Myths and Legends - Toyota reliability

[Ronbo]

Somewhat of a dated article (March 2022), but Consumer Reports, which has never been kind to the Ford Ranger, finally comes out with a reliability ranking which puts the Ford Ranger and Honda Ridgeline tied for most reliable mid sized truck. Tacoma comes in 3rd, and the Gladiator, dead last after the Colorado, Canyon and Frontier. The Ranger and Ridgeline have a predicted reliability rating of “Above Average”, while the Tacoma is rated as “Average”. Gladiator is rated poor. When you consider the fact that the Ranger and Ridgeline are really two different types of trucks, i.e., Rangers’ body on frame versus the Ridgelines’ Unibody construction, it makes the Ford Rangers high rating even more impressive, especially given CR’s past disdain for American trucks.

While I will admit that the Tacoma is a decent truck, and it is still the top seller, it is not the mythical “most reliable” that it has been branded as, and which has kept their values so high.

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[Frenchy]

Unless there are some bugs to work out with the new body frontier I'm curious as to what makes them not reliable? My 2016 was great when I had it. When I worked at nissan dealers they usually never came in except for maintenance. The only exception was at the higher miles when the cam and crank sensors started to fail(yes that was about normal for all nissan vehicles with over 100K on them).

 

[NotBudule]

lots of those rankings are based just on questions to the owners of what they liked / didn't like , I'd be curious as to the numbers or percentage of trucks that actually went in for drivability repairs... I poke fun at other trucks but I would be happy as hell to have any of them actually... well , not now , but before... Toyota has some pretty bold colors right now , imo...

 

[AzScorpion]

Yup the Toyota's top ranking has taken a tumble recently. But just like everyone else I'm guessing it's because of the supply chain issues. The Admin posted this thread below 2 weeks ago from J D Edwards showing the Ranger is ranked the highest in vehicle quality and we all know there's been issues with it too. Just not as many as all the others which is a good thing. Hopefully these constraints can get worked out over the next couple years and things can get back to even somewhat "normal" again!

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/thre...t-in-j-d-power-initial-vehicle-quality.20553/

 

[JohnnyO]

The Toyotas from about 10 years ago had problems with the frames rusting and breaking in half after just a few years.

 

[myothercarizahearse]

The Toyotas from about 10 years ago had problems with the frames rusting and breaking in half after just a few years.

but the engine kept going and THAT is what matters.... right?

 

[deleriumtremor]

My wife's 2019 Hylander Hybrid has been trouble free. We did have to return it for a recall on the fuel pump, but it was replaced before any failures while we were driving it.

A funny aside was when we brought it in to the dealer for the pump recall, the service advisor said it had too much gas to do the pump exchange. I said, "so you want us to drive it around until the gas is low in the tank, or the fuel pump quits on the freeway, whichever comes first?" I suspect they actually had some containers to store the gas in as they went ahead and did the work...

 

[WNCblueridge]

Unless there are some bugs to work out with the new body frontier I'm curious as to what makes them not reliable? My 2016 was great when I had it. When I worked at nissan dealers they usually never came in except for maintenance. The only exception was at the higher miles when the cam and crank sensors started to fail(yes that was about normal for all nissan vehicles with over 100K on them).

Nissan is solid truck.Still driving the 09 Frontier with no issues at 114k miles. Wont ever sell that truck. Hoping the Ranger us just as reliable but time will tell

 

[pbethel]

Compared to the cars/trucks of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s they are all trouble free.

 

[NotBudule]

Really, the only trucks I have herd to "stay away from" for the last several years , is the GM twins , several people at work have had them and most had issues , transmission in a few I believe ...

 

[dtech]

" The Toyota Camry was one of the best-selling cars of the 1990s and remained the top-selling car for 19 consecutive years once it hit the charts. Calling it one of the most reliable cars of the 90s is an understatement. "
ok so there is your legend, some say "overengineered" but at one time Toyota set the standard for reliability. Other makers have improved and it's likely Toyota has slipped some but you still see Lexus and Toyota vehicles routinely in the top 10 vehicles that people keep the longest.
And the Taco - gotta be a big time cash cow for Toyota, sales remain way ahead of other mid sized trucks with a badly outdated design. So there is your myth - that the best product will rise to the top of the sales charts.

 

[JohnnyO]

but the engine kept going and THAT is what matters.... right?

Yup.

 

[brroberts]

My 2016 Toyota Corolla has been the most reliable vehicle I’ve ever bought. My 2002 Subaru Outback Sport was the absolute biggest piece of junk. I will never own another Subaru. My Ranger is too new to know, but already has been less reliable than the Corolla. My ‘98 Chevy 2500 has been good, but I have had to fix some bolt on parts, nothing major. That’s the last two trucks, I have both, and the last two cars. The Subbie was running on 3 cylinders when I got rid of it.

 

[DonB]

The technicals in all the different 'Stans are happy with them, so that's a point in their favor

 

[9zero1790]

Really, the only trucks I have herd to "stay away from" for the last several years , is the GM twins , several people at work have had them and most had issues , transmission in a few I believe ...

my brother has a 2019 silverado, already on 2nd transmission under 100k. had some electrical issues too.

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