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 Nissan Rogue expensive to maintain?

The Rogue averages $467/year in maintenance — $54 below the compact segment average of $521. But repair frequency of 33% is slightly above the class average of 30%, and major repair probability of 12% is slightly above the 11% norm. Lower cost per service visit, but slightly more frequent unscheduled visits than the class average.

What is the best year for a Nissan Rogue?

The Rogue's complaint history has been persistently elevated. The 2020 model (147 complaints) stands out as the cleanest year of the second generation. The third-generation launch in 2023 brought 630 complaints before settling to 162 in 2024 and 158 in 2025. Avoid 2013-2018, which consistently logged 430-612 complaints per year. For the current generation, 2024 or 2025 is the best used pick.

How much does Nissan Rogue insurance cost?

Rogue insurance averages around $1,984/year — about $165/month. Competitive for the compact class.

Is the Nissan Rogue or Toyota RAV4 cheaper to maintain?

The RAV4 is $38/year cheaper — $429 versus $467 for the Rogue — and has a lower repair frequency (26% vs. 33%). Both carry the same reliability score. The RAV4 holds a moderate edge on total ownership cost.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Nissan Rogue?

The Rogue's persistently elevated complaint history across 2013-2018 and a major repair probability slightly above the class average make extended warranty worth considering for used models from that period. For 2024 and newer, risk is more moderate — though the historical reliability track record warrants more caution than class leaders like the CR-V or RAV4.

Nissan Pathfinder vs Nissan Rogue

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

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Nissan Pathfinder if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Nissan Rogue — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Nissan Pathfinder	Nissan Rogue
Annual maintenance	$542	$467winner
5-year total cost	$2,710	$2,335winner
Reliability score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	15%	12%winner
Cargo space	—	74.1 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$37,500	$30,800winner
Best years to buy	2010, 2012	—

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Nissan Pathfinder	Nissan Rogue
RepairPal score	7 / 10	8 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	308.5	154.6winner
Years to avoid	2013, 2014	2017, 2018, 2019
Value retained · 3 yr	69.2%	71.7%winner
Value retained · 5 yr	47.1%	55.1%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	35%	45%winner

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Nissan Pathfinder	Nissan Rogue
Engine	13.2%winner	16.2%
Electrical	3.7%winner	7.7%
ADAS	7.1%winner	16.2%
Brakes	7.2%	6.4%winner
Suspension	2.0%	—winner
Steering	1.1%winner	1.8%
Fuel system	1.5%winner	3.4%
Tires/Wheels	1.3%	1.0%winner
Glass/Windows	6.0%	4.0%winner
Airbags	16.1%	8.9%winner
Seatbelt	—winner	1.3%

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	Nissan Rogue
Avg annual premium	$2,477	$1,984winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Nissan Pathfinder

$542/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Nissan Rogue

$467/yr maint · 8 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 →