Last updated: 2026-03-04
Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Reliability Compared
Nissan Pathfinder
Toyota Grand Highlander
Choosing between the Nissan Pathfinder and the Toyota Grand Highlander? 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 Toyota Grand Highlander currently leads with an average score of 75/100 compared to 73/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Grand Highlander Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Toyota Grand Highlander is more reliable than the Nissan Pathfinder, scoring 75/100 vs 73/100.
The Toyota Grand Highlander boasts a higher average reliability score of 85/100 compared to the Nissan Pathfinder's 75/100, suggesting a more dependable performance over time. However, the Grand Highlander has a higher owner complaint rate of 8.2 per 10,000 sold, while the Pathfinder reports a lower rate of 3.5 per 10,000 sold, indicating fewer issues per vehicle. The Pathfinder also benefits from a known estimated annual repair cost of $542, providing a clearer picture of potential maintenance expenses. Despite the Grand Highlander's superior reliability score, the Pathfinder's lower complaint rate and defined repair costs make it a strong contender in terms of reliability.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Pathfinder has 4.7 fewer complaints per 10k sold
- 2Toyota Grand Highlander has 4 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota Grand Highlander scores 2 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Nissan Pathfinder | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 73/100 | 75/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 3 |
| Total Recalls | 14 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 3.5 | 8.2 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 | 1 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Grand Highlander?
The Toyota Grand Highlander and Nissan Pathfinder exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Pathfinder accumulating more complaints overall. The Grand Highlander shows a significant number of issues in the "Unknown or Other" and "Power Train" categories, but it is the Pathfinder that has a higher incidence of complaints linked to crash events, particularly in the "Unknown or Other" and "Power Train" areas. The Pathfinder also encounters more frequent problems with its "Electrical System" and "Service Brakes" compared to the Grand Highlander. Both vehicles have concerns with their "Fuel/Propulsion Systems," but the Pathfinder's wider range of issues, including engine and seats, suggests a broader scope of reliability challenges.
| Component | Nissan Pathfinder | Toyota Grand Highlander |
|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.5Very Low | 1.7Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.5Very Low | 1.4Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 1.1Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.5Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.1Very Low | 0.6Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.2Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.3Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| SEATS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| 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: Nissan Pathfinder or Toyota Grand Highlander?
How Does Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Grand Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Nissan Pathfinder | Toyota Grand Highlander | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 78/1001R / 25C | 80/1003R / 33C | Toyota Grand Highlander |
| 2024 | 74/1002R / 38C | 69/1007R / 171C | Nissan Pathfinder |
| 2026(predicted) | 75/100(predicted) | 75/100(predicted) | Tie |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder scored 78/100 and the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander scored 80/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Nissan Pathfinder vs the Toyota Grand Highlander?
Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Common Questions
- Is the Nissan Pathfinder more reliable than the Toyota Grand Highlander?
- Based on our data, the Toyota Grand Highlander is more reliable with an average score of 75/100 compared to 73/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Nissan Pathfinder or the Toyota Grand Highlander?
- The Nissan Pathfinder has more recalls (14) compared to the Toyota Grand Highlander (10). 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 Nissan Pathfinder or the Toyota Grand Highlander?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Pathfinder has a lower complaint rate at 3.5 per 10,000 sold versus 8.2 for the Toyota Grand Highlander. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Nissan Pathfinder or Toyota Grand Highlander safer?
- Both the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Grand Highlander 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
More Nissan Pathfinder comparisons
More Toyota Grand Highlander 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
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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