CVT Rattle/Noise - Discussion Thread

[kerrton]

Absolutey, that loud grindy-clunk noise sometimes followed by another weird sounding vibration/grind is the ABS brake self test, followed I believe by an ECM test, it is completely normal and described in the owners manual and also in detail in another older thread in the forum.

So you have nothing to worry about, happy motoring!

[mfsn]

Hi Pescakl1,

I hope you are right, but the quick rattle, metal squeaking/grinding noise that I have described doesn't happen after EVERY start; only after a cold start (the engine has been turned off for hours). If it were the ABS check, shouldn't it happen every time regardless of the engine being hot or cold?

Thanks.

[Pescakl1]

Sorry, I won't be able to help you much on that as I mainly use my car for my commute (twice a day with a long time between the two), and in fact I don't even listen to it anymore (may be I put the radio louder now ).

But my guess is that the car will not test it at every start as it is not necessary.

I am in aeronautics and some stuff are tested/checked on planes only once a day as their fault can be hidden (you will know that the ABS doesn't work only when you will need/use it, that is why it needs to be tested from time to time).

For a car, once a day is when it sat for a while.

Sounds logical to me.

[kerrton]

I received an update from my Nissan Dealership today and some NEW info. not yet reported on this forum: I have a FWD Rogue, and at 6700 km I don't have the really loud, continuous noise that others report, but I do have the brief rattle that occurs upon declerating just before coming to a stop, and when playing with the throttle at low speed - some owners say this doesn't bother them and that it is normal, but I am not prepared to make that assessment, but rather wanted to leave that to the pros.

So I inquired at my dealership in Lethbridge, AB, and the service manager absolutely bent over backwards to help me out. He was well aware of the problem, said that this noise is NOT NORMAL, gave me a ton of information, and then created a work order to document the problem, but we have to wait for Nissan to provide details on an approved fix.

The new information he provided was: he recently was informed that the problem is NOT related to or limited to the AWD trans, AND that Nissan has recently discovered the cause of the problem. A fix for this problem has not yet been provided to the service departments, however my service rep was given the impression that one would be forthcoming very soon, as Nissan has made this issue their highest priority.

So I even though I don't have the really loud, continous noise that others report, I'm still hoping for a fix and am very pleased with my Nissan service and with the Nissan manufacturer at this point.

[cycomom]

I bought my Rogue in Dec. 07, and after 3,000 miles began hearing a noise which resulted in my local Nissan dealer replacing an axle. After a few days, still heard the noise and had to ride around the Nissan lot wit a service tech for him to hear it. He did a lot of research and found out from a Nissan field rep that the noise is referred to as belt chat in cvt transmission. Nissan was aware of the situation and on the transmissions that had been replaced, the belt chat started again at 2-3 thousand miles. I was told it was not considered a safety issue and to check with them each time I brought the car in for service to see if a solution had been determined. I was also encouraged to call 1-800-Nissan1 to enter a complaint. All the lady did was thank me for contacing Nissan and said I did the right thing. I got no satisfaction. She asked me what I wanted and I told her I wanted Nissan to expedite a solution to this problem. I also told her that if something didn't happen soon, I would be asking for a different car. I like my Rogue, but it is embarrasing when you drive someone in your new car and they ask "what's that noise?". And how do you know when it may become a safety issue?After reading some of the posts on this topic, I see quite a few transmissions have been replaced. I believe I will call Nissan again to see what's going on.

[daytrippr]

[QUOTE=cycomom...After reading some of the posts on this topic, I see quite a few transmissions have been replaced. I believe I will call Nissan again to see what's going on.[/QUOTE]

Quite a few, meaning like 6 of the 3 dozen with the 'rattle' Good Luck

[Bigtamw65]

PS I would like to hear from BigTam for an update.

Okay, heres my update. Sounds is getting louder and louder and more consitent, meaning it occurs now when driving at low speeds not just decelerating. The dealership says they are still waiting for a TSB. I guess like others, its time for more phone calls and a letter or two.

