CVT Rattle/Noise - Discussion Thread

[philipa_240sx]

There was a problem with the First model year Murano and the CVT transfer casing would be damaged as people would be driving with AWD Lock Mode On at highway speeds.

I have never owned a Murano, but I've heard the '03s were prone to transmission failure. The CVT has since undergone several changes and the unit in the Rogue is a newer design.

The CVT transfer case is nothing more than a 3rd driveshaft output (2 for the front wheels, 1 to the rear axle). You would think it should be very simple and robust. The AWD engagement and torque split is done at the rear axle via a multiplate cluych.

[Goblin]

OK, so the noise came back this morning but by the time I got to work it was gone. I'm just going to have to wait until this thing falls off the car. I emailed the service mgr. and he said their are no TSB's at this time regarding the transmission. Additionally, he denies having any simular problems with other customers. Since I can't seem to get this to do it consistantly, I'm either going to have to record the noise and or wait until it gets worse. Until they (service) have an area of interest they can focus on they are unwilling to venture into the transmission.

[daytrippr]

[QUOTE=Goblin]OK, so the noise came back this morning but by the time I got to work it was gone. ...

Sounds like you are one month behind us

[Goblin]

Yeah, and it doesn't look like anything has been done to correct your situation either. I am planning a 625 mile trip to Disney in a month. I'm like you; we'll see how it goes. LOL. If it's going to break it definitely will do it then. I'll also be traveling 525 to NC and then another 425 to DC. Oh, yeah, it's going to break. LOL.

[kerrton]

We just got home with it...the shop thought it was in the transfer case...they said the transmission fluid seemed a little dark...Nissan said that it's in the transmission and they are 'working on it'...they also said it is OK to drive

I would take yours in and have the dealer check it out...

So, if the problem that everyone is having is indeed related to the transfer case, this means that FWD vehicles would not be affected, am I correct? I think the transfer case connects the rear drive shaft to the transmission in the AWD models...correct me if I'm wrong. Anyone with FWD having this same problem, or just AWD people? Thanks.

[daytrippr]

Yeah, and it doesn't look like anything has been done to correct your situation either. ...Oh, yeah, it's going to break. LOL.

Well, it appears that there have been no FAILURES (so far)

We will probably be the first ones to know :-)

[philipa_240sx]

So, if the problem that everyone is having is indeed related to the transfer case, this means that FWD vehicles would not be affected, am I correct? I think the transfer case connects the rear drive shaft to the transmission in the AWD models...correct me if I'm wrong. Anyone with FWD having this same problem, or just AWD people? Thanks.

Good question. The transfer case is bolted to the rear of the transmission. AWD trannys are different from the FWD units. They have a seperate output gear connected to the ring gear of the differential. The transfer case takes the output, turns it 90deg and sends it to the rear differential/AWD coupling.

Could those who have this issue indicate whether they have a FWD or AWD model?

[kcfm]

So, if the problem that everyone is having is indeed related to the transfer case, this means that FWD vehicles would not be affected, am I correct? I think the transfer case connects the rear drive shaft to the transmission in the AWD models...correct me if I'm wrong. Anyone with FWD having this same problem, or just AWD people? Thanks.

I believe the transfer case is what distributes the power between the front and rear axles and is unique to 4WD and AWD vehicles. So yes, the FWD Rogues do not have a transfer case and therefore would'nt be affected by this problem.

[daytrippr]

Ours is AWD

[philipa_240sx]

Members Goblin, daytripper, and theczecho have reported this problem and all have AWD models. We'll have to wait and see if it's AWD related or not.

[fairges]

our is AWD also.

[RedRogue]

I had a noise problem on my awd Rogue which I first thought was from the transmission because I could feel a vibration in the gear shifter when it made the noise. Initially the noise was intermittent but after a few days it was a constant rattling sound. I took it to the dealer and it turned out to be a loose rubber boot that was hanging on the driveshaft. The sound was caused by the balancing weights hitting it while driving. They reinstalled the boot and I haven’t heard the noise since.

