Nissan has been using continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) in most of its vehicles since the early 2000s. In theory, CVTs are great because they provide a continuous, smooth transition of power for increased fuel economy.
But Nissan’s CVTs are also known for failing early on, which is why they’re the subject of many lawsuits. The transmissions are notorious for shuddering, making strange noises, overheating—and forcing the vehicle into a “limp” mode.
Some would argue that Nissan’s CVTs are the worst transmissions ever built.
What Makes the Nissan CVT transmission Different From a Traditional Automatic?
All internal combustion-powered cars need a transmission to manipulate rotational force from the engine and transfer that force to the drive wheels. Unlike a traditional automatic transmission, which relies on planetary gearsets to get the job done, Nissan’s CVT uses a steel belt and a set of adjustable pulleys.
Each of the pulleys changes its groove width to vary the transmission’s “gear” ratio. The secondary pulley turns a collection of final drive gears that connect to the axle shafts, which, in turn, connect to the drive wheels.
The video below demonstrates how the belt and pulley system works in a typical CVT:
Besides the belt and pulleys, Nissan’s CVT is similar to a traditional automatic transmission in many ways. For example, like a regular automatic, the unit has a torque converter that acts as a fluid coupling device between the engine and transmission. There’s also a planetary gearset that allows the driver to switch between forward and reverse.
Common Nissan CVT Transmission Problems
Nissan’s CVT transmissions can suffer from a variety of problems. The most common issues, however, are overheating, abnormal noises, and the infamous “judder”.
The “Judder”
As the belt and pulleys inside a CVT begin to wear—a problem that happens early on with Nissan transmissions—the belt may begin to slip, causing a “judder” sensation. In a technical service bulletin (TSB), Nissan describes the phenomenon as being a “shake, shudder, single or multiple bumps or vibration”.
To address the concern, Nissan issued a software update for the transmission control module (TCM). The update allows the module to recognize the judder and set a corresponding diagnostic trouble code (DTC) in its memory.
There are two judder codes that can be set: P17F0 and P17F1. Nissan has issued a TSB that tells dealership technicians how to approach each of the two codes when there’s a judder. According to the document:
- P17F0: Technicians should replace the CVT assembly.
- P17F1: Technicians should inspect the CVT belt for wear to determine whether the valve body or the entire transmission requires replacement.
Abnormal Noises
Many drivers also complain of abnormal noises coming from their Nissan’s CVT. The most common is a whining or grinding sound that coincides with vehicle speed. In most cases, either worn bearings or issues with the transmission’s belt system are to blame.
Overheating Resulting in “Limp” Mode
Nissan CVTs are known to overheat, especially after traveling at highway speeds for a long time or driving up a steep grade. When the transmission overheats, the vehicle often goes into a fail-safe or “limp” mode, resulting in a loss of power. Obviously, this is a potentially dangerous scenario that can put occupants at risk.
The belt and pulley system inside the transmission creates more heat than Nissan engineers anticipated—and the cooling system cannot keep up.
To address the overheating concern, Nissan released a TSB recommending the installation of an external transmission cooler. Dealership technicians often diagnose the overheat condition by using a scan tool to look at the CVT fluid temperature “counts” registered by the TCM.
But adding an external cooler doesn’t always fix the overheating problem. In many cases, the entire CVT assembly must be replaced to address the concern.
Did Nissan Extend the Warranty on Its CVT Transmission?
In 2010—after several class action lawsuits and countless customer complaints—Nissan agreed to extend the warranty on its CVTs found in select models built between 2003 and 2010. The extended warranty covered the units for up to 10-years/120,000-miles. Of course, all of those transmissions are now out of warranty.
A few years later, Nissan extended the warranty on select vehicles built between 2012 and 2017. The extension bumped the warranty up from 60 months/60,000 miles to 84 months/84,000 miles.
Also, there are plenty of class-action lawsuits in the works regarding Nissan CVT transmissions that are no longer under warranty. Owners hope to get some form of compensation through these proceedings.
Nissan Isn’t the Only Automaker to Use These Troublesome CVTs
It’s worth noting that Nissan’s CVTs are made by the brand’s spinoff company, Jatco. Over the years, Jatco has supplied transmissions to a wide variety of different automakers. As a result, the troublesome CVTs found in Nissan vehicles also appear in some other applications, such as the Dodge Caliber and Jeep Compass.
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I own a 2007 Altima with 175,000 miles on it and have had no problems
When I bought the car I took the advise of a friend of mine which owned a High Performance car machine shop. He told me to “NEVER” service the Transmission “DON’T LET ANYBODY INCLUDING NISSAN TOUCH IT PERIOD.” AND DON’T DRIVE IT LIKE A RACE CAR. His advise has paid off.
The transmission has never been touched, not even for recommended service.everybody else I know with this transmission has lost it at about 135K miles
I’ve been telling people the same thing for YEARS. I NEVER have transmissions serviced on any of my cars. As for Nissans, I had a 2008 Sentra, sold it at 200,000 miles, never had a problem. Now however, my ‘14 Sentra’s trans is toast at – you got it, 135K. The big problem is the 2012-2016 Sentras. Good blanket advice, however won’t carry far on these cars. Some better advice? Avoid anything with a CVT.
I would love to know what other class action lawsuits are in the works!!! I have a 2014 Altima 2.5L with 129k miles that I purchased brand new and it’s CVT has just failed. I even had the fluid (proper Nissan NS3) drained and filled two times (once at ~49k and then again at ~104k) to be safe because I knew early on these CVT’s were prone to failures. My wife drives this car and I would constantly tell her to “always baby this car and never drive it rough/fast”.. and the transmission STILL took a dump. I’m now faced with an approximate $4000 repair bill. And that’s after I hounded the dealership that sold me the car who provides a “lifetime powertrain warranty” on their cars. They said that since I didn’t perform all the other recommended service (like tire rotations, and brake fluid flushes) at a Nissan shop they won’t honor that warranty. The 2005 Altima I previously owned went to 325,000 miles before I sold it. I can’t believe Nissan screwed up sooo badly and then won’t try to help out more to retain loyal customers.
I have 2 Nissan Sentra 2013 and 2015 both fail the CVT transmission at 100k miles and 2015 at 130k miles but star do problem at the 100k miles and is a expensive transmission for a use one and is no recommended to buy a use one because you don’t know i thing minimum dealer must to do is sale that transmission for low price i never will buy a nissan again
2014 nissan maxima trim S with 133609 miles on it. The transmission just went out, no warning at all and it’s costing me 7500.00 to put in another one.
YES…the nissan c.v.t. is the worst ever………The c.v.t. transmission itself is a fantastic transmission!……. The problem is that nissan makes them shoddy and impossible to service without removing the whole damn thing……they COULD build a much better c.v.t. and you think they woud after 25 years of junk…..did they?…. Nope-same internals, and the same, lame steel belt. Not sure about g.m. cvt transmissions or suburu….the greatest transmission ever built was the Indiana 4- speed used in the 1960’s and 70’s……that had different covers that easily unbolted and the gears were tough, and the right size for those cars…..when you pull apart the nissan trans, its cheap and has small little clutches, and a lame inch wide main pulley that looks like kibbles and bits when it shatters. They need to completely redesign the c.v.t. and beef it up.
Subaru’s CVT is the same JATCO transmission used in the Nissan – they’ve had lots of issues with it also.