CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2013 has a growing number of transmission complaints at low mileage. The issue is part of a class-action lawsuit that says the transmissions shake violently during acceleration between 15mph and 30mph.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,363 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Nissan Pathfinder drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 11 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #137

Jan 182014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 2,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Two problems: 1. brand new 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. Front windshield wipers completely stopped working twice. Dealer fixed them the first time under warranty, but they have stopped again, leaving us stranded in a snow storm. 2. the vehicle lurches and shakes under acceleration, especially around 20 mph. Something is wrong with the transmission. I have read online about it but people caution against bringing it in as the fixes either didn't work or made it worse. I am very concerned this vehicle is going to require major repairs somewhere down the road, likely outside of the warranty coverage.

- Arlington, MA, USA

problem #136

Mar 112013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 4,144 miles
Our 2013 Pathfinder started to shudder upon acceleration. It initially happened prior to this mileage, but it was intermittent and we thought we had just driven over a rough patch of road. However, this issue increased in duration and frequency until the car would almost stall. You would have to stop acceleration and then resume for it to stop. It most frequently happened after making a turn...unfortunately..this is often after a stop sign when you need acceleration or getting on the freeway. The ECM has been reflashed, replaced torque converters and a couple cvt transmission in the first year. The problem still persists. It starts small and then ramps up as mileage increases. The air bag continues to go on and off while a passenger is seated. The passenger is an adult over 110lbs, but the dealership maintains nothing is wrong with it. We've driven down the freeway for 1 hour with no problem and then the light will come on which means the airbag is not functioning. We've tried different sitting positions to see if that is the cause, but it doesn't matter. It also keeps blowing fuses for the rear heated seats.

- Ammonq, ID, USA

problem #135

Dec 122013

Pathfinder

  • 15,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan path finder. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle began to lose power. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who updated the software but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the mechanic diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 15,000.

- Valencia, CA, USA

problem #134

Jan 032014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 2,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At 30 miles the car starter jerkings and shudder loose power shaking a lot have to pull over for not have an accident take the car to the dealer to issue the problem for 3 times already, fix the torque converter, reprogram the computer, the last time I took it to the dealer they did it find nothing wrong but the problems is there, can't be with this car all my life like that, Nissan have to find the problem to fix this.

- Jamaica Plain, MA, USA

problem #133

Dec 312013

Pathfinder

  • 2,400 miles
Tried to pull up my inclined driveway, could not depress the brake pedal right away. Even it finally gave, and I put the car in drive and hit the accelerator, the car would not move. I kept pushing the accelerator, and the transmission finally engaged and the car shot forward really fast. Took it to the dealer on 12/31 and the diagnosed the transmission as bad and said it needed replaced. Still in the shop a week later. Also, the hood rattles at highway speeds. Dealer service department can't fix it.

- Melissa, TX, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #132

Jun 292012

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 500 miles
While driving at a speeds of 40 or below the vehicle will begin to shake/shudder. It will continue for approximately 5-10 seconds. It also appears to loose power. The dealership has looked at it and reprogrammed it but shortly after leaving it began to do it again.

- Fort Collins , CO, USA

problem #131

Jan 012014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 10,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

A major failure condition can occur in early model 2013 Nissan Pathfinders. The coolant line to the cvt transmission can detach and drain without warning disabling movement of the vehicle if not double clamped. This happened to our vehicle while eating at a restaurant but could have happened anywhere. This should be considered a serious safety hazard particularly in areas with extreme cold conditions such as northern and central NY where we live. We were lucky but others could be stranded without warning during very dangerous weather conditions. A simple recall to double clamp the hoses could help prevent any such incidents.

