Key takeaways
- Nissan's bulletins describe the symptom as judder (shake, shudder, bumps or vibration), plus hesitation, lack of power or RPM flare.
- Nissan extended CVT coverage from 60 months/60,000 miles to 84 months/84,000 miles on the 2012 to 2019 Versa, 2013 to 2019 Sentra, 2013 to 2018 Altima, 2014 to 2018 Rogue, 2013 to 2018 Pathfinder and 2013 to 2017 Juke. A 2025 settlement did the same for the 2015 to 2018 Murano and 2016 to 2018 Maxima.
- These are warranty extensions, not safety recalls, so ask a Nissan dealer to check your VIN; NHTSA's recall search will not show them.
- The stored code steers the repair: on Nissan's judder bulletin for the 4-cylinder Altima and the 2014 to 2016 Rogue, P17F1 can mean a valve body only, while P17F0 means a new pulley-and-belt sub-assembly plus a valve body.
- In our October 21 to 22, 2026 snapshot, used Altima, Rogue and Sentra CVTs were typically listed from $369 to $4,255, and remanufactured units from $4,349 to $6,249, before labor.
Which Nissan models and years have CVT problems?
The best-documented Nissan CVT problems sit in Altimas, Sentras, Versas, Rogues, Pathfinders and Jukes from the 2012 to 2019 model years. Those are the cars named in Nissan's judder bulletins and CVT warranty extensions, and a 2025 class-action settlement added the 2015 to 2018 Murano and 2016 to 2018 Maxima.
Nissan CVT problems in numbers
- 1,657,6662013 to 2016 Altimas and 2014 to 2016 Rogues in Nissan's 2016 CVT reprogramming campaignNissan
- 84 months/84,000 milesNissan's extended CVT coverage on the cars it named, up from 60 months/60,000 milesNissan
- 42,000–77,000 mileswhen CVT trouble typically started on a 2016 Altima, per Consumer ReportsConsumer Reports
Consumer Reports found that numerous Nissan cars and SUVs from the 2012 to 2015 model years had transmission problems, and its list gives the mileage when trouble typically started: 42,000 to 77,000 miles on a 2016 Altima, 77,000 to 123,000 on a 2013 Sentra and 94,000 to 150,000 on a 2011 Rogue. Jalopnik's June 2026 roundup casts the net wider, naming the Altima, Sentra, Maxima, Murano, Pathfinder, Quest, Rogue and Versa across 2003 to 2020.
| Model and years | In Nissan's own bulletins | Consumer Reports (typical mileage when problems occur) |
|---|---|---|
| Altima 2013–2016 | Judder bulletin (4-cylinder); CVT software reprogrammed for belt slip; warranty extended to 84 months/84,000 miles | 2016 Altima: 42,000–77,000 |
| Altima 2017–2018 | Warranty extended to 84 months/84,000 miles (May 2023) | Not on the list |
| Sentra 2013–2017 | Judder, hesitation and RPM flare bulletin; warranty extended to 84 months/84,000 miles | 2013 Sentra (also 2012, 2015): 77,000–123,000 |
| Sentra 2018–2019 | Warranty extended to 84 months/84,000 miles (May 2023) | Not on the list |
| Rogue 2014–2018, Rogue Select 2015 | Judder bulletin and belt-slip reprogramming (2014–2016); warranty extended to 84 months/84,000 miles (June 2022) | Not on the list |
| Rogue 2008–2013 | 2010 Rogue: slower acceleration from a stop; valve body replaced under a bulletin | 2011 Rogue (also 2012): 94,000–150,000 |
| Pathfinder 2013–2018 | Judder codes added; warranty extended to 84 months/84,000 miles (2013–2014 in 2016, 2015–2018 in 2022) | 2014 Pathfinder: 58,000–108,000 |
| Murano 2015–2018, Maxima 2016–2018 | Class-action settlement (effective October 5, 2025): CVT coverage extended to 84 months/84,000 miles | Not on the list |
| Murano 2011, 2013 | Not in the bulletins we read | 2013 Murano: 84,000–119,000 |
| Versa 2012–2019, Versa Note 2014–2019, Juke 2013–2017 | Warranty extended to 84 months/84,000 miles | Not on the list |
Nissan CVT symptoms: what the problems feel like
Nissan's bulletins use the same words again and again: a transmission judder, which they define as a shake, shudder, single or multiple bumps or vibration, often with hesitation on acceleration, lack of power or RPM flare. On 4-cylinder 2013 to 2017 Altimas and 2014 to 2016 Rogues, a check-engine light with code P0776 can come with hesitation or reduced power.
