A CVT does not have fixed gears. Instead, a steel belt or chain runs between two pulleys that change width, so the ratio can change smoothly. It helps fuel economy, and Nissan was one of the first automakers to put CVTs in most of its lineup. The model years below are the ones where the EPA lists every gasoline version of the model with a CVT, so the complaints compared here come from CVT cars.
Transmission complaints per 100,000 sold, CVT years
| Model | CVT years | Per 100k sold | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Peak year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Pathfinder | 2013-2020 | 124 | 738 | 32% | 2013 (419) |
| Nissan Altima | 2013-2026 | 50 | 1,306 | 21% | 2013 (158) |
| Nissan Rogue | 2008-2026 | 43 | 1,588 | 25% | 2013 (193) |
| Nissan Murano | 2005-2024 | 30 | 242 | 18% | 2015 (84) |
| Nissan Maxima | 2007-2023 | 28 | 152 | 16% | 2016 (53) |
| Nissan Kicks | 2018-2027 | 16 | 69 | 14% | 2020 (36) |
| Nissan Sentra | 2020-2027 | 6 | 31 | 6% | 2020 (11) |
The share column shows how much of each model's complaint record is about the transmission. For the Nissan Pathfinder, 32% of all complaints in its CVT years name the transmission or power train.
Nissan Altima: transmission complaints by year
The chart counts complaints that name the power train or transmission for each Nissan Altima model year; switch to per 100,000 sold to account for sales. Years with no bar are outside our data range.
How other CVTs compare
CVTs are also used by Honda, Subaru, Toyota, Hyundai, Kia and others. These are the non-Nissan models with at least four scored CVT years, from most to fewest transmission complaints per 100,000 sold.
| Model | CVT years | Per 100k sold | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infiniti QX60 | 2013-2020 | 89 | 268 |
| Subaru Ascent | 2019-2024 | 48 | 189 |
| Honda CR-V | 2015-2024 | 15 | 537 |
| Subaru Outback | 2015-2024 | 15 | 248 |
| Subaru Forester | 2019-2024 | 10 | 94 |
| Toyota Venza | 2021-2024 | 10 | 15 |
| Honda HR-V | 2019-2024 | 8 | 58 |
| Tesla Model 3 | 2017-2024 | 8 | 91 |
| Subaru Legacy | 2018-2024 | 7 | 13 |
| Tesla Model Y | 2020-2024 | 7 | 91 |
| Toyota Sienna | 2021-2024 | 3 | 11 |
Questions
Which Nissan models have the most CVT complaints?
Per 100,000 sold, in the model years the EPA lists with a CVT, the Nissan Pathfinder (124), Nissan Altima (50) and Nissan Rogue (43) have the most transmission complaints filed with NHTSA.
What years of the Nissan Rogue and Altima have the most transmission complaints?
For the Nissan Altima, model year 2013 has the highest rate (158 transmission complaints per 100,000 sold). For the Nissan Rogue, model year 2013 has the highest rate (193 transmission complaints per 100,000 sold).
Are all CVTs a problem?
No. Many models use CVTs with modest complaint rates. Across the 11 non-Nissan models with at least four CVT years we track, the middle value is 10 transmission complaints per 100,000 sold. A complaint is a report from an owner and does not prove a defect.
What should I check on a used Nissan with a CVT?
Ask for the service records, including any transmission fluid changes or software updates, and run the VIN through nhtsa.gov/recalls. On a test drive, listen for whining and watch for shuddering or hesitation from a stop. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic is the best check.
Complaint counts are reports filed by owners with NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify them, and a complaint does not prove a defect. Transmission type by model year from the EPA fuel economy data file. Not affiliated with Nissan or any automaker.
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, data through October 2026; U.S. EPA; U.S. sales from manufacturer reports, compiled by motorwick.