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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Nissan Pathfinder powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder have filed 360 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 10,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
360
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Pathfinder | 6 |
| 2010 Pathfinder | 9 |
| 2011 Pathfinder | 6 |
| 2013 Pathfinder (this page) | 360 |
| 2014 Pathfinder | 203 |
| 2015 Pathfinder | 76 |
| 2016 Pathfinder | 7 |
| 2017 Pathfinder | 33 |
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 40% 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
DTC P17F0 OR P17F1 STORED IN THE TCM This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CVT JUDDER AND DTC P17F0 OR P17F1 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TRANSFER ASSEMBLY SEAL REPLACEMENT FOR AWD FRONT DRIVE SHAFT REMOVAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Early onset shuddering is the most common complaint, hitting vehicles within days to weeks of purchase. Owners describe violent shaking at 20–30 mph that feels like rumble strips, sometimes severe enough that the engine loses power and the vehicle nearly stalls. Dealers initially claim this is normal CVT behavior or the computer "learning" the driver, but the problem worsens over time.
Loss of power when accelerating is the critical safety failure. The gas pedal stops working entirely—engine revving to 5,000+ RPM while the car crawls at 20–40 mph or sits frozen. This happens randomly, often during highway merges or at traffic lights, with zero warning lights. Owners report no trouble codes, so dealers claim nothing's wrong, then send them home to a potentially lethal vehicle.
Complete transmission failure has stranded owners on interstates and caused emergency stops. Fluid leaks, vehicles won't move, engine runs but drivetrain is dead. One owner had this happen at 450 miles on a new vehicle.
Repair frustration is universal. Torque converter swaps, software updates, transmission replacements—nothing sticks. Owners take vehicles in repeatedly; dealers drive hundreds of miles but "can't duplicate" the problem. Even replaced transmissions fail again. Nissan extended the warranty to 84,000 miles in a class-action settlement, admitting fault, but that doesn't fix the cars or compensate owners for the stress and lost time.
The narratives show a pattern: Nissan knows the CVT is undersized and defective, dealerships are instructed to claim ignorance, and owners are left unsafe and unsupported.
Same Nissan Pathfinder powertrain reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission shuddering/shaking at low speed
Violent or pronounced shuddering and shaking when accelerating from stops or driving 15–50 mph, often described as feeling like rumble strips. Occurs in isolation or combined with hesitation and loss of power.
When: Starts within days to weeks of purchase, becomes progressive. Reported at mileage 0–40k+ miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shuddering or shaking at 15–50 mph, especially 20–30 mph; Rumble-strip sensation; Jerking or bucking on acceleration; Engine bogging down or losing power during shudder events
Repairs/costs cited: Torque converter replacement (often temporary fix); transmission replacement; software/ECM reprogramming; owners report repairs fail to resolve problem permanently.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan TSB for torque converter replacement; software updates; transmission warranty extension (84k miles in class-action settlement); dealers initially claim 'normal CVT behavior' or inability to duplicate.
Loss of power/acceleration when pressing gas pedal
Vehicle becomes unresponsive or loses power when driver presses accelerator, engine continues running but no forward motion. Occurs randomly, often at critical moments (highway merging, intersections) and creates serious collision risk.
When: Reported across ownership period, 0–100k+ miles.
Symptoms owners cite: No acceleration response when pressing gas pedal, even to the floor; Engine revving without power transfer (RPM spike 4000–7000); Transmission stuck in low gear at 20–40 mph despite engine revving; Delayed acceleration response (2–5 seconds); Sudden power return after hesitation, sometimes with lurch/surge
Repairs/costs cited: No permanent repair identified in narratives. Dealers unable to replicate; no trouble codes generated. Some owners report issue persists after transmission replacement, torque converter replacement, software update, and relay/switch replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan states 'normal CVT behavior'; dealers claim inability to duplicate without trouble codes; no effective recall or TSB cited for this specific symptom; transmission warranty extensions offered in settlement.
Transmission failure/complete loss of drivetrain
Transmission fails completely, vehicle becomes immobilized, sometimes with fluid leak or loss of all power. Occurs suddenly while driving, creating immediate safety hazard.
When: Reported within first year of ownership, as early as 450 miles; one incident at 6 weeks/15k miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly stops accelerating and comes to complete stop on road; Transmission fluid and coolant drain/leak; Vehicle stuck in gear or will not move; Engine running but no drive power; Smoke or overheating signs before failure; RPM spike before losing power
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement; radiator replacement; coolant line replacement; some owners reported replaced transmission failed again.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan acknowledges transmission defect in some cases; repairs made under warranty; one case involved Nissan engineer recommendation for brake relay/switch replacement (did not resolve issue); some repurchase/replacement offers made.
Transmission jerking/hesitation on takeoff
Vehicle jerks, hesitates, or stalls when starting from stopped position or accelerating from low speed. Distinct from shuddering, characterized by sudden lurching motion or delay before engagement.
When: Reported from early ownership (days to months), 0–40k miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Stalling or near-stall at takeoff from stop; Jerking or lunging motion on acceleration from stop; Hesitation/delay before vehicle moves; Multiple attempts to get vehicle to move from neutral/park; Violent jerking that startles passengers
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission reset; torque converter replacement; transmission module chip replacement; full transmission replacement; software updates. Repairs often temporary or ineffective.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Initial claim that computer will learn driver's pattern; software update offered; transmission warranty extensions in settlement; dealers cite 'normal CVT' behavior.
Unintended acceleration or inability to decelerate
Vehicle accelerates unexpectedly or continues at high speed despite driver lifting off accelerator, or surges uncontrollably when placed in drive. Creates loss-of-control scenario.
When: Reported in first weeks to months of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle surges or lurches when placed in drive after idling; Vehicle continues at 60 mph without driver input after accelerator released; Uncontrolled forward motion in parking lot or driveway
Repairs/costs cited: One case: transmission module chip replacement (did not resolve); transmission replacement ordered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Limited response in narratives; one case involved Nissan technician dispatch.
Engine sludge and overheating
Engine develops sludge buildup; white/gray smoke on startup; radiator pressure/overheating leading to hose failures and coolant loss. May be related to transmission issues or independent problem.
When: Reported after 1+ years of ownership in one narrative.
Symptoms owners cite: White or gray smoke from engine on startup; Sludge buildup inside engine; Radiator overheating with pressure buildup; Coolant hoses blowing off radiator; Coolant and transmission fluid loss
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; radiator replacement; transmission fluid/coolant line replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan initially refused to cover sludge-related repairs (claimed owner liability); case later resulted in radiator/transmission/line repairs under warranty; service manager advised selling vehicle back to Nissan.
Transmission slipping/unable to shift gears
Transmission fails to upshift or downshift properly; slips between gears; vehicle cannot maintain gear or accelerates slowly despite high RPM. Distinct slipping feel, not shudder.
When: Reported across ownership, often recurring after repairs.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slipping (high RPM, low power transfer); Unable to shift into or maintain proper gear; Vehicle stuck in low gear or stuck in 2nd gear; RPM runs high without corresponding acceleration; Difficulty shifting down at stop light or on hills; Clunking or grinding when attempting to shift
Repairs/costs cited: Modulator installation (reported as stop-gap that doesn't fix root issue); transmission replacement with remanufactured or refurbished unit; some owners report replacement transmissions slip again.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan aware of issue; repairs attempted; refurbished transmissions used rather than new units; limited long-term effectiveness.
Synthesized from 360 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
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…
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.