Most Reliable Used Midsize Trucks — Ranked by Data
8 midsize trucks ranked on complaint severity, repair costs, recall impact, and issue diversity — each one normalized by sales volume. The 2021 Nissan Frontier tops our rankings with a score of 84/100.
Last updated: 2026-10-10
Most Reliable Used Midsize Trucks Rankings
| # | Vehicle | Best Year | Score | Rating | Recalls | Complaints / 10k | Maint. Rating | Est. Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nissan Frontier | 2021 | 84/100 | Excellent | 0 | 0.0 | 4 | |
| 2 | Chevrolet Colorado | 2020 | 81/100 | Excellent | 0 | 7.4 | 4 | |
| 3 | Honda Ridgeline | 2022 | 78/100 | Good | 2 | 24.8 | 5 | |
| 4 | GMC Canyon | 2020 | 76/100 | Good | 0 | — | 3 | |
| 5 | Ford Ranger | 2022 | 75/100 | Good | 5 | 6.0 | 4 | |
| 6 | Toyota Tacoma | 2021 | 70/100 | Good | 0 | 36.6 | 3.5 | |
| 7 | Hyundai Santa Cruz | 2023 | 64/100 | Good | 2 | 19.9 | 3 | |
| 8 | Jeep Gladiator | 2023 | 51/100 | Mixed | 5 | — | 2 |
Score Comparison
Visual comparison of reliability scores. Longer bars indicate higher reliability.
Model Highlights
1. 2021 Nissan Frontier — 84/100
Used buyers get a solid midsize truck here, with repair costs below the midsize average and a good overall record. The main thing to watch is power train trouble, where trucks suddenly stop accelerating and dealers find no fault code. Model year 2021 is the pick, with no complaints or recalls on file. Most power train reports come from 2019 and 2020.
Best year: 2021 (score: 84/100, 0 recalls, 0 complaints). Average score across all years: 80/100.
2. 2020 Chevrolet Colorado — 81/100
Used Colorados rate well above other trucks, with repair costs close to the midsize average. The 2022 is the year to favor, while the 2023 redesign is the one to avoid because of false automatic emergency braking and blank screens. Across all years, watch for transmission shudder under acceleration and ignition keys that will not come out.
Best year: 2020 (score: 81/100, 0 recalls, 71 complaints). Average score across all years: 78/100.
3. 2022 Honda Ridgeline — 78/100
Good overall and above average among trucks, this midsize pickup is a solid used buy, with 2024 the pick and 2019 the year to skip. The most serious complaints are engine failure from connecting rod bearings, which starts as a knock at startup, and a backup camera that goes black when the tailgate wiring frays. Transmission judder shows up most in 2019.
Best year: 2022 (score: 78/100, 2 recalls, 106 complaints). Average score across all years: 73/100.
4. 2020 GMC Canyon — 76/100
Rated good overall and above average among trucks, the Canyon is a reasonable used buy with repair costs in line with other midsize trucks. The 2024 is the pick, though its headlights can flicker off and on by themselves. Skip the 2023, where the forward collision system brakes hard with nothing ahead, and watch for 8-speed automatic shudder in any year.
Best year: 2020 (score: 76/100, 0 recalls, 13 complaints). Average score across all years: 71/100.
5. 2022 Ford Ranger — 75/100
Used Rangers hold up well and rank above average among trucks. The 2019 model year is the one to skip, mostly for a transmission that shifts hard, slips, or skips gears. The 2022 is the better buy, with far fewer owner complaints. Across all years, power train and electrical faults draw the most reports, including a climate system that blows hot on one side and cold on the other.
Best year: 2022 (score: 75/100, 5 recalls, 34 complaints). Average score across all years: 71/100.
Found Your Next Car? Check Its History
Before you buy, a VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the most reliable used midsize trucks?
- Based on our data, the 2021 Nissan Frontier is the most reliable with a score of 84/100 ("Excellent"). It has 0 recalls and 0 owner complaints.
- How many midsize trucks did we analyze?
- We analyzed 8 models in this category. The average reliability score is 72/100.
- How are reliability scores calculated?
- Every 0–100 score blends complaint severity (35%), repair costs (30%), recall impact (20%), and issue diversity (15%). Complaints are weighted by component type — powertrain and safety issues count more than cosmetic ones — and normalized by sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases via vehicles.dev. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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