[Roli]

I finally got the call that my new transmission arrived. The transmission will be installed Tuesday or Wednesday. lets see how this goes.

ROLI

[Bigtamw65]

FINALLY

After another call to my service advisor and telling him I was ready to "rattle some cages" if I couldn't get some help. He called me back and said that he "rattled some cages" for me and that Nissan has authorized the replacement of my tranmission.

My SA advised me that "off the record" Nissan has narrowed the problem down to a range of manufacturing dates from Oct 2007 to Feb 2008. It was something about a belt and another part of the trans. (I will get more specifc details I was at work and couldn't talk long).

He will call Monday to set up a Tuesday appointment and rental as he expects to have the car a couple of days. I only hope this solves the issue, but from others reporting in this thread it seems to for them.

I don't know why Nissan is being so stubborn about this issue especially if they have narrowed down dates and they know what is causing it. Maybe they are just hoping people will give up and deal with it. I guess the "bottom line" is more important than quality.

I will keep posting updates.
Modified by Bigtamw65 at 3:20 PM 10/2/2008

[kerrton]

Wow Bigtamw, that is some interesting news. It sounds like Nissan is attributing this to manufacture and/or material problems with the transmission itself, rather than a design flaw relating to the AWD system. So we would expect FWD and AWD drive owners to be affected equally, if there was a bad batch of transmission's between Oct/07 and Feb/08. It would be great if your Service Dept. could confirm this, and then we'll wait to see if a recall will be issued, or if the problem will just be treated as it is reported from owners. Thanks again for sharing the new info.

[peggyboston]

HiI was going to buy a Rogue this month. I read all the threads. I really like this car and it seems a lot of you love your Rogue. If you were me, what would you do? I need a car by end of month as my car was rejected.I don't want to be stuck with a transmission problem. Thank you in advance for your help.

Peggy

[Roli]

The transmission issue seems to be a small amount of vehicles that where manufactured during a small time frame.

My Rogue is in the shop, getting the transmission changed today, It had a production date of December 2007. I hope all goes well.

The dealer arranged for a Maxima as a loaner car, very nice car and damn is it quick. I will keep you all apprised of the new transmission

Roli

[Pescakl1]

HiI was going to buy a Rogue this month. I read all the threads. I really like this car and it seems a lot of you love your Rogue. If you were me, what would you do? I need a car by end of month as my car was rejected.I don't want to be stuck with a transmission problem. Thank you in advance for your help.

Peggy

Peggy,

First of all, you have to decide if you need the AWD or not.

Up to now, nobody with a FWD Rogue had a transmission trouble.

If you want to go with the AWD, it seems that the problem comes from a batch of transmissions manufactured back in late 2007. Good chance that you will not have this problem anymore on a new car.Lastly, from few reporting here and there, it seems Nissan found not only what was wrong (the easiest part) but what caused the transmission to fail and came back with a fix.Now just hope the recall of the faulty ones will go promptly and soon everybody will enjoy their Rogue as most of us do.

BTW, by going through the threads, did you find enough pictures of Iridium Rogue?

[peggyboston]

Thank you very much for your reply. You don't work for Nissan do you? :-)

[Bigtamw65]

Wow Bigtamw, that is some interesting news. It sounds like Nissan is attributing this to manufacture and/or material problems with the transmission itself, rather than a design flaw relating to the AWD system. So we would expect FWD and AWD drive owners to be affected equally, if there was a bad batch of transmission's between Oct/07 and Feb/08. It would be great if your Service Dept. could confirm this, and then we'll wait to see if a recall will be issued, or if the problem will just be treated as it is reported from owners. Thanks again for sharing the new info.

Took the Rogue in yesterday for the new transmission. The SA did say it was those date ranges. As he recalled the conversation with Nissan, it was an issue with the timing chain and the transmission. Not sure about that and correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the timing chain had more to do with the engine. I wonder if it was the belt / chain that is in the CVT? Any way, at least they have narrowed down a date range, maybe it will help the rest to have theirs fixed. By the way, I think mine was manufactured in February 2008, but where do I confirm that information.

