2013 Nissan Pathfinder Engine Problems

My 2013 Pathfinder keeps shuddering and jerking and swerving while driving

NHTSA ID

11677892

Incident

Jul 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. There was no warning light illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer for a tune-up, and the dealer diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the engine failure had occurred eight months after the transmission was replaced due to an unknown failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11677748

Incident

Jan 1, 2025

Mileage

140,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was determined that the vehicle needed an oil change, and that the check engine warning light would be deactivated. The oil change was performed; however, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11671619

Incident

Aug 7, 2024

Mileage

80,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11581311

Incident

Oct 1, 2023

Mileage

79,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11563926

Incident

Dec 18, 2023

Vehicle started to overheat. Informed by mechanic that one of the 2 electric fans that pull air thru the radiator had gone bad. This also caused the A/C compressor to shut off causing the interior of the vehicle to reach over 100 degrees in less than 15 minutes while driving thru town on a 95+ degree day with the windows rolled down.

NHTSA ID

11478837

Incident

Aug 10, 2022

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

NHTSA ID

11471413

Incident

Jun 25, 2022

Known CVT Judder on my vehicle and service bulletin. They will not assist payment any repairs for an unsafe vehicle due to mileage. They have had many recalls but refuse to recall this vehicle and continue to market and sell without notifying consumers of known faulty transmission that does not create a check engine lite and effects driving. I have not been in an accident but those could cause an accident and is very unsafe.

NHTSA ID

11459147

Incident

Mar 31, 2022

Severe jumping, shaking, shuddering when accelerating after a stop - between 10 - 25 mph. Now it's in the shop, will not drive due to transmission issue.

NHTSA ID

11456484

Incident

Mar 9, 2022

Shifter will not move from park. I have to use the hidden bypass push button just above park indicator to move vehicle in & out of gear. I bought this vehicle with about 141,000 miles. I noticed the under carriage was wet at time i bought it on september 16th 2021. Very slow leak. Had mechanic test transmission fluid temp and add Nissan cvt fluid. Didnt need much. Both rear interior doors have boken handles. Cables broke free of internal handle. Transmission starting to hesitate or lose power on mostly heavy acceleration. Acceleration pause for moment. Sometimes a few times within 5-7 seconds when attempt to excelerate at full throttle when heavy acceleration. Getting worse. Happening at slower speeds. Hood shakes on highway. Needs reinforced. So far caused no accidents.

NHTSA ID

11452170

Incident

Feb 10, 2022

I noticed a leak under my car with fresh fluid. It took me months to figure out where it was coming from. I removed the undercover where the bumper is and saw the leaking coming from the transmission oil cooler hose at the elbow connection. I looked online and noticed this exact recall: 2013 PATHFINDER; CVT FLUID LEAK AT COOLER HOSE For some odd reason my VIN was not listed under the recall. Looks like I have to fix Nissan’s issue out of my own pocket

NHTSA ID

11432990

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

I was driving down the road and the car wouldn’t shift into second gear. The speed limit was 35 mph and my car would only go 20 mph. I couldn’t drive home safely, no warning lights came on or anything. Dealership said my CVT transmission needs to be replaced. This sudden drop in speed became a hazard for me and my passenger.

NHTSA ID

11430653

Incident

Jun 12, 2021

Electric fan stopped working properly causing the vehicle to overheat.

NHTSA ID

11420378

Incident

May 3, 2021

I HAVE TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FOR THE 2 TIME . THE FIRST NISSAN SEND ME RECALL AN D THIS ONE I HAVE TO PAY FOR MY SELF, VERY BAD TRANSMISSION. I KNOW PEOPLE SUFFER FOR THIS SITUATION, IN THE 2019 MY CAR STARTED WITH SMALL SIGNAL, BUT IN 03/ 01/2021 I HAVES THE DIAGNOSTIC FOR THE PROBLEM THAN YOU SO MUCH FOR PAY ATTENTION TO THIS PROBLEM. MARLENE F SILVA

NHTSA ID

11404796

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

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. SHIFTING IS ROUGH WHILE DRIVING, AND THE CAR SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL, OR LIKE I'M DRIVING A STANDARD TRANSMISSION AND I'VE LEFT OFF THE CLUTCH TOO SOON. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING AND STARTED INCONSISTENTLY

NHTSA ID

11400127

Incident

Feb 28, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH DOWNHILL WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL DOWNHILL INCREASING IN SPEED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL HOWEVER IT FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER A NEARBY HILL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THEIR BACK, NECK, CHEST, AND LEGS. THE PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES TO THEIR NECK AND LEGS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (NISSAN OF QUEENS 93-25 ROCKAWAY BLVD, OZONE PARK, NY 11417; (718) 835-8300) AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THEN ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER, WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN THEY ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV UP WITHOUT ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO AGGRESSIVELY SHAKE AND ALL THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT HAD TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER MENTIONED ABOVE WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED AGAIN AND DURING THE MOST RECENT FAILURE THE CONTACT HAD TO PRESS THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME OF THE BRAKE PEDAL TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER MENTIONED ABOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOW INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V020000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF ALL THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000.

NHTSA ID

11398702

Incident

Sep 20, 2019

Mileage

37,000 mi

THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN I ACCELERATE IT AND IT DOES NOT PASS THE GEAR CHANGES, WHEN IT GOES OVER 40 MILES PER HOUR AND I STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR SO THAT IT INCREASES SPEED IT DOES NOT AND DOES NOT ACCELERATE.

NHTSA ID

11375681

Incident

Aug 21, 2020

Mileage

1,001,504 mi

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CVT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM CARMAX AND WAS SENT TO NISSAN FOR A RESET. NO ISSUE WAS FOUND AT THAT TIME. THE CAR IS SHUTTERING AND STALLING OUT WHILE I AM DRIVING FULL SPEED. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE/FREEWAY AS WELL AS OTHER BUSY ROADS LEAVING MYSELF AND MY CHILD STRANDED AND IN NEAR ACCIDENTS. NISSAN REFUSES TO HELP WITH THIS PART. IT SHOULD 100% BE A RECALL. INSTEAD, NISSAN ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT AND EXPIRED TWO WEEKS, JULY 31, 2020 BEFORE I CONTACTED NISSAN WITH THE WORSENING ISSUE. THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE MY CAR HAD 98,000 MILES INSTEAD OF 80,000/ I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOUR YEARS, I AM FINANCIALLY STRUGGLING BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, AND MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT I CANNOT DRIVE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT NISSAN'S FAULTY CVT TRANSMISSIONS. PLEASE HELP!!!!! THIS STARTED AGAIN TWO WEEKS INTO AUGUST WHEN I INITIALLY CONTACTED NISSAN. THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN UNDIAGNOSED TRANSMISSION ISSUE. THESE SHOULD BE REPLACED AS RECALLS OR DEEMED LEMONS. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NOVEMBER OF 2016.

NHTSA ID

11375041

Incident

Aug 3, 2020

Mileage

98,000 mi

VEHICLE LOSES ACCELERATION WHEN DRIVING, AND EVEN WITH FULL GAS PEDAL DOESN'T PICKUP SPEED. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE WHEN DRIVING AND PRONE TO CAUSING ACCIDENT OR DEATH RISK. THE DEALER COULDN'T TRACE THE ISSUE AFTER PERFORMING STANDARD DIAGNOSTICS. THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING VERY FREQUENTLY, WITH NO REMEDIATION OR RESOLUTION BY DEALERS. THIS SAME VEHICLE HAS BRAKELIGHT ISSUES. THE BRAKELIGHTS STAY EVEN THOUGH NO BRAKES ARE IN USE AND/OR VEHICLE IS PARKED. THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATION HAS TO BE PRESSED FRUSTRATING NUMBER OF TIMES BEFORE THEY TURN-OFF. THIS ISSUE MAY POTENTIALLY CAUSE ON-ROAD ACCIDENT RISK OR DRAIN THE BATTERY. THERE IS NO ERROR MESSAGE NOR DIAGNOSTIC DISPLAYED IN TEH VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11363207

Incident

Mar 4, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE AIR EMISSIONS COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO VISIT A NISSAN DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GARDEN CITY NISSAN (316 N FRANKLIN ST, HEMPSTEAD, NY 11550, (516) 483-4400) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ENGINE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SENSOR WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED, BUT NOT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000.

NHTSA ID

11278211

Incident

Oct 29, 2019

Mileage

74,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, THE AIR CONDITIONING DID NOT WORK, AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. ALSO, THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE DRIVING AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONING OFF AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. WHEN THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. *TR CONSUMER STATED NO. I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE DEFECT UNTIL IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION AFTER ASKING A DEALERSHIP WHAT WAS GOING ON AND THEY ADVISED ME TO CHECK FOR RECALLS ON THE MODEL AND YEAR FOR MY VEHICLE. MY CONCERN IS THAT I COULD BE ON THE FREEWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION GOES OUT WITH MY GRANDCHILDREN WHICH I HAVE ADOPTED AND SOMEONE NOT PAYING ATTENTION HITS AND KILLS US OR/ AND SOMEONE ELSE. THANKS FOR AT LEAST LISTENING. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE TO HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO ABIDE WITH THE LAW AND NOW, I WAS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. *JB

NHTSA ID

11243305

Incident

Aug 5, 2019

Mileage

81,000 mi

COOLING FAN ASSEMBLY, BAD BEARINGS IN FAN MOTORS. LOUD NOISE DUE TO BAD BEARINGS IN FAN. OCCURS PRIMARILY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER CLUTCH ENGAGES AND COOLING FANS COME ON. ALSO OCCURS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN COOLING FANS COME ON. LOUD ROARING NOISE. I ORDERED A TYC623760 REPLACEMENT FAN ASSEMBLY TO REPLACE THE NISSAN/VALEO M154880 UNIT WITH MANUFACTURE DATE OF 12-15-2012 SERIAL #TOWM157978. I AM REPORTING THIS AFTER READING HOW COMMON THIS ISSUE IS IN 2013-2017 NISSAN PATHFINDERS AND THE RATES DEALERS ARE CHARGING FOR THE REPAIR. I SAW ONLINE THAT DEALERS CHARGE $850.00 TO 1250.00. MY LOCAL DEALER CHARGES $980.00 PLUS TAX. I PAID $176.00 FOR THE PART AND IT TOOK ME UNDER 90 MINUTES TO INSTALL AFTER WATCHING A YOUTUBE VIDEO. THIS WAS A REPAIR ANYONE COULD DO THAT DIDN'T MIND A LITTLE GRIME ON THEIR HANDS. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT INSTEAD OF ISSUING A RECALL ON A CLEARLY FLAWED PART, THAT NISSAN IS VIEWING THIS AS A MONEY MAKER FOR THEIR DEALERSHIPS.

NHTSA ID

11190459

Incident

Mar 13, 2017

Mileage

67,500 mi

I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT, WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE THE CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND STARTED JERKING. I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO INVESTIGATE AND THE CAR HESITATED TO SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE OR REVERSE. I AM HAVING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CVT TRANSMISSION AND HAVE COME TO KNOW THE FOLLOWING: THE TRANSMISSION DEFECT CREATES AN UNREASONABLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND CREATES THE RISK OF A CRASH; IT IS INEVITABLE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL WILL BE INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO A COLLISION CAUSED BY THIS SAFETY DEFECT. NISSAN'S CVTS EXPERIENCE SUDDEN, UNEXPECTED SHAKING AND VIOLENT JERKING (COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS 'JUDDERING' OR 'SHUDDERING') THE VEHICLES HESITATE WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH. CASE 1:14-CV-24728 -UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF FLORIDA MIAMI DIVISION

NHTSA ID

11186071

Incident

Mar 4, 2019

Mileage

13,500 mi

WHILE IN MOTION, VEHICLE GAS PEDAL CEASED ACCELERATING. IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER, COULD NO LONGER MOVE THE CAR FORWARD OR BACKWARD. CAR WAS COMPLETELY IMMOBILE AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO NEAREST MECHANIC. MECHANIC INDICATED THE TRANSMISSION HOSE WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM ALONG WITH A FAULTY A/C COMPRESSOR. SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V142000 CALLED NISSAN ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID THEY REFUSE TO HONOR IT BECAUSE MY VIN SHOWS IT WAS MANUFACTURED AT A DIFFERENT PLANT THAN THE ONE SHOWN EXPERIENCING ISSUES.

NHTSA ID

11182578

Incident

Feb 24, 2019

Mileage

120,000 mi

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION IS NOT FUNCTIONING AS IT SHOULD CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP ACCELERATING WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11164639

Incident

Dec 28, 2018

Mileage

96,000 mi