2013 Nissan Pathfinder: Transmission will not engage
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2013 Pathfinder report: transmission will not engage. CarComplaints.com lists 14 owner complaints, average mileage 57,050 miles.
NHTSA has 371 owner complaints for the 2013 Pathfinder in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11773061 (filed 10/22/2026): “The contact owns a 2013 nissan pathfinder. the contact stated that the vehicle shuddered significantly while idling, and the failure persisted while accelerating from a complete stop and while driving. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where th…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11736776 (filed 05/09/2026): “The vehicle is a 2013 nissan pathfinder experiencing a major transmission/cvt failure that creates serious safety concerns. only 69 days after purchase, the transmission began failing and the vehicle became unsafe and unreliable to operate. the vehicle experi…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replace stop relay (2 reports) replace transmission (2 reports) replace/repair transmission (1 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Diagnosis needs a scan tool; repair or replacement needs a lift, transmission jack and the manufacturer's fluid fill/relearn procedure. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $4,600 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
- CarComplaints.com: Transmission will not engage (2013 Pathfinder)
- NHTSA complaints API, 2013 Pathfinder
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