Our Trucks Have Issues. Looking At Others, Maybe Not So Bad

[jflogerzi]

My 2023 ranger tremor is the first vehicle i have ever paid for an extended warranty. I'd most likely buy a warranty on any purchase from now on. Always could do wrenching on my rigs but the cost of parts anymore is out of sight.

and with how cheap it is through Granger it's a no brainer

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[TJC]

as a general example you can find info that says a $50k auto will cost between $34k and $38k to make - that represents only material cost and direct labor, other costs that makers incur can include R&D, advertising, overhead (heat. electricity, buildings)

overall auto making is a hugely competitive industry.

I just saw news about US Steel being up for sale, it was once the most valuable company on the planet, Nippon Steel wants to buy it for a mere $14B but the gov opposes the sale.

There is a 50 year old steel mill in Georgetown, SC. Years ago when they expanded, they found they could purchase steel needed for the expansion from overseas for less than they could produce it themselves!

The mill keeps going under, then being sold and going under again. I think that it is presently closed again. But plans are underway to reopen it, if it is not already running again.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Another online article touting the Ranger's overall reliability.

Ranger

Granted, it's on Motorbiscuit which can sometimes be the CNN of automotive "journalism".

But still, I suspect the Ranger is about as good as or better than a lot of the other options out there.

As far as I can tell the 2024 Canyorado trucks are still under a Stop Sale order. Ooof.

As referenced here, the new Tacoma broke under what appeared to be very light use. Ooof.

I've got another year and a half of warranty so, Come On Subaru! Build that Baja Turbo quick!

 

[OrangeStreak]

So we all know the common issues that are lurking on here, with the transmission being the biggest boogieman.

Sometimes it makes you think it might be a good idea to cut bait and grab something else.

A while back I looked at the Hyundai Santa Cruz as it appeared to be a reincarnation of my old beloved Subaru Baja Turbo.

It was nice enough I guess but not quite there.

Anyway, a local dealer had a new Santa Cruz Limited that was loaded with everything for a significant discount off MSRP ($5k+) and my truck still has tradein value that is close to what I paid for it 4 years ago.

So I decided to research the Santa Cruz just as a thought experiment.

Wow. There are approximately 4x as many new Rangers on the road as there are Santa Cruz (Santa Cruzes? Santas Cruz?), yet their forums have MANY more instances of complete failures of the transmission.

The DCT was supposedly fixed by a recall but many have had failures after the recall and with production dates after the factory fix.

One Youtube vlogger with a Santa Cruz used to sing the praises of it. Now his transmission has completely failed at 23k miles. He says that if he knew then what he knows now he would've never bought one with the DCT. Even the new transmission has clunky, jerky shifting that doesn't seem to bode well for longevity.

Other common issues are with the radiator being easily damaged by rocks and road debris ($2k and not covered by warranty), overheating due to the electric thermostat failing ($250 thermostat), entertainment system randomly going completely blank (remove and reinsert fuse into the amp under the driver seat to fix), going into Limp mode and limiting speed to 20-30mph (various causes), and the tailgate falling open while driving (?!?!?).

Needless to say, my interest in a Santa Cruz has waned a bit, regardless of the discount.

I realize that forums are a limited subset of actual owners, but the subsets for their forum vs this one is likely similar.

Maybe Subaru will eventually step up and release a new Baja.

Edit: I checked into the resale values of a Santa Cruz and it's one of the worst vehicles for resale.

A 2023 loaded Limited with 16k miles has the same trade in as my 2019 with 28k miles. Both had similar MSRP.

Hmmm...

Still, I wish they'd sell that one so that I'd stop looking at it ?

Hey! Maybe you know someone looking for one!

Go get it and remove it from my browser history!

2024 Santa Cruz Limited

I like your thinking. I'm going to stay with the Ranger come what may. I am trusting that Ford will get enough complaints about our tranny's and have the integrity to offer a fix or a recall before mine gets into that mileage danger zone. Same tranny in the F-150's so lots of owners to squawk to Ford and create a ruckus about this.

 

[OrangeStreak]

There is a plague of poor quality and bad design decisions forced on all automakers by Gov mandates. The only way around this FUBAR situation is to keep an older auto running in tiptop shape. Best to keep one in the stable at all times. One never knows when the ECO/E.S.G/D.I.E. insanity will finally be put to rest, but expect more of the same until it runs its course.

Things won't settle down until sound engineering principles, job dedication to excellence, honesty, integrity, and a genuine spiritual awakening, take their rightful place in society again.

