The 5 Vehicles With The Most Water Pump Problems

Most modern water pumps are designed to last at least 100,000 miles. However, some water pumps fail sooner than others. Water pump seals and gaskets can deteriorate with age, even with lower engine mileage. Driving conditions, such as stop-and-go city miles versus highway miles, can affect how long a water pump lasts. Other cooling system issues or lack of proper maintenance can also impact the longevity of water pumps. Here is a list of vehicles that require more frequent water pump replacement, according to GMB sales data.

Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is America’s best-selling midsize pickup truck. With a strong reputation for reliability, most Tacomas see long ownership and high mileage. A common problem with Toyota Tacoma water pumps is coolant leaking excessively from the weep hole. Leaks at the weep hole usually indicate the shaft seal is deteriorating. Check out this blog post for more information on Tacoma water pump issues and diagnoses.

Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla has been one of America’s best-selling and most reliable cars for decades. Like most Toyota products, owners tend to keep their Corollas for many years. It’s not uncommon for owners to put on a few hundred thousand miles. Problems with Toyota Corolla water pumps are typical of most water pumps with age or high mileage. These issues include seal or gasket leaks and worn bearings. Check out this blog post for more information on Toyota Corolla water pump issues and diagnosis. 

Volkswagen Tiguan

Since its introduction for 2008, the VW Tiguan has steadily become one of VW’s best-selling models. There are a few common problems with VW Tiguan water pumps. The first issue is water pump gasket failure. The plastic pump housing degrades over time, weakening the gasket seal. Engine oil leaks can also swell the water pump gasket, causing it to leak. Other problems include shaft seal leaks and thermostat failure. Check out the info in this article for more information on VW Tiguan water pump issues and diagnosis.

Dodge/Ram 1500

The Dodge Ram 1500 is the perennial underdog in the full-size truck market. Consistently selling at a close third place to Ford and Chevy, Ram truck owners are ranked as the most loyal. These dedicated Ram owners keep their trucks for a long time and rack up the miles. A common problem with (Dodge) Ram 1500 water pumps is coolant leaking excessively from the weep hole. Otherwise, water pump issues are typical of most trucks with age or high mileage. These problems include gasket leaks and worn bearings. Check out this article for more information on (Dodge) Ram 1500 water pump issues and diagnosis.

Nissan Trucks

The Nissan Frontier and Titan pickups have maintained a small but loyal following for decades. Nissan trucks may not be among the bestsellers, but they are no less capable than other trucks on the market. The main issue with the Nissan Frontier water pumps is serviceability on the popular VQ-series V6 engines. These chain-driven water pumps are very difficult to replace due to accessibility. Coolant leaking from the weep hole is the first sign of water pump failure on these engines. The most common problem with Frontier QR-series I4 engine and Titan VK-series V8 engine water pumps is the deterioration of seals and gaskets over time. This article has more information on Nissan truck water pump issues and diagnosis.

GMB Offers Quality Parts You Can Trust

If you have water pump questions, GMB can help. We have been an industry-leading OEM and Aftermarket automotive parts manufacturer since 1943. You can learn more about water pumps and water pump diagnosis with our comprehensive guide here. 

We have locations on both the east and west US coasts and global locations in Asia and Europe, so we can get your parts fast. If you have any questions about our products, don’t hesitate to contact us.