The Toyota Tundra, in its V8/2WD set-up, is the most reliable full-sized pick-up, according to the Consumer Reports 2013 Annual Auto Reliability rankings.
Toyota Tundra earned top marks among pick-up trucks in the CR survey.The results were published in the December issue of the magazine, which hit newsstands this week.
While none of the other trucks in the category got the highest mark, the V8, 4WD Tundra, the Ford F-150 (V6), Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 (gas), GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 (gas) and the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 (diesel) all fared well.
The Ram 1500 (V8, 4WD) and Ford 150 (V8, 2WD) just about broke even on the reliability scale. The Ford 150 (V8, 4WD), Ram 2500 and 3500 (diesel) and Ford 250 and 350 (diesel) were also rated average but with negative reliability expectation scores.
The full-sized trucks with the below average expected reliability were the Ford F-150 (EcoBoost), Ford 250 and 350 (gas) and the Nissan Titan. The Titan’s terrible score, at 90 percent worse than average, was qualified as having limited data available from the survey.
Among large SUVs, the Toyota Sequoia, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon were rated highest, with the Dodge Durango (V6), Nissan Armada and Ford Flex (3.5L EcoBoost) at the bottom of the reliability scale.
The survey is believed to be the largest of its kind; findings are based on CR subscribers’ experiences with 1.1 million vehicles. Consumer Reports uses the survey data to compile reliability histories on vehicles and predict how well new cars that are currently on sale will hold up.
Overall, across all makes and almost 100 models of cars and light trucks, 90 percent were average or better and almost a third of them received top marks. Ten of those highest scorers were Toyotas. General Motors fared better than other domestic brands.
One of the key problem areas in the Consumer Reports’ survey centers on in-car electronics, including the proliferating suite of audio, navigation, communication and connected systems in newer cars. Of the 17 problem areas CR asks about, the category including in-car electronics generated more complaints from owners of 2013 models than for any other category.
In many cases, the survey revealed touch-screen infotainment systems have been buggy, with frustrating screen freezes, touch-control lag, or a reluctance to recognize a cell-phone, an MP3 device, or a voice command.
Of the 31 Ford models in Consumer Reports’ survey, only one, the F-150 pickup with the 3.7-liter V6, was above average.
The complete reliability report and results for all models are available at www.ConsumerReports.org, as well as in the magazine.
