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:
21,367 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

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2013 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 11 of 18)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #150

Jan 312013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 500 miles

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

Shortly after purchasing the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder in December 2012, we noticed the vehicle shaking when accelerating or decelerating. This occurred in both the 2wd and the 4WD/variable transmission settings. The recall notice received said the continuously variable transmission (cvt) chain might slip and cause the vehicle to "judder", which it did many times. The vehicle acts like the engine will die when stopping or accelerating from a stop, causing hesitation that could result in an accident. After the recommended "reprogramming of the transmission control module (tcm)" by the dealer, the problem continues and now one year and several complaints to the dealer later we were advised to "open a file" with Nissan to document the problem, though no one has said if it can be repaired. Along with this complaint, we are also contacting the national Consumer Affairs dept of Nissan North America. The "slipping" occurs daily and according to the original recall notice, this might result "in future damage to your vehicle's transmission".

- Arvada, CO, USA

problem #149

Sep 062013

Pathfinder

  • 1,100 miles
TL- the contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated shortly after the vehicle was purchased it would hesitate and jerk while shifting gears. The vehicle was taken to the manufacturer for a diagnostic test where the dealer stated that it needed a new transmission; however, the dealer only reprogrammed the computer. The problem persisted so the contact took the vehicle back to the dealer. The dealer stated they would need to test drive the vehicle in order to duplicate the failure before installing the new transmission. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and as a result declined to repair the vehicle the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure was 1100 miles.

- Richmond , VA, USA

problem #148

Oct 052013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 300 miles
I have leased a brand new Nissan Pathfinder. After driving the car for a month I had noticed that the car was attempting to stall each time I made a right/left turn - it was almost like gas was getting to the engine. On February 11th, 2014 I went to the dealership where I purchased the car to have the brake recall repaired on my car, and I had mentioned to the service manager about the stalling of my car each time I made a turn. After they had finished with my car, they had advised that they investigated my concern and couldn't find anything. I currently have 4700 miles on the car, and my plan is to speak with the dealership in regards to possibly turning the car in and getting a new truck all together (not a Pathfinder since I have researched and found that this is a recurring problem for them). I have a three and five year old, I feel extremely uncomfortable driving the car with this known issue from the manufacturer.

- Bloomfield, NJ, USA

problem #147

Feb 182014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 5,100 miles

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

Driving car between 20 miles car will start to be make noise and it's like going of railroad tracks and it loses speed. Nissan is replacing transmission.

- Mokena, IL, USA

problem #146

Jul 052013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 1,200 miles
Vehicle started showing sudden shudder/judder at low speed (up to 30 mph) in July, 2013. It happened four times. Nissan dealer was informed about it. First day of winter; around October 20 vehicle lost power and transmission slipped twice from stop to go and another time in low speed. Since then the problem of power loss and transmission slip occurred 9 time very randomly. There is no way to duplicate it. Dealer checked the vehicle 4 times so far and has not found any problem or code. Nissan Consumer Affairs have been informed. This has become a safety hazard because - when vehicle loses power during close/busy traffic situation in a city like pittsburgh, pa it creates chances of getting hit from behind. Already narrowly escaped from one incident like this. Vehicle currently has 12100 miles. So far power loss issue always occurred in cold days; up to 36F. Engine never shut off in any of the occurrences.

- Blawnox, PA, USA

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problem #145

Jan 162013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 1,400 miles
We bought a Nissan Pathfinder 2013 brand new from Nissan dealership. After 2 months, SUV transmission shuddering occurred. We contact the dealer ship and manufacturing people they replaced (October. )transmission to refurbished. December 2013 same thing happen but took it again to same dealership workshop, they said they didn't find anything. Asked us to get used to driving this SUV. But it's been going on. Finally we took it again to different dealership we bought this from, they found same transmission issue. Nissan manufacturing & dealership fighting their best to not to replace a new car or new transmission. Only refurbished transmission and it won't come with extended warranty. Current miles on the SUV is 15,821.. we really hate to be their ginny pig with this small kids. Reason I'm writing this to you cause, we are really frustrated, not safe to drive this vehicle with small kids. I have 5 year old and 6 month old at home. When I drive this vehicle I'm scared and pray before when we go anywhere and we are uncomfortable due to back shuddering problem (loosing power). We felt we been cheated and got no justice for the money and time we spend on this piece of junk we bought. We already spend a lot of money for this vehicle don't have enough money to spend on lawyer, so would you please do some investigation, please consider our issue seriously. My kids are 5 year old and 6 month old. We felt like we spend more time and energy on this issue more than our kids. Its breaking our heart that no one care.

