Repeated CVT repair "08 Altima 2.5L

[Mikey48]

As I am writing this, my Altima is at a local dealer in Florida 1000 miles from home having the CVT repaired at a cost to me of $2200.00. Some background--
My driving habits are easy on engines and transmissions. I have NEVER had any type of transmission trouble before on any vehicle I have owned (5 in 37 years)I got 132K miles on my previous car (totaled, otherwise....)and 283K miles on the one before that, both Honda Accords, and neither had any internal engine parts replaced. I use synthetic oil exclusively (Mobil 1) and mid-grade or premium gas (never regular). I have had all the scheduled major maintenance done at the Nissan dealer, and about 1/2 of the oil changes. (CVT is not user-serviceable, anyway) Just had the 120K service done there a little over a week ago.
At about 35K miles in Nov '09, the CVT started making noises while accelerating (on vacation at time) Big dealership in Knoxville replaced the CVT under warranty in 5 days. No problem until now. Extended warranty was good until 120K (it just expired) About 3 hours before my destination here, the Service Engine Soon light came on, but no symptoms. Freeway driving at about 70 until 6-7 miles before destination. Wife said she thought she was hearing some kind of noise just before our destination, variously described as something rubbing, like maybe a chain saw or high pitched hum on acceleration. I drove the car 3 more times until I could take it to the dealer yesterday with no noises or symptoms. They checked the codes and I was throwing two --valve body and torque converter codes, so apparently a running problem was imminent (1000 mile return trip home) So I'm having it fixed (what choice do I really have?)
My question is this--since the transmission is just 2000 miles out of warranty, Nissan isn't covering ANY of this, and since it's the second CVT that has self-destructed, what should I be asking Nissan for in return for my $2200 bucks? Hard to believe that they can't make a CVT that lasts longer than 85K miles, even with gentle treatment. One thing's for sure, I can't afford a new car and I can't afford any more CVT transmission repairs. And if there are any more transmission problems, this will probably have to be my last Nissan. I won't be taking this car on any more long trips. Should I ask for a guarantee that any future transmission problems on this car will be fixed by them at THEIR expense? And if so, how would I go about doing that? I am very intelligent and have written some great letters in the past that get results. If so, who can I write to, any specific individual at Nissan?
Thanx for any prompt replies--I'm supposed to pick up the car tomorrow and didn't learn about this forum until several hours ago.

[seldomseen]

As I am writing this, my Altima is at a local dealer in Florida 1000 miles from home having the CVT repaired at a cost to me of $2200.00. Some background--
My driving habits are easy on engines and transmissions. I have NEVER had any type of transmission trouble before on any vehicle I have owned (5 in 37 years)I got 132K miles on my previous car (totaled, otherwise....)and 283K miles on the one before that, both Honda Accords, and neither had any internal engine parts replaced. I use synthetic oil exclusively (Mobil 1) and mid-grade or premium gas (never regular). I have had all the scheduled major maintenance done at the Nissan dealer, and about 1/2 of the oil changes. (CVT is not user-serviceable, anyway) Just had the 120K service done there a little over a week ago.
At about 35K miles in Nov '09, the CVT started making noises while accelerating (on vacation at time) Big dealership in Knoxville replaced the CVT under warranty in 5 days. No problem until now. Extended warranty was good until 120K (it just expired) About 3 hours before my destination here, the Service Engine Soon light came on, but no symptoms. Freeway driving at about 70 until 6-7 miles before destination. Wife said she thought she was hearing some kind of noise just before our destination, variously described as something rubbing, like maybe a chain saw or high pitched hum on acceleration. I drove the car 3 more times until I could take it to the dealer yesterday with no noises or symptoms. They checked the codes and I was throwing two --valve body and torque converter codes, so apparently a running problem was imminent (1000 mile return trip home) So I'm having it fixed (what choice do I really have?)
My question is this--since the transmission is just 2000 miles out of warranty, Nissan isn't covering ANY of this, and since it's the second CVT that has self-destructed, what should I be asking Nissan for in return for my $2200 bucks? Hard to believe that they can't make a CVT that lasts longer than 85K miles, even with gentle treatment. One thing's for sure, I can't afford a new car and I can't afford any more CVT transmission repairs. And if there are any more transmission problems, this will probably have to be my last Nissan. I won't be taking this car on any more long trips. Should I ask for a guarantee that any future transmission problems on this car will be fixed by them at THEIR expense? And if so, how would I go about doing that? I am very intelligent and have written some great letters in the past that get results. If so, who can I write to, any specific individual at Nissan?
Thanx for any prompt replies--I'm supposed to pick up the car tomorrow and didn't learn about this forum until several hours ago.

Did you ask the dealership who's doing your CVT install to contact Nissan Consumer Affairs to ask them if they would extend a good will warranty to cover the cost of your CVT replacement, or to offer your a steep discount on the CVT parts/labor? You could have certainly contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs yourself with the same questions.

A few questions for you: Is Nissan installing a refurbished CVT or a new CVT? Also, is the CVT you're having installed a 2nd generation CVT? What's the warranty terms on the CVT that's being installed?

Now on the bright side, $2,200 is cheaper than a car payment/taxes/insurance if your Altima is paid off.

[Mikey48]

They didn't replace the CVT this time--only the valve body assembly and torque converter. Plus replaced the fluid. As I mentioned, this was the CVT that was used in Nov '09 to replace the original at 35K miles, so I'm not sure if it was a first or second generation unit, The repairing dealer did contact Nissan to see if there were any extended warranyies in effect, but the extended 120K warranty had expired by 2000 miles, so they didn't want to pay for anything.The warranty on this repair is only 12,000 miles. I suppose being in such a situation as well as being 1000 miles from home with the return trip imminent doesn't exactly put me in a good negotiating position. Any thing I get out of this will be after the fact.
I'll agree about $2200 being better than another car payment, etc. Thanx for the suggestion about a good will warranty. Actually, I would be happy if they just agreed to split the repair costs with me.
I'll post an update about all this on both this board and True Delta after everything is resolved.

[Smokaholik]

waht you decide to do and did nissan help any?

[brettxxc]

im on my 3rd cvt, they were all replaced under warranty. first one lasted 98k miles, 2nd one 9k miles, now im on my 3rd cvt and my car has 112k....... im not sure why the 2nd one didnt last that long. im pretty sure i heard someone say "nissan cvt's are notorious for failing"

[telcoman]

Don't buy front wheel drive vehicles

The weight of the engine on the drive wheels and the CVT joints cause premature wear

Telcoman

[brettxxc]

Don't buy front wheel drive vehicles

The weight of the engine on the drive wheels and the CVT joints cause premature wear

Telcoman

now u tell me, LOL. are most 4 and 6 cylinder cars front wheel drive?

[amxguy1970]

Don't buy front wheel drive vehicles

The weight of the engine on the drive wheels and the CVT joints cause premature wear

Telcoman

That is just 100% false information...

Don't buy rear wheel drive vehicles, if you haul any body or anything the added weight will cause premature wear on the gearing and axles.

The weight is supported by the springs, the CV's are at a flat neutral position except when they travel up or down. They aren't load bearing, they wear just like any rear wheel drive axle would or any all wheel drive set up.

Guess you will never buy a rear engined car for that reason then huh?

Sucks OP. I have done 1 drain and fill on my CVT and have a year left on the extended warranty and 20k miles. Did you have them flush the transmission before? Was it at a dealer or independent shop? I have heard horror stories on flushes, I just drain and fill (regular autos I change the filter).

Tyler