The Nissan CVT, or continuously variable gearbox, was especially promoted as a “key selling point” for Nissan vehicles and was praised for its “smoothness,” according to a lawsuit Christopher Gann filed against Nissan.
The Nissan lawsuit’s plaintiffs contend that anyone who have driven vehicles with CVT transmissions could disagree with that assertion. The biggest issue with these allegedly defective transmissions, according to the plaintiffs, is “sudden, unexpected shaking and violent jerking.”
Nissan owners with vehicles with model years in the range of 2013 and 2020 have complained to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) alleging that CVT transmission flaws have harmed their vehicles.
It has been reported by drivers that their transmissions jerk, stall, shiver, hesitate, or even fail prematurely. Some drivers claim that an unexpected engine power surge occurs after these accidents. Many drivers have reported that as they try to accelerate, these CVT problems start to occur.
These types of car flaws can be risky because they could come as a surprise to the driver and make them lose control.
This effect is thought to be brought on by problems with the transmission, hose leaks and failures, CVT transmission error messages, and a loss of power.
In This Article...
Which Automobiles Suffer from CVT Transmission Issues?
The above-mentioned defective CVT transmission has reportedly been found in the following Nissan models.
- Versa Note Nissan 2018-2019
- Nissan Quest, 2015–2017
- Nissan Murano, 2015–2021
- Nissan Maxima from 2016 to 2021
- Nissan Altima from 2017 to 2021
- Nissan Sentra from 2018 to 2019.
- Nissan Pathfinder from 2018 to 2021
- Nissan Rogue, 2015–2017
It is obvious that this is a severe issue because there are numerous ongoing class-action lawsuits against the firm as a result of these defective transmissions.
Several class-action lawsuits and subsequent settlements have been obtained for the company’s factory-built vehicles from the preceding model year. The aforementioned comment led to an expanded warranty being offered to numerous customers for the Nissan CVT transmission. Despite associated payments and agreements, Nissan CVT transmission issues continue to prompt fresh lawsuits.
Compared to conventional gearboxes, continuously variable transmissions are allegedly more difficult to fix, don’t last as long, and are more prone to overheating. Nissan transmissions frequently experience problems.
Nissan’s CVT gearboxes have been known to have issues since 2009, but the firm hasn’t exactly taken quick action to fix the problem.
Lessees and owners of various vehicles have reported similar problems with Nissan CVTs, it has been observed. The following are only a handful of the common issues with Nissan’s transmission:
- breakdown of the transmission too soon
- Unusual changing sounds
- a revving engine
- sluggish acceleration
- excessive transmission heat
- burning odors
- Vehicle stuttering or hesitation
- trembling and swaying
- jerking and lurching
- Torque converter issue
- engine light that flashes
- poor fuel efficiency
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received complaints about serious safety hazards brought on by these defective transmissions. According to one complaint, when driving on flat ground, a car may suddenly roll backward due to transmission issues.
Despite replacing four continuously variable gearboxes in less than two years, a second assessment found that Nissan vehicles had lost power in congested intersections and on motorways.
When acceleration problems arise on highways, at crossings, on freeway ramps, and at stops, drivers are more likely to cause a crash or rear-end collision when using a defective CVT transmission.
Nissan CVT Issues
- Nissan automobiles frequently experience CVT problems. The feature, also referred to as a continuously variable gearbox, was created to make gear changes more smoothly so as to improve vehicle performance. The transmission was available for numerous Nissan car models between 2012 and 2018, including the Sentra, Versa, Versa Note, Altima, Rogue, and Murano.
- The transmission is directly responsible for some of the most prevalent car problems. Power loss, transmission jerking, transmission slippage, leaks and failures in the CVT coolant hose, and the appearance of a CVT error message are among the reported problems. These issues raise doubts about the Nissan CVT transmission’s dependability and pose a major risk to careless drivers.
- Nissan increased the warranty from five years or 60,000 miles to ten years or one20,000 miles on some of these cars with CVT transmissions. Repairs, replacements, and towing for problems with the continuously variable transmission are all covered by the extension. Owners of vehicles must bring their Nissan to a dealership for repairs in order for the warranty to be effective.
CONSEQUENCE:
- Transmission judder, comprising shaking, shudder, and vibration is the topic of this service bulletin. Date of the Service Bulletin: April 1, 2016 Components: Transmission Nissan Altima and Nissan Rogue models from 2013 to 2016 are affected.
- Name of the lawsuit: Nissan North America, Inc. v. Batista Lawsuit Nissan installed CVT transmissions known to have flaws without informing customers. Components: Vehicles with Affected Transmissions: 2013 and 2014 Infiniti QX60/JX35, Nissan Pathfinder Result: Nissan updated the transmission software and extended the warranty on the affected vehicles to 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first.
SOLUTION:
The first thing to do is make sure your car is safe to drive if you think Nissan CVT troubles are harming it. If the transmission is still covered by warranty or the warranty on your car was extended, bring it to the dealer. A top focus is ensuring the security of everyone inside the car.
The best course of action may be to launch a lawsuit if Nissan refuses to renew your warranty after it has expired. Nissan has recently been the target of several lawsuits, several of which have produced good conclusions for car owners. For additional information on how to be compensated for your vehicle’s flaws, speak with an experienced attorney.
Stern Law, PLLC’s lemon law attorneys are dedicated to assisting customers who have purchased or leased damaged vehicles. We fully think that you shouldn’t be forced to deal with ongoing repairs and other issues as a result of a vehicle that was badly made.
