2007 Maxima CVT Problems???

[SoSueMe]

I have the 07 SE with about 7k mi on it. I have been noticing a problem with what seems to be the CVT Tranny.

At slow speeds, about 15 to 20 mph, in traffic or just cruising slow. If you step on the gas very slightly the tranny will move to a higher ratio and the engine rpm will lower..too low to move the car. So what I hear and feel is the lugging of the engine. If I step harder on the gas, it will ping as it recovers from the lugging.

It would be the same feeling if you were driving a manual and at 20 MPH you stuck it in 6th gear and tried to pull it out of it without stalling.

I brought it to the dealer and the shop foreman road with me. He did hear and feel the problem and was shocked and confused to what it could be. I made him also drive the car and I could hear that he was able to also replicate the problem.

He said he will have to call Nissan USA and get them involved. They didn't keep the car because they don't know what to do with it yet. The 07 Max is so new and they are not allowed to break open any CVT Tranny. I think they just replace the whole thing when they have problems. But there have been no problems reported on the 07's according to him.

I'm going to test drive a co-workers 07 to see if there is any slight similarity in the performance. I do remember that it didn't do this in any way when it was new. Her car has about 3k more then mine.

Another thing I noticed and I'm not sure if it's the coating they put on the engine. There is always been a sweet smoky smell coming from the car when hot, smells like antifreeze. I don't see any leaks and only once I did see a puff of smoke after parking. Never saw that again.

I'm waiting for Nissan USA to schedule with me to meet at the dealer. I'm told they will be interested in this issue. And we will see about that. I have worked for a very large Japanese company for 17 years now and I know how to push my issue up the ladder if NUSA fails me.

If anyone here can add any advice or has any questions, please post reply!

Thanks.

[RonSteinbach]

Keep us informed of what Nissan does to solve your problem. I have an 07 SE with over 4,000 miles on it, and no problems with my CVT.

My dealer has told me that their dealership has replaced only one or two CVTs in Muranos since those vehicles were introduced in late 2002. And, of the CVTs that had problems nationwide, a high percentage had the wrong fluid added. On my 07 Maxima, the dipstick requires a special tool to release it so people can't pour the wrong fluid into it.

[InfiNissan Lover]

First off, as a die hard Maxima fan I am really sorry to hear about this problem with your car. It is such a shame to be hearing about these kinds of things from what most people described to be an outstanding car. We all know that there are bad apples in every bunch. I am just sorry that it had to be you to get one of them.

I know from experience at how frustrating having a car you love but with problems can be.

I want to ask:

What has been your maintenance schedule like until this day? Did you take it to an oil change place and walked away from it? There is a slight possibility that the oil change place managed to release the CVT tranny dipstick and then top off your car's tranny fluid with the wrong fluid.

I want to add:

The 2007 Maxima is full of so many electronics that tie into the CVT that if one goes bad then it can actually cripple the CVT. Some sensors that come to mind are:

TPS (Throttle Position Sensor)
MAF (Mass Air Flow Sensor)
Knock Sensor (You mentioned pinging)

I also wanted to add a very key point. One member here had an issue with his Murano, and the dealer replaced the CVT tranny only to find that the Murano still suffered from the same issue. The culprit? A simple vacuum hose! Can you believe that?!

If I were the mechanic to service your 2007 Maxima I would go over every single connection of the car. From the vacuum hoses to the coil packs. I would take another 2007 Maxima (healthy) and run diagnostics on it, and then go to your car and run the same diagnostics and then compare the numbers.

Once again, I am really sorry you are going through this. I am actually considering a 2008 Maxima later this year and this doesn't bode well for my interest in the car even though others have had no issues of this nature with their 2007 Maximas.

Please do keep us posted to any and all outcomes to this situation of yours.

[SoSueMe]

InfiNissan Lover-RonSteinbach,

Thanks for the information!

InfiNissan Lover, I wish you were my mechanic, because this Dealer seems to be afraid of my car. They made no attempt to even open the hood.

No topping off, just engine oil and a little antifreeze.

