One of the main components of most vehicles is the transmission. Before buying a new or used car, it’s a good idea to learn as much as you can about its reliability, including the transmission or powertrain. Nissan, like other vehicle manufacturers, aims to offer security and reliability in these components.
Are there Nissan transmission problems you should know about before buying?
Yes, Nissan has had a number of problems related to its CVT transmission.
These include:
- Loss of power to the vehicle
- Transmission jerking or moving violently
- Transmission slipping
- Coolant hose leaks
- CVT engine error messages
Many of the problems with the Nissan transmission are those related to the continuously variable transmission (CVT). There are, as of September 2020, about 15 Nissan vehicles that have this engine in it. Many of them reported problems with it.
Let’s take a closer look at these problems and what causes them. It is also a wise step to check out the car’s Vehicle History before you make the decision to buy it. That’s going to give you more insight you need to have.
What Goes Wrong With the CVT?
The Nissan transmission problems related to the CVT are numerous, unfortunately. This transmission is designed to increase the overall performance of the vehicle. It does this by improving the vehicle’s ability to shift gears more seamlessly.
It has been used on the Nissan Sentra, Versa, Altima, Murano, Rogue, Versa Note, and potentially other vehicle models. These transmissions were heavily used between 2012 and 2018.
There are several things that can go wrong with these transmissions that can lead to the problems noted previously.
Significant Changes in RPM
One of the most common consumer problems reported with this vehicle is rapid and sometimes strange changes in the RPMs. This has been reported in most of the models mentioned with a CVT transmission. The RPMs can move significantly in these vehicles, often without any real reason.
When this happens rapidly, it leads to the transmission jerking, and you may feel a rapid back-and-forth motion. This can happen when the driver is operating the vehicle, leading to an increased risk of accidents.
In vehicles where this is the problem, technicians have had to replace the transmission in full. Nissan has noted there is a concern with this problem.
They did not issue a recall for it specifically. However, they did extend the warranty on many impacted vehicles. This allows for the vehicle to have more coverage of the transmission longer.
Owners are also encouraged to have the transmission flushed more often. Instead of every 50,000 miles, Nissan now recommends every 40,000 miles. It did not issue a reasoning for this, though.
Lack of Acceleration
Another common problem consumers report regarding the Nissan transmission relates to how the vehicle accelerates, or rather does not do so properly.
Most often, the vehicle has been reported to fail to accelerate on the highway when drivers are operating the vehicle at higher speeds. As the user depresses the pedal, the vehicle just does not go any faster, leading to an increased risk in the vehicle’s ability to meet speeds.
Instead, consumers reported the vehicle will slow down even as they are depressing the accelerator. This can cause a number of risks including a higher likelihood of accidents occurring.
Nissan has not offered any real insight into why this has happened. Some drivers have reported problems with their vehicles like this that led to an accident.
Others have reported technicians requiring them to replace the transmission. This can be a very costly repair. There is no known understanding of why this problem occurs.
Transmission Failures
These two previously mentioned problems are just the start of transmission failures and concerns. Drivers have reported that the vehicle can sometimes slip, which may mean it puts the driver at an increased risk of accidents. The transmission helps to create the smooth movement of the vehicle.
For unknown reasons, there have been instances in which the vehicle will randomly jerk or fail to accelerate. Some drivers reported that this began out of nowhere with no warning of a problem.
This problem is unique in that it seems to happen even when the vehicle is begin driven at a lower speed. It does not take high speeds on the highway to make it occur. Technicians have tried to make numerous repairs including transmission flushes to prevent the onset.
Generally, a flush is not recommended for until 50,000 miles, but these problems are triggered sooner than this, leading to concerns about the cause.
There is no insight from Nissan about why it occurs. Most of the reported complaints from consumers have resulted in replacement of their transmission. While frustrating, the CVT transmission concerns are somewhat common and lead to early transmission replacements.
Should You Buy a Nissan Vehicle with a CVT Transmission?
There are no significant repair concerns or consumer complaints about other Nissan transmissions. Yet, the CVT transmission has been problematic for many people. Nevertheless, these tend to be few compared to the numerous vehicles in good condition and without concerns. You can buy one with confidence.
Invest in a bit of research using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website. Enter the vehicle’s VIN if available or the make, model, and year. There, you can see all of the consumer complaints about the Nissan’s transmission or powertrain. You can also note problems related to other components.
You can also learn about service bulletins, which are repair recommendations for dealerships and technicians. Any recalls will also be listed on this page. Use all of this information to get a good idea about Nissan transmission problems.
