This is your lucky day, Nissan will refund you the full amount that you paid to have your transmission replaced, no questions asked, no fine print, they'll give you back every cent!!! Here is the official press release: http://www.nissanassist.com/index.php?menu=1

Nissan is finally standing behind you guys, and righting the past wrongs, I'm happy for you guys!

This is the FAQ, which states it's a simple matter of filling out a claim form to get reimbursed for the CVT replacements that you paid for, and there is no need to wait for your official letter, this is all in effective immediately and your dealer can confirm that for you. http://www.nissanassist.com/faqs.php?menu=3

WOW! Well thank you for providing us all with this information. I will definitely be filling out the Reimbursement Claim Form!

I'm glad that Nissan has finally taken the right steps to try to correct these problems!

I really believe it is about make sure consumers feel confident about Nissan's CVT. Anytime you have a new feature as significant as transmission, you really want to make sure Nissan driver feel confident about the purchase they made. I am impressed with the extended warranty, I am thrilled, and I know the CVT is here to stay for a long time.

Guys,the way I read the letter they would extend the warranty specifically on the transmission (part of the powertrain)... I really want to believe that will include the transfer case I had replaced last month for $3,300 but when I called, they said no, it was not included. The wording is really dubious in the letter, for some times they say "CVT" and sometimes they refer to "the transmission" where I am pretty sure the transfer case is included.

The only wording on my receipt that mentions transfer case is when it lists "complete gear train" as one of the parts costs... do you think I should submit it like this, and what are the chances i will get reimbursed???

thanks.

I have an 03 Murano and the transmission started leaking just before 120k miles. I took it to the shop and they wouldn't work on it and suggested the dealership or just to keep the fluid topped off since it was a slow leak in 3 places. Since I read the cost of the fix in the forums I decided to just keep on topping off the fluid.

When I got the mail from Nissan about extending the warrenty I called them to see if I could be included even though I now have 124k miles. The took my name, email, and phone number and said they would be in touch within a day.

Well it has been 3 weeks now. They called and left a message twice to call them back, but I have been calling them back every day for 3 weeks and only get voice mail. I finally called the original number yesterday and they said they sent a message to the person (Shanel Wessler) and she would call me back but she still hasn't. The ticket had apparently been closed?

I am so tired of calling them everyday to leave a message. I don't understand why they can't get a response to me. Send mail, email, leave a voice mail, or call me back on the numbers I leave in the messages in the times I tell her I will be available and am there waiting by the phone.

Is anyone else having the same problem?

Yes, I have had the same problem. I don't remember if it is the same person, but if you don't take the call when THEY call you, they will never answer the phone OR return your voice mails.

I would advise keep trying, write Customer Care, and when an 800 or 866 number calls you, TAKE THE CALL :-)

It seems they are paying for the $3.3 I spent on the tranny. Just waiting to see the check since mine is only now over 48k miles and therefore covered by this extension.

good luck.

03 Murano SL AWD, got rid of it two days ago with 119KHesitation started around 109K, have to floor the gas pedal, and they shoot out like a cannonball. Check engine light had come on, and Nissan dealer got a CAT 1 error. Quoted me approx 2300 to fix.

In November, I had a mechanic buddy get me one for $350, and he installed = approx $700 total, replacing spark plugs. Thank God. Two days later, multiple misfires and check engine light again!! Mechanic friend ordered me an ignition coil set, and after another $400, it was fixed.

Last week, backing out of my driveway, heard a horrendous clanking sound (I thought I ran over a bike). Didnt see anything unusual underneath. Dropped it off at a local mechanic. They recommended a tranny flush, as it was black in color. They also noticed a big oil leak from gaskets that needed to be replaced (I had no oil on my driveway, it was spraying as a I drove, per what mechanic saw underneath).They go and pour tranny fluid, and leaking all over. Closer inspection revealed cracked transfer case. All total to repair was $4000. This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. Problems from the get go. I bought this pre-owned w/ 27K miles. I had the Bose CD not work and got that replaced by complaining to Nissan (the mysterious left-side speakers not working when playing CDs, but they work when the radio is on..saw this posted in forum). Had to replace struts at 80K! Bose disks skip like freaking crazy started 25-30K after getting the whole system replaced. I sold this POS to the owner of the shop, he is going to replace and get it working. He gave me 2K in cash, and I went out and bought a Honda CRV this weekend. Cutting my losses and looking forward to a much better vehicle. I had no desire getting that thing towed to the dealer and fighting w/ them. I was done. Would be nice to see some class action on this one. Nissan service was always ridiculous, playing dumb, yet knowing this 03 was a POS. Ugh.