Nissan CVT warning signs
- Judder: a shake, shudder, single or multiple bumps, or vibration
- Hesitation on acceleration
- Lack of power or reduced power
- RPM flare: the engine revs up without the car pulling
- Overheating that puts the car into limp mode
- A whine or other strange noises from the transmission
On older cars the complaint was different. Nissan's bulletin for some 2010 Altimas, Rogues and Sentras describes slower than normal acceleration from a stop, more common after long stretches at highway speed. One 2008 Altima owner told News 5 Cleveland her car started to whine and over-rev after an hour or so of driving. Jalopnik's October 2025 report on Consumer Reports' reliability survey adds strange noises and severe overheating that puts the car into limp mode.
No warning light does not mean no problem. On 2013 to 2017 Sentras and Versas, Nissan's bulletin says five newer CVT codes (P17F0 to P17F4) do not turn on the check-engine light, so ask for a scan tool reading even when the dash is clear.
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Why Nissan CVTs judder and slip
Nissan's own explanation, in its 2016 reprogramming campaign for the Altima and Rogue, is lost hydraulic pressure that lets the belt slip. A CVT has no fixed gears: Jalopnik explains that it uses a belt or chain running between pulleys to give a near limitless range of ratios.
In that campaign, Nissan wrote that under specific driving conditions hydraulic pressure may decrease and let the belt slip inside the CVT, which can light the check-engine light (P0776) and cause poor acceleration. It said there was no safety concern because of built-in fail-safe logic, and that it reprogrammed the CVT to prevent durability concerns and high out-of-warranty repair costs. The job took about one hour, at no cost for parts and labor.
Jalopnik, quoting transmission specialists, describes what follows when slipping continues: the belt scores the pulley's surface, which encourages more slipping, and the driver feels a shudder or jerk that gets worse over time. On the second-generation Rogue, Autoblog says lost hydraulic pressure let the belt slip and left wear debris in the fluid that clogged the valve body. Other symptoms Jalopnik lists are overheating, loss of power and, eventually, complete failure.
How dealers diagnose and fix a Nissan CVT
Nissan's bulletins tell dealers to diagnose the root cause before any part is replaced, and the stored trouble code decides how big the job is. On many of these cars the transmission control module is first reprogrammed so it can store judder codes, which it records while the owner drives normally. Nissan's Pathfinder bulletin names the two judder codes: P17F0 is judder caused by belt slip, and the other is judder caused by the control valve.
On a 4-cylinder 2013 to 2017 Altima or a 2014 to 2016 Rogue with judder, Nissan's July 6, 2018 bulletin (NTB16-110i) sets the job by code. A stored P17F1 sends the technician to remove the valve body and inspect the CVT belt: if the belt checks out, only the valve body is replaced, and if not, the pulley-and-belt sub-assembly is replaced along with the valve body. A stored P17F0 means the sub-assembly and a new valve body; the April 2016 version of the bulletin replaced the whole CVT assembly for that code.
Nissan's judder repair path (4-cylinder 2013 to 2017 Altima, 2014 to 2016 Rogue)
- 1Read the codesthe module is reprogrammed so it can store judder codes, then checked with a scan tool.
- 2Code P17F1remove the valve body and inspect the CVT belt.
- 3Belt OKreplace the valve body only.
- 4Belt slipping, or code P17F0replace the pulley-and-belt sub-assembly and the valve body.
When Nissan does replace the unit, its warranty-extension notes say remanufactured and new CVT assemblies both contain new internal components, and a remanufactured unit reuses the case. Nissan also adds a 12 months/12,000 miles parts warranty on a replaced CVT where that runs past the extension.
Can you reset a Nissan CVT?
Not at home, going by Nissan's bulletins. What they describe is dealer work with Nissan's CONSULT scan tool: checking the transmission control module (TCM) part number, reprogramming it if a newer program exists, and erasing the stored trouble codes once the repair is done.
A reprogram changes how the transmission is controlled; it does not renew worn parts, which is why the bulletins still read the codes and inspect the belt. Nissan also warns that the TCM may be damaged if battery voltage drops below 12.0V or rises above 15.5V during reprogramming, so this is a job for a shop with the right equipment.
