10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,268 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2015 Nissan Pathfinder drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2015 Nissan Pathfinder Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #69

Nov 052024

Pathfinder

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving vehicle and was at light to enter freeway went to accelerate and nothing happened but car would rev normal in park pulled over in traffic and almost got in a wreck with family in side is very unsafe

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #68

Oct 192024

Pathfinder

  • miles
$4000 worth of work. 4 visits to a local shop. 3 visits to the Nissan dealership, who claims to have replaced cylinders every time. My engine violently shakes even worse. Has cut off midst driving with no power to crank again. 4 batteries & 4 alternator replacements. Barely press on gas pedal and it shakes the whole car, then smells like something rotting.

- Marietta, SC, USA

problem #67

Dec 312023

Pathfinder

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal for an extended period of the time, the vehicle responded as needed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that there would be no assistance provided in covering the repair cost. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

- Newton, MS, USA

problem #66

Jul 012024

Pathfinder

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving 3 MPH in a parking lot, the vehicle stalled. An Advanced Auto mechanic determined that the battery was drained. The mechanic replaced the battery. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a U-turn, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact was able to pull into a nearby AAA parking lot, where the vehicle was jumpstarted. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving and turning. The contact was able to pull into a parking lot, where the vehicle was jumpstarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with CVT judder. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered under TSB Number: NTB17-039N. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #65

Jun 132024

Pathfinder

  • miles
My car jolts/jerks in park as soon as it-??s crunk up. Have been to the shop 9 times since June. Last 4 times has been Nissan Dealership, had $3000+ worth of work/replacement done. My engine is still continuing to do the same thing. Nissan said past 2 times that it was ignition coils, because they replace plug wires, but they-??ve been replaced 3 times now and still the same issue ? Sounds more like CVT or timing chain issue. No codes were thrown past 2 times either

- Marietta, SC, USA

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problem #64

Aug 052024

Pathfinder

  • miles
It begins shaking, jolting and shuddering while driving; started off happening at take off; then progressed to anytime speed was under 35mph; now, it does it often throughout all speeds. Nissan states it needs a new transmission which was quoted to cost $6,600+tax. The vehicle trade-in value is only $5,000ish prior to these symptoms. Vehicle has less than 117,500 miles and all maintenance and fluids have been routinely changed throughout vehicle's lifespan. This CVT issue seems to be ongoing therefore Nissan and other makes should not be allowed to put these into vehicles that are so costly and these transmissions begin to give problems while vehicles are still under warranty. Need assistance in fixing the costly transmission and Nissan should have a discount on this faulty transmissions that they knew had issues. No warning lamps or messages given; symptoms were found when taken in at 117,000 miles and stated transmission needs to be replaced. Warning lamps and signals should have been given to owner to prevent the damage done to transmission. Warning lamps do not show anything wrong with vehicle; however, the jolting, jumping and sputtering is very dangerous during driving and may cause accidents in braking, acceleration and/or heavy traffic flow.

- Bunkie, LA, USA

problem #63

Jan 132020

Pathfinder

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that when making a turn, the contact noticed a rumbling noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed electronic coupler. The contact was informed that the electronic coupler needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed of a Technical Service Bulletin which had a similar failure description, Technical Service Bulletin NTB10-029E, however, the contact was informed that the repair was not eligible for coverage under Technical Service Bulletin NTB10-029E. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Ridgecraft, CA, USA

problem #62

Jun 102024

Pathfinder

  • miles
Complete shutdown of the vehicle while driving down the road. Caused me to go into a ditch. The vehicles lights flashed and then it just shut off. Had the alternator replaced twice also the battery replaced twice and now the nissan dealership has said they don't know what's wrong with it.

- Marietta, SC, USA

problem #61

Jan 272024

Pathfinder

  • miles
Intermittently there is low power when accelerating and the brake lights remain on. If there is low power when accelerating from a stopped position going into traffic, this could lead to injury or death of persons in the car as other vehicles could run into them. Likewise with brake lights remaining on throughout a journey, other road users cannot determine when the brakes have been applied which could lead to collisions.