Goblin, I am interested to know when your Rogue was manufactured?

[daytrippr]

...I think mine was manufactured in February 2008, but where do I confirm that information.Goblin, I am interested to know when your Rogue was manufactured?

In our Rogue,the sticker by the driver's side door says (right near the top) final assembly date: 12/07. Is that the production date?

[Bigtamw65]

HiI was going to buy a Rogue this month. I read all the threads. I really like this car and it seems a lot of you love your Rogue. If you were me, what would you do? I need a car by end of month as my car was rejected.I don't want to be stuck with a transmission problem. Thank you in advance for your help.

Peggy

Peggy,

As I have been told, the issue is with Rogues that were manufactured in a specifc date range. So I would think unless you purchased a Rogue in that date range you would be fine.

That said, other than the problem with the transmission I absolutely love my Rogue! I drove the Maxima and its a great car, but it is a car. I also drove a Murano and I have to say that personally I like the Rogue better. It gets better gas mileage and has a more sporty feel. And I like the interior better. That is just my opinion and trust me, I DONT work for Nissan. LOL

[Pescakl1]

Thank you very much for your reply. You don't work for Nissan do you? :-)

Look in the Buying experience comments thread to answer your question.

If I work for Nissan, I surely don't work where I bought my car

No, I don't work for Nissan.

[Goblin]

Goblin, I am interested to know when your Rogue was manufactured?

Hey *Tam,

Mine was manufactured 10/07. I'm planning on taking it back to the dealer this month as time permits. The noise is so annoying now that I think even a Nissan Engineer or SA could hear it. LOL. I figure its just a matter of time before the CVT drops off the car. At a stop sign this morning it started making a thumping sound in addition to the rattle. Hum. The beginning of the end? Let's hope so. My neighbor rode with me to the store this weekend past and was worried the car would catch on fire from all the friction (rattling sounds). LOL. I wish! GAP BABY!

Did Roli get a transmission?

[daytrippr]

... At a stop sign this morning it started making a thumping sound in addition to the rattle. Hum. The beginning of the end? Let's hope so. ...

Wow Goblin, sounds MUCH worse than ours. I think if you told them all the symptoms other than the plain old rattle, then they would certainly fix it for you

[kerrton]

Actually, I have a FWD and my transmission sounds like it has the rattle problem (currently at 7000 km).

It is not constant or continous, it only occurs at 10km/hr, when decerlating to "parking lot" speed, then coasting and gently pushing on and off with the throttle. It is a repetitive rattle, lasting no more than one second each time. I hear it every time I decelerate into a parking spot, or when coasting in a parking lot looking for a spot. I notified my Nissan service manager, and he was great. He said he was aware of the problem and immmediately wrote up a work order, and stated that this noise is not normal. We are now waiting for Nissan to come to final conclusions and a solution before addressing the problem.

I checked my manufacture date inside the front door sticker, and it said 03/08, which is a month after the date range supplied earlier. Will wait and see, I'm not worried though, the car still runs great and I've got 5 years of power train warranty!

[Bigtamw65]

Hey *Tam,

Mine was manufactured 10/07. I'm planning on taking it back to the dealer this month as time permits. The noise is so annoying now that I think even a Nissan Engineer or SA could hear it. LOL. I figure its just a matter of time before the CVT drops off the car. At a stop sign this morning it started making a thumping sound in addition to the rattle. Hum. The beginning of the end? Let's hope so. My neighbor rode with me to the store this weekend past and was worried the car would catch on fire from all the friction (rattling sounds). LOL. I wish! GAP BABY!

Goblin

If there is another dealer you can go to I would suggest it. I know it's a pain, but that is how I got results. I actually called the SA on the phone and had a 20 minute converstion with him regarding the problem before I ever took it to him. They have been wonderful and it seems if you can just get someone to call Nissan about the noise (and if they admit they hear it) Nissan is aware. Maybe if you call and get a feel over the phone, that will save you some time. Just a suggestion.