And this may be a long time coming, as this won't happen until our society hits rock bottom. They didn't call them the "Roaring 20's" for nothing. Then compare the decades of the 30's - the 50's.

Our society has been in descent for decades now and we are staring down an imminent waterfall event. I've been observing this unfolding event for 50 years as it slowly gained momentum, and I think I will live to see that waterfall event. I probably will not live through the coming chaos to see the correction. Too bad. I hate not seeing the ending of a movie!

My advice, purchase a 2012 or earlier auto in pristine condition and enjoy the reliability and simplicity of the design (Some brands can go as new as 2017 such as Mazda). Spend the $$ it takes to get it into new condition, and maintain it. You will be rewarded with an auto you can trust not to leave you on the roadside, or cost you multiple thousands in repair bills.

My 2005 4.0 V6 Ranger has proven itself, as have the 2.3l Rangers. Parts and insurance are cheap and I can maintain it myself. I am keeping it for the long haul.

I know the mid 2000 V8 Crown Vics/Mercurys (2nd generation) were extremely reliable. But there are many other brands/models to choose from.

Choose carefully.

I have considered going back to a 4g Ranger again but there might soon be a shortage of parts (increasing the cost) considering that the 4g was last produced in 2011.

 

[OrangeStreak]

If you live in the south or out west, the drive trains will go long before the bodies.

My wife purchased a basic 1988 Honda Civic (no AC and roll up windows) new in NY state just out of college. She regularly got 45-50 mpg, drove it 15 trouble free years until the rusted floorpan made the car unsafe to drive. The bumper literally had fallen off the car while she was driving it! Took it in and the mechanic told her not to drive it home. The NY salted roads ate literally that car up.

When we talk about the great gas mileage of hybrids, she always brings up her 88 Civic that achieved the same gas mileage as a modern hybrid. I really can't argue with her.

Right. Rust is not much of an issue here in the High Desert and they rarely salt the roads because it is not as much a necessity in most areas of our state because of our lower snowfall table.

 

[Cmar]

Right. Rust is not much of an issue here in the High Desert and they rarely salt the roads because it is not as much a necessity in most areas of our state because of our lower snowfall table.

Yes over here vehicles normally wear out mechanically before they rust out out, because there are only two small corners of Australia where it regularly snows in winter and even then generally only 3- months max. Any vehicle from South or Western Australia can pretty much last forever if you want as a large percentage of those states is desert or at least arid land.

 

[dtech]

Pic of 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, I didn't think they could make the Santa Cruz any uglier but give a round of applause to Hyundai they did a great job.

Ford sold 94,058 Mavericks in 2023, up against Hyundai’s 36,000 deliveries for the Santa Cruz.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Pic of 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, I didn't think they could make the Santa Cruz any uglier but give a round of applause to Hyundai they did a great job.

Ford sold 94,058 Mavericks in 2023, up against Hyundai’s 36,000 deliveries for the Santa Cruz.

I was really hoping the Santa Cruz would do well, as that might entice Subaru to resurrect the Baja Turbo

Here's hoping that the Baja comes back

 

[dtech]

Santa Cruz update, sometimes Jalopnik gets it right :

https://jalopnik.com/whats-the-worst-pickup-truck-ever-made-1851510767

Pic of 2025 Hyundai Santa Cruz, I didn't think they could make the Santa Cruz any uglier but give a round of applause to Hyundai they did a great job.

Ford sold 94,058 Mavericks in 2023, up against Hyundai’s 36,000 deliveries for the Santa Cruz.

 

[mtbikernate]

Here's a nasty recall:

Toyota recalls Tundra trucks, Lexus SUVs over possible engine debris (statesman.com)

I think some aspects of the Santa Cruz look better than the Maverick, but I do agree with Jalopnik on this one in general. I think a 5ft bed is about the shortest I'd be willing to go. I can just squeeze a couple mountain bikes in the bed on fork mounts bolted to a board. I won't drape a bike over the tailgate on a new truck. That's for beaters. So the shorty beds are kindof a nonstarter for me. And I agree that the worst part of the Santa Cruz is how the fuel economy is barely more than what I get in my Ranger (about 2mpg for both, going by the ratings). Certainly not enough to offset the loss of utility. At least a hybrid Maverick's fuel economy sortof offsets that if you're after a daily driver with good economy and a little bed that can haul some outdoor gear and a little bit of landscaping supplies without getting your interior trashed.

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