- University Park, FL, USA

problem #60

Oct 122023

Pathfinder

  • miles
I own a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder with a CVT transmission that has gone out. I bought the vehicle used in October 2022. Obviously this class action lawsuit and claim deadline had already passed - when I bought the car and until my transmission failed, I had no idea about the problems or the lawsuit. Therefore I have never opted out or into the lawsuit because I did not even own the car yet. The vehicle only has 55,000 miles. It's within the original 60,000 mile warranty, but Nissan refused to cover it because the 60 month warranty expired in May 2023. I've raised a case with Nissan Consumer Affairs to no avail. Nissan Cedar Park dealership where it's at has confirmed the transmission failure through no fault of our own. What recourse do I have" I have seen your CAMPAIGN BULLETIN: CVT Warranty Extension Reference: CVT Date: August 30, 2022 It seems to me clearly from that, that Nissan's CVT warranty for my vehicle has been extended and should be covered. How do I pursue getting them to make these warranty repairs? Can you help"

- Leander, TX, USA

problem #59

Feb 272023

Pathfinder

  • 121,320 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle jerked and hesitated to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving from a complete stop. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the CarMax where the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,320.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #58

Mar 222023

Pathfinder

  • miles
2015 pathfinder will intermittently not accelerate while driving. Occurs mostly after being at a stop. Has also occurred while in motion in a 35 mph zone. The traction control light will illuminate and stay on until vehicle is shut off and restarted. This is dangerous and will eventually cause a crash.

- Independence, KY, USA

problem #57

Jan 132023

Pathfinder

  • miles
Significant knocking from front of vehicle. Took to mechanic and had front transfer case replaced due to metal breaking off assembly. Could have caused failure while driving.

- Aldie, VA, USA

problem #56

Nov 022022

Pathfinder

  • miles
On my way to the emissions test site, I was approaching an intersection that was controlled by a stop sign. As I approached this stop sign, I applied the brakes. My vehicle kept traveling into the intersection. The brakes did not stop the car I went out into the middle of the intersection, crossing one lane of oncoming traffic and into the 2nd lane of traffic and stopped about one foot from an oncoming vehicle. Upon this incident, I drove the vehicle home and tried to figure out what happened. The car drove home okay. Reviewed Recent service visits: December 2021 we had the car in the shop for a bearing was bad in the cooling fan and causing it to hit the shroud; March of 2022 service visit, brakes were flushed; September 2022 in for service found out a rear brake job was needed. As a result of the incident I drove the vehicle to the dealer again - they put it through the diagnostic tool - and the code came up for that the transmission was gone and to drive it any further it would be a death trap. The vehicle needed a brand new transmission. Researching the Nissan Pathfinder year 2015-there is a known defect in the transmission. As a result of a class action suit the warranty was increased to 7 yrs or 84,000 miles. This Nissan Pathfinder has 75,000 miles and was 46 days past the 7 year mark. The dealer could do nothing for me - charged thousands to replace the transmission. And now, all those identified Nissan Pathfinders, Nissan Rogues and certain model Infinitis are still on the road. It was fate that this did not end in a horrific incident for me or those I could have come in contact with. #1 - these vehicles need to be removed from the road and in my case the transmission should have been replaced by a recall. Why wasn't this a recall, who settled a class action suit and left the "death trap vehicles" on the road? (I do not have the invoice for the repair yet, will pick up vehicle tomorrow and forward the invoice to you.

- Middle River, MD, USA

problem #55

Jul 082022

Pathfinder

  • miles
Transmisson is stuttering. Check engine light was on when i had it read came back as CVT leak. Vehicle only has 107,000 miles on it.

- Charlestown, RI, USA

problem #54

Jun 302022

Pathfinder

  • miles
When driving for any period of time over a half hour the vehicle will cut power and stop the vehicle. I was turning left at a busy intersection, hit the gas to go and the vehicle lost power and I rolled into the intersection. I could not go forward because the transmission was dead. Nissans solution is a transmission software update. They said it was repaired and after I left the dealership, 40 mins into the drive the vehicle quit at 55mph. This is incredibly dangerous and Nissan is fully aware of the defective CVT transmission they've engineered. Someone needs to stop them before people start dying.

