2012 Quest won't Accelerate

[randallleehall]

So it's a Sunday and we are currently stuck in Wisconsin thanks to our 2012 Quest. We drove to Minneapolis this week for vacation…on the way, I noticed that it was a bit jerky at speed on the highway. No matter how softly I pushed on the accelerator of decelerated, I would feel a “bump” every so often. Now on the way home, it really started jerking above 70mph about 2+ hours in to our trip – the rpm’s were jumping back and forth in between 3 and 3,500 rpm. I pulled off the highway and when I went to accelerate from a stop at the offramp, I had no power. At one point, it made a squeal/thunk noise as well. I was able to limp/push the van to a nearby hotel. Needless to say, I am pretty disgusted as we purchased it new in 2013.

I can't really do anything until tomorrow (Monday) at this point and am hoping between now and then that someone might have experienced this same thing and will know what I'm likely looking at. Thanks.

[far raf]

Do you have CEL and did you read codes? This could be a number of things, an intermittent throttle pedal position sensor being one of the possible reasons. Do read codes, they can tell you exactly what is happening.

[PoMansVan]

Sorry for your issues. Like said, it could be any number of things. Having a basic code reader to read the codes would help. I have not heard of your issue with your 2012 Quest. How many miles on it?

[randallleehall]

Still stuck as very few folks in WI will work on a Nissan CVT. I limped the car to Autozone this AM and there were multiple transmission related codes. Once they got past 6 or 7 item I came to the realization that I just needed to get it towed - which in this case is to a Nissan dealer an hour in the wrong direction. So - at this point - I would just like to caution anyone reading this post against buying any Nissan with a CVT. What a nightmare. And so far, Southlake Nissan in Indiana where we purchased it new has been less than helpful as has Nissan Corp.

Oh and just one more thing...Nissan makes it so you can't even get the transmission dipstick out to check the fluid without the aid of a special tool. Seriously!!??

[randallleehall]

One last update for those considering a Quest. We heard back from the service center and now have to decide if we want to make a $4,300 repair. Yes...that is 4-thousand, 3-hundred, US dollars, for a new transmission on a vehicle we purchased new just over 4 years ago. Folks...do your homework on these CVT transmissions.

[PoMansVan]

Again, sounds like a nightmare for you and I don't blame you for being angry as all get out. Thing is, LOTS and LOTS of 4yr old vehicles with unknown mileage, usage and care level have transmission issues these days.

FWIW, these CVT transmissions are as easy to do a fluid change on as an engine oil change IMO. I'm assuming had that been done to yours, we would have never heard from you.

[Mjkkb2]

same thing happened to me, new CVT at just under 119k miles. It definitely soured my taste for a CVT vehicle enough that I won't buy one again. I got mine done for under $4k though here in VA. Good luck, it sucks I know.

[Mjkkb2]

I will also second PMVs advice - change the fluid and do it often. Don't just have it tested. I was told my fluid was fine and a few months later the CVT suffered a catastrophic failure. I should have known better - and now I do.

[randallleehall]

So I will add that Nissan is stepping up a bit. For anyone in a similar situation, push hard and see what happens. Nissan has agreed to pay 70% of the total cost for the transmission repair. The shop where we're having the work done (Pischke Nissan in Tomah) actually dropped the price a bit too - nothing but respect for them so far as they have been awesome. I still wouldn't buy another Nissam CVT (ever) but I don't have quite as much contempt for Nissan Corp at this point.
Southlake Nissan however and their "lifetime warranty" is a different story - scammers...crooks.

[PoMansVan]

^ Good to hear! Thanks for the update on that. Just out of curiosity, how many miles were on the van? Did they say what failed in the transmission?

Trouble with ANY of today's transmissions is, almost no one has the ability to tear into and repair them. The only option is pull and replace the whole thing, which is $$$$. Doesn't matter if it's CVT or otherwise.

FWIW, I've gotten manufacturers to step up outside of warranty as well. It takes patience and perseverance.

[randallleehall]

It's a 2012, purchased new in 2013 and has 89,000 on it. I know it can happen with any car, but this is my first CVT and is by far the worst experience I've had with any transmission of any mileage. So...I'm gun shy of them at this point Now when it worked, it was great...smooth and good power. But man, when it goes, it goes in a hurry. (and you better hope you're not on the road)

[PoMansVan]

I hear you. I only have 2 experiences with auto trans failures. Both were Ford front wheel drive products from the 1980s and 90s. Both were perfect until they left me stranded w/out warning. One failed catastrophically, the other was torn down and repaired. Both had well under 80K miles on them at the time.

[PoMansVan]

^ That's the thing. You rarely hear of what the prognosis was. I think many times it's a valve body issue, but they're only equipped to remove and replace the whole transmission.