CVT transmission question

[gjkiii]

Ok...so I owned the 240sx for 8 yrs and I now have a pathfinder that I have owned for 10yrs. The transmissions were awesome as far as its reliability. The CVT transmission is a different kind of transmission. Will it last 150000 miles or even longer without any issues. I am not farmiliar with its predicted reliability. Thank you for any imput

[kerrton]

Great question - I too keep my vehicles for the long-term, and on the verge of purchasing a Rogue. But I have the same concern - is there any precident set for this Nissan CVT transmission lasting several hundred thousand miles, or is this technology still too new? transmission problems later on can be extremely expensive......

[philipa_240sx]

Start reading the Murano section of this forum. The 2003 Murano was the first CVT equipped Nissan sold in North America so there is at least 5yrs. of experience and mileage.

Generally the '03 Murano's models seem to have issues with the CVT. Later models seemed to have solved most of the reliability issues. Looking quickly at various online parts lists, there appears to be at least 5 'generations' of CVT transmissions on the Murano:

1 - 2003 Murano (09/2002 - 05/2003)2 - 2003 Murano (05/2003 - 07/2003)3 - 2004 Murano 4 - 2005 - 2007 Murano5 - 2007 Murano (08/2006+)

As you can see there has been a lot of development and the transmission is far from being 'new' or unproven. I think Nissan has worked out most of the bugs at this point. I think the CVT should be just as reliable as a conventional automatic.

BTW, my last Nissan automatic ('87 Pathfinder 3spd) lasted 300,000km with nothing but fluid changes. I would hope for similar service life.

Modified by philipa_240sx at 7:13 AM 2/26/2008
Modified by philipa_240sx at 7:17 AM 2/26/2008

[gjkiii]

Interesting information. Thanks

[BBISHOPPCM]

I would expect a CVT to outlast almost any transmission, given proper maintenance. By nature, the CVT has far fewer moving parts than a traditional automatic or manual transmissions. The only maintenance required is having the dealer check the condition of the fluid every 30k or so; when the fluid is toast, replace it. This is not something the average consumer could do, as it requires specialized test equipment. So far, I've got 30k on my versa, and still no problems. As a side note; the transmission does have a "break-in" period of about 5,000 miles. During this time, you will get used to the feel of this transmission, and you'll never want to go back to a traditional automatic again!

[RogueWarrior]

I've had my new Rogue SL AWD for a week now, and I noticed that when in reverse, and if I back-up briskly, I hear a loud "clunk" coming from the rear-end... should I get my transmission checked or is this part of the "break-in"? I only have 300KM. Has anyone experienced this?

[Derango]

Is it when you first start driving? There's a lot of self tests that happen when you start the car and begin to move that could cause that noise to happen.

I'd say it's normal.

[RogueWarrior]

It's when I just start out in reverse and give it more gas than it really needs... I'll keep an eye on it for the next little while.

[kerrton]

The anti-lock breaks do a self test every time you start it up, and it makes a clunk noise. I would be curious if this loud clunk in reverse as you describe happens only just after you've started it, or will it do it other times too? If it only happens just after you've started up, I think it has to do with a self-test, and maybe if you get the reverse speed up too high right away before the test is complete that causes the louder than normal clunk. As a test you could drive around for a while, then try going into reverse and gunning it to see if you hear anything then. Just a thought.

[philipa_240sx]

There is also a VDC self test mentioned in the manual. It too may also make a clunk.

[RogueWarrior]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I believe you are correct Kerrton that it only happens after initially starting off. I have tried to reproduce the problem after going for a while, and couldn't. It must have to do with the self tests.Thanks again...RogueWarrior in Atlantic Canada (in the middle of a blizzard) -> by the way, the Rogue AWD is like an army tank in all this deep snow! Woohoo!

[mkaresh]

Start reading the Murano section of this forum. The 2003 Murano was the first CVT equipped Nissan sold in North America so there is at least 5yrs. of experience and mileage.

Generally the '03 Murano's models seem to have issues with the CVT. Later models seemed to have solved most of the reliability issues. Looking quickly at various online parts lists, there appears to be at least 5 'generations' of CVT transmissions on the Murano:

1 - 2003 Murano (09/2002 - 05/2003)2 - 2003 Murano (05/2003 - 07/2003)3 - 2004 Murano 4 - 2005 - 2007 Murano5 - 2007 Murano (08/2006+)

As you can see there has been a lot of development and the transmission is far from being 'new' or unproven. I think Nissan has worked out most of the bugs at this point. I think the CVT should be just as reliable as a conventional automatic.

BTW, my last Nissan automatic ('87 Pathfinder 3spd) lasted 300,000km with nothing but fluid changes. I would hope for similar service life.

Great info.

TrueDelta just started collecting reliability info on the 2003 Murano. Later in the year we should get a decent sense on whether the CVT is a problem area. With quarterly updates, if and when it does become a problem area we'll be able to report it promptly. I'm interested in the answer myself, so I'll be sure to pay extra attention to it.

[ibkeekee]

I purchased my Rogue on November 14, 2007 and about a month after doing so I began to hear a sound I would characterize as a gargling noise coming from under the hood. After taking my car to two different dealerships several times each, and having the heating shield changed, some kind of bolts tighten and God only knows what else; they finally had someone they call the “Rogue Specialist” come in to see what was going on. He showed me how all of the transmissions on the Rouges make this sound. He told me they could change my transmission but it would do the same thing. He had me test drive one they had just taken off the truck and it too made this sound. Another technique told me they may recall it later, but for now that is all they have. Anyone else hear this? Should I be concerned that the day after my warranty runs out I am going to need a new transmission?

[chirp the 1-2]

i work at a dealership and we have replaced about 5 cvt's in 3 years of me being there. not to bad for a totally new transmission i think

[zoieNNe]

Well, I'm not sure if my problem is even what's being discussed in this thread, but . . .

Last week, at 5000 miles, I started hearing a grinding noise, especially when turning, coming from somewhere in the front of the Rogue. It came and went, but luckily the tech heard it, too, when I took it to the dealership. They replaced the front right axle (um, I think), but told me that even though that was necessary, it didn't solve the problem. They still need to replace the VDC transmission (did they mean CVT??) Anyway, they sent me home today and will order the transmission. I'm a little worried that I bought a lemon, and really hope it's not a sign of bad things to come. But, hopefully it was just a fluke & will soon be taken care of.

At least the guys at the service department are beyond nice & sooo easy to work with - so, it could be much worse!

[trrek]

you mentioned a break-in" period of about 5,000 miles for the CVTtransmission. I recently changed the CVT transmission in my NissanTiida/ Versa following an accident I had. at the time of the accidentthe car had mileage of 4219km. Now the vehicle is moving sluggish. Ithardly seems so accelerate as if it is in one gear ( even when youfloor the gas pedal). Do you have any idea what maybe causing this andhow to fix it? and is there any where i can more information on the"break- in" period?

Thanks a million

[dawson76]

you mentioned a break-in" period of about 5,000 miles for the CVTtransmission. I recently changed the CVT transmission in my NissanTiida/ Versa following an accident I had. at the time of the accidentthe car had mileage of 4219km. Now the vehicle is moving sluggish. Ithardly seems so accelerate as if it is in one gear ( even when youfloor the gas pedal). Do you have any idea what maybe causing this andhow to fix it? and is there any where i can more information on the"break- in" period?

Thanks a million

that doesn't sound like a breakin problem....sounds like something was either installed wrong or defective.

[trrek]

Thanks man. I will recheck it at the mechanic and let you know.