- Middleton , WI, USA

problem #53

May 082015

Pathfinder

  • miles
Purchased my vehicle new not long after (less than 200 miles) I started having a jerking (which felt to be in the transmission) at the speed of 20-25 mph. I literally would have to let up off the fuel to make it stop. Give it fuel again making sure I go past the 20-25 mph (which isn't good in school zones) I have had it to the Nissan Dealer 3x for this problem and was told that "Nothing" showed up on the Diagnostic Test. I haven't taken it back since. I was approached by an individual who owned a 2012 Pathfinder and he asked me if I had any problem with my car at the speed of 20-25mph? I said yes and what a conversation we had. My car currently has 27,775 actual miles, I'm to nervous to drive it on a long distance from home! With the jerking and I know it has something to do with the transmission (overhauled motors back in the day) there's No Way I'm going to be left stranded. It's quite a shame really I spent all that money (paid in full) and I'm unable to use my car for a long trip due to fear of becoming stranded because of a Manu. BooBoo

- Grottoes, VA, USA

problem #52

Feb 102022

Pathfinder

  • miles
Shuttering occurs upon acceleration from a stop and loss of power. Intermittent stalling an extreme loss of power.

- Roselle, NJ, USA

problem #51

May 182021

Pathfinder

  • miles
Purchased this vehicle in February 2019. Two years later in May 2021, I was slowing down to make a turn and when it was time to accelerate out of the turn, the car felt like it lost power and even though I was pushing the gas pedal, the car seemed to be stuck and hesitating. It wouldn't go over 5mph. Brought into carmax where I purchased it from, but because there were no lights on they couldn't find the problem and the diagnostic didn't pick up any codes. Two days later the car did this again and this time it literally died as well in the middle of a busy street. This time is rattled and shook when it died. Carmax said to bring it in to a Nissan dealership. Nissan tried to get me to pay for a new engine!! said there was sludge on the oil cap and that was an indication that we never changed the oil. We change the oil every 5,000miles! carmax warranty wouldn't approve a new engine based on 1 mechanics opinions. I kept insisting it felt like a transmission issue, but they can only investigate if they have a direction via idiot lite or code from the diagnostic. So if they did the inspection and there was an issue, then it would be covered by the ext. Warranty. But if they didn't find an issue, I was responsible for inspection and labor $300+. they replaced the alternator. Car has been running great for the last 9 months until this week! the car is doing it again. Several times in a matter of 3 days the car has literally felt like it loses its power and wont go over 20mph no matter how far you push on the gas pedal. Seems to happen when accelerating from a slow down, stop, turn or an incline. You can literally feel the loss in power. Brought it to a different Nissan dealer, who said right away it sounds like the cvt transmission issue. I am devastated. I love everything about this vehicle. I am praying that carmax's extended warranty covers this and that it fixes the problem. Concerned when I read others had it fixed but still having the issue!

- Burbank, IL, USA

problem #50

Nov 052021

Pathfinder

  • miles
We bought this Nissan Pathfinder SV model with 4-wheel drive brand new in 2015. This model supposed to have had an upgraded Continuously Variable transmission (CVT). It is meticulously maintained. In 2020 at 70,000 miles the CVT oil was changed by the Nissan dealer. The dealer said that there was nothing abnormal with the car and it was doing well. About year later at around 80,000 miles, car started to sporadically shudder and loose power when cruising at a low speed and when trying to accelerate or go up a hill with slow speeds. There was no check engine light, or any other indicators that there was a problem. We took it to the Nissan dealer and the dealer ran diagnostics. They charged us $129.95 for an hour of troubleshooting and give us a report that the car has a code P17F1 - the CVT Judder. This indicates that there is a problem with the CVT steel belt or the CVT valve body. According to Nissan these problems can not be repaired. The only fix is transmission replacement at the cost of $6,042.76. This car is few months after the warranty expired. We are another family victimized by Nissan who knows that they have problems with their CVT and they keep selling bad vehicles.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

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