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Cross-comparison · Comparison spans different vehicle types

2013 Ford Edge vs 2013 Nissan Pathfinder

Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.

Synced 2026-06-08 Source: NHTSA public records Reviewed by ASE-certified contributors
Quick verdict
The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder edges this one on reliability data

Reliability data favors the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder (3.2 versus 3.0). These vehicles aren't a typical head-to-head comparison, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.

2013 Ford Edge

3.0/5
Reliability score
2,423 complaints
1 recalls (0 critical)
$14,550 repair exposure
vs
More reliable

2013 Nissan Pathfinder

3.2/5
Reliability score
888 complaints
2 recalls (0 critical)
$13,900 repair exposure

Stories from the shop

The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder edges this comparison on reliability data (3.2 versus 3.0). These aren't a typical head-to-head, but if you're cross-shopping them, the data is what it is.

If you lean 2013 Ford Edge, know what you're getting into on electrical and brakes. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.

Going with the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder? Watch the powertrain and airbags. The 2013 Ford Edge has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.

Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.

— ProblemsByVin editorial team, drawing on the NHTSA data and shop experience.

Side-by-side by problem area

Category
2013 Ford Edge
2013 Nissan Pathfinder
electrical
832 reports
moderate · ~$850
36 reports
moderate · ~$850
brakes
574 reports
moderate · ~$450
35 reports
severe · ~$450
powertrain
152 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
360 reports
moderate · ~$2,500
body
160 reports
moderate · ~$1,500
63 reports
moderate · ~$1,500
airbags
No reports
144 reports
severe · ~$1,100
engine
82 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
36 reports
moderate · ~$3,100
lighting
62 reports
moderate · ~$250
No reports
visibility
No reports
37 reports
moderate · ~$350
cruise control
35 reports
severe · ~$600
No reports
steering
35 reports
severe · ~$700
No reports

Common questions

Which is more reliable, the 2013 Ford Edge or the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?

Based on the NHTSA data we track, the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder comes out ahead with a reliability score of 3.2 versus 3.0. The margin is narrow, so the verdict could shift if you weight specific categories differently or factor in your own use case.

What goes wrong more often on the 2013 Ford Edge?

Compared to the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, the 2013 Ford Edge sees more reported issues in electrical and brakes. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.

What goes wrong more often on the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?

Compared to the 2013 Ford Edge, the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder has more complaints in powertrain and airbags. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.

Which has more recalls?

The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder has more active recalls (2 vs 1). Total count is less important than severity, though — a vehicle with one critical recall and zero moderate ones is generally riskier than one with five moderate recalls.

Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?

Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $14,550 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.

Related comparisons

Reliability scores, complaint counts, and severity ratings derived from the NHTSA public records database. Verify each vehicle's federal record: 2013 Ford Edge on NHTSA · 2013 Nissan Pathfinder on NHTSA. "Repair exposure" is the sum of average independent-shop repair costs across each vehicle's tracked problem categories and is intended as a relative comparison, not an exact prediction. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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