I am thinking about doing the same.

They have paid me back all the money I spent on the transmission but I just don't trust the car anymore. This thing with the left side speakers, "the mysterious left-side speakers not working when playing CDs, but they work when the radio is on" - I thought this could not be repeated in any other car but it seems it is another glitch.

I certainly do not want to wait around for the next mystery to appear - who knows if Nissan will be so "kind" as to accept the flaw and pay me back again??

By the way, at 50k miles ( I got it a year ago at 43k) I already replaced the brake pads, driver's side wheel hub and the transmission - this one reimbursed by Nissan). Too much for a car that new...

A few months after I wrote in this forum about the transmission problem in 2007 with my '03 Murano; I had a problem w/ the battery draining. After a jump start, it ran fine, but the next day or so it would happen again. I replaced the battery & it still happened. I took it to the dealership here in Tulsa & they spent an entire 2 days dismantling the car, dash, etc., before they finally said it was the body control module and that would be $850, thank you very much. Well, I'm not proud of the language I used & my assistant here at work got to see a side of me that made here eyes go "buggy", but I eventually told the dealership that I would pay them exactly half that & not a penny more. (My husband was so proud.) The general manager called me & somehow convinced me to trade in my Murano for something else he had & since no one else would give me what I still owed on it, I traded my Murano for an 2006 Altima. I regretted that move also, and in 2009 I traded the Altima for a Cadillac SRX. I love the SRX, but I still mist up when I see another Murano on the road. It was like having an abusive boyfriend - you love him, but he hurts you.

Similiar to my radio prolem, right rear speaker has intermittent static whenthe radio is on or off, will not do it for the dealer and he won't throw partsat it is the way he describes it.

Am sorry to hear that. What is the nature of the problem?

I must be one of the lucky ones. 81K miles on my '04 and no problems. The only work being done on it has been the recalls and changing of the drivers seat rails due to a rocking problem. I am still on the original brake pads. I checked them the last time I had the tires rotated and they still have plenty of material left. I am planning on keeping it until it gives me problems or 110k miles, which ever comes first.

2young2retire wrote:I am planning on keeping it until it gives me problems or 110k miles, which ever comes first.

Why only 110K miles? My 95 Maxima is still going strong at 210K.

nafddur wrote:
Why only 110K miles? My 95 Maxima is still going strong at 210K.

I want to replace it before the CVT warranty expires at 120k miles. I feel the CVT in my '09 Max will go 200k but I am unsure of the early versions of the CVT's.

We are replacing the transmission on our 2003 Murano. 98K miles. Nissan extended the warranty on the CVT to 120K miles or 10 years. We are not paying anything. We brought it in for service last month and there was a fault code (T1722 - hard fault) indicating a transmission problem. They reset it, but after driving it for a few weeks, the 'service engine soon' light came back on. Brought it in this morning, and no questions asked they are performing a warranty replacement of the transmission. Almost $3,000 in parts + labor, but no cost to me. Whew!

I just joined the "club."

Engine revs, but car doesn't move (or just rolls).

Shutting the engine off seems to reset the system and it works fine for a while, or if you just stand on the throttle (a natural impulse of my wife w/ the kids in the car in an intersection), in a couple or 5 seconds seconds, the car will usually jerk ahead hard.

The dealer told us about the extended warranty, but our car is setting no "Codes." Each time we bring the car in, we are charged one hour's labor for diagnosis, and of course it doesn't malfunction on the around-the-block test drive.

After paying in excess of $500 for "diagnosis" and "Could not Duplicate" reports, we are at the point my wife won't drive with our kids in the car.

The dealer said that if we would pay $6800 they would replace the transmission, but that the replacement would only have a 90 day warranty.

Is this what everyone else is getting?