I had an 98 Maxima SE that I loved (I was single then). Then I moved on over to a Honda (stupid!). Then to a Lexus (thanks Grandpa). Oh, and down to a Corolla (God say isn’t so). Finally to my new Maxima (I'm alive!!). I have to say I'm a fan and will stay that way no matter how disappointing this is.

You know what’s strange also to me? I don’t remember the engine sounding so throaty almost like there is an open air port of some kind. I thought it was the air cleaner hopper, maybe not latched.

Here’s a funny thing, my friend is in LA right now test driving a 07. He just called me to ask about the car. I had to break the bad news to him and asked him to talk to the dealer about my situation. I’m sure he will be fine, he loves the car. He was planning on getting a BMW and now he’s hooked.

I told him to wait and see about the 08 if he can. He is also looking at the M35 but can’t let go of the driving experience of the 07 Max.

Well now that I have a boat load of ideas for my dealer, maybe this is not the dealer to be working on my car. Maybe I should take your info and start with another dealership.

No... I have to wait to find out what Nissan USA says. I’m going to follow up with the dealer tomorrow.

Thanks all.

I’m still interested in hearing any new input anyone may have!!

[Jonker]

1 in 300 CVT transmissions will fail according to my factory rep. 1 in 300 is also well below normal automatic transmission problems.

[InfiNissan Lover]

Originally Posted by Jonker

1 in 300 CVT transmissions will fail according to my factory rep. 1 in 300 is also well below normal automatic transmission problems.

I take it that this ratio is correct only because CVTs are not as widely produced as conventional automatics. If CVTs were as widely produced as automatics then what would the ratio be like then? 1 in 150?

However, I have faith in Nissan regarding their CVTs. Heck, they have come this far! I only see Nissan's CVTs getting better as the years pass.

Any news to report regarding your situation SoSueMe?

[SoSueMe]

Nissan is flying out Friday. I will leave it there Thursday night.

It seems to be loosing power when stepping hard on the accelerator. I wish I didn’t need to drive it this week.

Regards.

[RonSteinbach]

I believe you have a problem with your engine control units, and that it is not a transmission problem at all.

[SoSueMe]

It very well could be the engine control units.

Update: They had to reschedule the service for next week.

That sucks!

Maybe I should take it to the Dealer I bought it from.

[RonSteinbach]

Update please.

I'm sorry, but I discount messages from new people who post complaints and then disappear.

[joeB]

Didnt you post this on the other page?

[SoSueMe]

What do you want me to say? I'm waiting for Nissan to get off their ass and meet me at the Dealer.

Update:
I did get an email today from the Dealer. They said the Nissan Engineer will be out on Tuesday the 23rd to look at the car. I will drop it off Monday night. I hope they don't stand me up again.

So keep your panties on! I’ll let you know what they say.

[SoSueMe]

The Car is at the Dealer and waiting for Nissan to drive it. The shop foreman is going to work with him on it. He is the one that drove it the first time and admits to seeing the symptoms.

If they do find a problem and need to work on it, do you all think I can get a loaner or rental out of Nissan? I paid 31k for this car and it doesn’t work so well. If they need it more than three days, I'm going to need a rental.

Regards.

[joeB]

They should of gave you one already, my dealer gives free rentals
when I get work done on my cars. Some Nissan dealers dont give
free rentals though. They should give you a free rental considering
the hassle you've already had.

[SoSueMe]

Well, this is a disappointment for me.

I picked up the car last night from the Dealer. Just before that, I got a phone call from the Shop Manager. He had been working on the car with the Nissan Engineer most of the day.

He said that the Engineer brought out all his diagnostic equipment and tools to look at the car. He hooked it up and pulled down lots of data including the history of the past performance. They drove the car for over an hour in all conditions I had shown to reproduce the problem. They both noticed the performance and drove another Maxima right after they drove mine. He said the other Maxima seemed to do the same thing on a lower scale. My larger Rims could be amplifying the problem, (I have the 18in Chrome Nissan Rims) not aftermarket!

The conclusion they came to was that my car was running perfectly normal as any other CVT equipped Maxima. The problem I am seeing is when the Transmission goes in lock-down to gain the best engine idle for the speed, it’s actually normal for it to sound like a 66 Volkswagen beetle and ping like it’s full of marbles. “I’m sorry to have to call you and tell you that there is nothing we can do”, said Shop Manager. “But the Engineer says that he has all the data he needs and will bring it back to Nissan to analyze”.

