There Are Hardly Any Complaints About 2021 Pickup Truck Models

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Although there are some complaints about 2021 pickup truck models shown on CarComplaints.com, there aren’t many. Furthermore, most trucks don’t have any complaints filed yet. Sure, there may be some models racking up complaints for the 2020 model year. But overall, people haven’t complained much about any 2021 pickup truck models. 

2021 Ford F-150 | Ford

The most complained about trucks are the 2021 Chevy Silverado and the 2021 Jeep Gladiator. However, each of those trucks has few total complaints and under five areas of concern. Other trucks still have a pretty clean slate. 

The complaints haven’t added up to specific problems yet 

The 2021 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E pickup truck model driving across a snowy plain as the sun rises over a mountain
2021 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E | American Honda Motor Co., Inc

There may be a few complaints filed on the 2021 Ford F-Series, Ram trucks, even the Honda Ridgeline. However, there aren’t enough in any of the categories to qualify as an official model year problem. There are complaints, sure, just not necessarily enough complaints to garner our attention yet. 

For example, the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 has some complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). On CarComplaints.com, we can see these complaints listed. There are seven for engine problems and four for electrical problems in the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500. However, there aren’t any official problems because there simply aren’t enough complaints about any one issue to consider it a problem yet. 

Are there any complaints about the 2021 Ford F-150 yet? 

A grey 2021 Ford F-150 pickup truck model parked in grass on a cloudy day
2021 Ford F-150 XLT | Ford

The 2021 Ford F-150 also has a few complaints. That said, it does not have any official problems noted on CarComplaints.com. There have been some NHTSA complaints for the electrical system (5), brakes (5), and other miscellaneous problems (4). However, there aren’t any official problems reported yet for the 2021 Ford F-150. 

It’s pretty clear to see that this early in the game it can be difficult to discern just what problems 2021 pickup truck models may have. Sure, we can always look at past models. But what about fresh generation trucks like the 2021 Ford F-150? With new components and updated platforms, the guessing game in terms of what problems a model may face becomes more complicated. 

Almost every 2021 pickup truck model has at least a few complaints on file

an orange 2021 Chevy Colorado on display at an indoor auto show
Chevrolet Colorado on display | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

On CarComplaints.com, nearly every single 2021 truck model has at least a few complaints submitted for one problem or another. The 2021 Chevy Colorado has only 9 total complaints. These are primarily for drivetrain problems and issues with interior accessories. 

Then there’s the 2021 GMC Canyon. This small pickup truck only has 1 complaint overall. The single complaint for the 2021 GMC Canyon is about seat belt/airbag problems. Additionally, the popular and well-loved Toyota Tacoma has 13 overall complaints. 

Are there any pickup trucks without any owner complaints? 

A white 2021 Toyota Tundra pickup truck model driving through the woods.
2021 Toyota Tundra | Toyota

Other trucks like the 2021 Ram 1500, 2021 Nissan Frontier, 2021 Nissan Titan, and 2021 Honda Ridgeline don’t have any complaints. However, there isn’t a published area for the 2021 model year for any of these trucks on CarComplaints.com. It’s entirely unclear whether this is due to there actually being zero complaints, technical service bulletins, etc. or whether there are actually not any owners that have complained. 

In fact, the 2021 Toyota Tundra has a 2021 page. This is the only truck on CarComplaints.com with an actual page for the 2021 model year without any complaints on file. So if the no 2021 complaints award goes to any truck, the 2021 Toyota Tundra wins outright.

RELATED: The Most Satisfying 2021 Toyota Models According to Consumer Reports

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The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport Got Slaughtered By the 2021 Subaru Forester on Consumer Reports

by Gabrielle DeSantis

While the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport isn’t the real Ford Bronco, it was still a highly anticipated SUV. Its killer styling, competent chassis, and solid four-wheel-drive system have many customers very excited to drive their new Bronco Sport. However, after multiple recalls already and a very stout competition pool the Bronco Sport might be heading for struggles. Consumer Reports confirm the struggles after the 2021 Subaru Forester absolutely crushed the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. 

2021 Ford Bronco Sport | Ford

Why did the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport do so poorly on Consumer Reports? 

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport was never going to be a show stopper. The whole purpose was for Ford to offer a cheaper alternative to the main attraction, the bigger, better equipped 2021 Ford Bronco. For this reason, it was never going to compete with Jeep Wranglers, 4Runners, or the bigger Bronco. The Bronco Sport has to contend with some of the most popular and best segments in the automotive industry – the crossover and midsize SUVs – like the 2021 Subaru Forester. 

