Years affected, the mileage it usually shows up at, and what fixes it
About this problem
A continuously variable transmission, or CVT, uses a steel belt between two cone-shaped pulleys instead of fixed gears. It is smooth and fuel efficient, but the belt and pulleys depend on clean fluid and careful heat control. When they wear, owners report shuddering, whining, slipping, a car that will not accelerate, and "limp mode" where the car is held to low speed. Repairs often mean a full replacement transmission.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Nissan Pathfinder since 2012, 200 (7.6%) describe CVT transmission problems, the second most reported problem we track on the Pathfinder. The reports cluster on the 2013, 2014 and 2015 model years, and the 2014 drew the most, with 81. It tends to show up in the middle years of ownership: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 7,000 and 89,000 miles. 2 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. One recall is related to it, and recall repairs are free at any dealer.
What owners report
Owners report the Pathfinder's CVT (the automatic transmission with no fixed gears) shuddering, whining, hesitating when pulling away, or going into a low-power mode. In many complaints the transmission failed outright and had to be replaced, usually somewhere past 60,000 miles. The 2013, 2014 and 2015 model years drew the most reports.
How it gets fixed
Dealers often start with a software update or fluid change. When the CVT has failed, the fix is a replacement transmission. Nissan extended CVT warranty coverage on several models and years, so check with a dealer using the VIN.
Typical cost: A replacement CVT typically costs $3,500 to $5,000 installed. A fluid change is about $150 to $250.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"2014 Nissan Pathfinder purchased 12/31/2013. Transmission acted odd within first month of ownership, but was told it takes some time to get use to the CVT. Accepted the judder for about a year, as it was only occurring during slow speeds in parking lots."
2014 Nissan Pathfinder, 6,000 miles
"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."
2013 Nissan Pathfinder, 7,000 miles
"It started with the dreaded hesitating/jerking thing I have read about Nissan CVT trannys. The dealership stated it was a valve inside the transmission, and not the tranny itself. How is a valve inside the transmission not be a part of the transmission?!?!"
2015 Nissan Pathfinder, 22,400 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Related recalls
Nissan North America (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013 Pathfinder vehicles manufactured April 18, 2012, through October 3, 2012, and equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Nissan has sent dealers 75 bulletins that mention this problem on the Pathfinder. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) Class Action Owner Notification On March 23, 2022, the Court presiding over a class action lawsuit gave final approval to a proposed settlement under which the CVT warranty will be exten...
CVT Warranty Extension In an effort to assure customer satisfaction, demonstrate our confidence in continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), and to address customer concerns including those expressed by customers in the class...
CVT Warranty Extension UPDATE August 30, 2022 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin.
CVT Software Update/Warranty Extension Voluntary Service Campaign ***** Campaign Summary***** Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to reprogram the Transmission Control Module (TCM) to improve CVT service diagnostics.
CVT Software Update/Warranty Extension Parts Update ***** Parts Update***** Nissan has temporarily placed remanufactured CVT assemblies on parts restriction.
Nissan; PROCEDURE TO CLEAN CVT TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLERS This bulletin has been amended.
Government investigations
Preliminary evaluation PE13029 · 2013 · opened Aug 2013, closed Mar 2014
Before you buy a Pathfinder
- Accelerate gently from a stop and again hard onto a highway; listen for whining and feel for shudder or a delay.
- Ask for proof of CVT fluid changes, which many owners skip.
- Check whether the CVT warranty extension (if any) still applies to that VIN.
Questions
Which Nissan Pathfinder years have CVT transmission problems?
Complaints are highest for the 2013, 2014, 2015 model years. The 2014 drew the most, with 81 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 46,000 miles, and half reported it between 7,000 and 89,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
A replacement CVT typically costs $3,500 to $5,000 installed. A fluid change is about $150 to $250.