“They don’t make’em like that anymore.” “I won’t buy anything built in Detroit after the bailout.” “You can’t count on these new pickups.” We bet you’ve heard people repeating these phrases so many times, they’re like a mantra. It’s easy to write these concerns off as “back in my day” bellyaching, but a Ram 1500 costs around $691 a year in maintenance, according to RepairPal, while a Nissan Frontier costs only $470. That suggests it’s not just nostalgia talking.
To give new domestic trucks like the 2026 Ford F-150 a fair shake, we’ll want to look at the recent recalls and mechanical failures that have people raising this issue in the first place. We’ll want to see how these pickups actually compare to older generations, as well as imported trucks from brands like Honda and Nissan. Let’s get into it.
Mechanical Failure: Worrying Trend, Or Just A Bunch Of Isolated Incidents?
In the last decade or so, we’ve seen plenty of major mechanical issues affecting thousands of domestic pickups. To go over some of the big ones.
EcoTec V8 Lifter Failure
The 5.3-liter EcoTec L84 V8 found in some Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks, starting with the 2019 model year, has generated many complaints due to issues with its AFM/DFM lifters. These are the fuel-management lifters that selectively shut down cylinders, allowing the engine to operate as a four-cylinder when you don’t need as much power. The problem is that carbon buildup or even slight drops in oil pressure can cause the lifter to stick in a collapsed state.
A persuasive theory on the matter comes to us courtesy of Torque News, which points the blame at the High-Pressure Die-Casting for the engine blocks and internal components. HPDC aims to produce lightweight components to reduce curb weight and meet emissions standards, but the result is a more porous aluminum, making it more prone to issues like carbon buildup.
Jerky Down-Shifting In The New Ford F-150
The 14th-generation Ford F-150’s 10-speed automatic transmission has been noted for jerky shifting. Taking a look at the 2024 model, for example, we found 167 complaints on the truck’s NHTSA page, with 46 powertrain-related issues on file. One driver reports “very hard downshifting at low speeds.” Another reports “occasional hard downshift for no reason,” noting that the truck jerks slightly when this occurs.
A small recall was issued for 269 trucks, dated 2024 to 2025, to address issues with the reverse and neutral gears. Still, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration page lists no recall for these seemingly common downshifting issues, although an investigation was opened last year.
According to RepairPal, common transmission jobs for the 14th-gen F-150 include trans shift cable replacements ($299 to $364) and fluid leak inspections ($61 to $90).
Electrical Issues Are Almost Guaranteed At This Point
While rarely as concerning as major engine and transmission issues, the increased electrification of even the most stripped-down work truck means that electrical hiccups are practically a feature at this point, rather than a bug.
The fifth-gen Ram 1500 has generated reports on CarComplaints for backup cameras blinking out, Uconnect systems restarting every two minutes, radio cluster failure, and every single warning light blinking on for no apparent reason.
EcoBoost Carbon Buildup
According to Ford Authority, drivers typically see carbon buildup in the 3.5-liter EcoBoost start to accumulate at around 125,000 miles, primarily around the intake port and the valves. The newest of these engines are less likely to suffer this issue, but it’s pretty common in 12th-gen (2009-2014) and early 14th-gen (2015-2022) Ford F-150s.
If nothing else, this collection of major issues at least proves that the three biggest American truck platforms are either prone to major mechanical failure, or so overloaded with gadgets that your touchscreen will spend more time being updated and patched than it will being used.
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
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