2002 Nissan Pathfinder: jerking or lurching

Filed Jun 29, 2019 · Acceleration · 223,000 miles · GA

I was driving on a highway when I realized my car was accelerating quickly without my foot on the gas pedal. I put my foot on the brake to slow it down to 65. At the same time I moved the rug back in case it was caught, but that was not the problem and I also tapped the gas pedal to see if it was stuck and it was not. I continued to drive for 15 miles with my foot on the brake the entire time until I exited the highway and was able to enter a parking lot where I depressed the brake as hard as I could. The car was shaking and the engine was revving and the car was trying to push forward. I was afraid putting it in neutral would not work so I threw it in to park and the engine continued to rev as the car jerked to a stop. I put on the emergency brake and turned it off. As I exited the car, I could smell burning and moved away from the car. I was shaking uncontrollably and broke down after that. I called the nissan dealer that services my car to say what happened and it would be towed there. I called my insurance roadside assistance to tow the car. The tow truck driver turned the car on to put it in neutral and it immediately began revving up again so he turned it off and popped the hood and showed me where the throttle was and the wires going to it and he fiddled with those and started the car again and he put it in neutral and towed it to the dealership.

Filed Dec 9, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 96,480 miles · MI

The first time while driving the pathfinder in regular driving conditions, the engine stalled at approximately 30 MPH. To restart the engine I had to put the transmission in neutral and turn the key all the way off and then restart the vehicle.the second time this happened I was driving again the same day, cruising along at about 50 MPH in traffic, and the engine died again with no warning. The instrument cluster showed all the typical "dummy lights" after the engine failed the first two times. When we parked the pathfinder we could smell gas at the rear passenger door on the drivers side. We took the pathfinder to the shop for repair. Fuel smell was corrected by installing a fuel pump seal and the fuel pump system was reseated, and reinstalled after an incorrect installation by a previous mechanic. After receiving the pathfinder back fro our shop, the engine died again while sitting in a parked position running in an idle state. No instrument cluster lights came on when engine died this time (the 3rd time), no check engine or codes displayed. Then while driving again at 50 MPH in normal driving conditions the engine died again, no indication of electrical issues, no flashes in headlights, interior lights, no flux in the HVAC fan, nothing. Tachometer dropped to zero with no other indication the engine died, no vibration, no jerking. I put the transmission in neutral, shut of the key, and try to restart with no success. I coasted the car to the side of the road and turned the key off and removed it from the ignition and then re inserted it to restart the pathfinder. Again, no check engine lights, no codes, nothing to indicate a problem. I purchased this car used only days ago 11/30/2014, and it has spent everyday in the shop trying to resolve this issue. It has only 96540 original miles on it, and is a very clean vehicle

Filed Mar 11, 2004 · Transmission · MA

When the consumer started his vehicle, with his foot on the brake and the vehicle in park, the vehicle jerked forward about a foot. *ph the consumer has schedule an appointment at the dealer to have this problem diagnosed and repaired.

Filed Feb 11, 2004 · Transmission · 50,467 miles · IN

Vehicle jerks shortly after placing in the "park" position. Three times the vehicle has rolled back while in the park position and one of these episode's was while I was walking behind the vehicle. I am very concerned with this incident and I am unable to locate any information regarding the problem.

Filed Jan 29, 2003 · Body, Suspension · 300 miles · PA

My pathfinder has many problems.first the vechle virbrates at all speeds,wind noise from both front windows and roof rack,there is also a jerk when you shut vechle off this does not happen all the time and happens mostly when in 4 wheel auto this is not 4 wheel floor shift,the dealer has tried to fix 4 times and now states there is a bulleten stated this is normal to get a jerk problem relate to all pathfinder and infinty q-4 from 1998-2002.the vibration is still present too the dealer has balanced all for tires but vibration is still there although is is not as bad,as for wind noise they suggested I buy wind delfector for both windows and roof

Filed Aug 6, 2002 · Acceleration · LA

When depressing the brake pedal, due to its position and the travel of the brake pedal I also depressed the gas pedal, causing the vehicle to lurch foreward.