What is the best year for a Ford Explorer?

Judged on complaint rate, severity, and safety scores across its own history, the Ford Explorer's strongest year is 2024 — 17 complaints, a 10/10 safety score, 1 severe issue. 2010 also rate well. Recent years show fewer complaints partly because they have spent less time on the road. The weakest years by those same measures are 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2020 — worth closer inspection before buying, not an automatic pass. Verdict: 2024 is the strongest pick.

How much does Ford Explorer insurance cost?

Full-coverage insurance for the Ford Explorer averages $2,461 a year, about $205 a month (industry average). That is more than the three-row segment average of $2,396. Actual rates vary by trim, location, and driving record — compare quotes before buying.

Is the Ford Explorer or Chevrolet Traverse cheaper to maintain?

Maintenance runs $732 a year on the Ford Explorer versus $656 on the Chevrolet Traverse. Reliability scores are 7.0/10 and 6/10. Unscheduled repairs average 0.24 versus 0.43 times per year. Verdict: the Chevrolet Traverse is the cheaper of the two to run.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Ford Explorer?

The chance of a major repair in a given year is 14%, so roughly 86 in 100 owners will not face one — above the three-row segment norm of 13%. Reliability sits at 7.0/10. Verdict: generally skip it, with one exception — a powertrain warranty is worth it on the 2011 model year.

Is the Nissan Pathfinder expensive to maintain?

The Pathfinder costs $542/year to maintain — $31 below the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 43% is slightly above the class average of 40%. Reliability score of 7 matches the segment average. Major repair probability of 15% is slightly above the 13% norm. Below-average cost but a slightly above-average risk profile.

What is the best year for a Nissan Pathfinder?

Strongly avoid 2013-2014 (888 and 568 complaints, with 18 and 28 severe respectively), driven by well-documented CVT transmission failures in the third generation. The 2022-2025 fourth-generation window is substantially cleaner: 2024 (64 complaints, 10/10 safety, 1 severe) and 2025 (39, 10/10, 2 severe) are the strongest years on record.

How much does Nissan Pathfinder insurance cost?

Pathfinder insurance averages around $2,477/year — roughly $206/month.

Is the Nissan Pathfinder or Toyota Highlander cheaper to maintain?

The Highlander is cheaper to maintain by $53/year — $489 versus $542 for the Pathfinder. The Highlander also has a higher reliability score (8 vs. 7). Repair frequency data isn't available for the Highlander for a complete comparison, but on cost and reliability score, the Highlander holds a clear edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Nissan Pathfinder?

Major repair probability of 15% and repair frequency of 43% are both slightly above the three-row class average. The 2013-2014 CVT failures are the most significant risk factor for used buyers — warranty coverage is strongly recommended for those years. For 2022 and newer, the risk profile is more moderate, though the slightly above-average probabilities make warranty worth weighing for high-mileage plans.

Ford Explorer vs Nissan Pathfinder

Two three-row SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Nissan Pathfinder to minimise 5-year ownership cost.

Buy the Nissan Pathfinder if long-term reliability matters most.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Ford Explorer	Nissan Pathfinder
Annual repairs	$732	$542winner
5-year repair cost	$3,660	$2,710winner
Scheduled service (to 150k mi)	$15,306winner	$17,564
Reliability score	7 / 10	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	14%winner	15%
Cargo space	85.3 cu ftwinner	80.5 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$41,300	$40,800winner

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Ford Explorer	Nissan Pathfinder
RepairPal score	7 / 10	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	456.1	269.4winner
Strongest years	2010, 2019, 2022	2010, 2011, 2012
Weakest years	2011, 2013, 2014	2013, 2014, 2022
Value retained · 3 yr	72.5%winner	69.2%
Value retained · 5 yr	49.9%winner	47.1%
Value retained · 7 yr	39.6%winner	35%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Ford Explorer	Nissan Pathfinder
Engine	20.4%winner	34.7%
Electrical	4.2%winner	4.6%
ADAS	3.5%winner	7.9%
Brakes	1.7%winner	7.5%
Suspension	2.5%	1.8%winner
Steering	21.9%	1.3%winner
Fuel system	2.8%	1.7%winner
Glass/Windows	3.0%winner	5.5%
Airbags	2.6%winner	14.2%

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Ford Explorer	Nissan Pathfinder
Avg annual premium	$2,461winner	$2,477

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Ford Explorer

$732/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Nissan Pathfinder

$542/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Ford Explorer averages $732 a year in maintenance. That is $159 above the three-row segment average of $573. Owners bring it in for unscheduled repairs an average of 0.24 times per year, below the three-row segment at 0.4. Its reliability score is 7.0/10. Verdict: costlier than the segment, budget accordingly.

How we calculated this. Repair costs, reliability scores, and maintenance schedules from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA and fuel prices from the EIA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →