Nissan Pathfinder Transmission Problems To Know About

Jan 24, 2021

Known for its spacious interior, sleek look, and strong engine, the Nissan Pathfinder is a popular option for SUV drivers. If you’re thinking about purchasing a Nissan Pathfinder, you may have noticed that many drivers report transmission issues with this vehicle. Here, we’ll take a look at these issues, helping you to decide whether the Pathfinder may be a good fit for you.

Do drivers report problems with Nissan Pathfinder transmissions?

Yes, many drivers have had complaints about the transmission in their Nissan Pathfinder, including:

Torque converter clutch failure
Car slow or unable to accelerate
Transmission slips
Vehicle shakes during acceleration

Blue 2020 Nissan Pathfinder In Motion

Thankfully, we’ll go over each of these issues in detail, allowing you to get the information you need to decide whether the Nissan Pathfinder may be a good fit for your needs. Then, we’ll discuss how to take next steps to further your research, allowing you to make an informed decision on whether to move forward with purchasing a Nissan Pathfinder.

How Does the Transmission Work in a Nissan Pathfinder?

The Nissan Pathfinder offers drivers a continuously variable transmission, or CVT. This transmission can move seamlessly between many gears. CVT vehicles often get much better fuel mileage than cars with traditional transmissions.

The goal of a CVT is to allow a car, truck, or SUV to operate at an optimal level of power, no matter how fast or how often the driving conditions change.

If you’re experiencing a transmission issue with your vehicle, it’s essential that you take it to a mechanic as soon as possible. Transmission issues can become costly and can damage your engine.

Next, we’ll take a look at some of the transmission issues specific to the Nissan Pathfinder.

Common Issues with the Nissan Pathfinder Transmission

Torque Converter Clutch Failure

Vehicle History

When the torque converter clutch fails in a Nissan Pathfinder, drivers may experience a shudder or strange noises coming from the transmission. This issue is one of the most common complaints from drivers who have transmission problems with their Nissan Pathfinder.

This issue can also cause overheating. The torque converter clutch is, luckily, a self-contained unit, so this issue can be fixed without needing to replace the entire transmission. Your mechanic will be able to inspect your torque converter clutch and replace the single part.

Car Slow or Unable to Accelerate

NHTSA Complaint ID: 11340548

Some drivers notice that the transmission causes the car to judder, and then the car becomes slow to accelerate. This can be a problem while driving in highway traffic, or when merging onto a busy road.

To remedy this problem, your mechanic will need to inspect the transmission, as there are many parts that could cause the issue of slow acceleration.

Transmission Slips

NHTSA Complaint ID: 11323666

Car CVT Transmission From Bottom Side

Transmission slips are a common complaint amongst Nissan Pathfinder drivers. This issue causes the vehicle to be unable to go over a certain speed, as the engine’s RPMs increase rapidly even while driving at low speeds.

This can cause the vehicle to overheat and eventually stall. Fixing this issue requires a mechanic to inspect your transmission to determine the problem. Fixes can include adding or changing transmission fluid, replacing certain gears in the car, and more.

Vehicle Shakes During Acceleration

NHTSA Complaint ID: 11316408

Some Pathfinder owners have found that the vehicle shakes when the step on the gas. This is a sign that something is wrong with the transmission, and it’s key to get the vehicle serviced right away.

Your mechanic will determine the cause of the car shaking and repair or replace the part causing the issue.

Owner Reviews

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Stephen Grant on December 19, 2022

No over drive in cold weather

Purchased Used 2020 Pathfinder with 26k from the dealer in November 21. Things were fine until we experienced some cold weather. At that point it wouldn’t shift into high gear. Took it to the dealer and they said they found the problem but at that time Nissan did not have a fix. Was leaving for Fla the next day so took my pick up. Had a family member take it to the dealer mid February before my return. Back early March and was told they were waiting on parts. The dealer did provide a loaner. Weekly calls for updates were unproductive. Dealer in April suggested I deal with Nissan directly, very polite but blamed Covid for a parts shortage…Early May still no results. With the warm weather the car started to sometimes perform normally. Last drive we took early May the-car woulnot shift into high for the first hour and a half. Was then told by the dealer that the car was within normal design specs. At this point I had two options, ombudsman or give it a new home. I chose the latter and perchased a new car, not a Nissan. Was my fourth Nissan and my last…

Kevin on September 22, 2023

Transmission issue

I have a 2019 Pathfinder with 30K miles. Truly only a highway driven car only serviced by Nissan. Stopped at a traffic light yesterday and when the light turned green went to accelerate and the engine raced like it was in park. I looked down at the gear shift and it was in “D“. By now I’m being honked at. Stepped on the accelerator again and there was a big BOOM and the car slammed into gear. This was my third Nissan but I knew a few years back it was my last because the quality of Nissan has gone down hill. This car is out of warranty now so I’ll go out this weekend car shopping. Cannot deal with these kinds of problems starting on a low mileage car.

Dianna on September 1, 2022

Car just shudders at low speed, no acceleration

When turning and your foot is off the gas into the turn, the whole transmission starts to sputter, car shakes and almost stalls out. I cannot find a mechanic who can recreate this, so it is all my imagination. I detest this auto manufacturer and their inability to fix things that are wrong without losing a class action lawsuit first. Never again Nissan, biggest mistake I've made in purchasing vehicles.

Shelbi on June 1, 2022

2012 Nissan Pathfinder

We bought a 2012 nissan pathfinder a littler over a year ago and it has just hit 74,000 miles and now the transmission is slipping. We took it to the auto parts store to get the check engine light read and it came back as the transmission valve body assembly. So now were out of a vehicle because we cant drive it and we still paying a note on it. Any suggestions on what steps to take?

tina givehand on March 3, 2022

Lvn

My husband and I purchased a 2014 pathfinder and now that we have almost paid it off the transmission has gone out! Nissan will only pay half of the repair. Seeing as this is a problem that they have been having and we had NO idea of these issues or we WOULD NOT have purchased this car, what do we do now? It's $4000 for our half of it and I think that is RIDICULOUS!!!!!!

Theresa Gallagher on April 6, 2022

Owner since 2015

Well I love my Pathfinder BUT it just got it’s 3rd transmission in it’s less than 7 year life…30,000 first replacement….90,000 second replacement. Luckily I had an extended warranty but Nissan had my car for more than 2 weeks…. Hopefully, new transmission lasts longer than the first two 🤞🤞🤞

Richard on March 21, 2022

Nissan CVT

Nissan should cover the CVT transmission for the life of the vehicle.. They sold a product which manipulated the public with lies of reliability… and turn around and charge customers absorbent amount of money to replace the transmission… for this reason I would never buy another Nissan product!

dr kikeo on October 31, 2023

Nissan pathfinder 2015 cvt transmisssion

Cuidado con este auto , no sirve la trsamision, lo compre y al ano ya no servia, me la cambiaron y al os dos anos otra vez no sirve, nissan no soluciona le echan la culpa a su provedor , nuo compres nissan pathfinder si no quieren tener dolores de cabeza

Carl Cortez on July 26, 2023

Considering a used 2005 Nissan Pathfinder

With 127,000 miles to use as a tow vehicle for my Grandson's camping trailer 3600# What should I look for?

Calvin Drayton on October 22, 2021

My 2011 Nissan Pathfindercontinues to make rattling noise and when i brake a slippage occurs.

Amanda T

Amanda T. is a freelance writer, mom, and health nut who refuses to drive anything other than a Nissan. She has six years of automotive writing experience, and loves providing drivers with well-researched information to help them make informed decisions.