The 2021 Bronco Sport received a 60/100 on Consumer Reports overall rating. As with most cars with a rough overall score, the Bronco Sport got hit hard on its predicted reliability. Ford used the Escape as the base for the outdoorsy off-roader. Unfortunately for the Bronco Sport’s sake, it has inherited the Ford Escape’s poor reliability history. This shows in the fact that the Bronco Sport has already seen three recalls in its short time in the wild. 

How does the Ford Bronco Sport compare to the 2021 Subaru Forester? 

A white 2021 Subaru Forester driving with a bicycle on top crushed it on Consumer Reports
2021 Subaru Forester | Subaru

The 2021 Subaru Forester landed a very impressive score of 89/100 on Consumer Reports. From safety to reliability the Forester killed in pretty much every category. The only real mark against the Forester was that it can be a bit noisy. The little 2.5-liter four-cylinder gets raspy when under pressure in the higher RPM. Although the engine is a bit weak, this crossover SUV still gets 28 mpg combined.

The 2021 Ford Bronco Sport comes with two engine options; a 181-hp, 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, and a 245-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. While these engine options are pretty cool the best the Ford Bronco Sport can do is 25 mpg. The four-cylinder, of course, is less efficient. 

Both the 2021 Subaru Forester and the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport are nimble for the segment. In fact, the Ford Bronco Sport is based on one of the best-handling SUVs in the market. Although the Subaru can get noisy at speed, the Bronco Sport is annoying in the opposite way. Consumer Reports noted a low rumbling and vibration at idle and low speeds. 

Does the Bronco Sport or the Forester have better four-wheel-drive performance? 

A yellow 2021 Ford Bronco Sport kicking up dirt
2021 Ford Bronco Sport | Ford

Obviously, neither of these cars is sporty or luxurious. Judging them on such things might be a tad fruitless. However, they both come from a long line of 4×4 off-roaders and it is here that they ought to be judged.

The Bronco Sport has the higher ground clearance. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean all that much. Consumer Reports mentions that although it is marketed as a hardcore adventure machine, the reality is that the Sport will get in over its roof quickly if it tries to handle more than some light to medium trails. The G.O.A.T. (Goes Over Any Type of Terrain) selector includes five modes that optimize the 4WD system for various conditions, including a specific Sand mode. 

At the same time, the 2021 Subaru Forester is also not meant for rock crawling, but it does have a very smart and capable off-road driving mode known as X-Mode. This setting activates limited-slip programming that keeps all the wheels pulling in the same direction and at the proper times.

Both SUVs have capable AWD systems, but the truth is they aren’t boulder hopping off-roaders in the same way that the Bronco or Jeep Wrangler is. At the end of the day, the 2021 Subaru Forester is more comfortable, reliable, safe, and cheaper than the 2021 Ford Bronco Sport. The Bronco Sport runs from $27,215 – $38,160. The Subaru starts at $24,795 and tops out at $34,895. 

RELATED: The 2021 Subaru Forester Just Killed the 2021 Porsche Cayenne on Consumer Reports

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Forget the SUV and Take a Sports Car Camping Instead

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If the last year has taught us one thing, it’s that camping is back in a big way. People were stuck in a house or apartment with nowhere to go and the constant blaring of negative news in their ears. So, we got out. We went camping. It led to a massive uptick in SUV and truck sales, but what if that isn’t the only way to get out? What if, you take a sports car camping instead?

Brock Keen’s Porsche 911 is a fresh approach to outdoor life

@996roadtrip on Insta for the curious | Brock Keen

Some of you more hardcore automotive enthusiasts may be familiar with Brock Keen’s Instagram, @996roadtrip. Basically, Mr. Keen bought a 996 generation Porsche 911 4S and decided to take it camping. I’m not sure if this was intended as an affront to all the tricked-out 4Runners I see every weekend here in Colorful Colorado, but it sure is. Normally, we associate ground clearance with practicality in camping. Keen’s Porsche disproves that quickly.

He’s even lowered the car. On his Instagram, Keen regularly preaches about the usability of his 911 4S, and he’s right. If you can drive a 911 every day, you can certainly take one camping. He even hits the camping Insta-cliche of bringing the dog along for the photo shoot (her name is Lucy and she’s amazing). Keen isn’t the only one, either. Go take a look at Chris Cut’s Instagram for more photos of JDM royalty out in the woods roughing it.