Nissan CVT warranty extensions and class-action settlements
Nissan extended the CVT warranty several times, mostly under class-action settlements; its bulletins say it did so partly to address concerns raised by customers in the class actions. The 2020, 2022 and 2023 extensions cover the CVT assembly and its internal parts, gaskets and seals, the valve body, the torque converter, a cooler kit where fitted and reprogramming of the transmission control module. Each transfers with the car to the next owner.
Many of these cars have passed 84 months or 84,000 miles, but the youngest were built as late as November 23, 2019, so check rather than assume. Nissan tells dealers to verify coverage for the specific VIN, partly because some owners opted out of the settlements; if your VIN shows as excluded and you did not opt out, Nissan's bulletin sends you to Nissan Consumer Affairs to ask for reinstatement. These are warranty extensions, not safety recalls, so they do not show in NHTSA's recall search.
How to check your CVT coverage
- Ask any authorized Nissan dealer to check coverage for your VIN; it does not have to be the selling dealer.
- Bring the mileage: coverage ends at 84,000 miles even inside 84 months.
- If the VIN shows as excluded and you never opted out, ask Nissan Consumer Affairs about reinstatement.
- Out of coverage, ask the dealer whether Nissan will consider goodwill help.
The settlements also reimbursed owners who had covered a CVT repair themselves inside the extended period. For the 2017 to 2019 cars, though, the claim deadline was March 15, 2023, or 30 days after the repair, whichever was later, and the $1,000 new-car voucher ran out on February 23, 2024. For the 2015 to 2018 Murano and 2016 to 2018 Maxima, the settlement took effect on October 5, 2025; it reimburses the full cost of a qualifying Nissan-dealer repair and up to $5,000 at a non-Nissan shop, and its claim deadline was July 3, 2025, or 30 days after the repair, whichever was later. Nissan denied all wrongdoing in that settlement.
If your car is out of coverage, ask anyway. Nissan's bulletin tells dealers to consult its goodwill guidelines when an owner asks for help, and News 5 Cleveland reported one case where Nissan agreed to replace the CVT a third time on a 2008 Altima at 126,000 miles, past its warranty extension.
| Models and years | CVT coverage | Took effect | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–2014 Pathfinder (non-hybrid, built June 20, 2012 to September 20, 2014) | 84 months/84,000 miles | December 7, 2016 | Came with diagnostic software that stores judder codes |
| 2012–2017 Versa Sedan, 2014–2017 Versa Note, 2013–2017 Sentra, 2013–2016 Altima, 2013–2017 Juke | 84 months/84,000 miles | May 11, 2020 | Includes a rental car during CVT repairs |
| 2014–2018 Rogue, 2015 Rogue Select, 2015–2018 Pathfinder (built up to September 12, 2018) | 84 months/84,000 miles | June 1, 2022 | Hybrids not included; check the VIN |
| 2017–2018 Altima, 2018–2019 Sentra, 2018–2019 Versa Sedan and Versa Note | 84 months/84,000 miles | May 23, 2023 | Sentras built up to November 23, 2019; some owners opted out |
| 2015–2018 Murano, 2016–2018 Maxima | 84 months/84,000 miles from the original start date | October 5, 2025 (settlement effective date) | Court settlement; hybrids not included |
Has Nissan fixed its CVT problems?
Partly. Autoblog's September 2026 buyer's guide answers yes, in general, to whether a later model has fewer CVT problems, if you stick to the 2019 model year or later in newer designs such as the CVT-XS. It says the Pathfinder's transmission was steadily improved until 2020, when it was mostly sorted out with an upgraded valve body and new diagnostic logic.
Nissan's own paperwork is a reason to stay careful: it extended CVT coverage on Sentras and Versas built as late as 2019, and on the 2017 and 2018 Altima that Autoblog counts among the more reliable years. Jalopnik's October 2025 report on Consumer Reports' survey adds that not every owner of a Jatco-built Nissan CVT has had these problems, so a single model year is not a verdict on one car. Service records and a scan for stored CVT codes tell you more.