They said the Versa has been getting some complaints about its optional CVT...the same complaint I have. But my car can’t really be a $33, 000 dollar Volkswagen that sounds like it needs a tune-up really bad. It’s supposed to sound quiet and drive beautifully.

This does not seem to promising. I have asked him for a statement about this recent service in an Email. I also asked for the name of the Nissan Engineer.

This car drives like crap and I am not done with this…there is a storm coming!

If anyone has an idea besides getting a lawyer, I am changing my user name to: SoSueYou.

Look forward to your advice.

[SoSueMe]

OK,

I had to put in my previous response being how late I am at posting.

So here is the update after my request for an Email explanation and Names from the Dealer.

"Guess we are not done yet. We would like to get it back in on the 1st of Feb. for more testing. Nissan is sending out more engineers to investigate this incident. HMMMMM. Nissan will provide a rental car if needed. Will you be able to drop it off the night before on the 31st of Jan.????"

I hope the NUSA Engineer was really there that day.

[joeB]

The CVT Maxima I drove never sounded like that, it sounded and drove
like it should have, and was quiet. Dont let them tell you nothing is
wrong with your car though. Make sure they give you a free rental
to next time. I think you should wait and see if they fix it this time
before taking any kind of action right now. I dont think your
rims would have anything to do with the problem your car
is having.

[ZYAL8R808]

Maybe this is a stupid question but what kind of gas are you using? Does the gas you use have Ethanol?

[SoSueMe]

Update:

The car will be at the Dealer first thing tomorrow morning; they are paying for the rental. They also confirmed that a whole group from Nissan USA is flying in to look at it.

I told them the pinging and lagging is much worse and I will no longer drive it in this condition. So if they want me to wait again for any reason, I stay in the rental and the Max stays with them.

-ZYAL8R808, always use the premium fuel.

I will post the outcome.

[SoSueMe]

Nissan Engineers including the original Engineer were out to look at my car. I dropped it off the morning of Feb 1.

They drove and tested it most of the day. They took it up steep terrain and drove it at the speeds I described as best to see the problem.

They didn’t leave the Dealer with much information. The Dealer was not included in the conversations till the end of the test. They said the slight lugging is a normal characteristic of the vehicle due to the SE package with a stiffer suspension and motor mounts, and larger wheels. No problem found at this time.

The Dealer told me they have never seen so much concern for one vehicle in the history of their careers. The Engineers that came out with the original guy were not from Nissan USA, they were from Japan. It seemed this time we all were left in the dark, including the Dealer.

I was given the Consumer Complaint phone number. They told me when Nissan says it’s normal; it is unlikely they will do anything to remedy the problem. They don’t see it as a problem and it is in my best interest to start moving this up the ladder. I believe the Dealer agrees with me on the performance and is dumbfounded.

I’m preparing a letter for Nissan and I will start with the phone call to consumer complaints. There is a lot of attention on my car at this moment and it shouldn't go on deaf ears.

I plan on brining it in again just for the pinging this time. It pings when the lugging is happening and that can’t be normal or good for the engine.

Stay tuned…

[dilleyoshempy]

good luck there bro, im having some issues with my cvt aswell if you havent seen my thread, hopefully we get our problems resolved!

[JerryG]

Originally Posted by SoSueMe

They didn’t leave the Dealer with much information. The Dealer was not included in the conversations till the end of the test. They said the slight lugging is a normal characteristic of the vehicle due to the SE package with a stiffer suspension and motor mounts, and larger wheels. No problem found at this time.

I plan on brining it in again just for the pinging this time. It pings when the lugging is happening and that can’t be normal or good for the engine.

Stay tuned…

If it lugs the RPM's enough to ping (assuming premium fuel), I don't see how this could be characterized as "normal". If that were the case, that would certainly be enough to turn people off to the CVT, at least in this specific application.

I also wouldn't think the SE suspension (or motor mounts) would contribute to this (I could be wrong); the larger diameter wheels I'm not as sure, but, if so, one would think other SE owners might also be experiencing this...