How many have been "trouble free"

01Sierra · July 27, 2005

I listen to people all the time bad mouth American vehicles today. Whether it's on the internet, consumer mags, whatever, one of the common beliefs is that American vehicles are not as durable or "trouble free" as their Japanese and German counter parts. Being that this is a truck site, I guess the German counter part isn't an issue. We see a lot of posts from people on here have problems with their trucks, but you don't see people commenting very often about "trouble free" trucks. I'd hope that's mostly a case of the squeaky wheel gets the oil...

I drove a Toyota Tundra during my recent search for a new vehicle. It wasn't half the truck that either of my GMs are. I didn't know at the time of the test drive, but I never could of bought one anyway, I need an EC with a full bed, Toy doesn't make such an animal, niether does Nissan. It was comfortable, but it lacked that solid feel to it. I got it out on the highway, and as soon as it got into OD, there was a really bad vibration. The wheel started to shake at around 45-50. By the time you got it up to 60, the whole truck was shaking like it was in an earthquake. This is the only Japanese product I've ever driven, so I won't condemn the whole line because of one truck that obviously had issues. However, the American made bashers are quick to tell you that their Toys don't have problems and don't brake down...

I had a 98 Dodge that broke down constantly. I literally had to take it in for service at least once a month. It was the biggest POS I've ever owned. Then I bought my 01 HD in 00. I had it until today, and it never saw the inside of a service facility. Gas, oil, wiper blades... that's it. It even still had the original brakes on it. I can only hope that the 04 I bought today gets the same results. More than likely it won't, as anything that is man made is open to problems.

I'd just like to hear from those who've had/still have vehicles that are truly trouble free. I'm betting that there a lot more of us out there that can claim their trucks have been totally trouble free than the American bashers claim. At least, I'm hoping that is the case.

lrymal · July 27, 2005

My '03 Z71 is dependable, but had a lot of warranty issues with the brake rotors. I finally scrapped these and replaced them with PowerSlot rotors and replaced the pads with Performance Friction. Obviously, this was done from my own $$$$$. Can't even count how often the OEM rotors were replaced or adjusted for round-out.

Other than that, the '03 has been "boringly dependable". No events at all.

My '05 has just under 7,000 miles on it (signature below), and it has yet to go into the shop. So far, it has been the "perfect vehicle" and I am exceedingly pleased with it.

kdog55 · July 27, 2005

I just got done leasing a 2000 EC 4x4 5.3 and that truck never seen a service tech. I can only hope that I get the same results from my '05 Sierra EC 2500HD 6.0. I have been a GM fan ever since I was 16 and Dad let me use his GMC. I did test drive the Ford F250 and new Dodge, but they never felt comfortable to me. I would have considered the F250, but Dodge's reputation was just too much of a risk to take for $36000. I truely never even considered a Jap truck.

TieRod · July 27, 2005

I bought a 91' Nissan brand new. I had it for 5 years the suspension had to be redone at 20,000 miles and the engine pop at 33,000 miles and soon after revers went out.

One of my company truck is a 85' Dodge 3/4 4x4 thats had a couple tune ups and thats it. Still has the original carb on it.

Another one of my company trucks is a 91' Chevy 2wd 1/2 It's had the low presser switch replaced on the A/C and thats it. At Christmas I did the first tune up its ever gotten. Two of the spark plugs where almost seized in the head I had to work them back and forth to get them out.

Don't be fooled the German's are have a major quality control problem right now.

Wingnut · July 27, 2005

My '92 has 150k (or so) miles on it, and nothing major has broken.

I've replaced the starter, the alternator, the battery, and the battery cable on it once...But I expect that on any vehicle that's more than 10 years old...And the idler arm/pittman arm, but those were probably due to over-sized tires.

I had an '89 reg cab long bed with a 305 in it, that I racked up well over 300k miles on. It had been rolled up onto the right side, and had a cracked head gasket when I sold it, and that dude drove off smoking the tires. That was easily the best truck I've ever owned, and probably why I'm such a Chevy fan.

My '02 kicks 37 kinds of ass. Nothing major wrong with it at 70k miles.

Of course, I'm not one to get too spun-up about a lot of little things like some people do. If the truck starts and gets me to where I need to be...And as long as my ass-crease in the drivers seat doesn't get deformed...I'm a happy man.

MS3DALE · July 27, 2005

All of my past 7 trucks........

'83 S10 4X4 Reg.Cab

'91 S10 4X4 Reg.Cab

'93 K1500 Z71 Reg.Cab

'94 S10 4X4 Reg.Cab "ZR2"

'94 K1500 Z71 Ext.Cab

'97 K1500 Z71 Ext.Cab

'99 K1500 Z71 Ext.Cab

Were all dependable trucks and never left me stranded,No major issues,And so far my '04 has been great!

1BADHD · July 27, 2005

The worst that has happened to the HD so far was the water pump gaskets needed replaced.

silverado3500 · July 28, 2005

89 C-1500 extended cab (best friend's mom's) 190,000 miles, and worst problem was a water pump about 3 months ago, and the peeling paint issue.

my 2000 C-3500 has 80k on the clock, only issues so far was an upper ball joint, and an idler arm (goes with running oversize tires), and a fuel pressure regulator,

even my Ford is being great. 140,000, only issue to date: 18 dollar vechicle speed sensor that took all of 5 mins to change, and the clutch throwout bearing is finally wearing out.

a friends 85 dodge ram 150 5.2 (318) actual mileage unknown (odometer broke a little after 350,000 miles. only thing replaced to date is a water pump, and a some radiator hoses

IMO if you properly maintain your vehicle, most will last you forever.