What a Nissan CVT replacement costs
Out of warranty, the CVT itself is the biggest variable. In our October 21 to 22, 2026 snapshot, typical used-yard asking prices ran $541 to $3,208 for an Altima CVT, $1,000 to $3,698 for a Rogue and $369 to $4,255 for a Sentra. Remanufactured units were listed at $4,549 to $6,249 (Altima), $4,849 to $5,599 (Rogue) and $4,349 to $5,349 (Sentra), from one remanufacturer.
- Nissan Altima CVTUsed$541–$3,208Reman$4,549–$6,249
- Nissan RogueUsed$1,000–$3,698Reman$4,849–$5,599
- Nissan SentraUsed$369–$4,255Reman$4,349–$5,349
The year, engine and drive move the used price a lot. A used CVT from a 2021 Sentra was typically $369 to $855, while the 2.5-liter unit from a 2010 Sentra ran $3,637 to $4,255 against $400 to $867 for the 2.0. Rogue CVTs are split by front- or all-wheel drive, so give the supplier your VIN.
Used Nissan CVT prices by model year
- 2010 Altima 2.5used$995–$3,208Texas Engine Finder price snapshot, October 21, 2026
- 2015 Altima 2.5used$1,324–$1,746Texas Engine Finder price snapshot, October 21, 2026
- 2020 Altima 2.5 FWDused$541–$1,300Texas Engine Finder price snapshot, October 21, 2026
- 2016 Rogue FWDused, U.S.-built$1,250–$2,000Texas Engine Finder price snapshot, October 22, 2026
- 2016 Rogue AWDused, U.S.-built$1,477–$2,200Texas Engine Finder price snapshot, October 22, 2026
- 2010 Sentra 2.0used$400–$867Texas Engine Finder price snapshot, October 22, 2026
- 2016 Sentra 1.8used$1,848–$2,448Texas Engine Finder price snapshot, October 22, 2026
- 2021 Sentraused$369–$855Texas Engine Finder price snapshot, October 22, 2026
Labor is on top, and the shop that fits the unit sets it. One Murano owner reported to Consumer Reports that his transmission work cost $5,000.
Your options once the CVT is diagnosed
- Nissan dealer, under an extension
Covered repair if your VIN is still inside 84 months/84,000 miles
Covered by Nissan if eligible
Is my VIN covered, and if not, will Nissan consider goodwill help?
- Used CVT
Taken from another vehicle without alteration (FTC)
From $369 (2021 Sentra, typical low end)
Exact match by VIN, mileage, and the seller's written warranty
- Remanufactured CVT
A unit restored by a remanufacturer
$4,349–$6,249 listed
What was replaced, is shipping included, is there a core charge, and does the warranty cover labor?
How to avoid Nissan CVT problems
Maintenance won't cure a design flaw, but it is the part you control. Consumer Reports says most CVTs need inspections or fluid changes, that owners should follow the owner's manual and keep service records, and that a CVT needs CVT-specific fluid or you risk big repair bills.
Records also help a warranty claim: Consumer Reports notes they prove the scheduled maintenance was done. Jalopnik cites specialists who say timely maintenance and avoiding aggressive acceleration help these transmissions last.
Questions
Has Nissan fixed its CVT problems?
Partly. Autoblog's September 2026 guide says later models, in general from 2019 on, have fewer CVT problems, but Nissan still extended CVT coverage on Sentras and Versas from the 2018 and 2019 model years. Check the individual car's VIN, codes and service records.
What years of Nissan have CVT problems?
The best-documented are the 2013 to 2018 Altima, 2013 to 2019 Sentra, 2012 to 2019 Versa, 2014 to 2018 Rogue, 2013 to 2018 Pathfinder and 2013 to 2017 Juke, all covered by Nissan's CVT warranty extensions, plus the 2015 to 2018 Murano and 2016 to 2018 Maxima in a 2025 settlement.
How do I reset my Nissan CVT transmission?
Nissan's bulletins describe no owner reset. A dealer or shop with Nissan's CONSULT tool checks the transmission control module, reprograms it if a newer program exists and erases the codes after the repair. A reprogram does not renew a worn belt or valve body.
Is there a recall on Nissan CVT transmissions?
Nissan's CVT warranty extensions are not safety recalls. Its bulletin answers that question with "No. This is a warranty extension," so NHTSA's recall search will not show the extended coverage. Ask any authorized Nissan dealer to check your VIN for CVT coverage, and use NHTSA's search for any separate safety recall.
How much does it cost to replace a Nissan CVT?