- Baldwinsville, NY, USA

problem #130

Dec 012013

Pathfinder

  • 9,500 miles
We purchased a new 2013 Nissan Pathfinder on approx 6/2013 and now have 10,000 miles on it. The last few weeks we have been noticing at slow speeds approx 25 mph we are experiencing a shudder in the transmission. It is happening fairly consistent now at 25mph and under a load like a slight incline. It requires a release of the throttle and reapply to get the shudder to stop and start pulling again. This is a potentially very dangerous situation if you are crossing oncoming traffic and have to release the throttle, not a good thing! I am now reading of many other owners who are experiencing the same type issue and there are now 4 service bulletins relating to transmission issues on this vehicle and they are not fixing the problems. I am schedule for my first appointment next week to address this issue. We have been a very faithful Nissan owner of 3 prior Nissan, but this will be my last!

- Bartlesville, OK, USA

problem #129

Dec 282013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 1,085 miles
Was parked at stop light and proceeded when green and transmission failed to engage to 2nd gear. Pulled off the road and put car in park. Put back in drive and tried to proceed and transmission jerked back and forth between 1st and second gear, but did finally transition to second gear.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #128

Jun 152013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 1,500 miles
Transmission shudders at low speed up inclines. There needs to be a recall as this affected a broad segment of 2013 Pathfinders. This has happened multiple times. The dealer service bulletin to reprogram the computer did nothing.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #127

Dec 112013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 7,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased my Pathfinder in July 2013 and have had 2 issues. The first is a sputtering with the gas pedal which occurs quite frequently under low speeds. Took it in for evaluation and Nissan said that's how cvt transmissions work and that it was normal. Very strange. The second issue I am currently having is the most concerning. While traveling at various speeds, when I push on the gas pedal there is no power at all and no acceleration. At times the pedal can be all the way to the floor and then 2 to 3 seconds later the acceleration comes back. It has happen to me in a passing situation on the freeway and while making a turn at an intersection and almost caused an accident. The car is currently in service to be evaluated and they have said unless they can replicate the issue on their end they have no solution, I have 3 kids that ride in the vehicle on a daily basis and this is a huge safety concern from a consumer standpoint. I have documented with Nissan Consumer Affairs in case something happens as a result of this, but I must say as this car was a huge investment for my wife and our family we are extremely concerned and disappointed because we love the car so much and wouldn't expect this from a brand new vehicle. I have read a high number of common issues just like mine and I just don't get how Nissan has not done anything about this. It seems as if the 2013 model has a number of issues.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #126

Dec 192013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 6,100 miles
On three different occasion, while driving I get a lost of power, even though, my feet is on the accelerator..this last for about seven to eight seconds. When making turns sometimes, at slow speed, the car shudder.

- Phila, PA, USA

problem #125

Sep 022013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 2,000 miles
Car jutters when accelerating after a stop and when turning. The car was purchased in June, and has done it about 15 times since. The first time we took it into the dealership, they reset something in the transmission and said that should fix the problem. Well, it didn't fix the problem. We took the car back to the dealership twice, they test drove it and said they never experience the juttering. Therefore, they haven't done anything about it. Now it's December and I received a recall notice for something else regarding the antilock brake system software. I am very dissatisfied with this car and the service that Nissan has provided; they haven't helped me one bit even after filing a complaint with Nissan corporate.

- Brawley, CA, USA

problem #124

Dec 072013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 6,800 miles
While turning left, the transmission began to shutter and the vehicle lost power for 2-3 seconds. Passenger airbag off indicator intermittently comes on with passenger in seat.

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

problem #123

Oct 012013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 10,000 miles
I have a recurring issue with my 2013 Pathfinder shuddering and losing power at low speeds (20 - 30mph). This issue occurs daily and appears to be getting worse with approximately 15,000 miles on the vehicle. The shuddering and lose of power last for approximately 15 seconds and requires me to press the accelerator and power through the issue which is a safety concern. I have contacted the dealer who was aware of the issue and stated that Nissan sent each dealer a "video" to help assess the issue and that most vehicles won't qualify based on the parameters set by the manufacturer. He said the real problem is going to be "figuring out how to fix all the other vehicles that don't qualify.

