CVT Problems

[gto78]

I've got an 08 2.5S with cvt. Recently it started surging really badly during light acceleration. It's obviously having a real hard time changing gear ratio and the belt is slipping inside the transmission. The fluid is burned, smells bad. Car is only 1.5 years old, 25K miles already. My wife is the driver, mostly highway miles. It shudders and shakes so bad that it'll spill your drink, very embarrassing.

I brought it to Wallace Nissan in Stuart, FL where they charged me $50 to drive it and tell me it's supposed to drive like that. Idiots, it never drove like this for 20K miles before, why would I take the time to bring it there for repair??? Explain the burned fluid too......explain the burning smell from the transmission after a long drive....Jerks. Explain why when pulling onto the highway it sometimes slips and revs to 5000 RPM while the car slows down.

Dealership explanation..."sorry without a check engine light we can't do any work on it"

1800 nissan didnt do any good at all. They told me to bring it to the dealer again, no advice or help at all. No corporate request for a fluid inspection or fluid replacement. "Nissan has no control over the dealership...." I guess these dealers have NO requirements or obligations to maintain Nissan status. When I told them I was documenting the conversation and that I felt "unsafe" and it is a "Safety issue" the guy at nissan begain stuttering and extremely nervous.

I don't trust this car, and don't feel safe letting my wife merge onto a 3 lane highway of cars traveling at 80+ mph. She's afraid too.

personally i think the 20$ a quart fluid is burned and needs to be replaced. I expected the dealer to immediately drop the pan and inspect the inside of the transmission for damage since the fluid is burned, transmission is slipping, and surging. But since no CEL.... the lazy brain dead dealer does nothing because they may not get paid if they don't find damage.

Is this a common problem ???

JOE

[jwerty1]

ashame you don't live in pa, we havent really seen any problems with these cvts, but i guarantee we'd take a look at it

[gto78]

The dealer here allegedly looked at it. We told them it has to be hot, like after driving for 45 minutes. Also said you have to drive it easy, at low rpms to duplicate the issue. So what do they do?- they let it sit for 3 hours, then have some 19 year old jump in it, cold engine, and we watch him imitate Ricky Bobby while he races through the parking lot, races down the highway in front of the dealer, puts only 3 miles on it, and tells us its fine. Then they collect $50, wouldn't check the fluid either.

My next stop honestly is going to be unplugging sensors to get them a CEL. While engine's running, in gear, I'll do it. This way the OBD II snapshot shows the car was running and in gear when the sensor acts up. After 2 or 3 times they gotta start replacing parts right? I just hope they replace the fluid when changin sensors, not re-service the old fluid.

[1125Altima3.5]

Had similar experience with a few dealer service departments.

Get documentation (take a video of the problem), show it to the service department and make them do a thorough inspection. Keep all paperwork. If they still haven't fixed it after a few attempts, escalate to Nissan Consumer Affairs. If that doesn't work then get a lemon lawyer. You have six more months before your lemon window runs out. I would knock all of this out within the next two months.

http://www.800helpfla.com/lemonlaw.html

[marlin29311]

If you can, take it to another dealer....or just take it in for a transmission fluid swap too.

[lyon74]

I have an 07 Altima and needed my CVT changed out at 30,000 and I do all highway as well. It made a grinding and whining noise at different speeds. I took it to the dealer. They couldn't figure out what it was so they ordered me a brand new one and installed it under the powertrain warranty. They busted one of my studs on the starter so they replaced that as well for free. I had no problems and no arguments. Nissan in Toms River NJ is great for service.

[gto78]

I like the idea of videotaping while the problem is occurring. This dealership, however, is so impatient that I can't imagine them taking the time to watch the video with me. Or if they do they'll charge me another $50 for their time.

How much is a fluid change on a CVT?

When they changed your transmission, did you have a CEL first? According to my dealer they can't do anything unless I have a CEL.

[Idok]

If you have the CVT fluid changed get a sample of fluid and keep it for future reference, Also it would be a good idea to send it to an independent lab for analysis.