The unit is the big variable. In our October 21 to 22, 2026 snapshot, used Altima, Rogue and Sentra CVTs were typically listed from $369 to $4,255, and remanufactured units from $4,349 to $6,249. Labor is extra and set by the shop.
Does a CVT judder mean the transmission needs replacing?
Not always. On 4-cylinder 2013 to 2017 Altimas and 2014 to 2016 Rogues, Nissan's July 2018 bulletin replaces only the valve body when code P17F1 is stored and the belt checks out; code P17F0 means a new pulley-and-belt sub-assembly and valve body, not a whole CVT. Have the codes read first.
Sources
- Nissan — Technical Service Bulletin NTB15-084b, 2013-2016 Altima and 2014-2016 Rogue; CVT Judder and DTC P17F0 or P17F1 Stored (April 1, 2016), filed with NHTSA (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Nissan — Voluntary Service Campaign PC490, CVT Reprogramming (December 9, 2016), filed with NHTSA (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Nissan — Quality Action Campaign Bulletin: CVT Warranty Extension (May 11, 2020), filed with NHTSA (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Nissan — Quality Action Campaign Bulletin: CVT Warranty Extension, Revision 1 (November 2, 2023), filed with NHTSA (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Consumer Reports — Cars Most Likely to Need a Transmission Replacement and What to Buy Instead (Jeff S. Bartlett and Steven Elek, last updated May 29, 2021) (accessed October 26, 2026)
- Nissan — Technical Service Bulletin NTB18-058d, 2013-2017 Sentra and Versa Sedan, and 2014-2017 Versa Note; Enhanced Diagnostic Logic for CVT (October 9, 2019), filed with NHTSA (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Nissan — Technical Service Bulletin NTB16-110i, 2013-2017 Altima and 2014-2016 Rogue; 4 Cylinder with DTC P0776 and/or P0841 (July 6, 2018), filed with NHTSA (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Nissan — Technical Service Bulletin NTB10-150a, 2010 Altima, Rogue and Sentra: MIL On and/or Slower Than Normal Acceleration (November 5, 2013), filed with NHTSA (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Nissan — Voluntary Service Campaign PC500, CVT Software Update/Warranty Extension, 2013-14 Pathfinder (December 7, 2016), filed with NHTSA (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Jalopnik — These Used Nissan Models Are Known For Their Unreliable CVTs (Chloe Clougher, June 24, 2026) (accessed October 26, 2026)
- News 5 Cleveland (WEWS) — Nissan owners complain of transmission troubles, despite warranty extension (John Matarese, September 8, 2017) (accessed October 26, 2026)
- Consumer Reports — How to Maintain Your Car's Transmission and Avoid Costly Repairs (updated by Stef Schrader, April 12, 2026) (accessed October 26, 2026)
- NHTSA — Check for Recalls (accessed October 26, 2026)
- FTC Consumer Advice — Auto Repair Basics (accessed October 26, 2026)
- Nissan — Quality Action Campaign Bulletin: Rogue and Pathfinder CVT Warranty Extension (June 1, 2022), filed with NHTSA (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Nissan — Rogue and Pathfinder CVT Warranty Extension, Revision 2 (August 30, 2022; production range), filed with NHTSA (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Nissan — Rogue and Pathfinder CVT class action owner notification (March 29, 2022), filed with NHTSA (accessed October 29, 2026)
- CarComplaints.com — Nissan CVT Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Reached (May 7, 2025) (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Beaver v. Nissan North America, Inc. — settlement website, Important Dates & Deadlines (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Beaver v. Nissan North America, Inc. — settlement website, home page (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Autoblog — Nissan CVT Transmission Reliability: The Models and Years Used Buyers Should Avoid (Cobus F., September 21, 2026) (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Jalopnik — How Reliable Are Nissans? Here's What Consumer Reports Says (Monday Goma, October 5, 2025) (accessed October 29, 2026)
- Texas Engine Finder price snapshot, October 21, 2026 — Nissan Altima CVT (used prices October 21; remanufactured prices October 22, 2026) (accessed October 22, 2026)
- Texas Engine Finder price snapshot, October 22, 2026 — Nissan Rogue CVT (accessed October 22, 2026)
- Texas Engine Finder price snapshot, October 22, 2026 — Nissan Sentra CVT (accessed October 22, 2026)