Lawsuit Investigation: Nissan, Infiniti CVT Transmission Problems
Last Updated on February 7, 2023
Investigation Complete
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org have finished their investigation into this matter.
Check back for any potential updates and take a look at our open investigations here. The information on this page is for reference only.
Case Update
- February 7, 2023 - Investigation Closed, Lawsuit Filed but Dismissed
- Thanks to everyone who reached out about their Nissan CVTs. At least one lawsuit was filed over certain Altima and Sentra models but has since been voluntarily dismissed by the lead plaintiff.
If you would like to learn more about your legal rights or what options you have going forward, we would encourage you to speak with an attorney. You can read up on some of the resources we have available on finding a lawyer over on this page.
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You can find our list of open investigations here.
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Drivers of certain Nissan and Infiniti vehicles who experienced problems with their continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), such as jerking, trouble accelerating and total transmission failure.
- What’s Going On?
- Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed as problems continue to plague certain Nissan CVTs.
- Which Vehicles Are Part of This Investigation?
- The full list of vehicles can be seen below.
- How Could a Class Action Help?
- A class action lawsuit, if filed and successful, could reimburse drivers for repair and replacement costs. Nissan could also be court ordered to issue a recall and offer a fix.
If you own or lease any of the vehicles listed below and you’ve had problems with your continuously variable transmission (CVT), attorneys want to hear from you.
Nissan Vehicles
- 2017-present Rogue Sport
- 2019-2020 Pathfinder
- 2014-present Murano
- 2016-present Maxima
- 2011-2016 Quest
- 2018-present Kicks
Infiniti Vehicles
- 2019-2020 Q60
- 2019-present QX50
Lawyers are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed over a potential defect that causes sudden and unexpected shaking, problems accelerating and complete transmission failure.
What Is Wrong with Nissan CVT Transmissions?
It is suspected that a problem with the vehicles’ cooling system is making the transmissions unreasonably sensitive to heat.
The temperature of the cars’ transmission fluid is controlled by a small cooler, as opposed to a radiator; however, attorneys believe that this cooler is not big enough and was manufactured so poorly that it cannot properly regulate the temperature of the fluid responsible for lubricating parts in the transmission.
Should a car overheat and go into “fluid temperature protection mode,” its transmission performance will be significantly reduced and, as a result, the driver may experience trouble accelerating, vehicle shaking or jerking, and/or complete failure of the CVT.
Some drivers reportedly had their transmissions fail just outside the warranty period and were forced to pay thousands to have their CVT replaced with what attorneys believe is another defective transmission.
What Are the Signs of a Failing CVT Transmission?
A vehicle with a failing CVT may display the following signs and symptoms:
- Sudden and unexpected shaking or vibrating
- Violent jerking (sometimes referred to as “juddering” or “shuddering”) when the driver tries to accelerate
- Lagging or delayed acceleration
- “Surging” or “lurching”
- Unpredictable acceleration
- Hard deceleration or “clunking” at low speeds
- Unusual noises, such as whining, screeching, rattling or banging
Drivers may also experience complete transmission failure in the middle of the road, putting them at an increased risk of a crash.
Do All Nissans Have Transmission Problems?
While it cannot be said that all Nissans have transmission problems, the automaker has come under fire in the past for problems with its CVTs. In fact, the automaker agreed to two separate settlements over the past several years to resolve litigation that alleged the CVTs in some of its vehicles were defective.
In 2016, Nissan agreed to provide owners and lessees of the 2013-2014 Pathfinders and Infiniti JX35/QX60 vehicles with extended warranties and special pricing on new cars. More recently, the automaker reached a deal with drivers of 2014-2018 Nissan Rogues, 2015-2018 Nissan Pathfinders, and 2015-2018 Infiniti QX60 vehicles that provides warranty extensions, reimbursement of repair and replacement costs related to the transmission, and vouchers toward new vehicle purchases.
Since then, at least one case has been filed over the cooler problem detailed above and looks to cover owners and lessees of the 2017-2018 Nissan Altima and Nissan Sentra; however, attorneys believe these are not the only vehicles that may be experiencing transmission problems related to overheating, which is why they opened this investigation.
Does Nissan Have a Recall on CVT Transmissions?
It appears that a handful of recalls have been issued over CVT problems in certain model years of the Altima, Rogue and NV200 vehicles; however, none of these recalls pertains to the cooling system problem described above.
The previous recalls dealt with “drivability complaints” and a design issue that allowed the vehicles to shift when the brake wasn’t pressed down. Affected drivers were offered free software upgrades, replacement of the torque converter and installation of a new shifter assembly.
You can check to see if your specific vehicle has been recalled by Nissan by visiting this website and inputting your VIN number. Your car’s VIN number can be found on your registration or insurance card; it may also be displayed on your dashboard or driver’s side door.
How Could a Class Action Lawsuit Help?
Potentially, a class action lawsuit could reimburse drivers for the money they spent repairing or replacing their transmissions. Nissan could also be ordered to recall the affected vehicles and offer a fix for the problem.
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