- Portage, MI, USA

problem #144

Oct 222013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 5,822 miles

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

We only had the vehicle a few months when the entire vehicle would begin shuttering when we would turn to the right or when we would accelerate. It would also lose power upon acceleration. We took it in to the dealership at which time they replaced the torque converter. Shortly after receiving the vehicle back it began doing the same thing. We took it back and they replaced the transmission. After receiving it back the second time the problem was gone for a few weeks and then came back again. A specialist from Nissan came to look at the vehicle and had no clue what was wrong with it and recommended we replace the transmission again. I have had my vehicle for 8 months and it has been in the shop a majority of that time. Our passenger side air bag also turns off and Nissan has no way to fix that either. Nissan has given us a few options, all of which entail us either eating thousands of dollars or driving a broken vehicle. Worst experience I have ever had with a vehicle. I will never purchase another Nissan again and would not recommend any Nissan product to any car buyer.

- Las Cruces, NM, USA

problem #143

Nov 282013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 8,000 miles
Vehicle juddering while traveling at low speed, it feels like it going to stall. Nissan is aware of the problem but they say they can't recreate. They called in to mossy Nissan in national city, ca to test drive the car with the foreman of the shop, and the problem recurred, he felt it, but we didn't have the computer hook up to the car diagnostics. I took the car back in for the same thing, I left the car there for 2 days and hey said they couldn't duplicate it. Also it has a coolant leak that has not been fixed after 3 times. They smell it but can't find the problem.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #142

Jan 022014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 10,000 miles
Sudden lose of power on accelerator for about 4-5 seconds on low speed. It is very dangerous situation as I could possibly struck by another vehicles from behind.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #141

Oct 102013

Pathfinder

  • 2,693 miles
The problem started within the first two weeks with shuddering.at the time that this happened, I was unsure as to whether the vehicle was about to stall.I immediately returned it to gray-daniel Nissan North service department and explained what I had experienced.the service writer informed me that they had not had that problem before when I was called back, I was informed that they could not find anything wrong and that the problem could not be duplicated. At that time I had the technician ride with me.as soon as I left the dealership with the technician in the passenger seat, the shudder occurred.he felt it and upon return to the service department he told the service writer that he felt it. Nothing was done about it that day.I had to reschedule an appointment to bring it back.I was told that they reset something and that this should take care of the problem.it did not.I have taken my vehicle back an additional 3 times for a total of 4.each time I am told they cannot duplicate it.on Wednesday, January 29th, I was told by the service department that the technician could not duplicate the problem. Again, I am told that if it happens again to bring it in. The saga continues and I am still left with a new vehicle that has problems.this problem did not just occur in September when I made my purchase. Research shows that this problem has been there for a while. But as a consumer, are we told that there may be an issue with the vehicle you are about to purchase? no. All that I believed in and trusted (Nissan reliability) is now coming back to haunt me.

- Jackson, MS, USA

problem #140

Jan 252014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 8,600 miles

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

We bought a new Nissan Pathfinder 2013 in June 2013 - we love the car but we started to experience hesitation upon acceleration in certain situations. We reported it to the dealer during a visit to replace a warranty issue, the dealer said there was nothing wrong but they were able to replicate it once. Later on when we noticed it again, we took the car back and this time it was at the dealer for 8 days. We experience hesitation, slight jerking with the car when driving on slow speed. Well, a week after we took it back from the dealer while driving back home we experienced this violent jerking and hesitation, the car loses power, picks up, loses power and so on for a stretch of 40-50 feet on the road or for around 4-5 second of driving. Myself, my husband and two kids were shocked when we felt the car jerking and how noticeable it was! it's not something I experience every time I drive the car, but this is not a safe drive. In this one particular incident, I didn't know what to do, press on the gas peddle or slam the break! if I was driving in heavy traffic (which I do for my commute every day) or driving on icy roads, I would have probably ended up in an accident. The dealer seems to know the problem exists, but insists on a computer reading while the car is experiencing the issue and states that if there are no lights on from the computer or no alerts from the sensors then the car is functioning fine. Honestly, I'm not comfortable driving this car anymore. What if this problem has no sensor to monitor it? this is really scary that I'm driving a car that I thought was safe when I bought it, even worse, with my kids in the car, I feel like I'm driving at the mercy of the car and the cvt and hoping that when it randomly happens again, I'm not driving near a lot of cars and ending up in an accident!

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #139

May 302013

Pathfinder

  • 3,000 miles
Pathfinder shook uncontrollably and lost power. Has happened multiple times. Even after a transmission replacement, problems still occur. Has happened on highway at random intervals, causing other drivers to have to brake suddenly behind us.

- Abingdon, MD, USA

problem #138

Aug 192013

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 2,196 miles
Vehicle began to shudder. Was diagnosed as a bad transmission. The transmission was changed and problem returned at 3079 miles on the vehicle.

- Clovis, CA, USA

problem #137

Jan 182014

Pathfinder 6-cyl

  • 2,000 miles
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
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

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 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

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