CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2014 has a small, but significant number of transmission complaints at low mileage. The issue is part of a class-action lawsuit that says the Pathfinder's transmission shakes violently during acceleration between 15mph and 30mph.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
36,011 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.

2014 Nissan Pathfinder drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2014 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 1 of 9)

problem #171

Aug 072023

Pathfinder

  • miles

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

The Transmission randomly driving down the road started shaking and rpm-??s went all over the place with a horrible judder and sense then won-??t move or moves very little

- Munnsville, NY, USA

problem #170

Jul 162023

Pathfinder

  • miles
Juttering - first noticed during accelerating while turning and then it started to happen at any given time - rolling slow and driving fast. It feels like the transmission is out of gear until I let off the accelerator and then it catches again. This is a safety issue due to unexpected speed and control variation. It appears to stem from the CVT that I've ready many complaints about. When I first noticed an issue (I was still within warranty), I took it to Nissan, but I believe only a software calibration was completed and that appears to have only been a temporary fix. Now, I'm beyond the warranty by years and miles and the issue has returned.

- Arlington Heights, IL, USA

problem #169

Jun 282023

Pathfinder

  • miles
The vehicle will not move due to judder in transmission.

- Hancock, NY, USA

problem #168

Jun 022023

Pathfinder

  • miles

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

Yesterday as I was driving normally at about 40mph the traffic came to a stop I slowed down as usual then came to a complete stop when traffic began to move again I gently accelerated and my car started moving abnormally slow I pressed down a bit more on the pedal and no acceleration at all the car was on and on drive mode there was nothing irregular but it would not advance more than about 2/3 miles per hour super slow. This went on for a minute and no matter how many times I pressed the gas pedal nothing happened I was absolutely terrified of the cars and semis behind me because it was a freeway and traffic flow started moving quick and I was still at less than 5mph Suddenly the car jerked and at last speed. I drove off with the car working normal again but that situation has be very worried and scared because it is my main transportation for my 3 children

- Mesquite, TX, USA

problem #167

Mar 282023

Pathfinder

  • miles
I was experiencing shaking and guttering during acceleration. I was coming from a full stop (red light, stop sign). It shakes, and I have back off the accelerator. When it happened, I had my children in the car on a busy roadway. I would hate to think of what could have happened if my vehicle had stopped on the busy road or crossing railroad tracks. Thankfully, we were close to home, roughly 2-3 miles away. I took the truck to the closest service center to have it looked at. It turns out it is a CVT failure. The service technician could reproduce the same guttering I explained and received various error messages. I have not had the vehicle taken to the dealer yet, as I would have to tow it because I fear driving the truck. I didn't experience any warning lights before the CVT failure. Now my airbag warning light comes on. I called the closest Nissan dealership and explained the issue I was having. Unfortunately, my vehicle has not been repaired because I don't have the $6k plus I was quoted for the repair. I have been made aware of a class action lawsuit regarding failing CVT transmissions. I don't have any information on where I can get help with this issue, and I don't have any correspondence from Nissan. My Pathfinder has been parked since April 2023.

- Wylie, TX, USA

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problem #166

Jul 192018

Pathfinder

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving from a stop light, the vehicle failed to respond properly. The contact stated that there was a delay while shifting gear before the vehicle launched forward. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Hephzibah, GA, USA

problem #165

Mar 282023

Pathfinder

  • miles

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

The car shudders and hesitates when first driving in the morning. CVT transmission is not responsive causing delays in acceleration. Critical safety issue that could lead to an accident. I was nearly hit because the car did not respond as it should on acceleration.

- Puyallup, WA, USA

problem #164

Mar 222023

Pathfinder

  • miles
Cvt failed. Confirmed by certified nissan dealer. No warnings at all. This is a known issue by nissan that has affected millions of customers. Vehicle killed while driving in one of the largest cities in American with a special needs disabled child in the car.

- Beaumont , TX, USA

problem #163

Mar 142023

Pathfinder

  • miles
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10190203-0001.pdf The car shook with and we got the above errors with vehicle speed 30 miles. THe ABS, brake and skid and other lights came on screen with 4WD error At this speed on a bridge with rain and wind to lose ABS is a risk, there was perceived loss of power train and and skid luckily no accident and we pulled the car over to safety what if was higher speed in rain/snow so writting this and also that nissan has a technical bulletin but not covered under nHtSA for them replace for free. THis was all sudden with shake. just like the picture in the https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10190203-0001.pdf We like to know if this is recall and is covered and to be paid by dealer or we have to out of pocket and if NTSB can help us and consumers recover this from Nissan or Nissan should do a safety recall on this part.

