CVT judder and air bag sensor faults
The 2013 Pathfinder has about 1,000 complaints per 100,000 sold, three times the model average. The CVT and the passenger seat air bag sensor are the main problems.
Updated November 2026 · based on 891 owner complaints and 11 recalls
1,005 3.2x the Pathfinder average
11 free to fix at a dealer
Every Pathfinder year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2013 Pathfinder
Top problems and what they cost
CVT judder and failure
Shudder, whining and leaking CVTs, many replaced.
Fix: Software update $150; CVT $3,500 to $5,000
Transmission and drivetrain
Passenger air bag sensor
The air bag light flashes and the passenger air bag switches off.
Fix: Free under recall 16V244
Air bags
Hood latch
The hood may not latch properly.
Fix: Free under recall 15V033
Structure
Recalls
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated.
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated.
The loss of transmission fluid could cause the transmission to function improperly and the vehicle to stop accelerating, increasing the risk of a crash.
If the brake override is activated, the driver will not be accelerate normally, increasing the risk of a crash.
If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
If the primary hood latch is released and the secondary latch fails during operation of the vehicle, it could cause the hood to open during vehicle operation...
Show all 11 recalls
If the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed, there may be an increased risk of personal injury.
The increased stopping distance may increase the risk of a crash.
If the brake torque member fails, the brake caliper may move and contact the inside of the road wheel, resulting in reduced braking, increasing the risk of a...
Continual illumination of the brake lights can prevent other drivers from realizing the vehicle is actually slowing down, increasing the risk of a crash.
An unsecured hood could unexpectedly open while driving, obstructing the driver's view, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder
- Ask for CVT replacement or update records.A CVT is a gearless automatic transmission that uses a belt. Worn ones shudder, whine or slip, and replacing one often costs $3,000 to $5,000, so service records matter.Owners filed 75 complaints about CVT transmission problems on the 2013 Pathfinder, one of the worst years for it.
- Confirm recalls 14V138, 15V681 and 16V244 show as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2013 Pathfinder has 11 recalls on record, listed below.
- Accelerate gently from 20 to 40 mph and feel for judder.A shudder feels like driving over rumble strips. It usually points to a worn torque converter or transmission, which can be expensive to fix.Owners filed 75 complaints about CVT transmission problems on the 2013 Pathfinder, one of the worst years for it.
Questions
Is the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
CVT judder and air bag sensor faults. The 2013 Pathfinder has about 1,000 complaints per 100,000 sold, three times the model average. The CVT and the passenger seat air bag sensor are the main problems.
How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder have?
11 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2013 Nissan Pathfinder problems?
CVT judder and failure; Passenger air bag sensor; Hood latch.
Crash rating shown for the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder SUV AWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.