CVT Rattle/Noise - Discussion Thread

[08rogue]

I should be picking up my rogue today after having a new transmission installed due to a grinding bearing sound driving between 1-3 mph.

[Goblin]

Transmission on my 2008 Rogue AWD was replaced last week. Grinding sound is gone, and car runs much more smoothely at low speeds. It's as if I were driving a different vehicle. Part number of the transmission that was installed is 310C0-1XT5E.

I took my Rogue back for the TSB on the center console. Funny thing now that the transmission doesn't rattle I heard the squeak when turning. Anyhow, the service mgr asked whom I had talked to about the transmission replacement because Passport had called them about changing out one and the guy mentioned that he knew someone that Rosenthal had done. LOL I'm guessing it was you.....

[williammoses]

The Service Manager told me that my Rogue was the first transmission replacement they had ever done. Still, they did a fine job putting the vehicle back together. The removal/replacement transmission procedure is very complicated. The console on my vehicle does not squeak--at least not yet. In the meantime I feel like I am driving a brand new car.

[aem112]

I called my dealership to set up an appointment. I have some noise very slight but it has more of a jerk and RMP exceleration at certain speeds. This just started this weekend. I have 20k miles so I know what is normal and what isn't and what it is doing is NOT normal.

I told the service person my problem and the first thing he told me was that is the way the CVT works and I am just not used to it. I got a little hot and told him I have had the car for a year and driven over 20k miles on it and I know what is normal. He went on patronizing me about it but told me to just bring it in in the morning. I have a horrible feeling in my gut about this car now and I totally regret buying it. I should have gone with the Honda CRV or something more proven. I feel like a fool......After they look at it tomorrow and give me a diagnosis, I'll post the outcome.

[williammoses]

1. Nissan has replaced a lot of 2008 Rogue transmissions with an updated transmission. 2. If the service manager says Nissan has no fix, then he/she is wrong. Previous post by Goblin and myself refer to the part number of the updated transmission. 3. If you look through your warranty information, you will find that Nissan provides for an arbitratrion process through the Better Business Bureau. I took that route and Nissan offered to replace my transmission without any objection whatsoever. It was painless.4. The transmission in my Rogue was replaced about 10 days ago, and it acts like a different car.

[kerrton]

WilliamMoses:

Exactly Right. If you think about it, the statement "Nissan is working on a fix...." makes no sense. If this were the case, they'd be building thousands of 2009 Rogues with faulty transmissions, not likely unless they're trying to go out of business. Also, if you review our previous posts (I've posted in extensive detail on my own investigtion, as I did finally have my CVT replaced), the evidence is very clear that the 2009 transmission has changed relative to the 2008 version. My good buddy is the parts guy at my dealer and he too confirms this, but don't bother asking detailed questions about what exactly has changed. The changes would be considered engineering specs which are Nissan trade secrets, and which most of us in the general public, or even Nissan technicians for that matter, may not really be able to understand. The bottom line is that our research indicates that the design for the CVT has been tweaked between 08 and 09.

[daytrippr]

Once again, I called my dealer for an update. Shaaazam! My transmission is now on it's way. By the end of next week, we should finally have a new transmission!

I can NOT screwing wait!...Oops, did I 'say' that? ;-)

[daytrippr]

btw, I did not say: "screwing" :-)

[aem112]

Thanks for the information. I didn't end up bringing it in last week because I never had another problem with it. However, yesterday my husband and I left out to get breakfast and it acted very badly doing the same slipping and jerking. We actually used my husband's phone to take a video of what it was doing so I have some not so great video proof for the service manager at the dealership.

Today when we got in it, the "Service Engine Soon" light came on and hasn't gone off so I am bringing it in tomorrow morning for sure (along with the part number for the newly updated tranmission that you all posted). Hopefully it will go smoothly because if it doesn't, I will probably just start the arbitration procedure through the BBB. I am now carrying my video camera with me in the car so I can take more better quality video if the car does it again. I am just so glad that I have proof even if it isn't the best quality because I could tell by talking to the service manager that I wasn't going to get anywhere unless the transmission fell out right in front of the guy.

[williammoses]

1.) Transmission problem most of us on the website are having is a grinding and/or rattling sounds when the vehicle is moving at a low speed. Some have reported mild lurching accompanies these sounds. 2.) Remember that when you take your vehicle to the Nissan dealer, it's between you and the dealer service department. When you go through BBB Autoline, it's between you and Nissan Corporate. When Corporate gives a dealer a directive, it gets done with great speed and great care.

[cintroncar]

I got the transmission replaced yesterday. I am so happy with the new one; no more noises. I noticed that the new transmission is more responsive.