Why don't we get a "code" when it does what it does? Is everyone else's Murano throwing these "coses" to get the transmission replaced free?
(How do we get it to show a code when it fails?)

Thanks-
Bob

HELP!
Well I hope I just didn't "join the club" too. I had some work down on my 2003 Nissan in the last few days and it (transmission) began to surge forward a little-then just slows down to a crawl. The RPMs went up but it seemed stuck--not going more than a few miles per hour.

Once I did get the car moving on the highway and heard a whining noise--didn't go much over 40 miles per hour. After pulling over and letting it cool off--it started back up and I went on my merry way..just to have it happen again..I've read some post about this, seems like there is a serious problem with the CVT in 2003's Muranos. I read another post from someone who had a similar problem and easily solved it. Post reads as follows:

"I read in a one of the posts a guy fixed his problem by tightening up the rubber boot that connects the air filter chamber to the rest of the intake (easily accessible and easy to check). This was the fix to all my "transmission" worries and I believe that many more could have saved themselves a major mechanics bill"

I'm hoping (praying some too) it's not the CVT--just seems to much of a coincidence that right after I had some work done I began having this problem. Any other suggestions or advice (besides taking to a "stealership") would be greatly appreciated!

Mike

Come on Murano owners, lets try to help these guys out!! boinyelm posted for help in October, a simple question and a desperate ask for help and over 3 months later nobody has responded??!! I can't believe it, come on, forums aren't just for you to read and gather info for yourself, they're also an opportunity to help other people who are having problems and I'd say this is the most extreme problem I've seen with an extreme lack of action on the part of Nissan service.

Come on 2003 owners, especially those of you who had your CVT replaced under warranty, you must have some advice or input. Did your failing CVT throw a code, or was the diagnosis based purely on Service test drives? Lets get the conversation going and throw around some ideas!

Thank-you.

We've been patiently waiting and hoping that someone else has had the same problem as ours. On another forum it seemed a LOT of these early CVTs had somewhat similar problems, but unfortunately had the same challenges with Nissan dealerships.

We've even written letters to Nissan USA, outlining the problem, who unfortunately just told us to contact our dealership, which of course, we explained in the letter we'd already done several times.

It's been a very frustrating situation, I must say. We're "upside down" on the Murano, or we'd just trade it in (since my wife is psychologically no longer would trust the vehicle even w/ a new trans, I suspect), but until the problem is fixed, we couldn't just pass the problem onto some unsuspecting person.

We've contacted some independent shops, but when we say, "We have a Nissan Murano," and before we can explain our problem, their universal response is, "I'm sorry." Independents cannot even get parts for the transmission, though they say they may soon.

I am committed to getting our car "right," so I suspect the dealer is our only hope, though spending $7000 is not in our budget.

Thanks,
Bob

Good morning.
I seemed to have had some of the same mechanical problems you had, or having. In my situation, it seems like too much of a coincidence that I really began having the problems right after I took it to a mechanic for some minor work to be done. Drove it a little yesterday, hoping to get it to someone who specializes in Nissan Muranos but couldn't locate someone who would look at it on a Saturday on short notice.

Again, my Murano drives ok for a little while then seems to be unable to shift....and just slows to a crawl. Once the car sits for a few minutes (ignition off) it starts and runs as usual---until it happens again in a few minutes.

Anyway, once i get someone to figure it out I'll post what they suspect it is and what it takes for me to repair it. I love my Murano, but this is really creepy me out since I've been seeing so many other post with the same type of CVT problems, or suspects the CVT as the source of their problems. I feel bad for anyone who goes through what I have to deal with, and as a newbie to the forum i'd like to contribute.

Thanks for the sharing Bob, I hope you get your Murano taken care of too. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Mike

UPDATE:
I have an 03 Murano, been a pretty reliable car since I bought it back in 2006 from a Nissan dealer in South Florida. I have approximately 130,000 miles on it. Recently, I had the transmission service fluid change since it was due. Even though I didn't have it done at a dealership, it was serviced by a specialist who used the fluid required (watched to make certain). For a few days everything was running normal, then suddenly the engine (RPMs) revs up and it lunges forward.. but doesn't move forward--almost as if i had the brake on holding it back from moving. It would lose power, but not stall out. Even when I depressed all the way down on the accelerator only then would the car begin to move.. very, very slowly pick up speed maybe not going past 40-45 on a highway after 10-15 minutes of driving.

I found out that if shut off the engine and restarted my car it would operate as if nothing happened. Problem is, it does it all over again, I noticed this especially when it's warmed up. I took the car to a mechanic close by (not the same one who changed by fluid) since he had a former Nissan mechanic familiar with Muranos. My car had sat in my garage for 3 days so it was cold and during a 15 minute drive to drop the car off I didn't experience the problem I had been having.

After they checked it he came back with engine fault code # P1778, which he explained was "step motor circuit problem". He said best to take to a Nissan dealership (aka, "stealership") since it might require in-depth ($$$) transmission work which only the dealership could do.

After reading through the forum I was surprised to see all the issues which sounded so similar to mine--all revolving around the CVT transmission for my year Murano. I'm now going to have to tow my Murano into a dealership to have them look into the problem. From many of the post I've read on CVT transmission, specific to the 03 Murano's, I'd like any advice on what I should suggest/explain to the dealership when I end up towing it in. Below is a list of things I am going to point out to them to keep them from (ripping) overcharging me, or not misdiagnosing the initial problem as an inflationary sales tactic.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.check air intake piping has been performed (past recall) and the main breather hose is loose which might cause this problem.
2. throttle position sensor problem (I believe this TPS is the sensor controlling the throttle body valve.) or maybe a TCM sensor issue. from what I've read the pressure sensor is located either on the CVT, or inside the CVT which is inexpensive itself, but expensive to replace since it means tearing apart the transmission.
4. check out the transmission valve body that will goes bad after a while.
5.crank sensor failure problem.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Could this also be related in some way to having the transmission fluid changed and a sensor inside (TPC) and became clogged?? If so, is there an inexpensive way to fix it?

What I want to avoid is the service (salesman) adviser to recommend to replace the transmission seals thinking it might do the job, (for about $1500) if not they would look deeper for something else (to bill me for..$$$)

Any other suggestions, or help especially to which Nissan dealership I should take my car to who is honest, reputable and has experience (a tough task, I'll settle for 2 out of three) with this type of problem who is located in South Florida would be greatly appreciated.

Of course, I will update my problem (good, bad, etc) with details to help others ( of which there might be many) out there who might find themselves in this same predicament.

Thanks in advance for advice/help on recent experiences similar to mine would be appreciated!

MC

Yep, EXACTLY the same symptoms I have.

I was told it is almost certainly a sensor inside the transmission that 'resets' the TCM when shut down and re-started. Because dealerships are not allowed to work on the transmissions, their only recourse is to replace it with a factory reman unit for approximately $7000 (I've heard in some areas it can be as cheap as $5300).

I have a Volvo S60 with only 60,000mi that developed an intermittent problem that turned out to be a servo not accessible from outside the case (as are many). This is a VERY common problem w/ the early S60 transmissions, I found. Volvo wanted $6500 to fix it, but because the parts are widely available, I had an independent shop rebuild the tranny for $3600. The servo was about $60, but no one would just replace the servo for fear they would be liable if something else went out later, so would only do complete rebuilds.

Problem now with our CVTs is that independents do not have access to proprietary parts (by Nissan design).

I suspect we have the same thing going here.

Keep us informed.

Bob

The Club!!
Make sure when you have your car serviced, the mechanic puts in the correct fluid!!! CVT fluid, is what needs to be used. My reputible mechanic used the wrong fluid and now my expanded warrenty is null and void!! I hadn't been having any problems with my 2004 Murano until I rescently heard some strange clicking noises when i descellerate. So I took it in and got the famous error codes p0725 Engine Rotation error and p0868 Transmission code. Recommended taking to dealership to have serviced. The dealer told me they found the wrong transmission fluid in the car. Should be a dark green fluid, not the standard red. Now I must go through the process of dealing with the mechanic who flushed my transmission. Thank goodness I kept all my receipts, because it sounds like small claims court is coming soon. Also I am having problems with my visor and I hear its a common Murano problem too.

feeling cheated

Mikenmiami2011 wrote:
I have an 03 Murano, been a pretty reliable car since I bought it back in 2006 from a Nissan dealer in South Florida. I have approximately 130,000 miles on it. Recently, I had the transmission service fluid change since it was due. Even though I didn't have it done at a dealership, it was serviced by a specialist who used the fluid required (watched to make certain).

