Ask the Car People.SM


Nissan Altima CVT

258 messages,  Last post on Apr 22, 2013 at 2:01 PM

You are in the Nissan Altima Forum.

What is this discussion about? Nissan Altima, Transmission, Sedan

Messages Page 12 of 27

#104 of 258 Newer CVT by smarty666

Aug 01, 2010 (9:43 am)

Just keep in mind, that the majority of the CVT issues are with the 1st Gen CVT from 2003-2007 model year Nissan's. This was Nissan's first mass market technology CVT and there were bound to be problems with it, as with any new technology an auto manufacturer tries. The 1st Gen Murano is particularly affected with CVT troubles.
 
Now, I'm not sure when the updated/more refined 2nd Gen CVT made its way into the Altima. I know it was in them for the 2009 model year, but am unsure if the 2008 Altima's had the 1st or 2nd Gen CVT??
 
As of 2009 model year, all Nissan's had the upgraded 2nd Gen CVT and there are very few problems thus far with the 2nd Gen CVT compared to the 1st. There are still some minor hitcups but nothing in the intensity/severity/ or frequency that was seen with the 1st Gen.
 
I know this is no consolation for the 1st Gen CVT owners who went through hell when they had problems. I have a 2010 Max with the 2nd Gen CVT and thus far it has performed flawlessly, smoothly, and without trouble for almost 15k miles. I know several people that are into the 60-80k mile range on their 2009 and 2010 Altima/Maxima having no troubles with the CVT.
 
The main REASONS Nissan extended the CVT warranty to 10yrs/120k miles, was (1) b/c of all the problems 1st Gen CVT owners had and fear of massive lawsuits and to help out people who spent thousands in CVT/engine repairs, (2) b/c they invested a lot of time, energy, and money into designing/putting the CVT throughout their lineups and (3) for Nissan, as far as they are concerned, the CVT is here to stay and they want to show current and future customers that they are going to backed the CVT and are investing and improving it for future generations of CVT.
 
You got to remember, even with the 2nd Gen CVT, they put a entirely new transmission into already established engines. Within the next generation, they are going to be starting to design engines aroudn the CVT so the efficiency and refinement should go through the roof and there should no longer be any problems with them, since both the engine and transmission will be designed around the other.

#105 of 258 Re: Newer CVT [smarty666] by anordinaryguy

Aug 12, 2010 (1:14 pm)

Replying to: smarty666 (Aug 01, 2010 9:43 am)
I had a 2005 Maxima that I really enjoyed. Last December I got a 2010 Altima with the 3.5 and the CVT. I thought that since the Altima had more horsepower than the Maxima the new car would be a real neck snapper - what a joke! This transmission makes this car perform like a Trabant. The acceleration is leisurely, to put it mildly, but worse, like the contributors above, after I have been on a highway for while (20 - 30 minutes) I too have experienced the "no accleration" effect. Most recently yesterday when I almost caused an accident as I pulled out from the off-ramp the car rolled into traffice and I had no acceleration whatsoever. Besides the fact that the other driver gave me th finger and leaned on his horn, I was scared silly! Yes, I have mentioned this to the dealer, most recently last week when I went in for the 24,000km service and yes I got the stock reply "that's how the CVT works, get used to it. I find this completely unacceptable. I explained that it is intermittent, so it can't be the way the transmission is built. My next step is to go to a different dealer and see what they say. This is crazy. This car is a company car, I had my choce of several makes but given my great experience with the Maxima I decided to go with the Altima. Talk about buyer's regret!

#106 of 258 Re: Newer CVT [smarty666] by mlmcgahee

Aug 13, 2010 (5:18 am)

Replying to: smarty666 (Aug 01, 2010 9:43 am)
Two weeks ago I traded a 2008 Nissan Rogue SL with 63000 miles on it. I work out of my vehicle and drive it 300 - 500 miles a week. I have had zero problems with my Rogue or the CVT. I now own a 2010 Nissan Altima coupe and I am looking forward to many years of trouble free driving with this new car.
 