01Sierra · July 28, 2005

IMO if you properly maintain your vehicle, most will last you forever.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In theory, I agree with that. However, there are certainly some problem vehicles out there. Like I said earlier in this thread, I had a Dodge that was just unreal as far as breaking down. I've read a lot of posts about people having major problems with new trucks though (all makes). IMO, I think one of the reasons why people say our trucks aren't as well made as the Jap trucks is because they focus on those who do have the major problems and somewhat ignore the people who've had trouble free pickups. The only thing is, how many Jap trucks are on the road vs. American? I don't know the numbers, but I'd be willing to bet American made full size trucks outnumber Jap trucks by a huge margin. They're gaining ground in the light duty area, but they don't even make anything comparable to our HD's (yet anyway, Toyota is supposed to be coming out with a 2500 truck). Anyway, since the are so many American trucks on the road, the amount of problems are bound to be higher as well. There's still a lot of 70's model trucks on the road and running quite well. I doubt the Tundras and Titans will still have a large amount of good running trucks still on the road after 30 years of service. Then again, most of their trucks are used as grocery haulers, so they might...

99-2door · July 28, 2005

I haven't had one problem with my Tahoe.

When I got it neither of the front door power locks worked. I replaced the actuators and haven't had any trouble since.

I've upgraded lots of items, but haven't had to replace anything because of failure yet.

Z71-cummins · July 28, 2005

I have a 1989 silervado with listen to this an impressive 75,000 miles on it that has had no problems but does need the idler and pitman arm relpaced cause of how old it is lol. The truck is so dependable and this truck aint some grocery hauler it had the biggest motor availe in that time for a 1500 put in the legend lol 5.7 and d**n i love that engine it might be old but it can peel out of anywhere. This truck has pulled campers and my grandads john deere tractor with bushhog that 5.7 works wonders i believe. I also have a 94 S-10 only trouble that i have had with it was the clutch went out around 95,000 miles and it hasnt been the same since problems keepin poppin back up with the clutch now but it still works wonder and i hate the car magazines when they bash our american trucks and esp the 4.3 v-6 they say it has no power BAH! that thing has a good bit of power and i liekd/loved my little S-10. Also whats the deal with the car magazines always doing super cars or s**t liek that. Why cant they do normal cars and truck now the bugatii W-12 multimillion dollar car.lol

well thats long enough for me.

Chevyfreek · July 28, 2005

My 01' HD has 105,000 miles on it and so far no major problems what so ever. The truck is stock accept for the 265 nitto tires and a Westers Tune that I have had for over 70,000 miles. My truck used to see a lot of highway miles with my commute to work carpooling with the girlfriend. We recently purchased an 05' Cobalt sedan for this task now, taking advantage of the employee pricing from GM. Over 30 mpg is just more practical with all of the driving we do. Back to my truck though, again no major problems, still has the factory brakes as well. I did put Edelbrock Performer shocks on my truck because the factory ones are terrible, other than that everything has been great. I hope to get many more years of service out of this truck, of course I am expecting to see the usual maintainence items though. All in all I am more than pleased with my Chevy HD...

Superman TNT · July 28, 2005

Like most others I have had many trucks. Long, long ago in college I did have a Mazda B2000. I bought it because it was super cheap and got great gas milage. It was also extreamly dependable. Other than that truck I have always had Chevy trucks. I have had 3 Ford cars and after that I will never buy another Ford product. They are cheaper up front but the long term cost will kill you. GM's cost a little more up front but long term they have been so much more reliable than any other car or truck I have driven.

When I bought my new 04 2500HD I did test drive the Dodge. I really liked a number of thing about it, the size and many of the options are smart and very usable. However the tranny problems I always hear about with Dodge scared me away. On top of that the "Hemi" gets worse gas milage than my 8.1L with the Ally. Ya, the Hemi has a lot of power . . . for that size engine. However that Hemi can't touch my 496 for towing power which is what I need. Tow rating on the Dodge was pretty weak. The dealer even told me that was a power statement but a tranny statement.

I get fustrated with GM, their lack of staying current with technology like iPod interfaces, MP3 playing ability, BlueTooth enabled, etc.... but the base function of the GM product is far better than everyone else in this catagory/class of vehicle.

Jap and German's . . . lets see them pull my 10,000lb 5th wheel. Ya . . . right. I blow by Toy's pulling campers half the size of mine all the time on the interstate.

snyps · July 28, 2005

Mines been trouble free all the way.. Wait, I havn't picked it up from the dealer. I'll have to let you know tommorow at 12:00..

MrStaggrLee · July 28, 2005

My first 04 Silverado SS leaked oil right off the dealer lot(cross threaded oil pressure switch from the factory). It all went down hill after that. I got a lemon law attorney which forced GM to repurchase the truck back. I decided to go with another 04 Silverado SS. This one is definatley better but still had issues initially. My most recent problem was a leaking master cylinder. This occured at 9k miles. The previous ones were noisy instrument panel clusters 2 times. Dim message center 1 time. Faded radio control buttons. Steering shaft. Tailgate cables. Drivers side lumbar supports noisy. Loose steering column bearings(fixed myself). Defective manual climate control head lighting. Hopefully the list will end.