The whole roof tent-sports car thing is a bit of a trend now

A red Acura NSX with a roof tent and matching trailer, made from another NSX
Matching tents are a must | Chris Cut

Clearly, this is fast becoming a bit of a trend. It’s definitely one I’m here for, and actively participate in. My E46 M3 made its maiden camping voyage last weekend and did phenomenally. If anything, this small handful of people (myself excluded, for journalistic integrity) have shown that you don’t always need a hugely modified SUV or truck to go play in the dirt.

Taking a sports car camping is the ultimate “have your cake and eat it too.” Frankly, we could all use a little bit of that over the last year. Sure, some of the more extreme examples are fun to look at, but you don’t really even need half the equipment you see in these photos to get out and enjoy what’s left of nature. The message both of these accounts send is to simply “get out there” and it’s one we should all be wise to heed. It also raises a question.

Should you take a sports car camping?

Chris Cut's red NSX targa camping rig
A dog is a must | Sam Du via MotorTrend

In short, take your sports car camping. Hell, take your minivan. Take your 4Runner, your Taco, your whatever. A roof tent and rails can easily run you several thousand dollars, but you don’t really need it. A tent is $50 bucks at Walmart. There’s associated costs with camping, yes, but you can still do it very comfortably for under $500. So, once more, get out there.

RELATED: I Promise It’s Easy to Daily Drive a Sports Car

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Feral Hogs Are Back and Worsening Climate Change by Spewing More Pollution Than 1 Million Cars

by Gabrielle DeSantis

A 2019 tweet meant to address gun control quickly turned into something else. A man’s response to the tweet quickly went viral when he said he had a feral hog problem at his home. The tweet became an immediate sensation. Someone made a video game, and Slate published a feral hog–themed riff on a classic short story. 

In short order, feral hogs began trending on Twitter. The man’s tweet was succinct, and the image it conjured was bonkers, but it brought a bigger problem to light. That’s right: Feral hogs are spewing more pollution on the environment than a million cars. And it’s not a problem that EVs can fix.

A little tweet about feral hogs highlights a big problem

Feral hogs | Michael Pearce/Wichita Eagle/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

The feral hog is the same as the domestic pig, or Sus scrofa, found on any farm. Settlers introduced wild pigs to the United States in the 1500s. Their numbers remained stable and contained to the Southern states until about 1990. Since then, numbers have steadily increased and have spread to 48 states. Feral hogs are now considered an invasive species. They not only affect crops and wildlife but also contribute to CO2 pollution. 

Feral hogs ravage crops, obliterate local recreational areas such as parks, destroy native habitats, and kill other wildlife like baby deer and turkeys. According to the USDA video “FERAL SWINE: Manage the Damage,” the animals now cause annual damage of more than $1.5 billion in the United States. And experts warn the problem could grow worse. In June 2019, the USDA announced it’s offering $75 million in funding to eradicate and control feral swine.

Feral hogs spew more pollution than a million cars

According to a new study by the University of Queensland, feral hogs release the equivalent of 1.1 million cars’ worth of carbon dioxide each year just by rooting around in the dirt, ScienceDaily reports. Soil is rich in carbon dioxide, and large-scale human agricultural activity — such as tilling for farming — disturbs the soil, bringing up carbon stored underground and releasing it into the air. Multiply this by millions of pigs doing the same thing, and we’ve got a major problem.

What can be done about the problem?

States are coming up with inventive ways to control the feral hog problem. For example, Texas allows hunters to kill wild pigs all year without limits. Hunters can also capture the hogs alive to take to slaughterhouses to be processed and sold to restaurants as exotic meat. Many are shot from helicopters. The goal is not to eradicate the pigs but to lower the population to pre-1990 numbers. 

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has recommended large-scale trapping as the most efficient and economical way to reduce feral hog populations in the state. It also recommends that individuals hunt and shoot the hogs to chase them away from crops. With this method, the pigs return, so it’s not a permanent solution. Researchers are monitoring the situation and trying to develop more humane ways to control the population, such as sterilization.

The feral hog tweet went viral for its eyebrow-raising topic, but it pointed to a larger issue that most people probably were unaware of. Since the problem has become more mainstream, people are taking the issue seriously and devising steps to control the wild pig population. It’s hoped these steps will reduce carbon emissions and help farmers whose crops are damaged by the out-of-control feral hog population.

RELATED: The Midwest Presents a Problem in the Plan to Expand EV Charging Nationwide

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