Looks to me like you guys trying to save a few bucks by not having your CVT fluid analyzed at Nissan dealerships are being scammed. There is no such thing as a CVT fluid change being `due' just because your car has 130K miles on it.

With that low mileage, the only way the fluid would need to be changed is if you have subjected your car to severe driving conditions (ie off roading, trailer towing, excessive stop and go operation in hot weather, etc.). The only way to tell if the fluid condition is poor - other than it appearing or smelling burned, milky or varnished, of course - is to have a Consult-II analysis done. As far as I know, independent mechanics (the ones telling you your fluid needs to be changed based on it's age or mileage) can't do this analysis.

Based on a Consult-II analysis and your CVT fluid deterioration date coming back at 210000 or more, then a change is in order. If the number is less than that, your fluid is still OK.

Hi all..I have a 2005 murano sl. with 85,000miles
Think my tranny is on it's way out. I just had the Tranny flushed last week, oil changed and a full checkpoint check. Only thing dealer found was a small exhost leak. I also had them check on a what I described to them as a gear noise. that they told me was only tire noise. I'm like ok.... well today I went to go for a ride my murano made a god awful noise and seemed to loose power. The god awful noise was like the sound that belts make when they are loose. But this was 100times worse. So I imeditly drove home (less than a mile) and put in in the driveway. It makes the sqweel noise when accelerating then goes away when not on the gas...So I did a simple check in the driveway by gasing the engine..I get no noise that would concern me. So that's why I am thinking it's the tranny.

I have not driving it at all and am afraid to drive it. Should I have the dealler come pick it up with a flatbed?

This thread is for 2003 CVT tranny problems, your 2005 CVT is slightly different.

Regardless, you have a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty on that CVT so one way or another you should get it to the dealer right away. If you're unsure if you should drive it or have it towed, just ask the dealer what they think when you call to make an appointment.

Most likely if they trace the problem to the CVT they'll replace it with a brand new unit under warranty, no charge to you.

hrclarke wrote:Hi there, We sent our Murano out to several different companies to fix it and no one seemed to know what was wrong with it. No one seems to know anything about the differential transmission!!This has been going on for months now, so we just ended up giving it back to the dealer we'd bought it from. It started acting this way about 2 weeks after we bought it. So they took it back and we got a Nissan XTrail. So far so good!!

wow...nissan for an murano that is good enough

kerrton wrote:This thread is for 2003 CVT tranny problems, your 2005 CVT is slightly different.

Regardless, you have a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty on that CVT so one way or another you should get it to the dealer right away. If you're unsure if you should drive it or have it towed, just ask the dealer what they think when you call to make an appointment.

Most likely if they trace the problem to the CVT they'll replace it with a brand new unit under warranty, no charge to you.

Well regardless if it's a 2003 or a 2005, The 2005's also have the crappy CVT tranny. I'm getting my story out seeing that this thread is more active than the 2005 tranny thread.

I tried to drive the MO to the dealer (as she said to do) after I told her it was not driveable. Didn't even make it a mile down the road and started hearing like metal in a blender noise. pulled over and had it towed to the dealer. They did put the order in for a new tranny. Now I'm going to have to fight to get my 350.00 back from just having the tranny flushed. There is no way I'm going to pay for something that could of been their fault. I can't help but wonder if someone forgot to put the tranny fluid in. or used the wrong fluid.

The 2003 CVT is a different design than the 2005 - all Murano's have a CVT but the design has evolved over the years since the first 2003 model year.

If this CVT failure happened as a result of technician error then we have to acknowledge that it's not a "crappy CVT" but rather a "crappy service job", however I don't know if you'll ever know for sure. The good news is you're getting a brand new CVT unit free of charge, be happy!

I'm happy I do not have to pay for a new tranny yes...But Nissan know's that even the 2005 cvt is defective that's why they exteded the waranty on them also...I will be even more happy if I can get the dealler or nisson corp to refund me the charge for the flush...

I will say this still wont keep me away from the Mo's over all I do love the truck....Yes I call my Mo a truck.