as much as MY2023, it doesn’t seem like it is going to be round for the 2025 mannequin 12 months. So, on the energy of the 2024 mannequin’s glorious outcomes, it comes second on this listing, with a rating of 88 out of 100 for High quality & Reliability. Though the Chevy Silverado HD has a more recent 2025 rating, it’s three proportion factors decrease, so the Silverado can’t topple the 1500 Traditional from the second step of the rostrum.
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All the things You Want To Know Earlier than Shopping for A Used Third-Gen Ram 1500.
The Traditional not affords the Common Cab it as soon as did, so it’s a bit pointless now, until you go for the high-value Tradesman workhorse. There’s a Warlock trim too. Each can be found with the non-obligatory 5.7L Hemi V8. Solely Quad Cab and Crew Cab our bodies are provided, and two mattress lengths.
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The Ram 1500 could not promote in addition to the Silverado or F-150, however it’s arguably nonetheless probably the most snug and upscale of the massive pickups.
1 Ram 1500
Reliability outcomes:
2024 J.D. Energy High quality & Reliability rating: 89 2024 NHTSA remembers: 3 2024 NHTSA complaints: 21
MY2024 quick details:
V8 Engine Choices
5.7L NA gasoline V8 | 6.2L supercharged gasoline V8
Horsepower
395 | 702 hp
Torque
410 | 650 lb-ft
Drivetrains
8-speed automated, 2WD/4WD
The Ram 1500 tops this listing with a wonderful 89 out of 100 for High quality & Reliability, however that is on the energy of the 2024 mannequin’s efficiency, and it’s a brief state of affairs. Not as a result of there may be any motive to consider that reliability received’t maintain up, however as a result of 2024 is the final mannequin 12 months any Ram 1500 will probably be accessible with a V8 engine.
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Like a T-Rex, the TRX will quickly be gone.
The non-obligatory 5.7L Hemi V8 within the common Rams will probably be changed with a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine subsequent 12 months, and the high-performance Raptor R-chasing TRX with its fire-breathing supercharged V8 can even be discontinued after 2024. So, whereas we could very effectively see the Ram 1500 on a listing of probably the most dependable vans sooner or later, it received’t be one in every of V8 vans like this one, because the model is lastly retiring its V8 engines.
Sources:
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Nissan
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MotorTrend
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Edmunds
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Automobile and Driver
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J.D. Energy
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NHTSA
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