[Bigtamw65]

Actually, II checked my manufacture date inside the front door sticker, and it said 03/08, which is a month after the date range supplied earlier. Will wait and see, I'm not worried though, the car still runs great and I've got 5 years of power train warranty!

kerrton

Mine was also manufacutred 3/08, so the SA has informed Nissan and according to him they are going to add that month to the list as well.

[williammoses]

I have a 2008 Nissan Rogue SL AWD that has the same rattle and grinding noises that others have described in this thread. My SA heard the noises when he test drove my vehicle, but he had no explanation for the noises, and no interest in doing anything about it. My vehicle, which now has 7,000 miles on the odometer, was manufactured in September 2007. Juding by the sound, I believe that either the CVT push belt is defective, or something is causing the CVT push belt to slip on the pulleys when the vehicle decelerates. I love my Rogue, but I don't know how much longer I will be able to live with the noises it makes.

[mistergib]

you guys got me on this one....I have looked all over my Rogue includinginside the doors and I still have not found where the manufacture dateis stated.....could someone direct me.....There is no sticker on the insideof my drivers door that I can find that gives me that information???Thanks....

[Goblin]

could someone direct me.....There is no sticker on the inside

Here ya go. The bottom right of the picture. 2nd line. Have a great day.

[mistergib]

Here ya go. The bottom right of the picture. 2nd line. Have a great day.

....yeah, thanks Goblin....I had already looked again and found it, I wasn'tlooking low enough. Mine was made in 10/07, bought it in 12/07, andnow have right at 6000 miles on it and STILL with NO rattle....knock onwood!

[mstrmstr]

Ok, lookin for Philip..

This is the point-

I lost track of where the truth lies here in this transmission complaint thread.

With 357 post and nearly 15,000 views it IS important to sift out what's real here.

HELP HERE PLEASE

NISSAN take note.. your customers and potential customers are here!!

[daytrippr]

...

I lost track of where the truth lies here in this transmission complaint thread.

With 357 post and nearly 15,000 views it IS important to sift out what's real here....

I am not Philip, but as an active member of this discussion from the very beginning I will try to summarize it for you:

35 or so of us have admitted to suffer with a rattling noise that seems to be coming from the cvt. It is low and subtle at first and generally gets loader and more persistent with time.

We have had a range of responses from our dealers and Nissan ranging from "That noise is normal" to "we hear it and we don't know what is causing it, but don't worry because no cars have failed yet" to "we are working on a fix, hang in there" to "we will give you a new transmission (6 of us actually got new trannys)" to "We were gonna give you a transmission, but we've changed our minds" to " hang in there, a fix is imminent"

In most cases, the dealer's staff seem like they want to help but Nissan has tied their hands.

So, some of us have been driving around with what sounds like stones in a tumbling/polishing drum for 5 months!

Hope this helps.

[philipa_240sx]

Yes, this thread has become pretty long... its been a very hot topic.

However, Daytrippr pretty much summed it up. The transmission rattle is a real problem. How widespread is yet to be determined. We are all waiting for Nissan to release a Tech Bulletin and shed some light on this. But like the door scratching issue... it's gonna be a long wait. Unfortunately, the lack of information is frustrating.

Would I hesitate to buy a Rogue because of this issue? No. Overall the Rogue is still a great vehicle. It's build quality is far better than Nissan's of just a few years ago. As a previous '03 Altima owner, I can attest to that. After 18,000mi (30,000km) and 7 months of ownership, My Rogue has been trouble free.

Like Kerrton and a few other FWD owners, I do have a brief rattle at low speeds. My Rogue does fall into the 'suspect' production dates Bigtamw65 mentioned. But I am confident that if is a problem, it will be dealt with by Nissan under warranty... even it seems to take forever. I have had good experiences with Nissan's warranty claims. Hey, I got my Altima's engine replaced under warranty! But that is another story.

Happy driving!