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re: Are CVT transmissions unreliable?
Posted on 3/3/25 at 8:15 pm to lsuoilengr
Posted on 3/3/25 at 8:15 pm to lsuoilengr
I've had numerous traditional automatic transmissions go 250k-500k miles. Every single CVT we have had kicked the bucket before 180k miles.
It's infuriating to me that once they had auto transmissions that could last forever the fuel economy crap made them switch to a whole new style of transmission. When I buy a vehicle I usually keep it until whatever part breaks costs more than it is worth.
I sold a 1992 lexus ls400 with over half a million miles. It had the original engine and trans, never even rebuilt. Only sold it because it leaked every fluid it had lol
It's infuriating to me that once they had auto transmissions that could last forever the fuel economy crap made them switch to a whole new style of transmission. When I buy a vehicle I usually keep it until whatever part breaks costs more than it is worth.
I sold a 1992 lexus ls400 with over half a million miles. It had the original engine and trans, never even rebuilt. Only sold it because it leaked every fluid it had lol
0
Posted on 3/3/25 at 8:21 pm to Macfly
quote:
Older Nissans about 10 years ago and earlier were a problem, but not so much now
The new Pathfinders no longer have the CVT...just a standard 9 speed tranny.
The only reason I let the wife get one.
Posted on 3/3/25 at 8:39 pm to lsuoilengr
Look at the rate of depreciation on the cars that have them. Had a Nissan Altima for 5 years. Had about 110k miles on it. Was valued at $30k when I bought it. Booked for trade after those 5 years at a little over $3k.
That car, particularly the transmission, was dog shite.
That car, particularly the transmission, was dog shite.
Posted on 3/3/25 at 9:00 pm to Upperaltiger06
I have a 2015 Altima with 200k on it. It’s as smooth as the day off the lot
Posted on 3/3/25 at 9:12 pm to sleepytime
quote:
They are not as reliable as a good mechanical transmission.
You can have a mechanical CVT transmission. Our John Deere and Case IH tractors have mechanical CVT transmissions and they are super reliable.
Posted on 3/3/25 at 10:35 pm to rattlebucket
Timing belt has absolutely NOTHING TO DO WITH A CVT !!!!!
Posted on 3/3/25 at 10:41 pm to tigersbh
quote:
new CVT transmission in my Nissan rogue about 18 months ago.
I had a ‘14 Rogue. CVT went out at 92K. Nissan warranted it until 90K.
Posted on 3/3/25 at 10:45 pm to lsuoilengr
2016 Accord with 160,000 miles is okay.
Posted on 3/3/25 at 11:04 pm to lsuoilengr
Yes, avoid.
Posted on 3/3/25 at 11:24 pm to notsince98
quote:
for passenger car usage, they are fine to at least 100k.
With the current prices of vehicles, 100k is not an acceptable benchmark for major repairs.
CVT's are disposable transmissions and I would avoid any car that has one. Yes, every part has a finite life but the CVT design is much less than traditional slushbox autos.
This post was edited on 3/3/25 at 11:25 pm
Posted on 3/4/25 at 6:46 am to AndyCBR
quote:
With the current prices of vehicles, 100k is not an acceptable benchmark for major repairs.
I would agree but they are doing no worse than regular automatics being neglected these days. The Nissan issues are a thing of the past.
We'll find out though. I have a 2018 subaru with CVT and 70k miles. No issues but I'll also do regular fluid changes over time.
From using the subaru owner forums, you rarely see complaints/issues with the CVT these days.
Posted on 3/4/25 at 7:16 am to jimmy the leg
quote:
Since when?
Over the last Last 8yrs. Nissan changed internal components and engineering. They are now manufactured by Jatco - who make transmissions for Land Rover, Jaguar, Subaru and others.
Posted on 3/4/25 at 8:40 am to Unobtanium
What transmissions are in the GMC Canyon, Chevy Colorado and Toyota Tacoma?
Posted on 3/4/25 at 8:50 am to Unobtanium
quote:
Nissan - no
Honda, Toyota - good
Subaru - ok
This is actually generally accurate. I agree.
Posted on 3/4/25 at 10:13 am to IAmNERD
quote:
'll add to this by saying JATCO is the manufacturer of Nissan CVTs and they're probably responsible for 99% of the CVT horror stories you've heard. Honda designs and makes their own. A company called Aisin makes Toyota CVTs and is a major supplier for Toyota and I believe is actually owned by Toyota AG.
So it's no surprise that the two companies who have vested interest in their CVT components being high quality aren't having the same issues as the manufacturer that contracted theirs out to the lowest bidder.
Jatco is part of Nissan's keiretsu, just like Aisin is part of Toyota's. AG's are German corporations, not Japanese, so it's Toyota Inc, not AG. Otherwise on point, carry on.
Posted on 3/4/25 at 10:16 am to coolneal
quote:
Over the last Last 8yrs. Nissan changed internal components and engineering. They are now manufactured by Jatco - who make transmissions for Land Rover, Jaguar, Subaru and others.
Nissan has been regularly updating their Jatco CVTs since they were introduced decades ago. Jatco is part of their Keiretsu and has always made all of their transmissions, CVT and regular automatic.
Posted on 3/4/25 at 10:20 am to highcotton2
quote:
quote:
They are not as reliable as a good mechanical transmission.
You can have a mechanical CVT transmission. Our John Deere and Case IH tractors have mechanical CVT transmissions and they are super reliable.
Your Deere and Case equipment have hydromechanical IVTs. They use hydraulics in parallel (also in series) in power split arrangements to work as an IVT, where the I stands for "Infinitely". That means they have a "powered zero" state, with the engine running and making power with a torque reaction present at the output shaft, but no motion of the shaft. CVTs can't do that. Their output can be stationary if there is a disconnect like a torque converter, but there is no torque reaction.
Aren't you glad you didn't ask?
This post was edited on 3/4/25 at 10:21 am
Posted on 3/4/25 at 10:22 am to lsuoilengr
I drive a Subaru Outback for my company car & out of the 3 that I’ve had…never any issues with the CVT transmission. But we swap them out after 80K, so can’t vouch for long term reliability. For ny personal vehicles, I’d still opt for a non-CVT.
I’m looking at a small crossover for my Daughter & it’s down to the Honda CR-V & Mazda CX-5. The Honda has Turbo engine now plus CVT, while the Mazda we’re looking at has a reliable 6speed tranny w/ no turbo. I’m leaning Mazda for simplicity
I’m looking at a small crossover for my Daughter & it’s down to the Honda CR-V & Mazda CX-5. The Honda has Turbo engine now plus CVT, while the Mazda we’re looking at has a reliable 6speed tranny w/ no turbo. I’m leaning Mazda for simplicity
Posted on 3/4/25 at 10:26 am to coolneal
quote:
.....but EVERY mass manufacturer has a CVT
No, they don't. The OP's question and the thread refers to belt CVTs.
What many OEMs call a "CVT" today is actually a parallel hybrid powertrain with a single fixed ratio planetary gear set that splits and sums power from two electric motors and an IC engine. The net result electrically emulates CVT behavior, without the inherent mechanical weaknesses of a belt CVT.
Posted on 3/4/25 at 10:29 am to NoBoDawg
quote:
Subaru Outback
I never realized so many lesbians posted on TD!
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