248 complaints reported

2013 Nissan Pathfinder Power Train

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
248
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Nov 2026

My car has been having issues with what seems to be the transmission. This Nissan Pathfinder has CVT, which is continuous variable transmission. Three months ago I had a radiator blowout and had to change that and the thermostat. I believe that it was due to the transmission issues. currently I have an oil leak and I believe it’s due to your issues with the transmission.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2026
Jan 2026

transmission started jerking & went out leaving me stranded.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2025
Dec 2025

I have a 2013 Pathfinder that is experiencing a High pitch whine coming from the transmission. when shifting in lower gears, there is a soft kick. i have only experienced a shutter once and only at lower speeds and rpm. once I'm at a higher speed it seems to get less. I have had the vehicle for 8 months. just started in the the last week. It has 157k miles.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2025
Dec 2025

My name is [XXX] , and I am requesting urgent escalation regarding my 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, which has now gone through four CVT transmissions, including three replacements within the past year. All repairs were performed by a Nissan dealership, yet the same failure continues to occur. I have maintained my vehicle properly. This situation is becoming unsafe and financially damaging, and I am asking for Nissan’s support in resolving it fairly and promptly. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2025
Nov 2025

Transmission is making a noise after acceleration once the car gets to 40 miles an hour it starts jerking. Just purchased the car and has not even been 30 days. I first noticed this a week after purchasing.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2025
Nov 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle jerked abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Zone, where a handheld diagnostic machine retrieved DTC: P1750. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the same code was retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2025
Oct 2025

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - The issue lies within the CVT. There is violent shuddering when accelerating. It is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - The violent and intense shuddering caused by the failing CVT incapacitates the ability the properly steer and the potential for random loss of power could directly impact traffic conditions. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - Not yet; I have been cautious to drive the vehicle since the issue escalated. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - No, the vehicle has remained parked since the issue became much more serious. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No, the shuddering was vague and seemingly only happened upon acceleration and at low RPM’s when it initially began. It has now progressed to violent shuddering consistently occurring regardless of speed, RPM’s, or acceleration.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2025
Sep 2025

Starts with juddering, loss of power. While driving you can experience a total complete loss of power which deceleration quickly which can cause other vehicles to hit you from behind. End result, shifter moves but doesnt engage gears, like you're in neutral. Engine rev's but you're getting nowhere. You're lucky to maneuver off the highway. Requires a tow and a transmission replacement without warning.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2025
Sep 2025

The transmission shudders. Causes jerking and hard shifts that makes the car move in unwanted ways. Car may shut off if shutter gets too hard. It’s pretty bad , even the repairs do not fix the issue. This definitely needs to be a recall for Nissan to take a look at

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2025
Jul 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jolted while upshifting and accelerating. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, and transmission fluid was added; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, where it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2025
Dec 2024

Car shakes. Engine light on. Diagnostic performed by Ase certified mechanic revealing transmission code, CVT shutter which has a voluntary recall for this particular year. When I contacted the St. Petersburg Crown Nissan regarding this needed repair, I was told my vehicle would not qualify for the voluntary recall

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2024
Oct 2024

See attached document for complaint.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2024
May 2024

Wife was driving to pick up the kids from school and the transmission started to shudder then doesn’t move at all until the vehicle is shut off for about an hour then it’ll start to move again but barely codes reading P0776, P0965. Also the service 4x4 came up on the dash and it fells as if something is holding it back as you drive.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: May 2024
May 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle shuddered significantly. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while driving at various speeds. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to Nissan Campaign Number: PC500 (Re-program TCM). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: May 2024
Feb 2024

There is a transmission issue, no longer available for inspection. The car shudders when changing gears. There was a service campaign bulletin for this check engine light code but it only extended the warranty.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2024
Jan 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shuddering and shaking abnormally while attempting to turn left or right. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified on the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2024
Sep 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shook violently and stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2023
Jul 2023

Vehicle shakes, jerks, shudders when accelerating quickly.... i.e. merging onto highways, after slowing down or stopping

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: May 2023
May 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that she noticed a spot had started to form underneath her vehicle. Additionally, she had noticed that the vehicle was hesitating and jerking into gear while accelerating. The contact also stated that she heard an abnormal whining sound while starting the vehicle and shifting into drive(D). The contact stated that while shifting into reverse(R) there was no abnormal sounds. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had become more frequent. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V142000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2023
May 2023

The contact’s niece owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while his niece was driving at various speeds, the transmission hesitated, and the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle became inoperable and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the continuously variable transmission (CVT) needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware that the warranty had expired, and the vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2021
Apr 2023

The transmission won't go into gear and when it does go into gear it shudders. The trans is a CVT . The original trans was replaced at or around 100,000 miles

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2023
Apr 2023

Only 78 k and transmission stopped working on the highway

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2023
Oct 2022

-The transmission failed and yes it is available to inspect -We were driving and all of a sudden we lost acceleration momentarily, we were not far from home so we made it home but is was scary and unsafe. -It was inspected by a local transmission repair shop and then towed to the dealership. -No warning lights came on, no computer messages, there was no warning whatsoever. The transmission was working perfect one moment and then all of the sudden it wasn't.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2022
Aug 2022

This issues started about a year ago. The vehicle jerks and shudders at low RPM's. When the vehicle transmission is in "Drive" and I press the gas pedal, the vehicle jerks and the whole body shudders badly. The only way to stop it is to move the selector to "Low" and lightly press the gas until the RPM's increase. This is dangerous because it causes me to have to drive at lower speeds and take off at lower speeds to avoid the jerking/shuddering. Recently the vehicle seemed like it didn't want to move. I was at a red light and followed the low take off speed procedure I have developed but the vehicle lurched forward then stopped then lurched forward then stopped again. The car behind me almost rear ended me because of it.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2022
Jul 2022

Cvt transmission is having issues. When I put the car into gear it jerks and makes loud noises. The dealership wont help.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2022

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Nissan Pathfinder has 248 Power Train complaints on file. 1 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.