2016 Nissan Pathfinder Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 7%of 105 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder, 7% of the 105 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving along and it felt as if I were driving over a rumble strip. It stopped after a while, but later that evening I felt it again, but this time the shudder was stronger and it sounded almost like a loud bird chirping. I slowed and the noise stopped, but drove home slowly through the neighborhood in case something happened. I took it to the mechanic and he suggested trading it in before it gets worse, and he mentioned transmission judder, so I researched and found I'm one of many.”
NHTSA complaint #11755818, filed 2026-08“Car was functioning fine and then suddenly stopped one day as I was entering expressway, car just stopped and had to tow to Nissan dealer. I was told alternator is not functioning and when doing systems check CVT/transmission alert was noted and said I need new transmission. In my search I see 2016 Pathfinders were included in a lawsuit. This was not brought to my attention and I am wondering if my CVT should be replaced by Nissan at no cost to me. My care has less than 120k miles and is less than 10yrs old. …”
NHTSA complaint #11624350, filed 2024-11“My car hit 62,000 miles, it started having transmission issues. It shakes, makes large noises, the car tries to stall, having issues accelerating, and loss power. I am concerned that the car will turn off or broke down while driving”
NHTSA complaint #11424875, filed 2021-07“Around 160,000 miles my CVT transmission went out. I almost got into a wreck no warning lights just stopped on me. When I took it to my local dealership in waco, Texas they told me I'll be good to wait over the weekend that they first opening wasn't until Tuesday. I came by on a Thursday. The car was making noises I was concerned and it wasn't accelerating like normal. I slowly drove it to Nissan dealership in Temple tx 30 mins away. The tech there immediately drove it to see if it was apressing concern or not. He immediately stated it wasn't safe and they gave me a loaner. …”
NHTSA complaint #11702225, filed 2025-12“The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and sputtered while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where DTC: P17F1 (Internal CVT failure was retrieved). The contact was informed that the CVT transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed the contact that assistance could not be provided because the vehicle was out of warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11704677, filed 2025-12, 76,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11001192Jun 7, 2024CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA “WRITE” PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001202Apr 18, 2024DTC P17F0 OR P17F1 STORED IN THE TCM This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10248651Dec 15, 2023CVT JUDDER AND DTC P17F0 OR P17F1 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10248654Dec 13, 2023TRANSFER ASSEMBLY SEAL REPLACEMENT FOR AWD FRONT DRIVE SHAFT REMOVAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10248650Dec 13, 2023FLUID LEAK CAUSED BY TRANSFER ASSEMBLY RIGHT SIDE DRIVE SHAFT OIL SEAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10237565May 9, 2023CVT JUDDER AND DTC P17F0 OR P17F1 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10237563May 8, 2023CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA âWRITEâ PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10233904Mar 29, 2023CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10227268Nov 23, 2022DRIVE SHAFT BOOT SERVICE INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION If a Drive Shaft (Axle Shaft) Boot on an APPLIED VEHICLE is found to be leaking grease, AND There is no abnormal noise or…
- 10227254Nov 9, 2022ABNORMAL NOISE, VIBRATION AND/OR BINDING FEELING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 27% |
| 2025 | 8 | 14% |
| 2024 | 9 | 10% |
| 2023 | 13 | 12% |
| 2022 | 17 | 12% |
| 2020 | 9 | 17% |
| 2019 | 9 | 12% |
| 2018 | 12 | 15% |
| 2017 | 34 | 18% |
| 2016 | 7 | 7% |
| 2015 | 77 | 24% |
| 2014 | 215 | 37% |
| 2013 | 371 | 42% |
| 2012 | 2 | 9% |
| 2011 | 7 | 16% |
| 2010 | 11 | 28% |
| 2009 | 8 | 22% |
| 2008 | 155 | 47% |
| 2007 | 337 | 60% |
| 2006 | 450 | 54% |
| 2005 | 585 | 56% |
| 2004 | 9 | 13% |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 10 | 6% |
| 2001 | 3 | 1% |
| 2000 | 6 | 5% |
| 1999 | 8 | 8% |
| 1998 | 20 | 13% |
| 1997 | 19 | 9% |
| 1996 | 12 | 8% |
| 1995 | 20 | 12% |
| 1994 | 10 | 11% |
| 1993 | 3 | 6% |
| 1992 | 9 | 30% |
| 1991 | 14 | 36% |
| 1990 | 13 | 34% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder
27 complaintsOther or unknown
23 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology