Truck engines are supposed to be the tough part of the package, yet some designs have produced lawsuits, extended warranties and four-figure repair bills. Diesel fuel pumps, injectors and turbochargers account for many of the cases, while a few gasoline engines earned their bad names through oil burning and head gaskets. Here are twelve pickups whose engines have drawn legal action or a poor reputation.
Save more, waste less: The Cool Down’s newsletter sends smart, simple changes that help you and the planet in your everyday life.
We may earn a commission if you sign up.
1. Ford Super Duty (2011-2023, 6.7L Power Stroke): Class Status Granted
A court granted class status on Sept. 30, 2026 to Ford Super Duty owners with the 6.7L Power Stroke, as reported by Autoblog’s class-action story. Those owners face repair costs described as “upwards of $9,000” for failed Bosch CP4 fuel pumps.
Owners of 2011 through 2023 Super Duty diesels should keep every service and repair record in case claims open up. Shoppers considering a used example can ask whether the pump has already been replaced and what the repair invoice covered.
2. Nissan Titan XD (5.0L Cummins V8): Turbo Bills Top Five Figures
Owners of the Nissan Titan XD with the 5.0L Cummins V8 report bills “north of $10,000” to replace the low-pressure turbocharger, according to Jalopnik’s diesel reliability piece. The cost makes that single component one of the pricier repairs in this gallery.
Buyers of a used Titan XD should ask whether the turbocharger has been serviced and what warranty remains. A pre-purchase inspection by a diesel specialist is a sensible expense on a truck facing a bill of that size.
3. Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD (2011-2016, LML Duramax): CP4 Near 100,000 Miles
On the 2011 through 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD with the LML Duramax, SlashGear’s CP4 pump report says CP4 pumps tend to fail near 100,000 miles. A full shop repair out of warranty can run “nearly $10K.”
A truck approaching that mileage deserves attention to fuel quality and filter changes, which are commonly cited as ways to protect high-pressure pumps. Ask for records of fuel-system work before buying a high-mileage Duramax.
4. Ram 1500 EcoDiesel (2014-2016): Emissions Settlement
Fiat Chrysler paid $800 million to settle emissions-cheating claims covering roughly 104,000 Ram 1500s and Grand Cherokees, per Consumer Reports’ settlement coverage. The claims involved the 2014 through 2016 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel.
This case concerned emissions compliance and not engine breakage, so it differs from most entries here. Owners of EcoDiesel trucks should confirm that any settlement-related repair has been completed, and shoppers can verify the status by VIN at NHTSA.
5. Ram 2500 (2019-2020, 6.7L Cummins): Failure-Prone Pump
The 2019 through 2020 Ram 2500 with the 6.7L Cummins used the failure-prone CP4 pump, and SlashGear’s diesel pump article says a shop fix can approach $10,000. That makes a pump failure a serious ownership expense.
Ram 2500 buyers should check whether the pump was replaced or upgraded, and what the remaining warranty covers. Sticking with a regular fuel filter schedule and good-quality diesel is usually advised for these high-pressure systems.
6. Jeep Gladiator (3.0L EcoDiesel): Conversion Kit Costs
The Ram and Jeep 3.0L diesel used the CP4 pump through 2023, and SlashGear’s CP4 coverage says that CP3 conversion kits alone “can cost upward of $4,000.” That figure applies to the Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel, before any labor is added.
Gladiator diesel shoppers should ask whether the pump has shown any symptoms and review the warranty on the fuel system. An independent diesel shop can explain what a conversion would involve for a specific truck.
7. Chevrolet C/K (1978-1985, 5.7L diesel V8): Cracked Before 100,000
GM’s 5.7 diesel in the 1978 through 1985 Chevrolet C/K “frequently cracked before 100,000 miles,” says Gadget Review’s engine list. The engine also struggled to make 120 horsepower, a weak showing even for its era.
Collectors and restorers who find a C/K with this diesel should look for evidence of past engine replacement. Many owners swap in other powerplants, so the engine under the hood may not be original. A numbers-matching claim should be verified.
8. GMC Sierra 2500HD (2001-2004, LB7 Duramax): Seven-Year Injector Coverage
Injector failures on the 2001 through 2004 GMC Sierra 2500HD with the LB7 Duramax led GM to extend the injector warranty to seven years or 200,000 miles, according to a Stacker diesel feature. The source article is a list of reliable diesel pickups.
Because that coverage window has passed on nearly every truck of this age, buyers should ask whether the injectors were replaced. Records of the work show the question has been handled already.
9. GMC Sierra 1500 (5.3L L84 / 6.2L L87 V8): Lifter Lawsuit Pending
A valve-lifter class action over GM’s cylinder-deactivation V8s, covering the GMC Sierra 1500 with the 5.3L L84 or 6.2L L87, has been pending in federal court in Michigan since December 2021, per Pickup Truck Talk’s lawsuit update. Owners allege lifter trouble.
Owners of these trucks should keep service records and note any ticking or misfire symptoms. Shoppers can ask whether the lifters have been replaced, and check the remaining powertrain warranty first.
10. Dodge Dakota (3.7L Magnum V6): A Quart Every 1,000 Miles
The Dodge Dakota with the 3.7L Magnum V6 is known to burn “a quart every 1,000 miles” despite its 210 horsepower, says Gadget Review’s worst-engines list. Heavy oil consumption is a common symptom worth monitoring.
A buyer should check the oil level at the start and end of a test drive and ask the owner about top-off habits. Low oil can damage an engine quickly, so frequent checks matter on a truck like this.
11. Toyota pickup (3.0L 3VZ-E V6): Head Gasket Headaches
The Toyota pickup with the 3.0L 3VZ-E V6 earned a place on Gadget Review’s engine ranking because head gaskets commonly failed after 100,000 miles. The engine made a meager 150 horsepower, so the reliability complaint came with modest performance.
Anyone looking at an older Toyota pickup with that V6 should ask about head gasket history. Signs such as coolant loss or white exhaust smoke deserve a close inspection before money changes hands.
12. Chevrolet Colorado (first generation, Atlas five-cylinder): Sixth Worst Engine
The first-generation Chevrolet Colorado’s Atlas five-cylinder ranks sixth on a list of the 14 worst truck engines ever built, according to Gadget Review’s list. The ranking is a retrospective judgment on the engine rather than a recall or settlement.
Buyers of an early Colorado can learn more by asking for maintenance records and inspecting for leaks. Because the source offers no specific failure figure here, a pre-purchase inspection is the best way to gauge a particular truck.
Save more, waste less: Subscribe to The Cool Down →
We may earn a commission if you sign up.
More from Morning Overview
- Shaq spent $1.3 million on three Rolls-Royce Phantoms to prove a point to a salesman
- The Justice Department asked courts to undo approvals for three offshore wind farms, one already making power
- Over 20 trillion gallons of rain fell on the Four Corners states and Nevada in two weeks
- 11 engines built to run well past 200,000 miles
