Common Nissan CVT Transmission Problems You Should Be Aware Of

Nissan CVT has been a source of frustration for many Nissan owners. While CVTs were initially known as a more efficient and reliable alternative to traditional automatic transmissions, Nissan’s CVT has had a history of problems that have caused headaches for drivers. What happened to these Nissan models? In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common Nissan CVT transmission problems and what you can do to prolong its lifespan.

History Of Nissan CVT Transmissions

CVT transmission failure symptoms — Nissan was one of the first pioneers in equipping CTVs in vehicles. (Photo: pinterest.com)

Before going deep into the problem, let’s talk about an introduction to the Nissan CVT, there’s not particularly new when coming to the CVT technology. CVT transmission concept was initially introduced during the 1940s and 1950s, however, Nissan first started incorporating CVTs in their vehicles in the early 1990s when automakers released the 1992 Nissan March. And within a few years, since Nissan integrated CVTs transmission in its vehicles, Nissan shifted to including CVTs in almost their cars like Nissan Altima, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Rogues, Nissan Sentra, and Nissan Versus. It was such a good time for Nissan. At that time Nissan was one of the first pioneers in equipping CTVs in vehicles. And speaking frankly, we can’t deny the benefits of CVT transmissions because using CVTs can improve significantly the fuel efficiency of the car. And here are some of the outstanding features of Nissan CVT transmissions:

Low maintenance: Compared to traditional automatic transmissions, CVT transmissions have fewer moving parts which means that maintenance will not be required frequently. Nissan CVTs have been designed to last for many years and proved to have a longer lifespan.
Fuel efficiency: Like other CVT transmissions, Nissan CVTs were also known for having better fuel economy and reducing emissions because this transmission can keep your engine operating at the most efficient RPM range.

We must say that it was a success for Nissan since they introduced the cars with CVTs, however, it wouldn’t be long before some problems started appearing in the Nissan cars.

6 Common Nissan CVT Transmission Problems You Shouldn’t Ignore

If you are a news junkie of the automobile industry, you will notice that over the course of several years ago, Nissan’s profits plunged as the sale of the company’s vehicles had trended to go in the wrong direction. Nissan has started to handle the problems related to CVT transmissions. From shuddering and shaking to slipping and overheating, Nissan CVT transmissions have been known to experience a range of issues that can impact performance, safety, and overall driving experience. Some drivers even shared that they have to pay anywhere from $3500 to $8000 on average to fix Nissan CVT problems. So where are the issues located? Let’s find out the most common issues of Nissan cars with CVT transmission:

1. Overheating transmission fluid

When you are driving a Nissan CVT, if you smell a burning smell in the car, it is most likely caused by the transmission. The cause of this problem is mainly because the transmission fluid is overheating. This situation for a long time will damage the components inside the transmission and affect the performance of the gearbox. To fix it, you should check the gearbox fluid and add and change the oil if necessary. Usually, the transmission fluid is red. If the oil turns black, green, or dark brown, it should be replaced. Besides, some Nissan CVTs are known to be sensitive to the type of transmission fluid used. Using a high-quality, synthetic fluid may help to reduce overheating and improve transmission performance.

2. Shaking and shuddering

Shaking or shuddering is another common problem you can experience when driving Nissan cars with CVT transmission. The reasons are:

Damaged or worn CVT belts: The function of the belt is to transfer power from the engine to the transmission. When this part has any problem, it can cause shaking and shuddering.
Clogged transmission filter: The filter is responsible for removing the contamination from the transmission fluid. When the filter is clogged or dirty, it will make your car shake.

Other causes could be due to a faulty torque converter or low transmission fluid. It’s necessary to solve this problem as soon as possible otherwise it will gradually damage CVT transmission.

3. Transmission slip

Nissan CVT technology is designed to provide smoother acceleration and better fuel efficiency compared to traditional automatic transmissions. However, some Nissan CVTs have been known to develop issues related to excessive slipping. And a faulty solenoid or internal transmission damage could be the culprit behind this problem.

4. Acceleration problems

Although the advanced technology nowadays, this type of gearbox is still difficult to avoid the slip of the belt when the driver suddenly accelerates. Thus causing delayed shifting, loud noise, and fuel consumption.

5. Humming or whining noise

Strange noise (humming or whining) from the Nissan with CVT transmission can be produced which is caused by many factors like faulty bearings or gears, a problem with CVT belts, or transmission fluid.

6. Premature failure

Some Nissan CVTs have been known to fail prematurely, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including manufacturing defects or inadequate quality control.

Watch the video to know Why Nissan CVT fails:

Nissan CVT Transmission Recall

These problems have caused great impacts on the driver experience, not only that, but they also pose a danger to the driver during use. According to the information we have, to ensure the safety of drivers, a number of Nissan models have been recalled to handle errors:

2012-2017 Sentra: In 2018, Nissan issued a recall for certain 2012-2017 Sentra sedans equipped with CVT transmissions. The recall was issued due to a defect that could cause the transmission to fail, which could result in a loss of power and increase the risk of a crash.

2013-2014 Pathfinder: In 2014, Nissan issued a recall for certain 2013-2014 Pathfinder SUVs equipped with CVT transmissions. The recall was issued due to a defect that could cause the transmission to fail, which could result in a loss of power and increase the risk of a crash.
2013-2016 Altima: In 2016, Nissan issued a recall for certain 2013-2016 Altima sedans equipped with CVT transmissions. The recall was issued due to a defect that could cause the transmission to fail, which could result in a loss of power and increase the risk of a crash.
2015 Murano: In 2016, Nissan issued a recall for certain 2015 Murano SUVs equipped with CVT transmissions. The recall was issued due to a defect that could cause the transmission to fail, which could result in a loss of power and increase the risk of a crash.

If your Nissan vehicle is subject to a recall related to the CVT transmission, it’s important to contact your local Nissan dealership as soon as possible to schedule a free repair. It’s also important to stay up-to-date with any future recalls that may be issued related to the CVT transmission or other safety issues.

Read more:

What did Nissan Do To Respond To CVT Transmission Problems?

Nissan has taken several steps to address the CVT transmission problems that have been reported by some customers. Here are a few of the actions that Nissan has taken:

Extended warranty: Nissan has extended the warranty on certain vehicles equipped with CVT transmissions to 10 years/120,000 miles, whichever comes first. This extended warranty covers certain repairs related to CVT transmission problems, including transmission replacement if necessary.
Technical Service Bulletins: Nissan has issued several Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) related to CVT transmission problems, which provide guidance to dealerships and mechanics on how to diagnose and repair specific issues.
Improved design: Nissan has made improvements to the design of its CVT transmissions in recent years, including the use of stronger materials and improved cooling systems.
Settlements and buybacks: In some cases, Nissan has offered settlements or buybacks to customers who have experienced significant problems with their CVT transmissions.
Customer assistance: Nissan has established a customer assistance program to help customers who are experiencing issues with their CVT transmissions. This program includes a hotline for customers to call and receive assistance, as well as a website where customers can file a complaint and receive information about recalls and other safety issues.

Hopefully, all the information will be useful for you.