Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Nissan Pathfinder owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and depressing the accelerator pedal, there was a significant delay in the vehicle response. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle overheated, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle hesitated to shift into the intended gear. The contact stated that the vehicle had overheated while driving and had failed to shift beyond first or second gear on some occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle had overheated and had stalled on other occasions, and the vehicle would become drivable after half an hour. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal for an extended period of the time, the vehicle responded as needed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that there would be no assistance provided in covering the repair cost. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that when making a turn, the contact noticed a rumbling noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed electronic coupler. The contact was informed that the electronic coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed of a Technical Service Bulletin which had a similar failure description, Technical Service Bulletin NTB10-029E, however, the contact was informed that the repair was not eligible for coverage under Technical Service Bulletin NTB10-029E. The failure mileage was 40,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked and hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving from a complete stop. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the CarMax where the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,320.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the transmission shuddered, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud sound coming from the front of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that a family member had driven the vehicle and informed the contact that the vehicle was experiencing a transmission failure. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 81,954.
Complete shutdown of the vehicle while driving down the road. Caused me to go into a ditch. The vehicles lights flashed and then it just shut off. Had the alternator replaced twice also the battery replaced twice and now the nissan dealership has said they don't know what's wrong with it.
We bought this Nissan Pathfinder SV model with 4-wheel drive brand new in 2015. This model supposed to have had an upgraded Continuously Variable transmission (CVT). It is meticulously maintained. In 2020 at 70,000 miles the CVT oil was changed by the Nissan dealer. The dealer said that there was nothing abnormal with the car and it was doing well. About year later at around 80,000 miles, car started to sporadically shudder and loose power when cruising at a low speed and when trying to accelerate or go up a hill with slow speeds. There was no check engine light, or any other indicators that there was a problem. We took it to the Nissan dealer and the dealer ran diagnostics. They charged us $129.95 for an hour of troubleshooting and give us a report that the car has a code P17F1 - the CVT Judder. This indicates that there is a problem with the CVT steel belt or the CVT valve body. …
It begins shaking, jolting and shuddering while driving; started off happening at take off; then progressed to anytime speed was under 35mph; now, it does it often throughout all speeds. Nissan states it needs a new transmission which was quoted to cost $6,600+tax. The vehicle trade-in value is only $5,000ish prior to these symptoms. Vehicle has less than 117,500 miles and all maintenance and fluids have been routinely changed throughout vehicle's lifespan. This CVT issue seems to be ongoing therefore Nissan and other makes should not be allowed to put these into vehicles that are so costly and these transmissions begin to give problems while vehicles are still under warranty. Need assistance in fixing the costly transmission and Nissan should have a discount on this faulty transmissions that they knew had issues. …
I was driving on a busy highway and when I went to accelerate after slowing down in traffic my Pathfinder started to shake and shudder and would not accelerate forward. I not only almost got rear ended but I almost got into a head on collision because I was at an intersection. The car just lost all power all of a sudden. My car has been maintained properly with routine oil changes, transmission fluid changes, it has four brand new tires on it just purchased six months ago. So now I find out that I am one of the "victims of the bad CVT transmissions that Nissan put into these vehicles and they knew it!!" I call Nissan support and they tell me basically "too bad the warranty was extended but it ended in 2022 and at 84,000 miles. It's now 2025 and you're at 105,000 miles. I am "disabled for life and on a fixed income" I don't have the money to fix the car. …
Transmission complaints in other Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA has 77 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder, 24% of the model year's 321 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Nissan Pathfinder transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2015 Nissan Pathfinder, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 Nissan Pathfinder transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.