Pickup Trucks with the Highest Repair Costs
The expense of repairs and upkeep is rarely the first thing discussed at the dealership. While the sticker price tends to grab the most attention, the money you’ll save on repairs over a pickup truck’s lifetime can really determine if you’re getting a good deal. According to CarEdge’s list of Most Expensive Cars to Maintain, the following pickup trucks might have you reaching for your wallet more often than you’d like.
Dodge Ram 3500
The Dodge Ram 3500 tops the list. Over a decade, repair costs are estimated to reach around $26,900. According to CarEdge data, this is significantly higher than the industry average for heavy-duty models, by $8,033.
Furthermore, there’s a 79.19% chance the 3500 will require a major repair — almost 25% worse than comparable vehicles.
Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel
Another truck that’s known for expensive maintenance is the Dodge Ram 2500 diesel engine. Data from CarEdge suggests that average repair and maintenance costs could hit $26,665 during the first 10 years.
“The Cummins engine is fantastic, but you can count on costly repairs for just about everything else,” said Melanie Musson, auto industry expert with CarInsurance.org. “A rebuilt transmission will cost around $5,000 if your transmission fails. The 2500 diesel is prone to injectors going bad and replacing those will cost as much as $4,000.”
Musson also noted that malfunctioning power locks and windows are common issues, costing a couple hundred dollars to fix. “It’s a fairly easy fix, but the problem often repeats itself,” she added.
Ford F-250 SuperDuty
The Ford F-250 SuperDuty is a strong truck with plenty of power, but it could cost you $15,636 for maintenance and repairs in its initial 10 years of service, according to CarEdge.
“Diesel trucks are tough, but their heavy-duty parts cost a lot of money to repair and replace,” Musson said. The F-250 is prone to EGR issues.
Musson explained that because of this many owners give up their warranty to get rid of the EGR. The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system recirculates exhaust fumes to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. She added, “The high-pressure fuel pump is prone to problems and it could cost a fortune to replace. The pump itself could cost $1,000, but if you need to replace the entire fuel system, you could be facing a bill of over $10,000.”
Chevrolet Silverado 1500
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 often has issues with its infotainment system and could cost $10,618 for maintenance and repairs during the first 10 years, per CarEdge data.
“It’s surprising how something that wasn’t even an option 20 years ago is now a critical and costly component,” Musson said. “When it fails, you can expect to pay $500 to $1,000.”
Engine problems are another expensive issue. “The Silverado engine is problematic and if you run into issues with it, you should expect to spend at least $1,000 for repairs,” Musson added.