Getting the transmission changed was an easy process for me, the dealer called Nissan and they indicated that it was my choice if I wanted the transmission replaced or not. I decided to get it changed.

I really recommend for those who have the transmission noise to replace it with a new one. You will love it.

Again, part number of the transmission that was installed is 310C0-1XT5E.

[indesign99]

Has anyone who has had their transmission changed already noticed that it appears to be shifting into high gear too quickly causing a vibration at low speeds. Sort of like when you drive a manual and shift too soon. It sort of shakes and stutters? Mine has been doing this since I had it changed a couple of months ago. The dealer said it was normal. Doesn't seem normal to me when the steering wheel is shaking at 30 mph.

[williammoses]

I believe the dealer is right. It sounds normal. The transmission torque converter lockup mechanism can engage as early as 11 MPH. The mechanism, when engaged, causes the vehicle driveline to be directly connected to the engine--like in a stick shift car--and therefore you can feel the engine lugging a little bit.

[Goblin]

I have noticed it but only when accelerating slowly especially up hill. Otherwise, I don't notice the vibration. Seem to be a minimal price to pay for a good riding vehicle and NO noise.

[kerrton]

This is completely normal and has been documented TO DEATH on this forum, check the glossary for the right thread and you'll see tons of posts and the outcome basically is that this is not only normal, but was designed this way by Nissan engineers with the clear goal of providing excellent fuel economy. The engine also plays a role as Philip has explained in detail, but this is completely normal. One more thing that plays a role is the engine control unit, which as I understand it learns your driving preferences and makes adjustments to how the transmission selects gears. If you are lead footed then you won't notice this "high gear vibration" as much, because the CVT will select lower gear ratios to keep your performance high, sacrificing fuel economy. If you're like me and you drive with a very light foot, you'll notice the CVT going into overdrive very early (at very low speeds) almost immediately, and you'll notice this vibration a lot. However, as soon as you push harder on the throttle or encounter an incline, the CVT lowers the gear ratio and the vibration disappears.

Completely normal and not indicative of a problem.

[aem112]

Well I brought my Rogue into the dealership on Monday armed with the part number for the updated transmission and the video proof of what it was doing. The "Service Engine Soon" light was on also. I was ready for a fight. They didn't want to see my video or the part number. So, I decided to let them look at it and come up with a diagnosis before I went in rant mode. I dropped it off at 7:30 a.m. and got a call by 9:00 a.m. that they had ordered a new transmission. They also changed my oil for free and will rent me a car while the transmission is replaced.

So far, I am happy but I am still upset that a new car needed a trasmission within 20k miles of owning it. I am very worried about the long term reliability of this vehicle. I guess in 5 or 8 years, we will know the answer. I had my Altima for 11 years with never a problem and over 250k miles (I sold it for 2k and it was still going strong). I traded in my Infiniti G35 (2 door and fun for a little while but annoying when I wanted to take my dogs anywhere) for this Rogue but I never had a problem with it and that is why I went with the Rogue as opposed to a Honda CRV. I really hope this car ends up being reliable in the long run. I am so worried since we are kind of like the test rats with this vehicle.

[williammoses]

aem112: At times I wondered whether I should have purchased a Honda CRV instead of the Nissqan Rogue, but not sine the transmission was replaced. Historically, Nissan has one of the best reputations for acknowledging their errors and remediating them. Toyota and Honda have the worst. I read this while doing some Lemon Law research on the internet, but I can't remember the source of this information.

[kerrton]

There are new Honda and Toyota transmissions that fail, particularly the new RAV4 transmission is giving problems, and people are frustrated because the dealers won't aknowledge or fix the problems in some cases, in others the transmission is replaced and people are saying the same thing as you: "maybe I shouldn't have bought this car". The bottom line is that all vehicles have part failures, and the fact that your transmission was replaced didn't have anything to do with the fact that it was a CVT, it was just a part failure. Check out the forums for RAV4, CRV, Forester etc. and see for yourself. Remember that most Rogue owners have had no problems with the CVT.

[daytrippr]

Our transmission is in...I am dropping off our Rogue tomorrow (Monday) morning. They said it might take 3 days and we will get a 'loaner'.

Yay!

[daytrippr]

Our transmission is in...I am dropping off our Rogue tomorrow (Monday) morning. They said it might take 3 days and we will get a 'loaner'.

Yay!

Just got back from the shop with our new transmission equipped Rogue!

I can't believe how quiet it is. It "seems" to run more smoothly and accelerate with more power (of course, that might just be my imagination)

Finally! If anyone who still has the 'rattle' is given the new transmission option, I would say: GO FOR IT!!! :-)

[Goblin]

Congrads! Its about time they got your transmission in and installed. And, its not your imagination; the Rogue runs quiet and accelerates with authority!

