Which years should I avoid for the Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Expedition?

Avoid the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2013, and 2014 Pathfinder, and the 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024 Expedition, based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.

Which model has more complaints overall?

The Pathfinder has 5,568 total complaints (278 per model year) versus the Expedition's 3,962 (189 per model year), though NHTSA data is not adjusted for sales volume.

Which model has more recalls?

The Ford Expedition has 59 total recall campaigns compared to 35 for the Nissan Pathfinder.

What are the top problem areas for each model?

For the Pathfinder, Transmission & Powertrain leads at 42% of complaints, followed by Engine at 31%. For the Expedition, Transmission & Powertrain leads at 30%, followed by Engine at 27%.

Which model gets better fuel economy?

The Pathfinder averages 19.9 mpg combined across its model years, while the Expedition averages 16.6 mpg combined.

Nissan Pathfinder vs Ford Expedition: Which Years to Avoid

Nissan Pathfinder owners should avoid 2005-2007 and 2013-2014; Ford Expedition owners should avoid 2017-2021 and 2024. The Pathfinder logs 5,568 total complaints across 20 model years (278/year) versus the Expedition's 3,962 across 21 years (189/year), but the Expedition carries more recall campaigns (59 vs 35).

Head to head

Nissan Pathfinder

Model years: 2005–2025 (20)
NHTSA complaints: 5,568
Per model year: 278
Recall campaigns: 35
Years to avoid: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2013, 2014
Best years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2020
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 19.9
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

Ford Expedition

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 3,962
Per model year: 189
Recall campaigns: 59
Years to avoid: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024
Best years: 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 16.6
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.8 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Pathfinder				Expedition
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Avoid	1,050	2	16.5	Caution	315	0	14
2006	Avoid	837	3	16.5	Caution	299	2	14
2007	Avoid	561	1	16.5	Good	215	2	15
2008	Caution	328	4	15.5	Caution	146	3	14
2009	Good	37	3	16	Good	28	1	16
2010	Best	40	4	16.5	Best	58	0	15
2011	Best	45	2	16	Best	71	0	15
2012	Best	23	2	16	Good	118	3	15.5
2013	Avoid	890	11	21.5	Best	92	0	15.5
2014	Avoid	574	11	24	Best	72	0	15.5
2015	Caution	320	5	23	Good	164	3	17
2016	Good	105	2	22	Caution	216	3	17
2017	Caution	186	2	22	Avoid	357	4	17
2018	Caution	77	3	22	Avoid	375	14	19
2019	Caution	76	2	22	Avoid	503	11	19
2020	Best	48	0	22	Avoid	414	18	19
2021	—	—	—	—	Avoid	232	12	19
2022	Caution	135	5	23	Caution	113	12	18
2023	Caution	104	1	22.5	Good	64	8	18
2024	Good	81	2	22.5	Avoid	76	7	18
2025	Caution	51	1	22.5	Good	34	5	18.5

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which years should I avoid for the Nissan Pathfinder and Ford Expedition?: Avoid the 2005, 2006, 2007, 2013, and 2014 Pathfinder, and the 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024 Expedition, based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
Which model has more complaints overall?: The Pathfinder has 5,568 total complaints (278 per model year) versus the Expedition's 3,962 (189 per model year), though NHTSA data is not adjusted for sales volume.
Which model has more recalls?: The Ford Expedition has 59 total recall campaigns compared to 35 for the Nissan Pathfinder.
What are the top problem areas for each model?: For the Pathfinder, Transmission & Powertrain leads at 42% of complaints, followed by Engine at 31%. For the Expedition, Transmission & Powertrain leads at 30%, followed by Engine at 27%.
Which model gets better fuel economy?: The Pathfinder averages 19.9 mpg combined across its model years, while the Expedition averages 16.6 mpg combined.