[daytrippr]

Well, we just returned from our 700 weekend holiday trip (more like 900 miles!)

Every time our Rogue got good and warmed up and we were driving relatively slowly, in traffic, parking lots, etc, there was the rattle. Rellay no better or worse than before.

BTW, the car ran GREAT! 28.6 mpg with a mix of freeway (70 mph), backroads, mountains and some city driving.

[daytrippr]

Update: As suggested by Nissan when we called them, we took it to another dealer for a second opinion. They said that the problem is in the transfer case. They had already fixed one with the same problem.

So, they will keep it until the end of the week and hopefully we will get it back later in the week. And, they are giving us a loaner car!

We will let you know if this works.

[Goblin]

Well, once again I find myself heading for Nissan Service due to the noise. I actually have never taken it in but have been dealing with both the service mgr. and sales mgr. about my issues. So I called to schedule the apt. Friday to find out both have been fired. So now I'm back at square one dealing with incompetent people. I had finally had the service mgr. do some research and read forums to help in trouble shooting my problem Nothing I hate more than being told they did not hear a problem or find a problem. Anyhow, with my up coming trip to Disney and then NC before heading back to DC I figure I better at least get it checked out.

[fairges]

We will be having our transmission changed in the next couple weeks (just ordered the transmission today). Our Rogue has just about 4,000 miles and the noise is VERY ANNOYING, especially for a brand new vehicle. We had to bring it in a few times and let them know that we would not deal with this noise and it needed to be fixed.

I'll follow up and let you know if the noise goes away.

Got the Rogue back in Friday after having the transmission replaced - and the rattling is gone. It was definitely a transmission issue. Not overly happy about having the transmission changed after 4,000 miles, but it did solve the problem (at least for now).

[daytrippr]

[QUOTE=fairges]

Got the Rogue back in Friday after having the transmission replaced - and the rattling is gone...

We just picked up our loaner car. The dealer said they should have a new transmission in mid week and hopefully we will get the car back this Friday. Hopefully our will be fixed as well.

He said that Nissan thought it was more cost effective to swap out a new transmission than fix an old one. I don't care what they do as long as it is fixed..although you would think that they would disect a broken one to see what is wrong with it.

[philipa_240sx]

It appears this is an AWD related issue. I have 12,000km or 7500 mi. on my FWD SL and I have never heard any rattle like other members have mentioned.

[Goblin]

I am no mechanic but it does seem the post suggest a problem with the CVT and AWD. For the life of me I don't understand how changing the trany would correct this as they should all be the same. Now, if Nissan made a modification to the trany due to the problem with the AWD's then there should be TSB. The dealer claims they are unaware of any problems with the AWD tranys. I go tonight so we'll see what they say as the noise I'm experience has become more consistent and much louder.

[philipa_240sx]

Someone really needs to try and get a sound clip of this 'noise'.

[Goblin]

I just called to confirm my apt for this evening as I'm leaving my vehicle overnight. The service girl, whom seems knowledgeable, said they just replaced a trany on an AWD last week for the same reason. She said the reason they replace the CVT is because its a closed system and you can't just replace parts like a traditional trany. Anyhow, long story short, we know soon enough. LOL.

[daytrippr]

Someone really needs to try and get a sound clip of this 'noise'.

I would if I could, but it's sitting at the shop waiting for the transmission.

AND, I hope to never hear that noise again

[paulvanharte]

We have the AWD and have 5100km on it. Have not heard any noises, but would love hear a soundclip of the noise. Usually I have my stereo on. Is it noticeable inside the car and how loud is the rattle. If I count correctly thats 3 members that have/are having the CVT replaced. That seems somewhat concerning.

Paul

[BigPapi'sRogue]

Hello - I also have an SL AWD Rogue, no premium options, 4000 miles and think I have the same noise. I would best describe it as an intermittent rubbery kind of gargling sound, lasting maybe a second or two, but only at parking lot type slow speeds. Is this what it sounds like to you guys?

