Nissan Pathfinder is a brand of sport utility vehicles made by Nissan since 1985.
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At the initial stage, Nissan manufactured it as a compact SUV from 1985 before producing it as a mid-size SUV from 1995 till date.
It is a budget-friendly vehicle that has a decently powered engine and an attractive interior and space that can comfortably accommodate 7 passengers.
This article will discuss the longevity of this impressive vehicle.
Remember, we also have an article listing the most common problems with Nissan Pathfinders.
Here is the short answer to how long the Nissan Pathfinder lasts:
You can expect a Nissan Pathfinder to last about 300,000 miles or more with proper care and regular routine maintenance. If you average 15k miles annually, you should be able to get about 20 years of head-ache free performance from a well-maintained Pathfinder.
How Many Miles Can You Expect From A Nissan Pathfinder?
With proper use and diligent care and maintenance, a Nissan Pathfinder can easily last 250,000 to 300,000 miles before requiring major repairs. According to Nissan Pathfinders Consumer Reviews, a lot of Pathfinder owners have used the vehicle for over 5 years and exceeded 200,000 miles.
A Pathfinder owner from Rock Hill SC attested to owning the car for over 7 years with it still going strong after about 315,000 miles.
He qualified the vehicle as a ‘good reliable transportation on a budget’.
To achieve this many miles, however, you need a Nissan Pathfinder from a good year.
How Soon Should You Expect Rust on a Nissan Pathfinder?
Rusting is one of the major issues for the Nissan Pathfinder. The 1999 to 2005 models are the most victims of rusting.
Nissan made a voluntary recall of Pathfinders within these years because of this rusting issue.
According to customer’s reviews and complaints, it takes about 1 to 3 years for rust to be seen on a Pathfinder.
A Pathfinder owner in Alberta stated that about 30 to 40% of the Nissan Pathfinders he had seen had rusts on them.
How Long Do Nissan Pathfinders Last Compared to Similar SUVs?
Nissan Pathfinder faces intense competition in the mid-size SUV segment. To compare the Pathfinder with other similar SUVs, we will consider the following:
- Miles covered
- Reliability rating
- Maintenance cost per year
Nissan Pathfinder vs Toyota Highlander
For miles covered, the Toyota Highlander can last for over 300,000 miles just like the Nissan Pathfinder.
On rating, both have the same 4.0 out of 5.0 RepairPal reliability rating.
In comparison, based on maintenance costs, Toyota Highlander is $53 cheaper to maintain. The maintenance cost of the Pathfinder is $542, while that of the Highlander is $489 per year.
Please also read our article about how long the Toyota Highlander lasts.
Nissan Pathfinder vs Chevrolet Traverse
The Nissan Pathfinder lasts longer than the Chevy Traverse, which can deliver its best performance for about 200,000 miles.
Regarding ratings, Nissan Pathfinder has a higher reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 from RepairPal while Chevrolet Traverse has a 3.5 rating.
Comparing the maintenance cost, Nissan Pathfinder is cheaper to maintain, with a $114 difference, as the maintenance cost of Chevrolet Traverse approximates to $656 annually.
Considering the reliability and maintenance cost, we can argue that the Nissan Pathfinder is a better investment than the Chevrolet Traverse.
Make sure to also read our article about how long the Chevrolet Traverse lasts.
Nissan Pathfinder vs Honda Pilot
The Honda Pilot and the Nissan Pathfinder share the same level of longevity. Both vehicles can last over 300,000 miles if you care for them and use them carefully.
The two cars also share the same annual cost of maintenance and repairs of $542, according to RepairPal.
Also read our article about how long the Honda Pilot lasts.
How Reliable Is a Nissan Pathfinder?
In terms of reliability, the Nissan Pathfinder scores a 4.0 out of 5.0 on RepairPal’s reliability rating.
The platform ranks the Pathfinder 9th position out of 32 for all mid-size SUVs.
The rating was based on its average repair cost and visit to the repair shop. The Nissan Pathfinder has an average of 0.3 visits to the repair shop annually while 13% of repairs have a high severity.
Another top rated website in the United States, J.D. Power, known for their data credibility, gave the Nissan Pathfinder a 82% rating.
They categorized it as ‘great’ in reliability compared to other SUV brands.
The Best and Worst Years for Nissan Pathfinder
Though the Nissan Pathfinder had a significant amount of accumulated recalls during a span of 20 years, it still received some commendation from reviewers.
With constant upgrades and corrections, Nissan Pathfinder became more valuable among its SUV competitors. These features ranked the 2017 model as the best year for the Nissan Pathfinder according to ComplaintShare.
The worst year for the Pathfinder series is the 2005 model.
CarComplaint noted the model had a major defect of the coolant liquid leaking into the transmission. This resulted in transmission failure with an approximate repair cost of $3,500.
You can explore more on the best and worst Nissan Pathfinder years.
What About Recalls for These Models?
According to autoblog.com, Nissan Pathfinders have been recalled 112 times from the year 1999 to 2019. These recalls were due to some problems discovered in the manufacture of the vehicle models.
