There are many factors to consider beyond just the sticker price when purchasing a truck. One of those is maintenance costs. Unreliable models with expensive repairs could cost their owners thousands of dollars down the road. As such, they're not always smart money moves for car owners.
CarEdge took a look at popular vehicles and their maintenance and repair costs during the first 10 years of service. Here are 15 trucks that are most expensive to maintain, according to their data.
- 18-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60-69
- 70-79
- 80+
Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline's first decade of service will cost around $8,825 to maintain. That's $800 less than the average pickup truck.
The Honda Ridgeline has a 25.03% chance of requiring significant repairs during that period. It's 4.6% less likely to need major repairs than the average pickup truck.
Nissan Frontier
Nissan Frontier owners will spend around $9,190 on maintenance during this truck's first 10 years of life. That's $435 less than the average pickup truck.
The Nissan Frontier has a 26.42% chance of needing major repairs during that period. That's 3.21% better than the industry average for its segment.
Nissan Titan
The Nissan Titan's first 10 years on the road will cost owners around $9,522 in maintenance. That's $103 less than the average pickup truck.
During that time, the Nissan Titan has a 26.42% chance of needing significant repairs. It's 3.21% less likely to need major repairs than the other pickup trucks in its segment.
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GMC Canyon
During its first decade in service, the GMC Canyon will need around $9,531 for maintenance. That's $94 less expensive than the industry average for pickup trucks.
With a 27.12% chance of requiring major repairs during that period, the GMC Canyon is 2.51% less likely to need maintenance than the average pickup truck.
Nissan Titan XD
The Nissan Titan XD costs around $9,619 to maintain during the first 10 years. That's lower than the industry average for pickup trucks by $6.
There is a 26.42% chance this truck will require significant repairs during that period. That percentage is 3.21% lower than the average for trucks in its segment.
GMC Sierra 1500
Within its first 10 years on the road, the GMC Sierra 1500 will require around $9,861 in maintenance costs. That's $236 less than the average truck in its segment.
The GMC Sierra 1500 also has a 27.12% chance of needing major repairs during that time, which is 2.51% better than the average pickup truck.
Chevrolet Colorado
A Chevrolet Colorado is $1,039 more expensive to maintain than the industry average. It will cost around $10,664 in maintenance during its first decade on the road.
It also has a 30.98% chance of requiring significant repairs during its first 10 years of service, which is 1.35% more likely than others.
Ford Ranger
With around $10,939 in maintenance costs during its first 10 years of life, Ford Ranger maintenance will cost owners around $1,314 more than the average pickup during that timeframe.
It has a 31.63% chance of needing major repairs during this period, which is 2% worse than the average pickup truck.
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Truck buyers will spend around $10,950 on maintenance during their first 10 years of owning a Chevrolet Silverado 1500. That's $1,325 more than other pickup trucks.
There is a 30.98% chance of Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners having to pay for significant repairs during that period. That percentage is 1.35% worse than the average truck in this segment.
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Ford F-150
Ford F-150 owners will pay around $11,242 for maintenance and repairs during the first decade of ownership. That's around $1,617 more than the average pickup truck.
It also has a 31.63% chance of requiring major repairs during that time. That's 2% worse than the other trucks in its segment.
Jeep Gladiator
Jeep Gladiators are $3,015 more expensive to maintain than the average pickup truck. During its first 10 years of service, the vehicle will incur around $12,640 in maintenance expenses.
With a 37.02% chance of needing significant repairs during that period, that's 7.39% more likely than the average truck.
GMC Sierra 3500HD
The GMC Sierra 3500HD's first decade of service will require around $13,799 in maintenance. That's $3,997 better than the average heavy-duty model.
There is a 39.19% chance that the truck will need major repairs during that period. That's 12.88% less likely than the other heavy-duty trucks in its segment.
Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD
Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD owners will spend around $15,342 on maintenance costs during their first 10 years of ownership. That beats the average heavy-duty truck by $2,454.
It has a 44.77% chance of needing major repairs during that period, which is 7.3% better than similar heavy-duty pickups.
Ford F-450 Super Duty
The Ford F-450 Super Duty will cost around $16,075 in maintenance during its first 10 years, which is $1,721 less than the average.
It has a 45.72% chance of requiring significant repairs, which is actually 6.35% better than the average heavy-duty pickup.
RAM 3500
A Ram 3500 will require around $27,244 in maintenance costs during its first decade on the road. That's $9,448 more than the average heavy-duty truck.
It also has a whopping 81.79% chance of needing major repairs during that period, which is 29.72% worse than similar vehicles.
Bottom line
To save money, truck buyers on a budget should consider avoiding brands with high 10-year maintenance costs.
For example, RAM models average around $21,626 in maintenance costs during that time period. In comparison, maintenance costs for Toyota vehicles are only around $5,470, which makes them a valuable purchase for consumers looking to save money.
Choosing a reliable truck is like picking the right automotive coverage to save on car insurance; the key is to shop around until you find one that offers you the best overall value for your money.
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