Which years of the Nissan Pathfinder should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2025 as the Pathfinder years to avoid, with 2013 having the highest complaint index (100) and 890 complaints, mostly tied to transmission and powertrain issues.

Which years of the Ford Expedition should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 as the Expedition years to avoid. The 2019 model has the highest complaint index (100) with 503 complaints, and 2020 carries 18 recalls, the most of any Expedition year.

Which SUV has more complaints and recalls, the Pathfinder or the Expedition?

The Expedition has more total complaints (2,958 vs 2,755) and far more recall campaigns (52 vs 32) across the years covered. These totals are not adjusted for sales volume.

Which SUV gets better fuel economy, the Pathfinder or the Expedition?

The Pathfinder averages 21.2 MPG combined versus 17.3 MPG combined for the Expedition, based on EPA figures across the years covered.

Are the best years for these two SUVs the same?

No. Pathfinder's best years are 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2020, while Expedition's best years are 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014, based on NHTSA complaint and recall data.

Nissan Pathfinder vs Ford Expedition: Which Years to Avoid

Avoid Nissan Pathfinder 2013–2015 and 2025, and Ford Expedition 2017–2020. Pathfinder logs 2,755 total complaints and 32 recalls across 15 years; Expedition logs 2,958 complaints and 52 recalls across 16 years. Pathfinder averages 21.2 MPG combined versus 17.3 for Expedition.

Head to head

Nissan Pathfinder

Model years: 2010–2025 (15)
NHTSA complaints: 2,755
Per model year: 184
Recall campaigns: 32
Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2025
Best years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2020
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 21.2
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.9 ★

Ford Expedition

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 2,958
Per model year: 185
Recall campaigns: 52
Years to avoid: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Best years: 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 17.3
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
2010	Best	40	4	16.5	Best	57	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	Avoid	320	5	23	Good	164	3	17
2016	Good	105	2	22	Good	216	3	17
2017	Caution	186	2	22	Avoid	357	4	17
2018	Good	77	3	22	Avoid	375	14	19
2019	Good	76	2	22	Avoid	503	11	19
2020	Best	48	0	22	Avoid	414	18	19
2021	—	—	—	—	Caution	232	12	19
2022	Caution	135	5	23	Caution	113	12	18
2023	Caution	104	1	22.5	Caution	64	8	18
2024	Caution	81	2	22.5	Caution	76	7	18
2025	Avoid	51	1	22.5	Good	34	5	18.5

Complaint Index by year

Nissan Pathfinder

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Ford Expedition

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which years of the Nissan Pathfinder should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2025 as the Pathfinder years to avoid, with 2013 having the highest complaint index (100) and 890 complaints, mostly tied to transmission and powertrain issues.
Which years of the Ford Expedition should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 as the Expedition years to avoid. The 2019 model has the highest complaint index (100) with 503 complaints, and 2020 carries 18 recalls, the most of any Expedition year.
Which SUV has more complaints and recalls, the Pathfinder or the Expedition?: The Expedition has more total complaints (2,958 vs 2,755) and far more recall campaigns (52 vs 32) across the years covered. These totals are not adjusted for sales volume.
Which SUV gets better fuel economy, the Pathfinder or the Expedition?: The Pathfinder averages 21.2 MPG combined versus 17.3 MPG combined for the Expedition, based on EPA figures across the years covered.
Are the best years for these two SUVs the same?: No. Pathfinder's best years are 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2020, while Expedition's best years are 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014, based on NHTSA complaint and recall data.