The years 2013 and 2014 have the highest recalls of 13 each, which were because of problems in the exterior lighting, airbags, structure, service brakes, electrical systems, among others.
Here is the full list of recalls for Nissan Pathfinders.
- 1999: 6 recalls
- 2000: 7 recalls
- 2001: 8 recalls
- 2002: 10 recalls
- 2003: 8 recalls
- 2004: 8 recalls
- 2005: 4 recalls
- 2006: 5 recalls
- 2007: 2 recalls
- 2008: 4 recalls
- 2009: 3 recalls
- 2010: 5 recalls
- 2011: 1 recalls
- 2012: 2 recalls
- 2013: 13 recalls
- 2014: 13 recalls
- 2015: 5 recalls
- 2016: 1 recalls
- 2017: 2 recalls
- 2018: 3 recalls
- 2019: 2 recalls
We have an article here on the Nissan models with the most recalls.
Nissan Pathfinder Model Year List
Here is a list of the model years of the Nissan Pathfinder:
First Generation (1985 to 1995) | 1985 Nissan Pathfinder
1986 Nissan Pathfinder 1987 Nissan Pathfinder 1988 Nissan Pathfinder 1989 Nissan Pathfinder 1990 Nissan Pathfinder 1991 Nissan Pathfinder 1992 Nissan Pathfinder 1993 Nissan Pathfinder 1994 Nissan Pathfinder 1995 Nissan Pathfinder |
Second Generation (1995 to 2004) | 1996 Nissan Pathfinder
1997 Nissan Pathfinder 1998 Nissan Pathfinder 1999 Nissan Pathfinder 2000 Nissan Pathfinder 2001 Nissan Pathfinder 2002 Nissan Pathfinder 2003 Nissan Pathfinder 2004 Nissan Pathfinder |
Third Generation (2004 to 2012) | 2005 Nissan Pathfinder
2006 Nissan Pathfinder 2007 Nissan Pathfinder 2008 Nissan Pathfinder 2009 Nissan Pathfinder 2011 Nissan Pathfinder 2012 Nissan Pathfinder |
Fourth Generation (2012 to present) | 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
2014 Nissan Pathfinder 2015 Nissan Pathfinder 2016 Nissan Pathfinder 2017 Nissan Pathfinder 2018 Nissan Pathfinder 2019 Nissan Pathfinder 2020 Nissan Pathfinder 2021 Nissan Pathfinder |
Fifth Generation (2021 to present) | 2022 Nissan Pathfinder |
Are Nissan Pathfinders Expensive to Maintain?
Nissan Pathfinders are considerably cheap to maintain, with an annual maintenance cost of $542. This is lesser than the $573 average maintenance cost of SUVs in its category.
RapairPal also noted an approximate annual repair cost of about $500 for the Nissan Pathfinder.
Taking into consideration the low percentage it has in repair severity, it is cheaper to maintain compared to other mid-size SUVs.
You should also be reading our article which talks about How Long Do Nissan Maxima Last?
Below is a list of the common repairs on the Nissan Pathfinder and their corresponding cost range:
- Heater Core Replacement: $951 – $1,101
- Brake Booster Replacement: $776 – $837
- Clutch Slave Cylinder Replacement: $201 – $217
- Noise Diagnosis: $88 – $111
- Power Steering Hose Replacement: $587 – $625
How Long Do the Brakes Last?
The Nissan Pathfinder brake pad typically lasts for 30,000 to 70,000 miles.
Drivers commuting in heavy traffic can expect their brake pads to wear faster.
How Long Do the Tires Last?
On good conditions, the Nissan Pathfinder tires can last up to 60,000 miles. The tires can also last as little as 10,000 miles when it is affected by some extreme external conditions.
The conditions may be physical conditions (wears and damages), road conditions (potholes and obstacles), climatic conditions (rain, snow, hot temperatures, etc.), driving habits and so much more.
How Long Do the Transmissions Last?
The Nissan Pathfinder’s transmission could last up 200,000 miles. Proper maintenance is necessary for this to be achievable.
Keeping up with regular checkups and don’t ignore any unusual signs.
How Long Do the Spark Plugs Last?
The Nissan Pathfinder’s spark plugs can last for 30,000 miles before they are due for replacement.
If your vehicle is consuming too much fuel or the performance suddenly dips, check that your spark plugs are still in good condition.
What About Insurance Cost?
The insurance cost of Nissan Pathfinder is an average $220 a month ($2,640 a year), reports finder.com.
Note that the cost depends on several factors, including the locality and driving record of the owner.
Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Nissan Pathfinder
Below are some of the essential maintenance tips to prolong the life of your Nissan Pathfinder:
- Service the vehicle according to the maintenance schedule.
- Drain, flush, and refill of the coolant system every 2 years.
- Check the headlights periodically (especially during winter time)
- Use genuine spare parts.
- Maintain and repair the vehicle at certified shops and dealerships.
Resources
Nissan Pathfinder | carcomplaints.com
Nissan Pathfinder: Service and Reliability | repairpal.com