"Continuously Variable Transmission Transmission"
this post was submitted on 30 Aug 2025
25 points (100.0% liked)
Mechanic Advice
434 readers
1 users here now
This community is for getting help with vehicle or other mechanical problems.
Remember, there are no stupid questions, we want everyone to feel welcome. If you don't want to answer a question that you think is silly, then just move on and keep it to yourself.
Rules:
- Don't be a dick
That is all.
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
Edited
The CVT’s of this time suck. I think you might be past average life. Look for another car.
Any input on Mazda? I've been looking at them and they seem to not use CVT.
Mazda’s are generally good, and more expensive, but there are specific years and models that are duds like any cars. But mechanically, Mazda is more reliable, but so are newer Nissans with CVT. Avoid Jatco CVT.
I am looking at the cx30 and I read I should get at least a 2023.
I never heard of CVT failed at 100k km. Yes CVT is somehow unreliable but i never work on a nissan that failed at that range, assuming oil and filter change is done regularly. The one that i replaced usually have a few things going on: one is they used the wrong fluid, sometime for extended amount of time, second is running low on fluid, third is service irregularly(or none at all, so the fluid is close to black when it comes out), or the one car with horrible quality CVT that known to fail. I honestly never replace one with good record that early, or at all, most tend to caused by maintenance issue.
160k km is not really at the point of failure either from my experience, i usually work on car with OG CVT that goes longer than that, sometime even to 300k. people usually replace their car anyway before reaching 300k. If it still accelerate well then keep driving.
Also pro tip: change the fluid half the recommended mileage, and disregard those that say "life time" and maintenance free. They say 80k you do 40k. And also be gentle with the acceleration. That's how you extend the life of a CVT.
The early Nissan CVTs are famous for failures at very low mileage. OPs mechanic is not wrong. Consider, this is a 13yo transmission with less than 100k on it. If you're seeing 100k transmissions right now, they're likely less than 5 years old.
Again, not in my experience. Though i'm speaking in a place on the other half of the planet so thing could be different here.
If you service it in a timely fashion you’re fine. There’s millions of vehicles on the road all using a CVT.
There's a ton of factors to consider, but basically a CVT uses a belt and belts will always wear. The rate will depend on how you drive, how heavy the car is, etc. Usually they start slipping first rather than immediate failure. Truthfully 100k sounds about the time to me, especially in a Nissan, but if it's still accelerating properly ride it till it dies. And with the market the way it is it might be worth repairing anyway if the car is otherwise in good shape. They're labor intensive but shouldn't be any more than a traditional automatic to repair.
The guy at the shop said they cost around 6k to replace. As far as getting a new one, I'd rather get one when I have the time to look and get something I want and good deal, instead of drive my car til it dies then be in a rush to get a new one.
Is your shop a dealership? I was thinking more in ballpark of 3.5k but then I don't have context of your area or anything ofc. At 6k I think looking for something else is worth it, if you're in a good position to do it.
No, they aren't a dealership. I was pretty surprised by that price too.
Nissan CVTs of that era (and even a lot newer) are pretty bad. If you got 100k already though, you might have gotten a rare good build. 100k at 13 years is not very hard use though.