What would you consider the best and worst 3 model years?

[Micallen]

What would you consider the best 3 Pathfinder model years?

What would you consider the worst 3 Pathfinder model years?

If I had to guess, I'd say 2002-2004 may be amongst the best model years.
If you go by US News reports, 2013 and really a lot if years in that range don't fare too well.

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/ran ... suvs+page2

[Rockwood]

Worst model years would probably be 2005 and 2006 which had radiator problems that allowed engine coolant to get in the transmission cooler lines and ruin the transmission.

I'm not sure about the new front wheel drive Pathys. Just have not had experience with them. They seem to be very similar to a van.

[yeldogt]

02-04's are the best R50's .. I can't comment on the later vehicles. The pathfinder became too big for my needs after the R50 .. it's now not really a 4x4. We went with a 4Runner ... but, now they are huge. The R50 is really a great size vehicle .. it's a shame no one makes a vehicle like it anymore.

[nickelghandi]

I agree. My 99.5 R50 gave me some trouble, but it was mostly rust related. It lacked some power too. Not for mountainous highway trips loaded down with people/gear.

My 2004 has given me minor issues and one failed transmission (likely from PO), but has been mostly trouble free. It has just the right amount of power for its size and 02-04 seem to be the best of the model years. The R51's look and handle like vans even though they are body-on-frame, and the 2013+ look like a Murano and drive like they have marshmallows for tires.

I would still like a few more horses though. Maybe a VH45 or similar swap is in my future? Then I would have the perfect SUV.

[PathyPop]

I'd agree, the 2002-04 are probably the best. Nothing terrible about the earlier R50's, but they are under powered. The R51's are ok, but I would prefer an Xterra for the size and then there's the radiator issue. I've always liked the WD Pathfinders too, for their simplicity. Hard to find a nice one though, not quite as cherished as their 4Runner counterpart.

[brickbox]

02-04 R50s without a doubt. I think the later R51s were pretty decent vehicles too, but a size bigger.
I drove a rental base version FWD R52. I almost feel like they went a step backwards. The FWD layout doesn't really bother me much. It's just that I can't fathom a significantly newer vehicle with a VQ35DE having the same output as our R50s....

[AlanAZ]

CarComplaints.com rankings for Pathfinder:

Best years: 2003, 2004, 2009-2012

Worst years: 2005, 2006; 2005 makes the Top 20 worst vehicles list

[Hawairish]

I’d say 01-02 over 03-04 because they were drive-by-cable. Drive-by-wire has a “non-serviceable” throttle body and pedal, either of which can put the truck in limp mode...mid-drive (ask me how I know). They also had (marginally) better LSD numbers than 03-04.

I’d upvote 93-95 WD21. Excellent LSD numbers and rear disc brakes options.

I’d put every R52 and JX35/QX60 at the bottom of the list. Consistently ranked worst-buys, CVTs (I hate them), and pathetic drivetrains by any Pathfinder standards.