2013 Nissan Pathfinder Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission › Internal › CVT
  1
• Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
  1
• Automatic transmission
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  22070%
• 25k–50k
  258%
• 50k–75k
  175%
• 75k–100k
  237%
• 100k–150k
  227%
• 150k+
  62%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Nissan Pathfinder owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, there was a slight jerking or hesitation before the vehicle accelerated. The failure was intermittent. While driving approximately 45 MPH after stopping at a stoplight, the vehicle shuddered and pulled to the left. The contact stated that excessive force was needed to turn the steering wheel to the right to avoid a crash. The vehicle was pulled over and parked. The vehicle was turned off until a friend arrived at the scene to assist. The friend started the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to respond in drive or in reverse. The vehicle was towed to the residence. Several days later, when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light was illuminated, and the vehicle failed to operate. …

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated she was starting the ignition but was unable to shift gears out of Park. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V142000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and referred her to the local dealer to diagnose the vehicle. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced and for several recall repairs to be performed on the vehicle. The contact was informed that NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V142000 (Power Train) was not performed. The vehicle was not repaired. …

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.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the RPM's revved up however, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact veered to the shoulder of the road and turned off the vehicle. Roadside assistance was contacted the vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic determined that the CVT jigger was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, the contact was informed that the warranty repair had expired. A case number was provided. The contact stated that NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V142000 (Power Train) was repaired in Jan 2017. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, when the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed the transmission was needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V142000 (POWER TRAIN), however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was determined that the vehicle needed an oil change, and that the check engine warning light would be deactivated. The oil change was performed; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact about the transmission judder code. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB: 15-015A (Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

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.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate the vehicle would jerk and hesitate while driving and shifting into gear. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with a CVT judder. The contact stated that she researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V142000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,397.

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.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Transmission complaints in other Pathfinder years