CVT Rattle/Noise - Discussion Thread

[Goblin]

I asked the same ? tonight when I dropped off my car. ? How is the same trany going to fix the problem if its inherent? The ans: I don't know that's a good ?. OMG, Nissan help me here! I should know something tomorrow and will let you guys know what they come up with.

[ssimon001]

New member here to the forum, but have been following for quite a while.Our Rogue went in for the same issue as described here. A raatle or soft grinding sound at low speeds and almost always with deceleration. Service manager stated that a transmission "part" was ordered and Nissan was aware of this issue, but had no idea of the cause. Rather worried also and it appears this is showing up quite a bit. Had occured at least once prior to us at our dealership.

[philipa_240sx]

According to Nissan's sales figures, there are at least 47,000 Rogues sold since introduction. Although we do not have exact figures for this failure, it seems pretty small so far. I'm with Ticmxman in that no one has actually experienced an outright failure so far. Many may have accepted the noise as normal and not even given it a second thought. I for one get some occasional noises from the CVT, but they do not sound horrible nor do I feel there is anything wrong.

[mistergib]

According to Nissan's sales figures, there are at least 47,000 Rogues sold since introduction. Although we do not have exact figures for this failure, it seems pretty small so far. I'm with Ticmxman in that no one has actually experienced an outright failure so far. Many may have accepted the noise as normal and not even given it a second thought. I for one get some occasional noises from the CVT, but they do not sound horrible nor do I feel there is anything wrong.

First:Thats fine Phillip....and if more of those 47,000 owners of the Rogue weremembers of this forum and stated that this problem was miniscule, thenI wouldn't feel the way I do....but, the representative factor of all the Rogue owners here is what is miniscule in comparison.....we really haveno idea what the occurence of this problem is at this point. All I said isthat its a bad omen....I hope I'm wrong.

Second:Just because the transmission is still working fine even though its making somefunny noises is really not the point....why would someone want theirbrand new car to have strange noises....but, the kicker is having those"noises" along with some of the people having to have their trannysreplaced..... Connection or coincidence?? Funny how the noise goes away once the transmission is replaced??? This is why I'm kinda leery....


Modified by mistergib at 7:33 AM 6/11/2008

[BigPapi'sRogue]

Has anyone who has had this problem heard from their dealerships that this is "just a noise" and not a functional, mechanical or safety issue of any kind.

I, for one, am willing to live with the noise in my car if I knew that with 100% certainty that this was the case, as opposed to having to potentially live with all kinds of follow-on issues that can be introduced by as significant of a repair as having a transmission replaced. There aren't too many repairs that are more major than this.

[daytrippr]

Has anyone who has had this problem heard from their dealerships that this is "just a noise" and not a functional, mechanical or safety issue of any kind.

....

The 'official' word from my first dealer contact was that Nissan was aware of the problem, but it was OK to continue driving it. When I changed dealers and the second one got approval from Nissan to swap trannys, the second dealer thought it is best to not drive it since 'Nissan isn't sure what the problem is..." and gave us a free rental car.

Personally, if we had known about this potential problem before we bought our Rogue, we would have waited to buy until this was sorted out. If someone were to ask me I would tell them to wait before purchasing.

[mistergib]

The 'official' word from my first dealer contact was that Nissan was aware of the problem, but it was OK to continue driving it. When I changed dealers and the second one got approval from Nissan to swap trannys, the second dealer thought it is best to not drive it since 'Nissan isn't sure what the problem is..." and gave us a free rental car.

Personally, if we had known about this potential problem before we bought our Rogue, we would have waited to buy until this was sorted out. If someone were to ask me I would tell them to wait before purchasing.

AMEN to that brother! I have no doubt that I would have waited to buy,and actually, this would probably have made me look elsewhere for acar......we'll see what happens??

[paulvanharte]

I just send an email with link to this post to my service manager. Without really knowing what it sounds like, there does appear to be a very slight "rattle" upon decelerating/accelerating. Almost sounds like valve clatter(??? is that the right word) The sound is so minor that unless you were listening for it, you would assume its part of normal operations.(at least in my car) In fact if I did not read this forum, I would never have heard it. Now having said that if this was normal, why is Nissan approving the replacement of the CVT??Unless the noise gets substantially worse I will just drive it.

Paul

[kerrton]

Yeah, I agree with the last two posts. Considering the cost of a new vehicle, and the cost of this essential component of the vehicle (transmission), I think it is totally unacceptable to hear any kind of a strange noise. A strange noise in the first 10,000 miles is very troublesome to me, as I envision that noise going undiagnosed translating into transmission failure later in the vehicle life. And if it fails after warranty that would totally make me regret purchasing the vehicle, to say the least. It may be a small number of failures, but this would definately be a red flag to me.

