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

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the Nissan Pathfinder is cheaper to maintain — about $7,317 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 3.5L V6 VQ35DE and the 3.5L V6 VQ35DE?

Across 31 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the Nissan Pathfinder or Nissan Pathfinder?

The Nissan Pathfinder has 7 open NHTSA recalls. The Nissan Pathfinder has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

2004 Nissan Pathfinder vs 2026 Nissan Pathfinder

Specifications

Year

2004

2026

Engine

3.5L V6 VQ35DE

Drivetrain

AWD

Transmission

automatic

Fuel

gas

Cost of Ownership

5-Year Maintenance

$14,259

0.24 $/mi

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$6,942

0.12 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGENissan Pathfinder — Saves you $7,317 over 5 years (51% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

RE5R05A Transmission Failure (Cooler Contamination & Internal Damage)

— hrs$2,925 / 5yr

— hrs

Oil & filter change

0.3 hrs$1,020 / 5yr

0.4 hrs$1,200 / 5yr

VQ35DE Oil Consumption & Rod/Main Bearing Failure

— hrs$1,925 / 5yr

— hrs

Tire rotation

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.0 hrs$440 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.0 hrs$460 / 5yr

0.8 hrs$400 / 5yr

Exhaust Manifold / Catalytic Converter Failure

— hrs$845 / 5yr

— hrs

Timing Chain Guides & Tensioner Wear

— hrs$805 / 5yr

— hrs

Differential fluid

1.0 hrs$380 / 5yr

Spark plugs

1.5 hrs$305 / 5yr

Front Lower Control Arm Bushings

— hrs$520 / 5yr

— hrs

12V battery

0.3 hrs$245 / 5yr

0.4 hrs$260 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

5.5 hrs$275 / 5yr

4.5 hrs$230 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$180 / 5yr

Water pump

3.5 hrs$226 / 5yr

3.2 hrs$210 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

0.3 hrs$210 / 5yr

Fuel filter

0.5 hrs$210 / 5yr

0.3 hrs$150 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

2.5 hrs$174 / 5yr

Oxygen sensor

1.5 hrs$173 / 5yr

Coolant flush

0.8 hrs$170 / 5yr

0.7 hrs$155 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

3.5 hrs$144 / 5yr

Steering Column Upper Shaft Bearing Wear (Recall-Related)

— hrs$245 / 5yr

— hrs

Engine air filter

0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

Alternator

1.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.5 hrs$110 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

Starter motor

1.5 hrs$85 / 5yr

1.8 hrs$94 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.3 hrs$65 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

Ignition coil

0.8 hrs$80 / 5yr

Thermostat

1.2 hrs$77 / 5yr

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

7 open

★ WINNER

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

🏆

ADVANTAGENissan Pathfinder — 7 fewer open recalls from the NHTSA

Fluid Capacities

Nissan Pathfinder

brake · DOT 3 Brake Fluid

coolant13.00 qt · Nissan Long Life Coolant (Blue)

engine_oil6.00 qt · Nissan Genuine 5W-30

front_diff1.50 qt · 75W-90 GL-5 Gear Oil

power_steering1.00 qt · Nissan PSF

rear_diff2.00 qt · 75W-90 GL-5 Gear Oil

transfer_case2.50 qt · Transfer Case Fluid

transmission_auto10.00 qt · Nissan Matic S ATF

washer3.50 qt · Windshield Washer Fluid

Nissan Pathfinder

brake · FMVSS 116 DOT 4

coolant13.00 qt · Nissan LLC

engine_oil6.00 qt · API SP

front_diff1.50 qt · API GL-5

power_steering · N/A

rear_diff2.00 qt · API GL-5

transfer_case2.50 qt · ATF or manufacturer specific

transmission_auto10.00 qt · Nissan Matic S

washer3.50 qt · All-season or winter-rated

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

2026 Nissan Pathfinder

3.5L V6 VQ35DE

Nissan Pathfinder is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$7,317 over 5 years)
Nissan Pathfinder has 7 fewer open NHTSA recalls

Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.

Open the full dashboard for either truck

Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.