[jwerty1]

go straight to nissan, most of the trannies we replace have nothing to do with check engine lights, we replace them for noises or weird shifting all the timethat dealer is full of poo

[gto78]

Do you have an inside source I can talk to about this. I already had it out with the 1800 NISSAN help line. They said they have no control over what the dealership decides to do. They told me the only thing I can do is ask the dealer to look again, and also to pay them again. They said "maybe you'll get lucky and the dealer will find something". When I asked for the guys name and extension number, because I'm documenting each phase of this safety issue I'm experiencing, he got very very nervous and didn't want to tell me. I had to ask this doorknob 7 times in a row before he finally told me his name and extension number.

I thought that phone number would be my solution, and that Nissan Corp would have enough power to make some regional manager come meet up with me and go for a test ride in my car. Apparantly not, or I don't know the right person.

I'm definitely interested in getting this resolved as soon as possible. Again this is a major safety issue, and so far the dealership has blown me off, and 1800 NISSAN has blown me off. If my wife gets in a wreck on the highway because the transmission lets go while she's merging, I really don't know what I'm gonna do, but it won't be pretty.

[lyon74]

No. I had no warning lights, no check engine light nothing. It just made the noises. They did have to drive it for a while because it wouldn't do it all the time. But when it did they said they couldn't figure out the noise because it was a new type set up and the mechanics were not trained on them yet so they just replaced it. I hope you have the same luck. I'd try another dealership.

[jwerty1]

i don't have any inside sources, however, it sounds like that dealer is a stealershipif we check something out that should be under warranty and we don't fine anything, we don't charge for itoutside of warranty we will, but we can't just let any joe come in and say my car vibrates and when we tell him the tires need replaced and/or balanced, he walks out free of charge, that does waste time, most techs take training classes, have alot of experience and take ase tests so that our time is valuable to our customers in that "joe" scenario, if you're not smart enough to take our advice, you owe us money, other shops have their own ideas, free estimates, etc...but if you have a serious issue like your cvt, which ive seen in older muranos, not yet in newer cvts, and that dealer wont take care of you, tell everyone you know not to take their car to them, and follow up with another dealer, tell them the exact symptoms, what you've been through, how to create the problem, how long to drive it etc... we've replaced several cvt's recently for noises, not driveability, but i can't see why a reputable dealer wouldn't give you the time of daygive them hell, don't stop, if you need to get a lemon law lawyer involved, nissan will stop theni had an 08 alt 2.5 cvt that someone trashed at 2k trying to get out of a muddy situation and the tow truck driver said he almost got stuck, it was drawn out for 7 months, but finally i was to replace the transmission under warranty, it was obviously abused, however, we did it cost free to the customer

[bluejeans]

I bought a 08 altima from Wallace Nissan in Kpt,Tn. in may with 30 thousand on it. I took it back in a week with the complaint that it hesitates badly pulling out at a stop or on grades. It jumped sp badly once that I thought it would quit in on coming traffic in the interstate. The service dept ran me back and forth several time, everyone felt in and agreed. Our salesman / assistant manager said he would find us another car. The he would take our calls or return them. My husband spoke to the owner and told his we were afraid of the car it missed so badly and made arrangments to bring it in and trade it in. All they offered was a new Gallant for 6400.00 dollars more. The sevice dept. finally told me " it was the nature of the transmission" and they couldn't do anything until a sensor went off. I e-mail Nissan and I got a reply someone would call me but it's been weeks and no call.

[TwiztedNissan]

At About 30,000 Miles My Car Started Making A Noise, Like Old Cars Do When You Put Them In Reverse, But This Was All The Time Thru Every "Gear" I Took It To The Dealer They Checked It And Found Nothing, I Took It Back Again At 35,000 Miles, And They Hooked Up A Mic To The transmission, And Now It Goes Into The Shop This Week To Get A Brand New Tanny.

[KaniGT5]

It really is a damn shame.

I picked up my 08 Nissan Altima 2.5S 4DR about a year and a half ago as well.

Being it was my first CVT car - i thought maybe driving would take some getting used to.

Well I can tell you, in the 45k miles I put on the car and the 1 and 1/2 yrs Ive owned it, this is what ive replaced:

Brakes (wear and tare, but these brakes went at 25k miles, and now they are due again at 45k)

FOB battery (twice!!)

Main battery (died at 40k miles, couldnt even jump start the thing, completely dead, had to have it towed to the dealer)

TRANSMISSION ( got off the highway, sitting at a stop light, the car puttered and then shut off, repeated until I brought it to the dealer - only to tell me it was the transmission - this happened at 37k.)

two brake lights (rear)

Just had to purchase new tires for the car

Wiper blades

It just seems like whatever they equip the car with stock is complete junk - and its really sad.

