2011 QX56 Transmission Shudder Problem: P181B Error Code

A forum for the Nissan Armada, Infiniti QX56, and beginning in 2014, the Infiniti QX80
1Pettinger
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2017 2:25 pm
Car: 2011 QX56
1980 Porsche 928
2003 Mercedes S600
2012 Mini Countryman
2005 Ford Five Hundred
2008 Honda Civic Hybrid

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Purchased a 2011 QX56 with ~100k on it several months ago.

Problem: on gentle to moderate acceleration, the engine revs up and down about 250rpm. Between 4-5-6 it will actually shudder somewhat if acceleration is gentle enough. Behaves MUCH better when accelerating more aggressively. Generating P181B code (Transfer Case Control Module).

Steps Taken: Checked fluids, which were OK in level but maybe a little dirty. Assured by my regular mechanic that dirty fluid could not possibly cause this symptom. He hooked up OBD computer and checked the voltage coming through the computer that controls the transmission system (located behind the glove box) and no voltage variation was seen. Timing chain recall done at 103k.

I'm absolutely DREADING taking it to the incredibly poorly reviewed dealers here in Jacksonville, FL, but also understand that this may be the only solution I have.

Would really appreciate hearing from folks that may have had the same problem and what they did to fix it. Torque converter? Solenoid? Transmission computer? Thoughts?

Thanks!!!


04pathse
Posts: 776
Joined: Sun May 02, 2010 2:55 pm
Car: 2004 Nissan Pathfinder SE
2008.5 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3

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My quick search shows that code P181B is Clutch 1 Low Range Pressure Out, not sure what it means but probably not good.

You might get lucky and cure it with a transmission fluid flush service.

Instead of dealership, maybe try a Transmission Repair Shop first...

kartracer
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2017 9:51 am
Car: QX56

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1Pettinger wrote:
Wed Jun 28, 2017 7:20 am
Purchased a 2011 QX56 with ~100k on it several months ago.

Problem: on gentle to moderate acceleration, the engine revs up and down about 250rpm. Between 4-5-6 it will actually shudder somewhat if acceleration is gentle enough. Behaves MUCH better when accelerating more aggressively. Generating P181B code (Transfer Case Control Module).

Steps Taken: Checked fluids, which were OK in level but maybe a little dirty. Assured by my regular mechanic that dirty fluid could not possibly cause this symptom. He hooked up OBD computer and checked the voltage coming through the computer that controls the transmission system (located behind the glove box) and no voltage variation was seen. Timing chain recall done at 103k.

I'm absolutely DREADING taking it to the incredibly poorly reviewed dealers here in Jacksonville, FL, but also understand that this may be the only solution I have.

Would really appreciate hearing from folks that may have had the same problem and what they did to fix it. Torque converter? Solenoid? Transmission computer? Thoughts?

Thanks!!!
Did they fix your problem? I have similar problem at 119,000 miles but dealership is saying no error code generated. Very frustrated and it seems to be getting worse.

marctronixx
Posts: 518
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2011 2:07 pm

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did you have the timing chain recall done?

can you go to a autozone or similar and have the check for any trouble codes yourself?

Webmanrod
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Jan 11, 2018 12:28 pm
Car: 2011 Infiniti QX56

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Same problem here.
2011 QX56. 130k miles.
-Random electrical problems with battery failure. Infiniti service disconnects something to solve the problem that Infiniti manufacturing won’t fix.
-Timing chain problem at 90k (got money back after recall thank goodness. And thanks to all those who complained so that Infiniti was held responsible for poor manufacturing!)
-Catalytic converters both go out at 100k... $4000 because Infiniti Consumer Affairs said it was not ‘covered’ and it was my responsibility to pay for the repair.
-Now the transmission is doing the same thing as yours and Infiniti service says the only thing I can do is replace it at a cost of $9000. Infiniti Service is not allowed to repair them (probably because the company does not want to service people to know what cheap materials are inside). And since there are no ‘codes’ when tested, apparently the computer does not even realize the transmission is having problems!
Infiniti Consumer Affairs says that it only covered these problems through 80k miles and that they were not interested in assisting in any way.
Now we have to decide if it is worth keeping or if we would ever consider trading it for another Infiniti.
Just WOW!
What are they thinking? No company survives when they don’t take care of the customers they already have... pretty sad since my wife loves the SUV.
I hope someone has found a solution that is better than the one I was given.

Silverdragon86
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jan 29, 2018 8:01 pm
Car: Titan

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I registered just to chime in and track this same problem I'm experiencing!

Here's the kicker, though, mine is a brand new 2017 Nissan Titan 5.6 4wd and the problem occurred with under a hundred miles on the first day I owned it.

Very similar situation though, light throttle, shuddering RPMs (well under the 4k RPM for break-in) and I got a flashing CEL for about 15secs.

The CEL goes away, yet I still can replicate the shuddering for the next several miles until home.

I took video and showed my dealer who told me I could bring it in for a scan the next day.

Next day it drove just fine, like nothing ever happened but after a weekend at the dealership all they could come up with is the P181B error code, Nissan Tech Line didn't have any real recommend fix.

I was told to bring it back if it happens again to scope up again, however I'll be asking for a replacement truck if that's the case.

Any idea what the heck your workaround is for your Infinitis?

Ironically, I also had my radio make a loud pop and reboot/reset several times. Battery/fuse related perhaps?? They are replacing the radio too...

Didn't mean to hijack the thread, just seeing if maybe there's more common ground in what causes the error code?

Good luck, all!

marctronixx
Posts: 518
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 2011 2:07 pm

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there's a transmission software update for the new gen armada. perhaps this is something that may be avail for the titan?

the radio is a freak thing. most likely nothing to do with the tranny..

2013qx56
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2018 10:43 am
Car: 2013 QX56

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I just purchased a 2013 QX56 last week with 100k and drove it 1000 miles home. I noticed these same issues starting at about the 3rd gas station stop. It became obvious when I got it home and began driving around town. The trans is constantly trying to up shift at low rpms. Rpm's flutter at low speeds. Trans seems to hunt for the right gear when accelerating. If I give any more than 1/2 throttle it takes right off with no problems and is a dream on the highway. This same problem seems to have been documented across several forums many times with no clear solutions. I called the dealership in CO that sold it new and serviced it. It had the pre-paid infiniti maintenance program and everything was done according to the book until it was traded in. Timing chain was done under recall at 75k. He mentioned the new Nissan transmission sofware update but my "local" Infiniti dealership (I'm about 3.5 hrs from the nearest dealer) claimed to know nothing about that update applying to this car. No error codes. I pulled the battery cables before a 600 mile road trip this past weekend and let all the computers reset. It got a lot better, but not perfect. By the time I got home it was bad again. I performed the 3 relearn procedures last night (gas pedal position, idle air control, etc) and took it around the block - it was performing perfect. My wife took it work today and said it skipped a beat at the end of her fairly short commute. I have a feeling the computers will continue to adjust shift points etc trying to "learn" driving style and F'ing it up.

This is obviously a computer control issue of some sort and I'm wondering if anyone has any more info.

LTCTN
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Nov 12, 2018 2:58 pm
Car: 2012 Infiniti QX56

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Hello, I stumbled on this forum and wanted to add to this post. I have a 2012 QX56 110,000 miles and I have been experiencing the same problem as most of you have described. Around 1500-1800 rpm and the trucks rpm's will start bouncing around and the truck will stutter until I get up to speed. I noticed this problem more going up hills slowly. The truck will start to jerk like crazy until I smash on the gas and get out of that RPM range. It will run smooth as can be without any issues on the interstate. This problem has gradually got worse and the truck is at my local infiniti dealer (Franklin TN) today. I got the text from the dealer stating the torque converter has failed and would need to be replaced. The dealers quote is just under $4k with parts and labor. I am not paying them that to replace the torque converter and I may end up doing it myself or calling around local mechanics for quotes. Has anyone on here done this repair?

I also had the timing chain recall done around 90,000 miles. Shortly after that 2 catalytic converter failures that they did not want to cover until Consumer Affairs got involved. I cant believe they don't take care of their customers better than they do. I wont be buying another Infiniti or Nissan product with the amount of failures I have had on this $75k SUV.

haffleck
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2019 4:24 pm
Car: 2011 Infiniti QX56

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We had the same issue on a 2011 and figured it was transmission. Our local mechanic said it was transmission and referred us to a transmission specialist. That specialist gave numbers similar to yours and said the transmission was fine, but the fluid was dirty and should be flushed. He was almost certain it would do the trick as he had seen the same problem in QX 56 models and sent us back to our local mechanic. Sure enough the fix was immediate and complete. Maybe don't do anything until you see a couple people experienced with the vehicle. Our local dealer has awful service and they wanted to put a new transmission in but said nothing about dirty fluid.

raven69david
Posts: 74
Joined: Sat Feb 29, 2020 9:28 pm
Car: 2002 Infiniti Q45

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I'm having the issue but I have 197k, however there's no error code. I'm going to try and flush/fill the transmission fluid since I don't think the previous owner did this. There were no service records on the Carfax for the duration of the 2nd owners duration (less than 2 years), however the original owner had all the recalls done and serviced it regularly. If that doesn't work, the more expensive will be related to the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TqJZuEs-JQ

adamruiz2001
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2021 2:31 pm
Car: 2011 Infiniti QX56

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See my post on this thred for the fix for a tranmission shudder...

2017-infiniti-qx80-engine-rpm-stutterin ... 26815.html

raven69david
Posts: 74
Joined: Sat Feb 29, 2020 9:28 pm
Car: 2002 Infiniti Q45

Post

adamruiz2001 wrote:
Tue Feb 21, 2023 5:12 pm
See my post on this thred for the fix for a tranmission shudder...

2017-infiniti-qx80-engine-rpm-stutterin ... 26815.html
This stuff?

Lubegard 19610 Instant Shudder Fixx, 2 oz. https://a.co/d/2JfcqcL

How much did you use? How much transmission fluid did you buy from the dealer?

adamruiz2001
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2021 2:31 pm
Car: 2011 Infiniti QX56

Post

raven69david wrote:
Tue Feb 21, 2023 5:52 pm
adamruiz2001 wrote:
Tue Feb 21, 2023 5:12 pm
See my post on this thred for the fix for a tranmission shudder...

2017-infiniti-qx80-engine-rpm-stutterin ... 26815.html
This stuff?

Lubegard 19610 Instant Shudder Fixx, 2 oz. https://a.co/d/2JfcqcL

How much did you use? How much transmission fluid did you buy from the dealer?
Yep, thats the stuff, on my other post, i actually posted a pic of the package I bought at autozone. I drained 6qts of fluid from my pan, so I bought 6qts and I used the entire tube of shutter fix. On my other thred it shows a video on how to remove and add fluid for at QX, it is very helpful. Good luck sir!

-Adam

raven69david
Posts: 74
Joined: Sat Feb 29, 2020 9:28 pm
Car: 2002 Infiniti Q45

Post

adamruiz2001 wrote:
Wed Feb 22, 2023 7:03 pm
raven69david wrote:
Tue Feb 21, 2023 5:52 pm


This stuff?

Lubegard 19610 Instant Shudder Fixx, 2 oz. https://a.co/d/2JfcqcL

How much did you use? How much transmission fluid did you buy from the dealer?
Yep, thats the stuff, on my other post, i actually posted a pic of the package I bought at autozone. I drained 6qts of fluid from my pan, so I bought 6qts and I used the entire tube of shutter fix. On my other thred it shows a video on how to remove and add fluid for at QX, it is very helpful. Good luck sir!

-Adam
Thank you very much Adam. I have a follow-up question. What did you use to add fluid back inside the vehicle? What size were the drain/ fill plug sizes? I’m getting ready to do this but seems so simple I can’t stomach Infiniti charging $350 for this or $175 for a garage to do it.


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