Stern Law, PLLC’s or related law firms’ lemon law attorneys assist buyers or lessees of problematic vehicles who are entitled to remedies under state lemon laws. We would like to know more about your circumstance in order to advise you on your top legal choices.
What Indicates a CVT Transmission Is Failing?
The following warning signs and symptoms could be present in a car with a failing CVT:
- Unexpected and sudden shaking or vibrating
- violent jerking when the driver tries to accelerate, also known as “juddering” or “shuddering”
- delayed or lagging acceleration
- Lurching or surging
- unforeseen acceleration
- abrupt braking or “clunking” when moving at a low speed
- Noises that are out of the ordinary, such whining, shrieking, rattling, or banging
Additionally, complete transmission failure may occur to drivers in the midst of the road, increasing their danger of collision.
Signs to Look Out For
You don’t want to spend money on unneeded, expensive repairs if your automobile is in good condition. You also don’t want to disregard emerging problems because they can get worse quickly. How can you tell when it’s time to discuss your Nissan CVT with a qualified technician? A fluid leak can provide a hint. You might have to pay closer attention to see if this is happening. Contrary to the reddish hue of normal transmission fluid, CVT fluid is more translucent and has a slight golden or green tint. Other common symptoms include transmission slippage, a burning smell, power loss, or jerking. Bring your vehicle to Dave’s Ultimate Automotive if you observe them.
Nissan CVT transmission failures have a cause.
Nissan CVTs are notorious for overheating, especially while going up a steep incline or for an extended period of time at highway speeds. The transmission frequently enters a fail-safe or “limp” mode when it overheats, which results in a lack of power.
Nissans with CVT transmission issues, what year are they?
Let’s start by discussing the CVT overview. Continuously Variable Transmission is what it stands for. Once activated, it operates similarly to a conventional automatic transmission, requiring no further intervention from the driver. But the CVT has no gears. It operates with a dual pulley system. A smoother transition between lower and higher speeds as well as improved fuel efficiency are the goals of this more recent transmission. Although this makes sense in theory, there have been some issues with Nissan applications. The problems were typically reported between 2012/2013 and 2018. When Nissan first started utilizing this transmission in 2003 and during the generation of CVTs from 2007 to 2012, there were a few issues. The Murano, Sentra, Altima, Rogue, Versa, and Versa Note are specific models.
Although anything might go wrong for any manufacturer, Nissan’s issue is most likely the result of overheating. Failure to adequately cool the transmission might hasten the deterioration of the transmission. Additionally, for these specific models, the automobile detects heat distress and lowers its RPMs to prevent damage, which naturally affects horsepower. Nissan’s extended warranty may be useful for a while if your vehicle is affected and/or recalled. Transmission coverage was extended for some vehicles from 5 years/60,000 miles to 10 years/120,000 miles. Nevertheless, the warranty will eventually expire, and you might discover that your car needs, which
Is the CVT in Nissan reliable?
A CVT is a single-speed or stepless gearbox that uses a pulley system to shift gear ratios, in case you are unfamiliar with the word. There are several (countless) films and animations that demonstrate how it works; if you want to see it in action, just search for it on Google, but I felt this one did a decent job of explaining how a CVT works without being too technical.
Nissan’s Xtronic CVT, which made its debut in 2011, is currently in its third iteration. But this CVT has actually been around for a little little longer. Although it made its debut internationally in 1992, the U.S. didn’t see it until the 2003 Murano, according to Nissan’s customer website. Since then, the range has made extensive use of it, with examples of it being used in the Altima, Maxima, Kicks, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Murano, Versa, and Sentra. Along with the defunct Juke and Versa Note, it was also utilized in the Pathfinder of the prior generation, which dates from 2021 and earlier.
Which automobiles lack it, maybe, might be a better query? Armada, Pathfinder (2022 and later), Frontier, and Titan fall under this category.
Nissan does not refer to the CVT as reliable in the FAQ at the end of its CVT primer, but it does note that it has fewer moving components, which lowers friction and heat. It “may” survive longer as a result than a conventional transmission.
Nissan improved their CVT transmission in what year?
Since Nissan’s initial global adoption of the continuously variable transmission in 1992, it has undergone steady research, augmentation, and improvement. The 2003 Nissan Murano was the first significant vehicle to use the XTRONIC CVT in the American market.
Nissan’s CVT transmission is produced by whom?
Who manufactures the CVT for Nissan vehicles? JATCO, The Japanese Automatic Transmission Company, is the producer of Nissan’s CVT gearboxes. About 75% of JATCO is owned by the vehicle manufacturer, and the two work together to create a devastation-inducing force.
What is the CVT transmission’s main issue?
Although some drivers like the CVT since there are no upshifts or downshifts, others prefer the feeling of the car moving through the shift points. The lack of fixed gears reduces the enjoyment of the ride if you want a sportier driving experience.
The loud droning noise that a CVT makes when accelerating is another issue that motorists frequently criticize. This occurs as a result of the CVT’s requirement that the engine run at a high rpm when it accelerates. The general public has had trouble accepting CVTs because they are perceived as being noisier than mechanical or step automatic transmissions, as Car Engineer explains.
Compared to a traditional automatic transmission, CVTs might be more expensive to maintain or replace.
Owners frequently experience issues with overheating, sliding, and abrupt loss of acceleration. Shuddering is another frequent issue.
Since CVTs rely on their belts to function, if they experience severe stretching or wear, the transmission may stop working altogether.
- When they accelerate, they don’t perceive a link between the accelerator and the engine.
- The size and power of engines that can be used with a CVT are restricted.
- They are not as durable as a traditional transmission.
- It’s tougher to work on CVTs. A skilled technician is frequently required to do even simple maintenance.