The inside center console feels like its falling apart, it can wiggle, and when you take turns it will squeal.

only thing that was covered under the warranty was the powertain - thank god, because if it wasnt i would have flipped a lid.

although I would have to think twice about purchasing another nissan - unless it is maybe the fully loaded model ??

[marlin29311]

Well, in all honesty, a lot of those things go on any car...

Brakes can go at any time really on a car - depends on how you use your car. Some people get 60k, some get 15k. All depends on your habits and where you drive your car.

FOB battery - it's a on all the time battery - you use it, it dies. Has nothing to do with Nissan. Happens to any i-key system, Nissan or not.

Main battery - newer batteries aren't being built as good as they used to. Looking on many other mfg. forums (GM, Audi, etc...) there have been a lot of battery issues lately.

New Tires - damn, getting 40k out of tires is like a dream for me...I'm happy with 25k...

Wiper blades die all the time, I have 25k right now and I'm on my 3rd set.

The CVT, I'll agree with you. That should not be. And the car seems to have some interior squeeks, but it's kinda on a car by car basis....

[Keyan]

Wow, that dealership is total crap. My dealership used to be kind of shady, but they have made huge improvements in the last couple of years. When I took it in due to "rotten egg" smell they did a full rundown on the car and determined it was probably just old winter blend fuel, and I haven't smelled it since so I'm inclined to agree, for free. They also had a tech spend 3 hours tracking down a really bad interior rattle that would happen any time the stereo was on, determined it was coming from the headliner and they fixed that for free too.

They should never charge you a diag fee as long as the car is under warranty, that's just ridiculous. I would take the car to a different dealership, explain the situation, and tell them if they take care of you they will have a new customer not only for service but for a future car.

[toueyang]

Hey bud, your car should still be covered under warranty so, make them fix it. All Nissans equipped with CVT's from 2004 til current are covered for 10 yrs or 120K. Make sure you keep all receipts where you have paid money out and Nissan will reimburse you for all expenses pertaining to the CVT.

[RogueSeeker]

I just had to replace a CVT in a well-maintained Nissan Rogue. It happened just outside the extended warranty Nissan offered after early issues. Very convenient timing don't you think???

I will never buy a Nissan product or any car with a CVT ever again. I will spend the rest of my days steering people away from Nissan products and CVTs.

[seldomseen]

I will never buy a Nissan product or any car with a CVT ever again. I will spend the rest of my days steering people away from Nissan products and CVTs.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news. However, Nissan/Toyota/Honda/Mitsubishi/Mazda/Subaru, etc are currently or will soon be using CVTs in their vehicles. You may need to step into the luxury market to avoid a CVT equipped vehicle. However, luxury market vehicles will soon be equipped with CVTs too. Hopefully, CVTs will be significantly more refined, durable, and reliable over the next few to several years.

[RicerX]

I will never buy a Nissan product or any car with a CVT ever again. I will spend the rest of my days steering people away from Nissan products and CVTs.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news. However, Nissan/Toyota/Honda/Mitsubishi/Mazda/Subaru, etc are currently or will soon be using CVTs in their vehicles. You may need to step into the luxury market to avoid a CVT equipped vehicle. However, luxury market vehicles will soon be equipped with CVTs too. Hopefully, CVTs will be significantly more refined, durable, and reliable over the next few to several years.

He's right. CVTs aren't going away. Audi already offers them in many of their vehicles. Infiniti has one offering with a CVT as well.

Nissan has made serious improvements on the CVTs equipped in the 5th gen Altima, the 2nd gen Rogue, and the Juke (2013+). Having driven each of those and comparing it to my 2008 and 2010 Altima Coupes, they're night and day different. They're not as noisy, the shift logic is much improved, and the reliability is drastically better than many of the initial CVT offerings Nissan had.

I don't prefer the CVT in something sporty (I drive a 6MT Z daily, for example), but the CVT in a commuter is an excellent advancement in powertrain technology when it comes to efficiency. Also - as with any new technology, you have to work out the kinks first.

If I was to buy anything new on the market with a CVT now, I wouldn't look any further than Nissan because they have had CVTs in their top selling vehicles for nearly 10 years now, and they're much farther along than any other manufacturer. You'd be taking a much higher risk looking elsewhere at this point.