 
Mike

#107 of 258 Re: 2010 Altima SL CVT problem [dllaser] by heyg

Aug 14, 2010 (6:57 pm)

Replying to: dllaser (Jul 23, 2010 8:33 pm)
Did your accelerations issues get corrected with the valve body? I am having the same issues and my dealer says if they can't duplicate it they won't replace anything? Also can I ask what your dealer name is and the associate you worked with? ANY info is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

#108 of 258 Re: 2010 Altima SL CVT problem [mac_] by heyg

Aug 14, 2010 (7:00 pm)

Replying to: mac_ (Jul 23, 2010 2:00 pm)
Did your accelerations issues get corrected with the valve body? I am having the same issues and my dealer says if they can't duplicate it they won't replace anything? Also can I ask what your dealer name is and the associate you worked with? ANY info is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

#109 of 258 Re: 2010 Altima SL CVT problem [heyg] by anordinaryguy

Aug 15, 2010 (8:05 pm)

Replying to: heyg (Aug 14, 2010 7:00 pm)
My dealer told me that they are not allowed to open the transmission or change/replace any parts. This comes direct from Nissan Canada. The only option they have is to replace the transmission.

#110 of 258 Re: Newer CVT [anordinaryguy] by mslucy

Aug 17, 2010 (7:15 am)

Replying to: anordinaryguy (Aug 12, 2010 1:14 pm)
Smarty 666 - I am going through the same problem right now. I took a trip from Ohio to NY and the transmission acted up. I brought it to Nissan in NY and they felt it, but there were no codes coming out of their diagnostic computer. It stopped while we were driving it and they said they had been hearing of problems like this, but I should drive it around to see if it may have been a bad batch of gas. I drove back to Ohio and had the same problem. I brought it to Nissan here and they felt it as well, but gave me the run around, because they didn't have enough people on staff that day. Now they want me to duplicate it, but the car is acting fine again. When should I duplicate it - when I'm in the middle of traffic with my family!! I'm ready to file a suit!!

#111 of 258 Re: Newer CVT [mslucy] by smarty666

Aug 17, 2010 (9:22 am)

Replying to: mslucy (Aug 17, 2010 7:15 am)
Have u tried contacting NCAs about this problem? If not I would recommend you do so immediately. If you tell them how serious this is they should recommend or call the stealership that is poo poo you off. If they don't take you seriously and dismiss your problem, I would then threaten them over the phone that you'll get a lawyer involved, your state's lemon law, etc even if you do or don't. I've found in the past that the threat alone typically helps to get a fire burning under their butts.
 
If NCAs does not do anything to help you, make sure you document your call to them, who you spoke to, what they said, etc. If you don't get satisfaction from them, your last result before having to get legal counsel/advice involved is to take your Altima to another Nissan stealer near you that you haven't brought your vehicle to before. Tell them, your local stealer dismissed and poo pooed your problem. Other stealers LOVE to hear how badly another stealer treated you and many times will help you more knowing they have gotten your business over one of their competitors stealers, due to poor customer service.
 
If that Nissan stealer pulls the same thing as your first one, then your going to have to get a lawyer involved most likely. The problem your describing sounds very serious. It might have something to do with the transmission or it might not, I have no idea since I have not experienced anything similar to that on my Maxima but its certainly possible. Like I said, though there have been much less numerous problems with the 2nd Gen CVT, there are still some people having trouble. The problem is getting a stealership to listen to you and finding out exactly what the problem is.
 
Best of luck on finding out what is wrong. If I were you, I would follow those steps I mentioned before having to get into the sick mess of legal/lawyer help.

#112 of 258 No power by azmurano

Aug 22, 2010 (7:37 pm)

My 2003 Murano began having a hesitation problem about 18 months ago. The problem happens if I have to drive for more than a few minutes in stop and go traffic. Turning off the ignition and restarting fixes the problem. I had a service tech tell me it is a "safety" feature. Went on a long weekend trip and the transmission began up and down shifting at 70-80 mph on the highway - the engine began going from 2500 to 3500 rpm and back every few seconds. I took it in to the dealer and was told the engine oil needed changing and that would fix it. I made another trip two days later and the same things happened after a few minutes inching forward at a Border Patrol check point. I guess I'll again call the dealer... I spent quite a while explaining the problem to the service manager who gave no indication anyone else ever had a similar problem. Strange the dealer did not jump on the opportunity to do warranty work given it is a cash cow for them.

#113 of 258 Re: No power [azmurano] by anordinaryguy

Aug 25, 2010 (11:31 am)

Replying to: azmurano (Aug 22, 2010 7:37 pm)
The dealer may hesitate as they may not be able to get approval/reimbusement from Nissan.

Messages Page 12 of 27

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement