The transmission appears to be failing. When accelerating, the RPM increases but the vehicle speed does not respond immediately, creating a slipping and jerking effect. The vehicle is available for inspection if requested. The vehicle hesitates and jerks when accelerating, especially when merging into traffic or driving at highway speeds, which creates a risk of collision due to the loss of proper acceleration. The front tires also shake unexpectedly, making it difficult to maintain control of the vehicle. The issue is known and widely reported for this model year. Similar symptoms have been documented as transmission failures in 2013 Nissan Pathfinders. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Nissan for this issue. No warning lights appeared. The symptoms started gradually with hesitation when accelerating and have worsened over time to frequent slipping, jerking, and tire shaking while driving.
Nissan Pathfinder slipping problems
210 of the 7,334 owner complaints about the Nissan Pathfinder describe transmission slipping, most of them for the 2005 model year.
- owner complaints
- 210
- worst model year
- 2005
- typical repair cost reported
- $5,000
- typical mileage
- 100,000
By model year
Often reported together
Transmission failure 28Overheating 27Jerking 22Shudder 18Hesitation 14Check engine light 14Loss of power 11Stalling 10
Trouble codes mentioned
U1000 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and depressing the accelerator pedal, there was a significant delay in the vehicle response. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle overheated, the transmission was slipping, and the vehicle hesitated to shift into the intended gear. The contact stated that the vehicle had overheated while driving and had failed to shift beyond first or second gear on some occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle had overheated and had stalled on other occasions, and the vehicle would become drivable after half an hour. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.
1 The CVT Transmission Failed, It is available, but it has to be towed. 2 While we drove down the expressway the transmission began to slip and skip gears in mid traffic at about 60 mph and at one point it stops pulling and I pull off the road and stopped but then it would not engage in gear (Pull off). 3 When I got it to move, I went Straight to the Nissan dealer, and they told me it needed a Transmission and brake pads and rotors for $ 8000.00 dollars. They Didn't Check the car because I watched them and they never raised the car or jack it up even to check the brakes. 4 no one but supposedly Nissan But that never happen 5 No Warnings, This Appeared / happen on Aug. 05, 2024
Transmission started slipping when I was getting on the Interstate. It was revving very loud but car would not move. I almost got hit from behind. This car is not even 3 years old. I am very concerned for my safety. I should still be in warranty for this issue.
The disabled vehicle when delivered by flatbed car hauler unit to the nearest dealership, Petro Nissan, 47 miles from the breakdown site would not move at highway speed but only jerked/bucked and crept along at little more than a fast walk. This condition was last experienced when the vehicle had been on a remote undulating interstate for about 2 hours. The check engine light had reappeared after being recently reset and the engine revving and loss of ground speed started causally then increased in frequency and intensity until totally failing to the point of forcing me to creep with emergency flashers in mode on the shoulder to reach an exit two miles ahead. The high RPM revving coupled with the ground speed loss condition initial stages occurred each of the two prior days. Two Nissan NA dealerships in those two days had performed diagnostics and service. On each prior day the check engine light, the high revving engine RPM, and the ground speed loss occurred. On each day a potentially serious safety issue arose. Initially an attempt to match speed and merge with traffic at an onramp and again when (using cruise control) during which the vehicle system attempted an automatic acceleration to maintain speed on rolling hills. Both conditions forced me to the shoulder to avoid a potential accident from immediate and drastic ground speed loss and engine revving at or above 4500 RPM After each of these incidents a Nissan NA dealership was consulted and services were performed. In each case I postulated to the service advisors that the transmission sounded/felt like it was slipping on acceleration when the vehicle/ transmission had heated up from extended driving. Both days service advisors checked for diagnostic codes of transmission issues but never mentioned emission issues aside from mass air flow sensor or ABS sensors apparently either not seeing or not looking beyond transmission related codes. The first dealer, Illini Nissan, ran diagnostics on 1/6/25,
Faulty fluid pump system Fault CVT system I noticed the car was slow to accelerate like it was slipping. Then a few days later, there was a jerking/ shuddering you could feel the entire car shaking. I took to the repair shop and they are saying it pulled the code for CVT and fuel pump circuit. Car in the shop awaiting repair This seems to be common problem with the Nissan pathfinder finder 2017. Is there anything can be done about this. It can easily become a safety hazard and potential loss of life. Shouldn’t there be a recall or resolution to this problem and Coustomer get reimbursement for money spent with this defective product.q
We have just under 80,000 miles on this & the transmission has started slipping. Pulled into an intersection after slowing (we were on the right-of-way), turned right to go up a hill & transmission hesitated. Car shuddered, then tranny kicked in & up the hill we went. We've noticed similar issues when moving from a 'slowing' motion to accelerating - highway lane changes when passing, etc. The hill thing was a stunner.
Issue is related to insufficient starting and propulsion of the vehicle after the idle stop feature has stopped the engine. After the idle stop feature turns off the engine [upon stopping of the vehicle], the engine does not start quickly and efficiently. You take your foot off the brake, the vehicle begins to start, then you push on the gas, the engine/vehicle then hesitates and stutters, and then the engine finally fully engages and moves the vehicle. Engine doesn't seem to be getting sufficient fuel. NOTE: THE MOST CONCERNING ISSUE is that upon pushing on the gas after idle stop, the vehicle has automatically slipped into Neutral [two recent incidents], basically stalling the vehicle in traffic (until the RPMs reduced and it could be put back in Drive). This is a safety concern if I am beginning to take a left-hand turn or pulling out into oncoming traffic. I have to now turn off the idle stop feature each trip to avoid this safety concern (unless I forget). I will be bringing vehicle into the dealer for service soon - but I am not confident this is going to effectively diagnosed or resolved.
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated to shift into gear, displaying symptoms consistent with the transmission slipping. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.
At recommend 60k interval transmission was having issues and advised the Nissan Dealership concerning issue. After consulting with Master tech on site and Corporate Nissan service was completed and still have issues. Transmission slips at all different intervals for the known cvt transmission that is in vehicle. Nissan suggested to have a ecm/tcm update to possibly diagnose the problem wanted to charge $150 for no guarantee of any results. Did ride alone with shop Forman. Still have issues and no check engine light or other lights are showing on dash.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
- What is wrong
- 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). In the affected vehicles, the internal oil cooler (ITOC) hose may detach from the cooler due to inadequate clamping force, allowing transmission fluid to leak.
- Risk
- The loss of transmission fluid could cause the transmission to function improperly and the vehicle to stop accelerating, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install an oil hose repair kit, free of charge. The recall began on May 12, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 14V142000 · Recall details
Questions about the Nissan Pathfinder slipping
Which Nissan Pathfinder years have transmission slipping problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2005 (69 complaints), 2006 (38 complaints) and 2007 (33 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix transmission slipping on the Nissan Pathfinder?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $5,000 (median of 51 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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