- Marlton, NJ, USA

problem #122

Sep 182013

Pathfinder

  • 500 miles
My Pathfinder begin to shuddering from 500 mile and continue until now 3000 miles. It happen at 1000-1100 RPM, some time at 2500 RPM. I have take the vehicle to dealership but look like they do not have any solution to fix this, the technician said it will reoccur after replace transmission.

- Fountain Valley, CA, USA

problem #121

Dec 072013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 2,500 miles
Intermittent transmission shudder ranging from mild to violent with accompanying decrease of power. Shudder primarily occurs at low speed in the 20-40 mph range but has also occurred at highway speeds when transmission is not shifting. Shudder seems to be caused by a variety of variables including speed and degree of inclination of the road. Loss of power has occurred in potentially dangerous passing situations.

- Jamaica Plain, MA, USA

problem #120

Nov 012013

Pathfinder

  • 4,000 miles
I recently bought a new 2013 Nissan Pathfinder- at first the rubber seals flew up while driving on the interstate- my right side panel sticks out by the headlight (in which they told me I must have been hit because there were a few scratches under the bumper and that's the design(what a bunch of crap) main concern is the sputtering that I encounter while driving. I paid too much for this vehicle and every dealer I take it (taking it 3 times) tell me Nissan requires the data from the computer to diagnose. You can look on the computer and see how many people have the same issue and every dealership drives my car for miles and wastes my gas - to come back and say....sorry I believe you but I need the data and at this time its not doing it(sorry call Consumer Affairs). This is my first Nissan and I am heated... how can a company do this to its consumers who spend a good amount of money on their product that has alot of defects. Nissan needs to do whats right and take care of their customers- I promise if this sputtering happens and causes me an accident with my children in the car - there is going to be heck to pay!!!! I bought this car because I wanted a safe reliable vehicle... I am so frustrated!!!!

- Powell, TN, USA

problem #119

Aug 212013

Pathfinder

  • 18,000 miles
My transmission began slipping, that was the first time I noticed it distinctly. The other times had been going up hills or slowing down. I came within a couple of feet from rear-ending the car in front of me because my car didn't shift downward at a stop light. A minute later I had to pull over because my car wouldn't shift into 3rd gear (automatic). This same thing happened several more times, I took it in to Nissan they put a stop-gap fix, a "modulator" on it. They already had reports knowing that wasn't going to fix it, but did it anyway. Nissan didn't test drive it, just gave it back to me. I drove it less than 2 miles & turned around, they kept my vehicle for 5 weeks, put in a refurbished transmission (in my new car). The transmission is starting to slip, again. They told me I could get compensation, but lied. I'm scared to drive it, but don't know what to do! we can't afford another vehicle. This is a lemon and needs to be recalled! the value has already started to drop more than $10,000. I spent several days and lots of gas money driving up to pick up my car, that wasn't ready! the repair shop was nice, but the corporate offices lied and were disrespectful every time.

- Granbury, TX, USA

problem #118

Nov 012013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 1,100 miles
1. while attempting to leave a school parking lot (going in a straight line with other parents' cars) at 10 mph the engine shuddered and the vehicle jerked back and forth as if it transmission couldn't engage power to the wheels. The shuddering stopped after a couple seconds and I was able to leave the school parking lot safely. (vehicle has shuddered while driving straight three times in the last month.) 2. pulled into a roundabout at 15 mph and the engine shuddered, jerking the Pathfinder back and forth. When exiting the roundabout at nearly 20 mph the vehicle shuddered again for a couple seconds, but this time it was not a violent -- it only vibrated the vehicle. (vehicle has shuddered while turning at least 12 times in the last month.) 3. after turning right onto a straight street and trying to accelerate, the engine felt as if half the power were taken away. The engine revved up, but the acceleration was weak. (this has happened twice in a month.)

- Draper, UT, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?