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.

Is the Honda Pilot expensive to maintain?

The Pilot costs $542/year to maintain — $31 below the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 51% is well above the class average of 40% — the highest in the three-row segment. Reliability score of 7 and major repair probability of 13% both sit at the class average. Below-average cost but the most frequent unscheduled shop visits in the class.

What is the best year for a Honda Pilot?

Avoid 2016 (1,644 complaints — the third-generation debut, plagued by 9-speed transmission issues) and 2019 (843 complaints at the fourth-generation launch). The 2024 Pilot (93 complaints, 10/10 safety, 3 severe) is the strongest recent used pick. The 2022-2024 range has settled significantly from the turbulent 2016-2021 period.

How much does Honda Pilot insurance cost?

Pilot insurance averages about $2,147/year — roughly $179/month. The most affordable insurance rate in the three-row class.

Is the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander cheaper to maintain?

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

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Honda Pilot?

Repair frequency of 51% is the highest in the three-row segment, meaning owners statistically average more than one unscheduled repair visit per year. For 2016-2021 models with documented complaint spikes, extended warranty is worth considering to contain those visit costs. For 2022 and newer, the profile is more moderate.

Nissan Pathfinder vs Honda Pilot

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Nissan Pathfinder based on your priorities for this class.

Buy the Honda Pilot based on your priorities for this class.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Nissan Pathfinder	Honda Pilot
Annual maintenance	$542	$542
5-year total cost	$2,710	$2,710
Reliability score	7 / 10	7 / 10
Major repair risk (5yr)	15%	13%winner
Cargo space	—	111.8 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$37,500winner	$45,400
Best years to buy	2010, 2012	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Nissan Pathfinder	Honda Pilot
RepairPal score	7 / 10	7 / 10
NHTSA complaints / 100k	308.5	303.7winner
Years to avoid	2013, 2014	2010, 2011, 2012
Value retained · 3 yr	69.2%	74.5%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	47.1%	55.9%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	35%	46%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Nissan Pathfinder	Honda Pilot
Engine	13.2%winner	32.3%
Electrical	3.7%winner	14.7%
ADAS	7.1%winner	11.2%
Brakes	7.2%	3.7%winner
Suspension	2.0%	1.3%winner
Steering	1.1%winner	1.7%
Fuel system	1.5%winner	7.6%
Tires/Wheels	1.3%winner	1.5%
Glass/Windows	6.0%	2.4%winner
Airbags	16.1%	3.5%winner

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?

	Nissan Pathfinder	Honda Pilot
Avg annual premium	$2,477	$2,147winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Nissan Pathfinder

$542/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Honda Pilot

$542/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

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.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →