Which has more recalls, the Nissan Pathfinder or the Toyota Highlander?

The Toyota Highlander has more recalls (66) 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 Nissan Pathfinder or the Toyota Highlander?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Pathfinder has a lower complaint rate at 3.5 per 10,000 sold versus 5.8 for the Toyota Highlander. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Nissan Pathfinder or the Toyota Highlander?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Highlander is cheaper to maintain at $489/year versus $542/year for the Nissan Pathfinder.

Is the Nissan Pathfinder or Toyota Highlander safer?

Both the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota 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.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Highlander: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Nissan Pathfinder

Good

Toyota Highlander

Good

Choosing between the Nissan Pathfinder and the Toyota 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 Nissan Pathfinder currently leads with an average score of 73/100 compared to 72/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Highlander Generations Compare?

The Toyota Highlander is currently in its fourth generation (XU70), which began in 2020. As it's still relatively early in its generation cycle, potential buyers should be aware that newer platforms sometimes face first-year issues, although Toyota's reputation for reliability often mitigates these concerns. The Nissan Pathfinder is in its fifth generation (R53), redesigned in 2021, and received a facelift in 2023. Being mid-generation, the Pathfinder is more likely to have sorted out initial teething problems, making it a potentially more reliable choice. Both models have undergone significant facelifts, indicating improvements and refinements that enhance reliability as the generations mature.

Verdict

The Nissan Pathfinder is more reliable than the Toyota Highlander, scoring 73/100 vs 72/100.

The Toyota Highlander demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 84/100 compared to the Nissan Pathfinder's 75/100. Despite having more recalls, the Highlander has a lower owner complaint rate of 5.8 per 10,000 sold versus the Pathfinder’s 3.5, indicating fewer issues relative to its larger sales volume. Additionally, the Highlander benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $489 compared to the Pathfinder's $542. While both vehicles have common issues with power trains and brakes, the Highlander's overall reliability metrics make it the more dependable choice.

Key Differences

1Toyota Highlander costs $53 less per year to repair
2Nissan Pathfinder has 52 fewer total recalls
3Nissan Pathfinder has 2.3 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

3Nissan Pathfinder

—

3Toyota Highlander

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Highlander: Which Is More Reliable?

Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Highlander at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Nissan Pathfinder	Toyota Highlander
Reliability Score	73/100	72/100
Years Tracked	8	9
Total Recalls	14	66
Complaints per 10k Sold	3.5	5.8
Annual Repair Cost	$542/yr	$489/yr
Repair Frequency	0.4/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	15%	13%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	5	2

What Are the Common Problems With the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Highlander?

The Toyota Highlander exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the power train and air bags categories, with 485 and 162 complaints respectively, and a notable 41 crash-linked incidents related to air bags. In contrast, the Nissan Pathfinder shows a lower overall complaint count, with its most significant issues in the electrical system and power train, each with 64 and 60 complaints, respectively. Both vehicles share concerns in the power train and service brakes, yet the Highlander's air bag complaints indicate a more pronounced safety issue. Additionally, the Highlander has a higher incidence of crash-linked complaints across several categories, underscoring potential safety concerns compared to the Pathfinder.

Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Highlander common problem areas comparison
Component	Nissan Pathfinder	Toyota Highlander
POWER TRAIN	0.5Very Low	1.5Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.5Very Low	0.7Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.4Very Low	0.6Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.5Very Low	0.4Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.5Very Low
ENGINE	0.3Very Low	0.2Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.1Very Low	0.4Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
STEERING	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
SEATS	0.1Very Low	—None
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	0.1Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	0.1Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—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 Highlander?

Independent repair cost data suggests that the Toyota Highlander is a more cost-effective option for maintenance and repairs compared to the Nissan Pathfinder. With an annual repair cost of $489, the Highlander is $53 cheaper per year than the Pathfinder, translating to a $265 savings over five years. Additionally, the Highlander requires fewer visits to the repair shop, with a frequency of 0.3 visits per year compared to the Pathfinder's 0.4. Moreover, the major repair risk for the Highlander is slightly lower at 13%, whereas the Pathfinder stands at 15%. These factors make the Highlander a better value for cost-conscious buyers who prioritize lower maintenance expenses and reduced risk of significant repairs.

How Does Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Highlander Reliability Compare by Year?

Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Highlander year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Nissan Pathfinder	Toyota Highlander	Edge
2025	78/1001R / 25C	76/1008R / 40C	Nissan Pathfinder
2024	74/1002R / 38C	67/10016R / 198C	Nissan Pathfinder
2023	74/1001R / 86C	73/10013R / 140C	Nissan Pathfinder
2022	66/1005R / 119C	74/1007R / 186C	Toyota Highlander
2020	78/1000R / 43C	71/1008R / 269C	Nissan Pathfinder
2019	71/1002R / 71C	70/1003R / 414C	Nissan Pathfinder
2018	68/1003R / 74C	72/1005R / 242C	Toyota Highlander
2026(predicted)	75/100(predicted)	72/100(predicted)	Nissan Pathfinder

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Nissan Pathfinder scored 78/100 and the 2025 Toyota Highlander scored 76/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Nissan Pathfinder vs the Toyota Highlander?

If you prioritize reliability and lower repair costs, the Toyota Highlander is your best bet. With a reliability score of 84/100 and an estimated annual repair cost of $489, it stands out as a dependable choice. The Highlander also experiences fewer repair visits per year (0.3/yr) and has a slightly lower major repair risk at 13%. However, be mindful of its higher number of recalls and issues related to the power train and service brakes. On the other hand, if you are more concerned about fewer owner complaints and recalls, the Nissan Pathfinder might suit you better. It has a lower complaint rate of 3.5 per 10,000 sold and only 14 total recalls, compared to the Highlander’s 66. While its estimated annual repair cost is marginally higher at $542, it also carries a slightly higher major repair risk (15%). Consider the Pathfinder if you value a vehicle with fewer reported issues in the electrical system and engine.

Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Highlander: Common Questions

Is the Nissan Pathfinder more reliable than the Toyota Highlander?: Based on our data, the Nissan Pathfinder is more reliable with an average score of 73/100 compared to 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Nissan Pathfinder or the Toyota Highlander?: The Toyota Highlander has more recalls (66) 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 Nissan Pathfinder or the Toyota Highlander?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Pathfinder has a lower complaint rate at 3.5 per 10,000 sold versus 5.8 for the Toyota Highlander. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Nissan Pathfinder or the Toyota Highlander?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Highlander is cheaper to maintain at $489/year versus $542/year for the Nissan Pathfinder.
Is the Nissan Pathfinder or Toyota Highlander safer?: Both the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota 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.

More Nissan Pathfinder comparisons

Nissan Pathfinder vs Ford Explorer reliability Nissan Pathfinder vs Honda Pilot reliability Nissan Pathfinder vs Chevrolet Traverse reliability Nissan Pathfinder vs Kia Telluride reliability Nissan Pathfinder reliability by year Nissan Pathfinder years to avoid

More Toyota Highlander comparisons

Toyota Highlander vs Volkswagen Atlas reliability Toyota Highlander vs Mazda CX-90 reliability Toyota Highlander vs Hyundai Palisade reliability Toyota Highlander vs Toyota Grand Highlander reliability Toyota Highlander reliability by year Toyota Highlander years to avoid

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.

See incorrect data? Report an issue