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While the pickup truck market still offers several unstoppable workhorses, many new pickups fail to live up to these expectations.

Although they were originally developed to serve as workhorses, trucks have grown beyond farm produce hauling machines. Modern trucks, especially, come in all shapes and sizes and are used for just about anything. Used by millions of people as their personal transportation, modern trucks are also loaded with family-friendly features. Whether it is used as a workhorse or a family hauler, having a reliable truck makes life easier.

Few things are as frustrating as having your truck break down in the middle of nowhere, especially off the beaten trail. That is why most manufacturers have fine-tuned the art of making dependable trucks. Built like tanks, these models can put in miles and miles of work or play without breaking down. Unfortunately, all trucks are not built the same. All you will get from the ones with serious reliability issues will be frustration and expensive repairs. That said, we present five modern trucks that never break down and five we would avoid by a wide margin.

For the past 22 years, Toyota's full-size workhorse has impressed fans with its reliability. Although it doesn't sell as well as the Chevrolet Silverado and the Ford F-150, the Tundra is built to last. It can easily rack up 300,000 miles on the meter if well maintained.

After years of refinement, it entered 2022 fully redesigned and better than ever. Capable of towing 12,000 pounds, it is powered either by a twin-turbo V6 gas engine or a hybrid unit with an output of 437 hp.

Although the F-150 is an impressive truck with powerful engines and class-leading towing and hauling capabilities, it hasn't done so well in terms of reliability. Some model years like 2004, have been more problematic than most.

In a lifetime of build quality issues, it has racked up 16 recalls over faulty headlamps, and the risk of fires from leaking fuel, among others. The long lineup of complaints covered everything from windows that don't roll up, to transmission failure and engine failure. Furthermore, there were complaints of spark plugs breaking off in the head or popping out of the head.

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The Ram 1500 is one of the most desirable full-size trucks on the market. It offers a luxurious interior, class-leading ride quality, and a good powertrain warranty which it often outlives. Also on offer is a range of potent powerplants and a towing capacity of 12,750 pounds.

Furthermore, it doesn't miss a beat when the terrain turns rough. Above all, in terms of reliability, this rugged Ram locks horns with the best wheels in the segment. J. D. Power gives it a great ranking of 86 on a scale of 1-100.

Like the mechanically-similar Chevrolet Colorado, the GMC Canyon has comfortable seats, composed ride/handling, and a stout towing capacity. However, in the 2015 model at least, that is where the fun ended. Not too long after its arrival, evidence of its sloppy build sprang up as incorrectly wired driver airbag connections.

It has also been recalled over poorly-secured seat-frame attachment hooks and fire risk from a leaking fuel line. There were numerous complaints of power steering failure and transmissions that didn't shift properly. In addition, it had brake issues and severe engine problems.

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Constructed from high-strength steel, the Chevy Silverado 1500 is not only durable but is also a very capable workhorse. With its sturdy build quality, it can deliver years of unfailing service and run for more than 300,000 miles when properly maintained.

Given the appropriate equipment, and depending on the configuration, it can tow a maximum of 13,300 pounds. It comes with some of the best safety tech like a semi-autonomous highway driving mode and seats that warn the driver of potential hazards. The Trail Boss and ZR2 trims also display excellent offroad chops.

Without a doubt, the bold-looking Chevrolet Silverado 2500 is not for the faint-hearted. Built for work, it can tow an impressive 18,500 pounds thanks to an optional diesel engine rated at 445 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque. Although it is one of Chevrolet's most durable models, the Silverado 2500 has had its bad years.

The 2015 model, for instance, had so many reliability woes that it had to be recalled 18 times by NHTSA. Prominent on its list of issues was steering that locked up at low speeds. It also had troublesome brakes, transmission, drivetrain, fuel system, and electrical system.

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Slotted between the F-150 and Maverick on Ford's truck lineup, the Ranger is a compact SUV with many good features. Under the hood, it sports a 270 hp 2.3-liter turbo-4 engine that produces good acceleration even with a trailer in tow.

With a maximum towing capacity of 7,500 lbs, it can tow your favorite toy and haul enough gear for your next adventure. Furthermore, the Ranger can hold its own on rough terrain. If it is well cared for, this stout workhorse can last for more than 20 years and withstand up to 300,000 miles of use.

The Toyota Tacoma is a compact pickup truck that impresses with a long list of standard tech features and fantastic off-road capabilities. It has harsh ride quality and a weak base engine with below-average gas mileage. Tacoma models from 2005 to 2009 are renowned for the sheer number of reliability issues they came with.

Between June 2009 and June 2016, the 2009 Tacoma was recalled 13 times by the NHTSA. On the considerable list of complaints from owners were those about overheating and cracking parking lights. Others included peeling paint, chattering noise from the engine, and shakes when the transmission shifted gears.

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The Colorado competes in the compact truck segment with models like the Honda Ridgeline, Ford Ranger, and the Toyota Tacoma. It is a fine choice of a truck that does well either for work or for play. One of its selling points is the class-leading towing capacity of 7,700 pounds when properly equipped.

For a truck, it handles superbly and exhibits minimal body lean around turns. In addition, when the pavement ends, it also shines with impressive offroad chops. With little besides following the recommended maintenance schedule, the Chevy Colorado will last for a very long time.

The Ram 1500 is one of the most dependable and most popular full-size trucks on the market. Boasting a luxurious cabin, outstanding ride quality, and brawny power options, it is one of the top sellers on the market. However, we can't deny that certain model years were simply horrible.

Although it came with several attractive features, the 2014 model also had serious reliability issues. The transmission developed all kinds of problems including shifting out of drive while driving. Apart from being notorious for premature rusting, the 2014 Ram 1500 also suffered power steering failures and stalling engines.

Jay Moren is a car enthusiast who loves everything with an engine. When he's not writing about cars, he plays the saxophone and keyboard. He also plays as a goalkeeper for a non-league side in his native Nigeria