Consumer Reports 2021 Least Reliable Trucks - GM Dominates?

We have a new list of the 2021 least reliable trucks from Consumer Reports. GM trucks dominate this list and I explain why that might be as well as things to keep in mind for Consumer Reports and complaints. Watch now to see the Chevy Silverado reliability or GMC Sierra reliability as well as the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon.

[michaelwestbrook]

I am a tech (heavy line)for a local Chevy dealer, and the new style engine is completely different, the older 5.3, 6.0, trucks with cylinder deactivation, where only 4 cylinder cut off. Now the new trucks have all cylinder deactivation, which the top of the block is machined different for this, I find it odd how lifter failure has not been listed in any video I’ve seen, and it’s a real and huge problem. I would not recommend the new style Chevy/gmc full size with a 5.3 (L84) at all. I’ve worked for Chevy for a long time and have always been a fan, but the new engine is very disappointing. I’m not trolling, just giving my input from where I see the truck

[g.k.]

2014 LTZ Z71 Silverado owner with 82, 000 miles.  Still original brakes on it and only thing replaced so far was the battery, engine and cabin air filters, headlamps and turn signal lamps.

[officialyasir]

Tim, you already know what you have do next. Interview someone from Consumer Reports and have them explain this stuff.

[warriorwarrior]

I am done with GM forever. I’ve owned 3 new GM trucks and every one of them gave serious problems. I went and bought a new Toyota and no problems.

[shawntyree]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that there is an inverse relationship between the greed of the board members at GM and the reliability of the truck they produce.

[jeffstone]

I believe the 10 speed transmission was developed as a joint venture with Ford and GM. It is used by both companies.

[mfgc]

2017 GMC Canyon with 112k miles, 2.8 Duramax. Bullet proof. Heading from FL to NY state (1300 miles) with my Suncoast 230 boat in tow for the third year. No problem. Eats the miles up and flows with traffic on I95. Can't wait for 2022 Canyon Duramax. I will have it!!!

[jackhammer]

Got both 2019 GMC Denali 6.2 with 55k miles and a 2014 RAM Laramie 5.7 Hemi with 90k miles...love them both got a bit more mileage on the RAM but since I have the Denali I tow my 5500lbs boat more often than I do with the RAM...I can't complain about either truck..I've had to change the battery in the RAM other than that both works great very reliable...I think the key to any vehicle is regular oil changes I never leave mine go to it's change limit I almost cut that in half and change my oil very often and I've had GM and Dodge trucks since the late 80's...Ford I can't sat I never had one but I sure have friends that had issues with the 3.5 ecoboost....when those guys traded they got the 5.0 and that engine seems fine...I don't go by any consumer guides never have I truly believe they have a bias one way or another.

[tarawmaria]

Consumer reports have been bashing Chevy trucks for 40 years. I've had 12 trucks over those years, all chevy. No problems. All over 150000 when I traded them in. Not all will be perfect. Thanks to social networking the bad always gets reported not so much the good. Take care of your truck no matter what make and you should have limited problems. As always, just my opinion.

[rightlanehog]

Tim, I would like to see reliability based on an annual survey and have that annual rating posted side by side with a 10 year average ranking. One year ratings are a snapshot, I want the history as well.

[eyesalooking]

My 2015 Nissan Frontier is a daily driver. Never had a reason to take it to the dealer. It isn't fancy and is the base model king cab.

[michaelcunningham]

It’s interesting how complicated it gets when the choices of models and options get larger.

[danielslater]

The last 5 pickups I've owned have been gm products and have traded before running into the problem of faulty lifters. With the new ones it's not just faulty lifters but also many different electronic failures as well. So I swapped brands. Ram out of the question and so was this 1st gen twin turbo v6 that is in the tundra. So it was between the f150 and titan. I got a lot more for my dollar with the titan and best warranty in class. Very nice, reliable v8 with no cylinder deactivation.

[Miiike]

Regular maintenance, remember- it’s not a Race car and enjoy. Buy what you like and take care of it. Lots of tremendous options/choice for buyers to meet most needs and wants.

[wanderingrickwalters]

I have a 04 silverado with 160 000 miles. Runs like a champ..I love it..

[jimhall]

With 40 years of experience under my belt, looking at fleet maintenance numbers from various trucks and cars, and picking brains of scores of mechanic shop owners and looking at their real world numbers leads me to agree with the reports on Chevrolet, their reliability has been a problem for many years. Ford has seriously upped their game but, if anything, Chevy has gone the other direction.

[mikestronach]

We bought a 2016 gmc Denali. For the wife. It looked great and she liked the ride. We had the 6.2 motor. Paid a bit but was very impressed with it initially. Truck was used for running kids around for hockey and such. Very easy life lol. It all started at around 25000 Kim’s. we hit the remote start and the seat caught on fire. The warmer would not shut off burnt seat gave a great smell to the truck. Around this time we noticed a lot of paint chips. Stopped into dealer. It’s the dirt roads they said hmmmm truck has never been on a dirt road. Oh they said and suggested a $1000 dollar 3m coating. Did we not just pay $70000. At this point the 8 speed transmission had been put in learner mode 3 times. Because it never shifted right. And it never would. There were more recalls than I can remember this morning. Power steering. Brakes. They took out the slider rear window because it was a fire hazard lol. The motor developed a load tick. It was a bent valve road. $5500 repair. About this time all 4 electromagnetic shocks went. They are $3500 here in the frozen north. There was so much I can’t remember. My wife bought a new Honda CRV and loves it. I cannot tell you how financial stress and family stress this truck caused. That was our first GMC. The dealer and GM were like snake oil salesman saying anything and screw you. I have owned a lot of vehicles and this was the worst. If you cannot build and sell $70000 dollar truck and look after your clients you will be bankrupt AGAIN. I know of a lot of people who have had the same experience. The worst quality I have ever seen. Run away. Gm deserves to perish it’s an old tired dinosaur that needs to go.

[terryl]

I’ve been burned twice by GM, not surprised at all.

[markscott]

I had a landscape company and used all Chevy 2500's with the 6.2 v8 they were basic work trucks and they held up very very well no transmission failures and we plowed snow with those trucks which can be hard on any truck no matter the brand. Towed 4500 lbs a day with them full of mowing or landscape equipment. Talking to other competiors, the best story was one where they bought two Ram trucks both blew transmissions at 40K miles, still under warranty, and Ram said no free repair once they saw the plow frames on the truck.

[kentotten]

I absolutely love my 2021 Silverado 1500 LTE and 6.2 engine. Not one issue. 18k miles and tows extremely. Smooth, rugged, powerful. I’ll ignore the trash talk.