Car drives perfectly fine, even when the noise happens. I don't think I'd hear it if the stereo was on.

I have a service appointment next week to get it checked out and have requested that a tech. ride with me so I can point it out. Of course, I expect the noise won't happen when he's in the car, but I at least want to get it on record with Nissan through this appointment that something is wrong.

[daytrippr]

We have the AWD and have 5100km on it. Have not heard any noises, but would love hear a soundclip of the noise. Usually I have my stereo on. Is it noticeable inside the car and how loud is the rattle. If I count correctly thats 3 members that have/are having the CVT replaced. That seems somewhat concerning.

Paul

and I believe that for 2 of us we will be the 2nd CVT replaced by the dealer we are working with

[daytrippr]

Hello - I also have an SL AWD Rogue, no premium options, 4000 miles and think I have the same noise. I would best describe it as an intermittent rubbery kind of gargling sound, lasting maybe a second or two, but only at parking lot type slow speeds. Is this what it sounds like to you guys?

Car drives perfectly fine, even when the noise happens. I don't think I'd hear it if the stereo was on.

I have a service appointment next week to get it checked out and have requested that a tech. ride with me so I can point it out. Of course, I expect the noise won't happen when he's in the car, but I at least want to get it on record with Nissan through this appointment that something is wrong.

Ours was more of a rapping sound...very subtle, you can't hear it at highway speeds or with the stereo on

But yes, if you want to hear it, our experience was: get the car totally warmed up and drive slowly around a parking lot or a quiet side street. I also found that as you are driving slowly, you can hear it best if you take your foot off and on the gas slightly. When we did that there was a rattle both on and off the gas.

[mistergib]

Time for some good ol' logic....

Seems to me that if transmissions, (plural), are now starting to bereplaced....WITHOUT a TSB or recall of any type, that all Nissan isdoing is putting a bandaid on it and crossing their fingers.

If Nissan does not recognize this problem enough to do the TSB/recall, or at least admit that they have a problem, then this means they have NOTdeveloped a fix for it, meaning......the transmission that they replace it with willprobably end up with the same problem and IT will have to be replaced also. All we are doing then is playing musical transmissions!

PLEASE let me be wrong in this assumption!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm becoming very disillusioned with my Nissan Rogue .....

[daytrippr]

Time for some good ol' logic....

Seems to me that if transmissions, (plural), are now starting to bereplaced....WITHOUT a TSB or recall of any type, that all Nissan isdoing is putting a bandaid on it and crossing their fingers.

If Nissan does not recognize this problem enough to do the TSB/recall, or at least admit that they have a problem, then this means they have NOTdeveloped a fix for it, meaning......the transmission that they replace it with willprobably end up with the same problem and IT will have to be replaced also...

I would say: don't worry...1) it seems that there are so very few of us with the problem, 2) there have been no failures that we know of... and 3) it's 'just' a noise. Who knows...once they tear down some trannys they may find a loose spot weld on or in the suspect trannys that vibrates. It might be nothing but an annoyance.

The car is GREAT! Hopefully this is just a minor flaw.

[Ticmxman]

I would say: don't worry...1) it seems that there are so very few of us with the problem, 2) there have been no failures that we know of... and 3) it's 'just' a noise. Who knows...once they tear down some trannys they may find a loose spot weld on or in the suspect trannys that vibrates. It might be nothing but an annoyance.

The car is GREAT! Hopefully this is just a minor flaw.

I agree I would hardly say the limited reports of this issue are significant yet and the vehicle is still very drivable...it doesn't leave you stranded, it's just a noise that you have to really listen for to even know there may be a problem and it seems to be limited to AWDs so far. Give it some time and we will see how big a deal it is.

[mistergib]

...say what ya want....call me paranoid, whatever, but this is a badomen.....and for a first year car. I'm losing the warm fuzzy here.....

I can handle alot of different first year flaws on a car, but, I havelittle to no tolerance for possible major mechanical defects....and,I don't want to be forced to live with funky noises either....huh, I guess I'm just a sucker for quality.... I M H O.....