Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2025 | 8 | 15% | — |
| 2024 | 9 | 10% | 4,000 miles |
| 2023 | 13 | 12% | 43,000 miles |
| 2022 | 17 | 13% | 16,000 miles |
| 2020 | 8 | 17% | — |
| 2019 | 9 | 12% | 83,000 miles |
| 2018 | 12 | 15% | 19,000 miles |
| 2017 | 34 | 18% | 45,000 miles |
| 2016 | 7 | 7% | 76,000 miles |
| 2015 | 77 | 24% | 43,000 miles |
| 2014 | 214 | 37% | 42,000 miles |
| 2013 | 370 | 42% | 5,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 9% | 130,000 miles |
| 2011 | 7 | 16% | 62,000 miles |
| 2010 | 11 | 28% | 148,000 miles |
| 2009 | 8 | 22% | 100,000 miles |
| 2008 | 155 | 47% | 113,000 miles |
| 2007 | 337 | 60% | 107,000 miles |
| 2006 | 450 | 54% | 102,000 miles |
| 2005 | 585 | 56% | 100,000 miles |
| 2004 | 9 | 13% | 83,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% | 102,000 miles |
| 2002 | 10 | 6% | 50,000 miles |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% | 78,000 miles |
| 2000 | 6 | 5% | 123,000 miles |
| 1999 | 8 | 8% | 49,000 miles |
| 1998 | 20 | 13% | 88,000 miles |
| 1997 | 19 | 9% | 93,000 miles |
| 1996 | 12 | 8% | 149,000 miles |
| 1995 | 20 | 12% | 89,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I have had my 2025 pathfinder act up over the last two months. It acts up at the most inconvenient time. I have notice that it kicks into low gear when I am pulling out into traffic. It will not disengage at all during this time. The only way that I can get out of low gear, is to pull over and stop, turn off the engine and then turn it back on. After turning off the engine and restarting it goes back to driving normal. This has happen on and off over the past two months. It has been reported to Clark Nissan in Abilene, Texas. They have not been able to have the problem appear and no engine faults are showing. I am now driving the car and if it happens again hope to video what is happening. Twice this has happen pulling into the [redacted] and have had cars come close to colliding into the back of my car. …
On 03/25/2025, at 7:20 a.m., my wife, on the way to drop off the kids at school, called me and said a light came on the dash and the car was stalled on the railroad track, and a train was coming. I could hear the train whistle blowing. The car would not move off the tracks and she didn't know what the light meant. She said she turned off the car and started it again and got it off the tracks before the train could hit her, but the car was still stuck in the road. I looked online and discovered it was the Automatic Emergency Brake System warning. She was able to turn around and get back home safely with the kids. I can't describe how frightening that was and I can't describe my emotions toward the Nissan electrical engineers that would chance killing my family to install some useless unwanted technology!
The contact owns a 2024 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine made abnormal sounds, and the vehicle stalled. No warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle jerked backwards while shifting from park(P) to drive(D), and the windshield wipers remained stuck in the middle of the windshield for three minutes after activation. The contact stated that the battery was replaced after two months of purchasing the vehicle new. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 3,500.
Purchased new 1/15/2025. First issue with this car happened Oct 2025 with something electrical drawing power. This caused AT codes, auto start/stop codes, front and rear collision codes etc. Took it in they charged the battery and told be they didnt know what was causing the draw. Replaced the battery 10/11/2025. 11/19/2025 had another catastrophic electrical failure at 19,426 miles on OD. Vehicle threw all of the codes. Nissan kept the vehicle and charged and cleared codes. 12/18/2025 vehicle started hesitating and threw codes again. Nissan replaced the fuel pump. Front and rear collision malfuctions remained frequent along with infotainment reboots. Oct 1 2026 vehicle threw all codes again while driving causing loss of power and drivability. Had to be towed in. Vehicle acted the same way as previous. …
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted into neutral(N). The check engine, seat belt, and several other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the vehicle briefly experienced unintended acceleration without the accelerator pedal being depressed. The transmission failed to shift to drive(D) and remained stuck in neutral(N). The contact drove the vehicle at reduced speeds to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the mass air flow (MAF) sensor had failed and there was carbon buildup in the throttle body. The contact was informed that MAF sensor and throttle body needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the engine revved up to 2,000 RPMs. The contact stated that the failure had also occurred upon releasing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the RPMs would increase, and the vehicle would accelerate unintendedly. No warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to two dealers and was advised by both dealers that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealers. The failure mileage was approximately 14,700.
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that after stopping at a gas station, the vehicle was restarted but stalled. There several unknown warning lights flashing on the instrument cluster. The vehicle was unable to be restarted and was towed to a local dealer. The contact stated during the failure the transmission was in drive(D) and could not be shifted to park(P) or neutral(N). The dealer recharged the 12-Volt battery and had difficulty diagnosing the failure. The dealer determined that the transmission control module needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the vehicle was losing motive power while driving. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was stopped, turned off and restarted to regain normal operation. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. …
On 6/16/2022 our vehicle did not allow me to pull my boat and trailer up a gravel road hill leaving our RV Park at 31733 Aqua Vita Road, Gravois Mills, MO 65037. a)Front wheels started slipping but the rear wheels never engaged. b)Either the brakes were applied or engine power was derated despite application of the throttle. c)I didn't just continue to slip the front wheels but kept stopping, adjusting the traction selector and then try again until a warning pulled up "AWD Overheat, Stop Vehicle". At least twice during throttle application there was unanticipated rollback of the vehicle. a)This sudden rollback surprised me and by the time I could react, the vehicle rolled back several feet, sliding in the gravel back down the hill. b)This rollback was partially uncontrolled and caused the trailer to back at an angle down the hill. …
Related recalls (1)
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
Nissan North America (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013 Pathfinder vehicles manufactured April 18, 2012, through October 3, 2012, and equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install an oil hose repair kit, free of charge. The recall began on May 12, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA investigations
Transmission Failures
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject.
Transmission cooler hose separation
On March 25, 2014, Nissan North America (Nissan) submitted a Defect Information Report to NHTSA describing a defect of inadequate hose clamping force that may result in the internal transmission oil cooler (ITOC) hose detaching from the cooler.According to Nissan, transmission fluid leakage from a detached ITOC hose results in a progressive series of symptoms beginning with malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)…
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Pathfinder years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (585), 2006 (450), 2013 (370), 2007 (337) and 2014 (214) model years. Transmission complaints make up 56% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Nissan Pathfinder transmission problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 14V-142 (cooling unit and lines, Mar 26, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Pathfinder transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 81,000 miles; 21% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (251 mentions), followed by the driveline › differential unit (7).
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.