- Holmdel, NJ, USA

problem #162

Jan 252023

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • miles
I-€™m having a problem with my vehicle 2014 Nissan Pathfinder theirs a Judder, shuddering coming from my CVT as it Accelerates, I need to know what can be done to fix this ongoing issue other drivers are having if their was ever a recall I was never notified of it I purchased this vehicle back in 2018, I see a lot of problems customers are having with this particular issue. I would like to know what is Nissan doing to fix it I have little children I along with me in my vehicle this is a dangerous situation. I need someone to reach out to me. I-€™ve email Nissan consumer affairs and yet nothing has been done. I can be reached through email or phone [XXX] I would like resolution. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #161

Dec 012021

Pathfinder

  • 67,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at a slow speed, the vehicle started to jerk forward. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the continuously variable transmission (CVT) to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed; however, the result was not yet provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

- Kentwood, MI, USA

problem #160

Sep 032022

Pathfinder

  • miles
While driving down a four lane divided hwy, the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating despite the accelerator being pressed. A noise was heard ialong with severe vehicle studdering/vibration mmediately before the failure. Fortunately, i was able to coast into a parking lot without incident. However, had this transmission issue occurred 30sec earlier, i would have stalled out while turning left across oncoming traffic, potentially leading to a significant accident impacting myself and other drivers. Once into the parking lot, I tested the vehicle in various gear positions (low, 2wd, etc) and the vehicle would only respond when it was placed in reverse. I could not get the vehicle to accelerate forward or even obtain any engine rev when in a forward gear such as low, 2wd 4wd, etc. The vehicle has been towed to my mechanic's shop and he will conduct a full evaluation later this week. However, his initial diagnosis based on my description of the event, was that it was a transmission failure. I agree with his initial assessment particularly given the known transmission issues with this make/model year of the pathfinder. There was not any warning lamps at or before or even after the time of the event. The vehicle had experienced brief symptons of studdering in the recent weeks leading up to the failure. And the day prior, the vehicle experienced severe studdering and vehicle hesitation.

- Bear, DE, USA

problem #159

Mar 102022

Pathfinder

  • miles
We have experienced a second CVT failure on the vehicle. First one was on highway driving experienced significant loss power on the highway and "CVT Judder" as it has been described to me by the dealer. The condition was constant and would not allow my vehicle to accelerate and was running very high rpms and was no longer safe to drive any distance. Car was purchased Certified Used in March 2022, first bad transmission was in March 2022, failure occurred and was replaced under warranty. Then in April 2022 second CVT failure and dealer is indicating out of warranty for repair so will be at my expense $6,000+. We have had several major repairs to this vehicle both under warranty and outside- CVT replacement, rear axle, and also need catalytic converter replacement. I am attempting to contact Nissan Consumer Affairs for support but not hopeful given dealership response.

- Lansing, NY, USA

problem #158

Sep 012022

Pathfinder

  • miles
The transmission is shuttering hard, cutting power, bouncing rpms as it can't stop shuttering, has completely stopped moving the car.

- Mansfield, GA, USA

problem #157

Jul 162022

Pathfinder

  • miles
We have experienced a second CVT failure on the vehicle. While highway driving experienced significant loss power on the highway and "CVT Judder" as it has been described to me by the dealer. The condition was intermittent and temporary but became constant within days and is no longer safe to drive any distance. Car was purchased Certified Used in Spring 2017. By Fall 2018 first CVT failure occurred and was replaced under warranty. Summer 2022 second CVT failure and dealer is indicating out of warranty for repair so will be at my expense (~$6,000). We have had several major repairs to this vehicle both under warranty and outside- CVT replacement, axle seized, complete audio system replacement, catalytic converter replacement. I am attempting to contact Nissan Consumer Affairs for support but not hopeful given dealership response.

- Union, KY, USA

problem #156

Aug 092022

Pathfinder

  • miles
As I accelerate between 10-30 miles per hour the pathfinder shudders and skips. Once past 25-30mph the shuddering stops. I believe this is the same issue that countless other owners have dealt with the CVT needs replacement.

- Delmar, NY, USA

problem #155

Aug 072022

Pathfinder

  • miles
The vehicle continues to jolt and skip when accelerating trying to get onto the interstate or merge into traffic. This has been diagnosed as the cvt transmission which has had numerous complaints yet no recall has been done.

- Benton, AR, USA

problem #154

Jul 312022

Pathfinder

  • miles
The car violently jerks while accelerating from a stop or decelerating to a stop

- Midwest City, OK, USA

problem #153

Jul 112022

Pathfinder

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became firm. The contact stated that extra effort was needed to steer the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle would hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator after a complete stop. Additionally, the vehicle would shake as the engine would rev while idle without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #152

Jun 052018

Pathfinder

  • miles
I purchased my car in March of 2018. It was still under the manufacturer warranty. Less than 3 months after having it and various trips to the dealership they had to rebuild my transmission. This was only at 46k miles. Fast forward to April of 2022 and my car is once again violently shuddering and has no power to pick up speed some times. I constantly pray that nothing happens to me or my family because of this. It is not safe. It does not shift correctly and shudders when it does decide to shift and then jerk into gear. There was a class action lawsuit apparently way before I purchased this car for these transmission issues. When I contacted Nissan directly and informed them of the issues I'm having yet again to which they informed me of some extended warranty that was in place for the Nissan Pathfinder that I was never informed of. Tired of paying out of pocket for an issue that Nissan is aware of. This is insane that people pay good money for vehicles and there has already been one class action lawsuit regarding these transmissions so what is it going to take before they recall the whole transmission" Is someone going to have to die before Nissan does what is right"

- Port Allen, LA, USA

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