Half-Ton Pickup Trucks Struggle to Hit 250,000 Miles

Reliability data shows mid-size and heavy-duty trucks outlasting popular full-size models

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A new study analyzing data from 400 million vehicles found that while heavy-duty Detroit trucks and mid-size pickups are excelling at reaching ultra-high mileage, certain popular half-ton full-size trucks like the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 are falling short. Experts suggest this may be due to how these half-ton trucks are used and maintained compared to their more rugged counterparts.

Why it matters

The findings challenge the perception that full-size half-ton trucks are the most durable and long-lasting pickups on the market. This could impact consumer purchase decisions and raise questions about the engineering and capabilities of these popular models compared to their mid-size and heavy-duty counterparts.

The details

The study, conducted by iSeeCars, examined vehicle registration data to determine which models were most likely to reach 250,000 miles. The results showed that heavy-duty Detroit trucks like the Ram 3500 and Ford F-450 Super Duty had the best statistical chances, while certain half-ton trucks like the Ram 1500 and Ford F-150 fell to the bottom of the rankings, losing out to mid-size models like the Honda Ridgeline and Chevrolet Colorado. Experts suggest the discrepancy may be due to how half-ton trucks are often used for tasks that exceed their light-duty design, as well as potential maintenance issues for owners who can't afford more robust heavy-duty models.

  • The latest reliability rankings were published on February 11, 2026.

The players

iSeeCars

A company that analyzed vehicle registration data for 400 million cars and trucks to determine the models most likely to reach 250,000 miles.

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The takeaway

The findings suggest that consumers may need to re-evaluate their assumptions about the durability of popular half-ton pickup trucks, and consider mid-size or heavy-duty models if they plan to keep a vehicle for the long haul and subject it to demanding use. This could impact purchase decisions and lead automakers to further differentiate their light-duty and heavy-duty truck offerings.