Anyway, it seems to only affect AWD models, so I'm still very happy with my FWD car, which has been running just awesome. But I just wanted to let you guys who are having these problems know that I understand how you feel and you definately are not over-reacting.

[Goblin]

I can't confirm what you hear is what I heard but originally mine was subtle and became more noticeable below speeds of 35mph. Sitting at a stop sign I could shift into N and it would sound like rocks in a tumbler. Very loud and clattery. At first it was very intermittent and by the time I took it in last night it was doing it consistently with varying levels of noise.

[paulvanharte]

Maybe the "noise" that I heard is just normal. What you describe sound far different than what I am hearing.

Paul

[Goblin]

I don't think any noise, rattling or not on a new vehicle should be considered normal.

UPDATE: The dealer still has my Rogue as they have yet to determine where the noise is coming from. I understand they where on the phone with Nissan all day trying various things and driving the vehicle. The mgr. claims they have to jump through the hoops before Nissan will give the OK for a new transmission, if that is what they determine is the problem.

While driving the Rogue they determined the alignment was out and realigned the car. Also, the service guy felt the vibration during acceleration was from the motor mounts. He torgued them to factory specs and claims he can no longer feel the vibration.

[ssimon001]

According to Nissan's sales figures, there are at least 47,000 Rogues sold since introduction. Although we do not have exact figures for this failure, it seems pretty small so far. I'm with Ticmxman in that no one has actually experienced an outright failure so far. Many may have accepted the noise as normal and not even given it a second thought. I for one get some occasional noises from the CVT, but they do not sound horrible nor do I feel there is anything wrong.

Without direct figures as provided by Nissan, the assumption that this is a small problem is baseless. It may very well be a small problem, but you can't state such without verification.

I don't believe for a second that anyone would accept the sound that I hear on our vehicle as a normal operational sound. The scratching rattle that I hear would indicate some type of metal to metal contact. To accept this as normal on a new vehicle would be stupid on my part.

For Nissan to verify this as a potential problem and reccomend replacement is verified acknowlegemet of a problem.

Do I love our Rogue?....you bet.... Am I going to pretend that everything is great?...No way

Time will tell if this is an issue.

[daytrippr]

Without direct figures as provided by Nissan, the assumption that this is a small problem is baseless. It may very well be a small problem, but you can't state such without verification.

I don't believe for a second that anyone would accept the sound that I hear on our vehicle as a normal operational sound. The scratching rattle that I hear would indicate some type of metal to metal contact. To accept this as normal on a new vehicle would be stupid on my part.

For Nissan to verify this as a potential problem and reccomend replacement is verified acknowlegemet of a problem.

Do I love our Rogue?....you bet.... Am I going to pretend that everything is great?...No way

Time will tell if this is an issue.

Exactly...well said!

[philipa_240sx]

I was not trying to trivialize the issue here. True, my assumptions are not based on any hard facts. It was merely my observaton as it seems many other members (both FWD, AWD models and my FWD model included) are not having any issues at all.

Nissan's response so far appears they have been dealing with it on a case by case basis and replacing the transmissions as necessary. I have seen this before with my previous Nissan's. What I am more interested in, is when a TSB is issued. That is an acknowldgement that it's a widespread problem and not just an isolated incident(s). Of even bigger concern is no one knows the cause yet, how widespread it is, and if the noise has long term implications or is it merely an inconvenience.

For those that have had their transmissions replaced, keep after the dealer for answers to these questions. You can then update us with any new information so we can share it with all members of the forum.

[mistergib]

...I'll tell ya for sure, I've owned 30-40 cars in my 45 years of driving...all models and manufacturers....

I've resolved myself, after much trial and error, that the most reliablecars, first year or not, have proven to be the Honda and Toyota lines.Never have I had major defects in any of these cars.

This is my first Nissan product.....if this proves to be a factory defect, itwill be my last Nissan, because I will no longer have confidence in thevehicle or Nissan itself.....Remember the old saying, the first impression is the most important and lasting impression....

This may sound extreme.....but such is life....its too short to deal withcrap like this! Again, imho....

[daytrippr]

...

I've resolved myself, after much trial and error, that the most reliablecars, first year or not, have proven to be the Honda and Toyota lines.Never have I had major defects in any of these cars.

...

Just goes to show you how personal experience will guide you...I have had Toyotas, which I considered, CRAP, falling apart around me...and Hondas, including several early Honda Accords, which had major failures, including bad head gaskets and warped discs.

Whereas my Nissan/Datsun experience, of which the Rogues is car #6!, has been: oh, 100K miles, the water pump went out... The engines and trannys always ran flawlessly..including our 2000 Altima with 195,000 miles, still running strong and never uses oil

This experience pointed us towards the Rogue and I would buy Nissan again in a heartbeat.

Just get me thru this current issue.

[mistergib]

Just goes to show you how personal experience will guide you...I have had Toyotas, which I considered, CRAP, falling apart around me...and Hondas, including several early Honda Accords, which had major failures, including bad head gaskets and warped discs.

Whereas my Nissan/Datsun experience, of which the Rogues is car #6!, has been: oh, 100K miles, the water pump went out... The engines and trannys always ran flawlessly..including our 2000 Altima with 195,000 miles, still running strong and never uses oil

This experience pointed us towards the Rogue and I would buy Nissan again in a heartbeat.

Just get me thru this current issue.

it's always been an individual thing, one mans beauty can be another mans nightmare...

...well, at least you give me hope, but the jury is still out....I just don't want to have this end up being similar to the Chrysler transmission fiascoof several years ago....time will tell, we'll see if your confidence is warranted....I wish us all luck!

[Goblin]

The dealer is refusing to fix the noise as Nissan wont give them authorization or so they say. They want me to call Nissan. I say F** Nissan and the dealer. I'm so F** pissed at the poor customer service and lack of concern.

[daytrippr]

...I just don't want to have this end up being similar to the Chrysler transmission fiascoof several years ago....

Chrysler transmission :-( We had a mid 90's Plymouth Voyager...great van, except for the 2 trannys and a blown head gasket...all before 60,000 miles

Thanks God for Extended Warranty!

[mistergib]

The dealer is refusing to fix the noise as Nissan wont give them authorization or so they say. They want me to call Nissan. I say F** Nissan and the dealer. I'm so F** pissed at the poor customer service and lack of concern.

....and just when daytripper was attempting to give me a glimpse ofhope...oh well(sigh....)

[Goblin]

Stay on topic! This is NOT a Chrysler form.

[daytrippr]

The dealer is refusing to fix the noise as Nissan wont give them authorization or so they say. They want me to call Nissan. ..

When my wife called Nissan she said they were very pleasant and helpful. They were the ones that suggested we try a different dealer for a second opinion.

[mistergib]

...hey, easy there a little bit Goblin, daytripper was just making acomparison comment, not changing the thread.....we want this problemaddressed too....we feel for ya...

[BigPapi'sRogue]

Did the dealer offer any speculation as to where the noise is coming from, and/or whether it is safe to drive the vehicle?

[Goblin]

Oh, yeah. When it fails they will be glad to change it as the noise has been isolated to the trany (just got off the phone with the service mgr.). OMG! Did he just say that? Oh, and he offered to let me drive his car for my upcoming trip to Disney!?!? Now Tony, Serv Mgr, is taking the car to a Nissan ???? he said that was close by and have their techs check it out. Why would this not have been done prior to calling me and getting me worked up? He printed off this thread to help support his argument on replacing the trany? What? The dealer's concerned with replacing it and it going to Nissan and found to be OK. If that happens he claims they get charged back 5K. Well, I'm F** sorry for your loss. OMG its about $$ not customer care, concern, or safety.

Daytripper, I like you but I had to vent. That's the best I can do for an apology right now.

[daytrippr]

...Daytripper, I like you but I had to vent. That's the best I can do for an apology right now.

No problem, I feel for ya.

With the current posts, I decided that I should call my dealer to get a status check on ours. He said that our new transmission is due today but still in transit. Hopefully, we will get it back on Monday. You all will be the first ones to know how it comes out.

[Goblin]

The so called official word I just got is that Nissan is aware of the problem and are working on a fix. Once they have it they will recall the trany's for repairs. There has been no failures so they are not willing to replace it at this time. The problems as I've been told is the chain within the trany looses pressure and causes it to rattle. I still say F** Nissan and the dealer for selling CRAP!

This is my second Nissan vehicle in which I have received poor customer service and a refusal to fix a defective product in 3 years now. Never again! If I wanted to buy a substandard vehicle with out proper testing I could have bought another Dodge!

I CAN NOT RECOMMEND TO ANYONE TO BUY A ROGUE OR OTHER NISSAN PRODUCT. NISSAN HAS GONE WAY DOWN HILL IN HOW THEY TREAT CUSTOMERS AFTER THE SALE. YOU WILL REGRET YOUR PURCHASE!

[kerrton]

Just to review, has anyone with FWD had similar problems with their transmission? Previously it seemed as though this problem was limited to AWD systems, specifically related to the transfer case. Thanks.

[philipa_240sx]

Goblin, I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. I honestly think the dealer has alot to do with how you are being treated and not Nissan USA. I have had stellar service from my last 3 Nissan dealers. Including some major repairs both in and out of warranty. I can't say the same for the other Nissan dealerships I have used over the years. Overall Nissan products have been very good to me. I wouldn't have bought my 4th one if that wasn't the case.

Kerrton, I don't have this problem with my FWD model as you well know. There is some differences in the AWD & FWD transmissions including the case design, transfer case, and possibly an external oil cooler.