These Are The Most Reliable Half Ton Full Size Trucks For 2026

The AutoGuide Creators Series tells stories and amplifies creators from the car world, including family life, car buying advice, commuting tips and car culture.

What is the most reliable new full-size truck you can buy? That’s what we’re going to find out.

Welcome to Car Help Corner. In this video, I’m going to rank every brand-new half-ton full-size truck from worst to best, strictly in terms of reliability.

To be clear, none of these trucks have exceptional reliability. They all have their own share of potential problems. But some are definitely better than others—and there is one that stands out as the best of the bunch.

Let’s get right into it.

Last Place: 2026 Chevrolet Silverado & GMC Sierra

At the very bottom of the list are the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.

The biggest reason these trucks rank last comes down to the 5.3L and 6.2L V8 engines. These engines have been major failure points for General Motors over the past several years.

The cylinder deactivation technology can cause the lifters to collapse, which can lead to engine failure. It can happen at virtually any mileage—sometimes even before the first oil change.

More recently, the 6.2L has also had reported problems with rod-bearing failure. In fact, around one million of these vehicles have been recalled for this issue. The failure rate has been high enough that GM has struggled to supply replacement engines under warranty, leaving some owners stranded for weeks—or even months—waiting for a new engine.

And it doesn’t end there. These trucks can also suffer from 10-speed automatic transmission failures, another problem GM has been dealing with for years.

So there just aren’t many bright spots with these drivetrains.

One upside is that you can avoid the problematic V8s by choosing either the 2.7L turbocharged four-cylinder or the Duramax diesel. Between the two, the diesel is the better choice and more suited to truck duty. It’s not perfect and has its own potential issues, but it’s certainly the safer bet compared to the V8s.

If you have to buy one of these trucks, that’s probably the safest way to do it.

Third Place: 2026 Toyota Tundra

In the number three spot is the Toyota Tundra.

It’s sad to see the Tundra rank this low, because the previous-generation Tundra with the 5.7L V8 was easily the most reliable, longest-lasting truck you could buy.

That changed when Toyota redesigned the Tundra for 2022 and replaced the V8 with a twin-turbo 3.4L V6. Unfortunately, that engine has had defects that can lead to complete engine failure.

Over 100,000 trucks from the 2022 and 2023 model years were initially recalled for the problem, with the fix being a complete engine replacement. Toyota later expanded the recall to include the 2024 model year as well, and there still isn’t a clear indication that the issue has been fully resolved.

It’s a real shame, because the Tundra used to be the one truck you could count on for reliable service. Toyota has a lot of damage control to do before they can restore that reputation.

And honestly, the fact that the truck in third place is dealing with engine failures tells you everything you need to know about the current half-ton truck segment.

Second Place: 2026 Ford F-150

In second place is the Ford F-150.

The F-150 has several drivetrain options, and their reliability varies. The best option by far is the old-school choice: the 5.0L Coyote V8, which Ford has been using since 2011.

This engine has gone through multiple generations and is now very well sorted. It handles abuse well, it’s well suited for truck duty, and it’s one of the safer powertrain choices in the segment.

In fact, I think it’s fair to say this is the most reliable engine you can get in a new half-ton truck in 2026.

As for the EcoBoost engines, the 2.7L V6 is the next-best option. Generally, it’s a solid engine with relatively few major concerns, and it’s a great alternative for those who want that low-end turbo torque.

The 2.7L is also a safer bet than the more powerful 3.5L EcoBoost or the PowerBoost hybrid. Compared to the 3.5L, the 2.7L has a stronger compacted graphite iron block with a closed-deck design, which makes it more durable. It’s also largely free of the cam phaser issues that affected the 3.5L.

Arguably the weakest part of the F-150 is its transmission. It uses the same 10-speed automatic found in GM trucks, and it has a history of problems. Failures can be fairly common.

Still, if you want one of the safest half-ton trucks from a reliability perspective, an F-150 with the 5.0L—or alternatively the 2.7L—is one of the best options right now.

First Place: 2026 Ram 1500 (5.7L Hemi V8)

And now, in first place: the Ram 1500 with the 5.7L Hemi V8.

I can’t believe I’m putting a Stellantis product in first place—but hear me out, because there are a few very good reasons.

1) The Engine Choice

Ram made a smart move by bringing back the 5.7L Hemi V8 for 2026. It might not match the power and efficiency of the twin-turbo Hurricane inline-six, but what it lacks in performance it makes up for in simplicity, ease of service, and proven durability.

The Hemi is relatively straightforward, well suited for truck duty, easy to service and repair, and generally reliable.

Yes, it has weak points. The exhaust manifolds are known to crack, which can be expensive. And like the GM V8s, the lifters can fail. But overall, next to the Ford engines, it’s about as solid as truck engines get in 2026.

2) The Transmission

The Ram also earns points for its ZF-built 8-speed automatic, which is one of the most robust transmissions on the market—especially compared to the 10-speeds used by Ford and GM.

Between Ford, GM, and Ram, this is the best transmission of the three. No question.

3) The Warranty

Finally, Ram introduced a longer powertrain warranty for 2026: 10 years / 100,000 miles (160,000 km). That’s a huge bonus.

None of these trucks are truly stellar for reliability—Ram included—so you may as well protect yourself as much as possible.

Now, the downside is that this warranty is only for the original purchaser and it’s not transferable. But even so, a 10-year powertrain warranty is a major selling point.

Between the solid Hemi engine, the rock-solid transmission, and that 10-year powertrain warranty, the Ram edges out the rest.

Honorable Mentions and Final Thoughts

I want to be very clear again: none of these trucks are exceptional for reliability. You’re essentially picking the best out of a group of mediocre options.

Automakers don’t put as much effort into building half-ton trucks for longevity as they used to. Modern emissions systems and the push to turn trucks into luxury vehicles packed with features have contributed to declining long-term reliability. The days of simple, bare-bones workhorse trucks are long gone.

In fact, if you want the most reliable truck and you plan to use it for heavy abuse—especially frequent towing and hauling—I would strongly consider skipping the half-ton segment entirely and stepping up to a 3/4-ton heavy-duty truck.

These trucks tend to be more robust, with stronger drivetrains and less fuel-saving complexity.

My top pick in that segment is the Ford F-250 with either the 6.8L “mini Godzilla” or the 7.3L Godzilla pushrod iron-block V8—an ultra-reliable, dead-simple engine that can run forever.

The Ram 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi V8 is another solid option and it carries the same 10-year powertrain warranty as the 1500. There are other strong choices in that segment as well.

If you found this information helpful, make sure to like, subscribe, and hit the hype button.

And if you’re planning to purchase a vehicle and you live in Ontario, know that OMVIC is the vehicle sales regulator responsible for administering and enforcing the rules dealerships must follow. To learn more about your consumer protection rights, visit OMVIC’s website.

And if you need additional car buying advice, recommendations, or help getting a great deal on your next new car purchase, make sure to visit carhelpcanada.com.

Thanks so much for watching, and I’ll see you next time.

Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.