[aem112]

I got my Rogue back with the new transmission.....all seems good. I am very happy that the process went so smoothly. I am happy with the service I got from the dealership. I am really glad I found this site, it made this process so much easier once I found out I wasn't the only one with the transmission problem.

Thanks to everyone!!!! Happy Valentine's Day

[Ryepow]

I've been going though the same process everyone else has. I am now on my second dealership for the transmission rattle. The first dealer gave me "Nissan is aware of the problem but doesn't have a fix yet" line. I was armed with this thread printed out and the new transmission part number etc., but of course they were not interested, and wouldn't even look at it.

So this time at a different dealership I am playing dumb at first and just described the noise while I was there for a oil change and to have the passenger airbag tested since I got the recall on it in the mail. They gave me a rental car. After two days, they called me and said they can't reproduce the noise. So I went down there and they offered to have me drive the tech supervisor around. I can make the noise happen on command if I put the car in neutral while driving above 20mph. Only the sound is constant instead of random sounds at very low speeds. He said the noise was normal. I was shocked! I have never heard any noise let alone that grinding noise when I first bought the car. Plus the rental 2008 Nissan Altima has CVT and I put it in neutral while driving and it didn't make any noise either. He said he wanted to hear the noise at slow speeds with the attitude as if I must be making all these noises up in my head. So I pulled in a parking lot. With in 10 seconds it made the rattle sound. This was the first time I couldn't be happier to hear it. In fact the more I drove around the parking lot the louder it was getting. It brought a smile to my face. He didn't know what to say other then "that doesn't sound right." Well duhh!! Isn't it amazing that they had the car for two days and couldn't hear anything, and I drove the tech around for all of about 30 seconds and now suddenly they hear it. It makes me think my car was worked on for a hour or less and sat in the parking lot for two days. I hinted in a sarcastic kind of way that it sounds like the transmission to me before we returned back at the dealership. He didn't say anything in return. He offered to put me back in the rental car I had just dropped off and have my Rogue looked at it again. I took him up on the offer. I don't know what if anything will be done about it. But now that they admit that there is a noise, and he described it to the service manager as (metallic knocking rattling sound in front center of engine area at low speeds) I am not accepting it back until the noise is gone.

[williammoses]

You will probably get a new transmission.

[Goblin]

Ryepow your story has been played a number of times on this thread; including myself. My advice, don't start partying until the fat lady brings you the paperwork with then new transmission number. Good luck!

It really pisses me off to hear dealerships discredit the information on these automotive forums so freely. I have used them for about 12 years now and to date have not been mislead. All three dealerships I went to claimed the information on these forums was not accurate. Yet Nissan and the dealerships claim to have no knowledge of any problems with the transmissions on the Rogue! UGH! I ask you, "Who has your best interest?" Nissan or US?, the people driving these cars with crappy transmission? UGH! OK, I'm done, I just need to vent for a minute.

On a lighter note, my Rogue has 2K on the new transmission and its still running quiet and strong. Couldn't be happier. Thanks to everyone who posted on this thread!

[kerrton]

I agree with you Goblin, although my dealership was great and quickly replaced the transmission without me even having to ask them to, it gets me fired up too to read about how these dealerships are conducting themselves, very unprofessional. My new transmission has 3000 km on it and works perfect, so this seems to have fixed it for me too!

[williammoses]

Judging by postings on this thrread, it seems to me that Nissan Canada was quicker to acknowledge CVT transmission defects that Nissan USA. I infer that Canada has a more "buyer friendly" culture than the USA.

[tamarag531]

Taking my car for 6 month service later today. Have been having the same grinding rattle since sept. and also told that "Nissan is working on the problem." I have been very patient but the sound is getting worse and more frequent. Anyone have any experience with Nissan East in Monroeville, PA? Wondering how difficult they will be when I push for the new transmission.

[Ryepow]

Well, I got my Rogue back today after another two days with the rental. It turns out we have all been fooled, because I was told this noise we are all hearing is "normal". My response was, well how come I never heard the noise when I bought the car? He ignored my question and all I got in return was, we drove three Rouges and one with only 3,000 miles and they all make the same noise, so we will no longer take any further action. At this point, I don't really care anymore. I will just wait for Nissan to report a recall, or for the transmission to just fail completely just as long as it's under warranty. I only have 9,000 miles so I figure I have plenty of time to mess with these guys still.

To be continued.

[Goblin]

If it is a normal sound why are they calling it a NOISE? Good luck as we have all been here. I think the BBB is a good course of action. I didn't go that route but it seems more concrete than going to several dealerships and getting overly frustrated, as I did. After 8 months and 12K miles it did pay off. LOL