2013 Nissan pathfinder hesitated (shudder) when I accelerated the vehicle from a standstill in traffic on the freeway. The vehicle did not move for about 2-3 seconds. It sounded like the vehicles power just shut off. After 2-3 seconds, the vehicle then accelerated. This happens every so often from a standstill/pause at a traffic light or in traffic. I have addressed the problem to my…
2013 Nissan Pathfinder powertrain problems
moderate 360 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
360
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 360 powertrain complaints filed for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 41% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 360 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
On slow road coasting between 15-20mph, the vehicle hesitated and shaked for around 3 seconds until accelerated above 20 MPH. On dec 17, made the same in another road, same MPH. Yesterday 12/30 did it again. In routine maintenance on the dealer, 12/26 informed about the two (2) first events. They recorded it on the job; they need to have the vehicle more time in order to reproduce. Imo at this…
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…
2013 Nissan pathfinder will hesitate (shudder) when shifting from first gear to second gear while going aprox 20mph. I have addressed the problem to my Nissan service dealer and they give me the can not duplicate issue, no check engine lite code. Nothing they can do. Today 12/30/14 going real slow behind another car aprox 20mph the pathfinder is shuddering and banging like crazy, and loss of…
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. *tr
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. *tr
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…
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. *tr
I have a 2013 Pathfinder that is experiencing a High pitch whine coming from the transmission. when shifting in lower gears, there is a soft kick. i have only experienced a shutter once and only at lower speeds and rpm. once I'm at a higher speed it seems to get less. I have had the vehicle for 8 months. just started in the the last week. It has 157k miles.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 360 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 247 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 3,000 and 55,000 miles, with the median around 10,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 3,000; a quarter make it past 55,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Nissan/Pathfinder.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.