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.

7.4

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,520
Average Mileage:
50,750 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
  2. replace transmission (1 reports)
  3. sell car (1 reports)
2013 Nissan Pathfinder transmission problems

transmission problem

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2013 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments

problem #7

Jul 022020

Pathfinder SL 3.5L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 124,560 miles

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

This is my 3rd pathfinder. I love my vehicle but am very disappointed that this one's transmission is going out. The cost to fix it is high, not sure what I will do. No other major problems with it.

- Susan L., Marion, IA, US

problem #6

Oct 132016

Pathfinder SL 3.2L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 39,768 miles

I agree with all the other complaints - my 2013 Nissan Pathfinder SL also has been jerking when accelerating to around 40 km/h. Reports shown known issues with CVT and even the service rep acknowledges there have been complaints online, yet Nissan has done nothing to repair this issue. I've even called into Head Office and all they do is log a case number. It is very unfortunate as it appears Nissan won't fix this issue until there is a fatal accident.

Update from Nov 15, 2018: jerking still occurring intermittently and despite filing a complaint from Nissan corporate the dealership still won't do anything about it. They want to charge me $120 diagnostics fee and IF they find an issue then they will fix it under warranty. I've paid this before and of course they didn't find anything wrong, so I was screwed at that time. Nissan corporate won't even reimburse me for this fee so I obviously cannot afford this. Even purchased a PLATINUM warranty and even still the $120 fee has to be paid. Nissan sucks

- Sunny G., brampton, ON, Canada

problem #5

Mar 092016

Pathfinder Platinum

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

The transmission slips and the tack rises randomly

- Barbara G., Hartland, ME, US

problem #4

May 172016

Pathfinder V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles

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

I bought the car from the Nissan Dealer in Far Rockaway. This is not the vehicle that I took out to test drive. I was sent home to get 2 more pay stubs. When I returned I was told that the car was sold and this is the only Pathfinder with 7 seats that was left and I could return the vehicle back within days. I brought the car back to them because I really didn't want this vehicle. It had nothing inside of it. Not even a moon roof. It's just a plain Jane. I took the car back the next day and they told me the guy that sold me the car was not working that day and they wouldn't be able to take the car back unless I bring it back with the Title, since they already sent the paperwork out. I was so upset. My fiancé went two days later cause he works two jobs and was told the same thing.

Now the car starts acting up, the transmission slips while driving. and there is a roaring noise. But when it sits it is so quiet.. Now I see all the recalls that this vehicle has.

- Milagros M., Rockaway Beach, NY, US

problem #3

Dec 212015

Pathfinder Platinum 3.6L

  • CVT transmission
  • 33,000 miles

While taking my wife to the hospital to have our second child, the pathfinder began to sound like an atv shuttering and struggling to accelerate at around 60mph. I wasn't sure what was going on and pulled over to call a tow truck. When I restarted the vehicle, the noise disappeared. I have had the vehicle at the dealership on several occasions and the haven't been able to "re-create" the problem. Despite known issues with the CVT transmission Nissan has not been helpful and the problem has re-occurred multiple times. I now have a $30k paperweight in my driveway because I'm afraid to send my wife and kids anywhere in it for fear of being stranded. I'm giving Nissan one more chance to correct the problem then I'm retaining an attorney...

It is insane that with such a widespread issue that Nissan hasn't taken responsibility and corrected the problem for their customers. I've had Nissan's in the past, but without them making this right I'll never buy another and I'll warn everyone I meet against buying anything from Nissan...

- Joel V., Ansley, US

problem #2

Sep 092015

Pathfinder SL 3.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 34,657 miles

Nissan CVT transmission does not work very well. Has a lot problems and vehicle very expensive.

- yuoba2001, Pompano Beach, US

problem #1

Jun 202015

Pathfinder SL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

I hope other owners of this Nissan Pathfinder 2013, who have similar transmission issues, will also write a complaint on this site, so we Pathfinder Owners will have possibly get enough clout so the Nissan Service Writers will be able to help to get this anomaly "of the feeling of the transmission slipping and loosing power" to the Nissan Factory R&D, so they will acknowledge this issue. I have been told by two (2) Nissan service writers that this anomaly has been expressed by many owners of this model Pathfinder, but so far the Nissan Factory has not commented on there being any problem or offered any solution.

On my first service for this issue, the local Nissan dealership actually gave me the impression that they knew what to do to help this jerking and feeling of loss of power by doing something to the transmission. After the service work was completed the fuel mileage dropped about 3-4 mile per gallon and the anomaly continued, and even got more noticeable when we had 4-5 passengers in the vehicle, especially while making turns while going slightly uphill, the vehicle continues to jerk and loose momentum.

There has not been any real safety concerns while this Pathfinder was doing this anomaly but it is concerning that there are many Pathfinder's doing this same thing, without any recall notification from the factory regarding this Transmission Issue. If anyone reading this complaint has the same issue please file a complaint on this web site.

- marct120, Saint Augustine, FL, US

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