According to the technical service bulletin NTB15-102B, which you can read right here, this issue is known to affect the 2013 – 2017 Nissan Altima equipped with the RE0F10A CVT transmission. This particular TSB was issued in March 2019, so it is possible that more year models could be added in the future.
What Transmission Do I Have?
So symptoms of the problem, as outlined in the TSB, and in numerous owner accounts, include a pronounced whining or grinding noise coming from the CVT during acceleration and/or at constant highway speeds. In addition, the noise may get louder as the vehicle speed increases. Should this specific problem be affecting a vehicle, there will be no other drivability issues or diagnostic trouble codes/DTC’s related to the CVT transmission.
Fixing the problem
In most of these technical service bulletins, repairs are pretty cut and dry. However this one is a little murky. To start, the reduction gear bearings and races should be inspected for signs of cracking and normal wear. If a specific type of wear pattern as indicated in the TSB is not found, then the entire Nissan CVT should be replaced.
Scenario two; if either reduction gear bearing race can be moved in its bore by hand, then Nissan recommends installing a shim kit, along with new gear reduction pinions, transmission pump and valve body.
Both of these Nissan Rogue transmission repairs are rather extensive, and can be rather expensive after the warranty expires. This is why you to consider investing in a remanufactured Nissan CVT from a company like Street Smart Transmission. Each one is extensively reengineered to address the numerous factory design flaws, that way you get a transmission that will outlast the original. Plus, you also get a three year/unlimited mile nationwide warranty, that will protect your wallet in the event of a problem. To learn more about this option, click here.
How much is it going to cost to fix my transmission?
Unfortunately, the problem described here will require the removal and disassembly/partial disassembly of your transmission. Given the labor time involved to remove the transmission from the vehicle (this is not a simple task), most repair shops will recommend that you go ahead and rebuild the entire transmission while it’s out. Since they already have to tear it down, it sort of makes sense to spend the extra money to do that. After all, you should get a lot more mileage out of your transmission once it’s rebuilt. And since they’ve already got the transmission apart, might as well, right? Well let’s take a closer look and find out.
Why a remanufactured transmission might be a good option
While you might not be able to buy a brand-new transmission for your particular vehicle, a remanufactured transmission is a terrific alternative. They’re completely reengineered from the ground up and put together on a factory assembly line. They often contain a lot of upgrades over their stock form, which means that many of the design flaws that result in premature failure of components, can be eliminated. This can give a reman transmission a much longer service life than it originally had.
Remanufactured transmission companies like Street Smart Transmission put each of their reman transmissions through a rigorous build process that ensures a quality product every time. It begins with nearly 100 trained technicians that specialize in different aspects of the build process.
Once the build is complete and it passes the final quality control inspection, the newly remanufactured transmission is sent to the dyno room, where it’s tested on a special dyno machine using a proprietary software program called C.A.R.S. (Computer Aided Real-world Simulation). This cycles the transmission through a number of real-world driving situations, to ensure that it performs according to the factory specs. It also helps to break in all of the friction components, that way it’s completely tuned and ready to go once it’s installed.
Warranty – One of the benefits of buying a remanufactured transmission vs. a rebuilt transmission is the warranty. Street Smart Transmission for example, covers all of their reman transmissions with a 3 Year/Unlimited Mileage Nationwide Warranty (there is a mileage restriction for commercial vehicles). This covers parts and labor for transmission repairs performed by any licensed repair shop in the country. It’s also completely transferable if you ever decide to sell the vehicle. Compared to a mechanics warranty on a transmission rebuild, a remanufactured transmission warranty offers superior financial protection.
What Transmission Do I Have?
So is a remanufactured transmission worth it?
If you plan to keep your vehicle for as long as possible, then getting a rebuilt transmission is certainly a viable option. However, a remanufactured transmission is actually a much better alternative in the long run. You’re getting as close to a brand-new transmission as possible. Companies like Street Smart Transmission also modify the transmission to correct all of the factory design flaws, which allows you to get a much longer service life from the transmission. So in terms of value for the money, a reman transmission might be the better way to go. To learn more about the remanufactured transmission for your vehicle, click here.
