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 1 of 18)

problem #350

Jun 122024

Pathfinder

  • miles

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

Car shakes. Engine light on. Diagnostic performed by Ase certified mechanic revealing transmission code, CVT shutter which has a voluntary recall for this particular year. When I contacted the St. Petersburg Crown Nissan regarding this needed repair, I was told my vehicle would not qualify for the voluntary recall

- Gulfport, FL, USA

problem #349

May 292024

Pathfinder

  • miles
Wife was driving to pick up the kids from school and the transmission started to shudder then doesn-??t move at all until the vehicle is shut off for about an hour then it-??ll start to move again but barely codes reading P0776, P0965. Also the service 4x4 came up on the dash and it fells as if something is holding it back as you drive.

- Bluefield , WV, USA

problem #348

Oct 012023

Pathfinder

  • 79,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact about the transmission judder code. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was related to TSB: 15-015A (Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

- Jackson, MS, USA

problem #347

Feb 012024

Pathfinder

  • miles

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

There is a transmission issue, no longer available for inspection. The car shudders when changing gears. There was a service campaign bulletin for this check engine light code but it only extended the warranty.

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #346

Dec 182023

Pathfinder

  • miles
In September 2020 there was a recall on the CVT transmission for several cars. I was not notified whatsoever, so consequently I had to pay for a replacement at my local dealership in February 2021. I was told that I was receiving a new transmission. In December 2023, I was informed that I would need a whole replacement. I went back to my local dealership and they informed me that they would be willing to fix it with a replacement from the factory if I did the labor. They stated I would have to do a claim with NISSAN USA for the replacement. I called and was informed that I did not qualify because of the mileage and warranty period. I went back to the dealership and explained the issue, they said they could do nothing also. I HAVE DOCUMENTS WITH ALL THE DETAILS I WOULD LIKE TO SEND IN. The link to upload was not working for some reason. I tried several times.

- Columbus, OH, USA

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problem #345

Nov 092023

Pathfinder

  • miles
When Accelerating from a stop, or increasing speed from a turn, the car sputters, power fluctuates, and sometimes it vibrates and feels like I am driving over a grid. The car sometimes feels like it's going to stall. I have owned this car for 10 years and this problem has been ongoing. It has been happening alot more recently. I have not been in an accident but I feel very unsafe when this happens and afraid it could cause an accident. I have been told it could be a known CVT issue but in the past, Nissan dealers always dismissed my complaints about the issue. No warning lamps or messages have ever appeared regarding this.

- Alhambra, CA, USA

problem #344

Sep 112023

Pathfinder

  • 90,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shook violently and stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

- Waynesville, NC, USA

problem #343

May 132023

Pathfinder

  • miles
Vehicle shakes, jerks, shudders when accelerating quickly.... i.e. merging onto highways, after slowing down or stopping

- Calumet, MI, USA

problem #342

Apr 222023

Pathfinder

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that she noticed a spot had started to form underneath her vehicle. Additionally, she had noticed that the vehicle was hesitating and jerking into gear while accelerating. The contact also stated that she heard an abnormal whining sound while starting the vehicle and shifting into drive(D). The contact stated that while shifting into reverse(R) there was no abnormal sounds. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had become more frequent. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V142000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Palmyra, WI, USA

problem #341

Jan 012021

Pathfinder

  • miles
The contact-??s niece owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while his niece was driving at various speeds, the transmission hesitated, and the vehicle stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle became inoperable and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the continuously variable transmission (CVT) needed to be replaced. The contact was made aware that the warranty had expired, and the vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Schenectady, NY, USA

problem #340

Apr 192023

Pathfinder

  • miles

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

The transmission won't go into gear and when it does go into gear it shudders. The trans is a CVT. The original trans was replaced at or around 100,000 miles

- Burleson, TX, USA

problem #339

Apr 112023

Pathfinder

  • miles
My daugther and myself were sitting at a stop light and the car would not move forward or backward. All of the transmission fluid was on the ground. I had to call the police for safety from being hit. I had the truck towed home.

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #338

Apr 142023

Pathfinder

  • miles
Only 78 k and transmission stopped working on the highway

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #337

Sep 302022

Pathfinder

  • miles
-The transmission failed and yes it is available to inspect -We were driving and all of a sudden we lost acceleration momentarily, we were not far from home so we made it home but is was scary and unsafe. -It was inspected by a local transmission repair shop and then towed to the dealership. -No warning lights came on, no computer messages, there was no warning whatsoever. The transmission was working perfect one moment and then all of the sudden it wasn't.

- Waco, TX, USA

problem #336

May 012022

Pathfinder

  • miles
The transmission is shuddering and bucking. After numerous research it appears this is a common issue and should be made a recall by Nissan. To repair this issue it will cost more than what the vehicle is worth.

- Clermont, FL, USA

problem #335

Jul 072022

Pathfinder

  • miles
This issues started about a year ago. The vehicle jerks and shudders at low RPM's. When the vehicle transmission is in "Drive" and I press the gas pedal, the vehicle jerks and the whole body shudders badly. The only way to stop it is to move the selector to "Low" and lightly press the gas until the RPM's increase. This is dangerous because it causes me to have to drive at lower speeds and take off at lower speeds to avoid the jerking/shuddering. Recently the vehicle seemed like it didn't want to move. I was at a red light and followed the low take off speed procedure I have developed but the vehicle lurched forward then stopped then lurched forward then stopped again. The car behind me almost rear ended me because of it.

- Daphne, AL, USA

problem #334

Jun 272022

Pathfinder

  • miles
My vehicle has a CVT transmission problem, It would shake when driving the car, when I made turns or went down hills. On the interstate it shook so bad a had to pull over. I got stuck in the parking a lot one day, the gears were stuck. I tried to go in reverse and the vehicle was moving forward. Then I tried to put the car back into park and try to put it in drive it was still stuck. SO I cut my vehicle off and cut it back on just to move. My vehicle would stall out in traffic, there would be no acceleration of the vehicle and the vehicle would jerk, shudder and pull. It felt like its going to cut off. The shaking of the vehicle terrified me the most because it felt like my tires would fly off on the interstate or any road I was driving on.

- Greenwood, SC, USA

problem #333

Jul 062022

Pathfinder

  • miles
Cvt transmission is having issues. When I put the car into gear it jerks and makes loud noises. The dealership wont help.

- Erie, MI, USA

problem #332

Jun 252022

Pathfinder

  • miles
I was driving my vehicle and someone notice fluid leaking from the trans cooler area. After all the fluid leaked out without warning on the dash. The vehicle was not driveable and had to get it towed home. After further inspection I noticed one of the oil cooler lines ruptured and bust resulting in the CVT trans fluid leaking out. There was not warning and this could have been dangerous if driving and lost power. There was again not CVT warning light!.. Nissan has a faulty CVT cooling lines

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #331

May 042022

Pathfinder

  • miles
When I slow down and speed up from a stop or when I drive into curves it makes a shuddering jerking motion.. the engine light comes on saying it's the CVT transmission.. how do I get it fixed since there is so many others with the same complaint??

- South Bend, IN, USA

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