Last updated: 2026-03-04

Kia Telluride vs Nissan Pathfinder: Reliability Compared

Kia Telluride reliability comparison

Kia Telluride

66
GoodReliability score: 66 out of 100, rated Good
VS
More ReliableNissan Pathfinder reliability comparison

Nissan Pathfinder

73
GoodReliability score: 73 out of 100, rated Good

Choosing between the Kia Telluride 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 Kia Telluride and Nissan Pathfinder Generations Compare?

The Kia Telluride is currently in its first generation, which began in 2019 and is expected to run until 2025. It received a significant facelift in 2023. Being relatively early in its lifecycle, the Telluride's platform might still be smoothing out initial production issues, although it has generally been well-received for its reliability since launch. In contrast, the Nissan Pathfinder is in its fifth generation, introduced in 2021 and refreshed in 2023. This newer platform could still be refining its reliability as it progresses through its generation cycle. Historically, Pathfinder's mature generations tend to be well-sorted, but buyers should be mindful of potential first-year issues with the latest redesign.

Verdict

The Nissan Pathfinder is more reliable than the Kia Telluride, scoring 73/100 vs 66/100.

The Nissan Pathfinder demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 75/100 compared to the Kia Telluride's 71/100. The Pathfinder also has a significantly lower owner complaints rate of 3.5 per 10,000 sold, versus 23.3 for the Telluride, and fewer recalls over a longer period (14 over 8 years compared to 27 over 6 years). While both vehicles have similar estimated annual repair costs, with the Pathfinder at $542 and the Telluride at $573, the Pathfinder's lower complaint rate and recall history make it the more reliable choice.

Key Differences

  1. 1Nissan Pathfinder costs $31 less per year to repair
  2. 2Nissan Pathfinder has 19.8 fewer complaints per 10k sold
  3. 3Nissan Pathfinder has 13 fewer total recalls

Category Scoreboard

0Kia Telluride
—
4Nissan Pathfinder
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencySafety Rating

Kia Telluride vs Nissan Pathfinder: Which Is More Reliable?

Kia Telluride vs Nissan Pathfinder at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricKia TellurideNissan Pathfinder
Reliability Score66/10073/100
Years Tracked68
Total Recalls2714
Complaints per 10k Sold23.33.5
Annual Repair Cost$573/yr$542/yr
Repair Frequency0.4/yr0.4/yr
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2025 NHTSA
2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins0 (1 tied)4 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Kia Telluride and Nissan Pathfinder?

The Kia Telluride presents a higher volume of complaints, with significant issues in the visibility/wiper and electrical system categories, including three crash-linked incidents related to the latter. In contrast, the Nissan Pathfinder, while having fewer overall complaints, shows a balanced distribution of issues, with electrical system and power train problems being the most common. Notably, the Kia Telluride has a higher incidence of crash-linked complaints in the service brakes category, totaling six, compared to zero in the Pathfinder. Both models experience a similar number of complaints in the unknown or other category, but the Telluride's broader range of affected components suggests more diverse reliability challenges.

Kia Telluride vs Nissan Pathfinder common problem areas comparison
ComponentKia TellurideNissan Pathfinder
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4.4Average0.5Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER4.2Average—None
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2.8Low0.5Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2.5Low—None
POWER TRAIN1.7Low0.5Very Low
ENGINE1.9Low0.3Very Low
STRUCTURE0.9Very Low0.1Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.5Very Low0.4Very Low
STEERING0.3Very Low0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.2Very Low0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS0.2Very Low0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY0.3Very Low—None
SUSPENSION0.3Very Low—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE0.2Very Low—None
SEAT BELTS0.1Very Low—None
SEATS—None0.1Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM—None0.1Very Low
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)—None0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION—None—None
FUEL SYSTEM—None—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Kia Telluride or Nissan Pathfinder?

Independent repair cost data suggests that the Kia Telluride and Nissan Pathfinder have similar maintenance profiles, with both averaging 0.4 repair visits per year. However, the Kia Telluride has a slightly higher annual repair cost at $573 compared to the Pathfinder's $542, resulting in a $31 difference each year, which accumulates to $155 over five years. A significant distinction lies in the major repair risk; the Pathfinder faces a 15% chance of requiring a costly repair, while this risk is not specified for the Telluride. For cost-conscious buyers, the Kia Telluride might represent better value due to its potentially lower risk of major repairs, despite the marginally higher annual repair cost.

How Does Kia Telluride vs Nissan Pathfinder Reliability Compare by Year?

Kia Telluride vs Nissan Pathfinder year-by-year reliability scores
YearKia TellurideNissan PathfinderEdge
202578/1002R / 32C78/1001R / 25CTie
202469/1004R / 180C74/1002R / 38CNissan Pathfinder
202368/1005R / 161C74/1001R / 86CNissan Pathfinder
202263/1006R / 280C66/1005R / 119CNissan Pathfinder
202055/1006R / 667C78/1000R / 43CNissan Pathfinder

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Kia Telluride scored 78/100 and the 2025 Nissan Pathfinder scored 78/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Kia Telluride vs the Nissan Pathfinder?

If you prioritize reliability and fewer recalls, the Nissan Pathfinder might be the better choice for you. With a slightly higher reliability score of 75/100 compared to the Kia Telluride's 71/100, the Pathfinder also has significantly fewer total recalls at 14, compared to the Telluride's 27. Additionally, the Pathfinder experiences fewer owner complaints, with 3.5 per 10,000 sold, making it an appealing option for those looking to minimize potential issues. For those who are more concerned with maintenance costs and can tolerate a higher number of recalls, the Kia Telluride could be a suitable option. While its reliability score is a bit lower, the estimated annual repair costs are only slightly higher at $573 compared to the Pathfinder's $542. The Telluride shares the same repair frequency of 0.4 times per year, offering a balance between cost and upkeep for budget-conscious buyers.

Kia Telluride vs Nissan Pathfinder: Common Questions

Is the Kia Telluride 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 Kia Telluride or the Nissan Pathfinder?
The Kia Telluride has more recalls (27) 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 Kia Telluride or the Nissan Pathfinder?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Pathfinder has a lower complaint rate at 3.5 per 10,000 sold versus 23.3 for the Kia Telluride. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Kia Telluride or the Nissan Pathfinder?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Pathfinder is cheaper to maintain at $542/year versus $573/year for the Kia Telluride.
Is the Kia Telluride or Nissan Pathfinder safer?
Both the Kia Telluride 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

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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

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.

4

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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