Nissan CVT Transmission Problems
Continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) have been equipped on several Nissan models, and are said to boast a few key benefits. The Nissan CVT is best known for having better fuel economy and smoother driving experience.
However, there have been multiple class-action lawsuits and consumer complaints due to recurring safety problems, such as transmission fluid leaking. These lawsuits allege that Nissan refused to admit that the CVT transmission is defective and previously added a “piecemeal” warranty extension to its older models with a failing CVT.
Many vehicles equipped with Nissan’s CVT transmission problem still come off the production line despite the public uproar.
If your Nissan CVT experiences recurring issues or requires a new transmission under warranty, you likely have a lemon. Receive a replacement or a refund by contacting Cali Lemon Lawyers for a free case evaluation.
You may be able to receive greater compensation by opting out of a class-action lawsuit to file your own lemon law claim. If you want to find out how to opt-out of one or more lawsuits, our lemon law attorneys can help.
Which Vehicles Experience the CVT Transmission Problems?
The following Nissan vehicles have been reported to contain the faulty CVT transmission that is mentioned above.
- 2018-2019 Nissan Versa Note
- 2015-2017 Nissan Quest
- 2015 – 2021 Nissan Murano
- 2016 – 2021 Nissan Maxima
- 2017 – 2021 Nissan Altima
- 2018 – 2019 Nissan Sentra
- 2018 – 2021 Nissan Pathfinder
- 2015 – 2017 Nissan Rogue
With multiple active class-action lawsuits against the company due to these faulty transmissions, it’s clear this is a serious problem.
Subsequent settlements and several class-action lawsuits have been procured for previous year model vehicles from the company’s factory. An extended warranty to many consumers for the Nissan CVT transmission resulted from the above statement. Despite related payouts and settlements, new lawsuits continue to come forward in light of ongoing Nissan CVT transmission problems.
Continuously variable transmissions are reportedly harder to repair, don’t last long, and are prone to overheating compared to conventional transmissions. Nissan transmissions tend to have recurring issues.
Since 2009, Nissan’s CVT transmissions have been known to cause problems, and the company hasn’t exactly acted swiftly to resolve the issue.
Similar reports concerning Nissan CVT issues by lessees and owners of these automobiles have been noted. Below are the just a few of the recurring problems related Nissan’s transmission:
- Premature transmission failure
- Strange shifting noises
- Engine revving
- Delayed acceleration
- Transmission overheating
- Burning smells
- Vehicle hesitation or staling
- Shaking and shuddering
- Lurching and jerking
- Faulty torque converter
- Flashing engine light
- Terrible fuel economy
Severe safety issues caused by these faulty transmissions have been revealed by complaints submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. One report mentions the transmission problems making a car roll backward unexpectedly when on a on flat land.
Another report confirmed that Nissan vehicles had lost power on busy intersections and highways, even though they had replaced four continuously variable transmissions within two years.
With a faulty CVT transmission, drivers face an increased risk of causing a crash or rear end when acceleration issues occur in highways, intersections, freeway ramps, and stops.
How Has Nissan Responded to the Continuously Variable Transmission Problem?
According to one class-action lawsuit, the company allegedly hid this knowledge to avoid paying for its mistakes even though it had known about these transmission problems since 2009.
In 2009, vehicles with CVT transmissions were issued an extended warranty by Nissan. The Nissan Powertrain Warranty includes the transmission and calls for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. The new extended warranty doubled to 10 years or 120,000 miles.
Nissan also offered a New Vehicle Limited Warranty as part of the compensation on former Xtronic CVT class-action lawsuits. This warranty extended from 60,000 miles or 60 months to 84,000 miles or 84 months.
Nissan CVT owners under warranty should not have to come out of pocket to have their transmission replaced.
How Do I Know If My Nissan Vehicle Is Defective?
Problems with your Nissan’s continuously variable transmission can negatively affect your car’s safety, value, and use. If it shows any of the following problems persistently after multiple repairs under warranty, you may have a lemon:
- Coolant/fluid leaks
- Revving or strange shifting noises
- Burning smells and overheating
- Vehicle stalling
- Transmission slips or jerks
- Shaking and shuddering
- Acceleration problems
If an authorized Nissan (or an authorized repair shop) cannot fix your car within a reasonable number of attempts, you should qualify for a lemon law case.
The number of repairs attempted to consider “reasonable” can differ based on a case-by-case circumstance. It is best to consult a lawyer who is experienced and knowledgeable in lemon laws so you can be aware of your legal rights.
How Does a Continuously Variable Transmission Work?
The Nissan CVT does not have a stick shift commonly associated with manual transmissions; it is a partially automatic transmission that does not function wholly.
Instead, it uses a flexible belt and a system of pulleys. There is a pair of adjustable pulleys made with metal links connected. This system continuously adjusts the gear ratio of the transmission when the driver tries to navigate changes in the driving environment, like decelerating or accelerating. The pulley system and belt allow the gearbox to adjust accordingly without the driver needing to shift or switch gears.
Moreover, the driver pulley decreases in radius while the driven pulley increases in radius and vice versa. In theory, the vehicle could move at any speed because it has an infinite number of “gears” that the CVT transmissions include.
How Do I Opt-Out of a Class-Action Lawsuit?
You may receive a notice in the mail if you are included in a class-action lawsuit. All allegations that consumers have made against Nissan will be described in this notice. In most cases, there are instructions in these class-action lawsuit notices that explain how to opt-out.
With that said, it’s recommended that you consult with a California lemon law attorney knowledgeable about the lemon law before doing so.
How Can a Lemon Law Attorney Help Me?
If your Nissan CVT is experiencing frequent problems, such as transmission slipping or a faulty belt and pulley system, you may have a lemon. CVT failures and transmission repairs not only cause a headache, but can also lead to a serious accident. A lemon law attorney can help you opt-out and receive compensation under the lemon law at no cost to you.
Contact us for a free consultation if you want to pursue an individual case or if you want to opt-out of a class-action lawsuit. Take action now!
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I purchased a 2012 Nissan Murano last July and last month the car started making a funny sound so I took it to be checked out and was told I need transmission. No warning no lights no slipping no jerking or nothing. I had no idea. AAMCO wants $5500 to repair. The car was financed through USAA so I can’t afford to replace the transmission so I have stopped payments. So I am out of a car. Can you help? Could the dealership have known this transmission was bad?
Me too!!! Exactly. Im in the same boat. 🙁
I purchased a 2017 Nissan Altima in 2018. It stalls intermittently at intersections, highway ramps, and traffic lights with no warning. Sometimes it revs so high, but does not accelerate.
After a while the check engine light comes on and goes off at its own convenience..
I had my mechanic perform diagnostics and the showed a transmission problem.
I could not afford a new transmission, or a new vehicle so I have been managing it. I had an extra transmission cooler mounted to no avail.
I now have about 110,000 miles on the odometer.
Do I still qualify for an extended warranty?
Pamela, It seems that you still have the car, and able to drive it, at least for now. Perhaps someone will do you a favor and run a stoplight… You would destroy your credit by Not making payments. Trade that car in ASAP perhaps sell it on Kijiji, Gary’sPage or some local social media… Suggest to do research before buying next vehicle, Nissan does not have a very good reputation, like Subaru, Ford, especially Chevrolet, denoted from my perspective as a back-yard mechanic and having had a failed CVT Cube, years ago that could not be repaired… If you look things up you’ll see Toyota is reliable. I’m not a lawyer or affiliation with. Don’t take my advice as professional.
I have a 2016 Nissan Sentra , transmission went ot in May of ‘22 had repaired , went back out in Oct ‘22 car been at shop since , waiting on replacement transmission, as of date 1/31/23 told would be in in 2 weeks do I qualify for the class action lawsuit . This has been a HUGE inconvenience.