Last updated: 2026-03-04
Ford Explorer vs Nissan Pathfinder: Reliability Compared
Ford Explorer
Nissan Pathfinder
Choosing between the Ford Explorer and the Nissan Pathfinder? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Nissan Pathfinder currently leads with an average score of 73/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Pathfinder is more reliable than the Ford Explorer, scoring 73/100 vs 66/100.
The Nissan Pathfinder outperforms the Ford Explorer in reliability, scoring 75/100 compared to the Explorer's 68/100. The Pathfinder has a significantly lower recall count, with only 14 recalls over 8 years versus the Explorer's 117 across 9 years. Owner complaints per 10,000 sold also favor the Pathfinder, with 3.5 compared to the Explorer's 6.8. Additionally, the Pathfinder's estimated annual repair costs are lower at $542, offering a more cost-effective ownership experience.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Pathfinder costs $190 less per year to repair
- 2Nissan Pathfinder has 103 fewer total recalls
- 3Nissan Pathfinder scores 7 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Explorer vs Nissan Pathfinder: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Explorer | Nissan Pathfinder |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 73/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 117 | 14 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 6.8 | 3.5 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $732/yr | $542/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.2/yr | 0.4/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 14% | 15% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 0 | 7 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder?
The Ford Explorer exhibits a higher volume of total complaints compared to the Nissan Pathfinder, with notable issues in the power train and structure categories, where it has 618 and 413 complaints respectively. The Explorer also reports a significant number of crash-linked complaints in areas such as the power train (12) and service brakes (11), indicating potential safety concerns. In contrast, the Pathfinder has fewer overall complaints, with its most reported issues in the electrical system and unknown or other categories, each with 64 complaints. While both models experience power train problems, the Explorer's issues are more frequent and severe, particularly in crash-linked incidents.
| Component | Ford Explorer | Nissan Pathfinder |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 1.6Low | 0.5Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1.1Low | 0.5Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.4Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| SEATS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Explorer or Nissan Pathfinder?
How Does Ford Explorer vs Nissan Pathfinder Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Explorer | Nissan Pathfinder | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 72/10014R / 65C | 78/1001R / 25C | Nissan Pathfinder |
| 2024 | 73/1006R / 14C | 74/1002R / 38C | Nissan Pathfinder |
| 2023 | 71/10012R / 84C | 74/1001R / 86C | Nissan Pathfinder |
| 2022 | 65/10021R / 208C | 66/1005R / 119C | Nissan Pathfinder |
| 2020 | 54/10029R / 1066C | 78/1000R / 43C | Nissan Pathfinder |
| 2019 | 69/1004R / 252C | 71/1002R / 71C | Nissan Pathfinder |
| 2018 | 64/1005R / 651C | 68/1003R / 74C | Nissan Pathfinder |
| 2026(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | 75/100(predicted) | Nissan Pathfinder |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Explorer scored 73/100 and the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder scored 78/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Explorer vs the Nissan Pathfinder?
Ford Explorer vs Nissan Pathfinder: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Explorer more reliable than the Nissan Pathfinder?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Pathfinder is more reliable with an average score of 73/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Explorer or the Nissan Pathfinder?
- The Ford Explorer has more recalls (117) compared to the Nissan Pathfinder (14). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Explorer or the Nissan Pathfinder?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Pathfinder has a lower complaint rate at 3.5 per 10,000 sold versus 6.8 for the Ford Explorer. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Explorer or the Nissan Pathfinder?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Pathfinder is cheaper to maintain at $542/year versus $732/year for the Ford Explorer.
- Is the Ford Explorer or Nissan Pathfinder safer?
- Both the Ford Explorer and Nissan Pathfinder received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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