[nismo_pete]

I have a 2015 Nissan Murano that I bought new. I've driven it lightly since my commute is only a few miles. It has about 51k miles now. I changed the CVT fluids at a Nissan dealer at 30k miles, and plan to change it every 30k miles. But I'm still a bit concerned about the CVT failing given what I've read. It's not just the financial aspect but safety as well. Obviously each car is different and everyone drives differently but I'd like to hear your thoughts on the "expected" miles I can get out of the original CVT (a mileage that many CVTs dies at), and if so, how does it usually die? Any safety implications? What can I do to prevent it (if anything)? For instance, is there a particular part prone to failure that I can replace beforehand?
I'm considering selling the car at a later time if the risk is too significant.

Thanks

 

[PaulDay]

I have a 2015 Nissan Murano that I bought new. I've driven it lightly since my commute is only a few miles. It has about 51k miles now. I changed the CVT fluids at a Nissan dealer at 30k miles, and plan to change it every 30k miles. But I'm still a bit concerned about the CVT failing given what I've read. It's not just the financial aspect but safety as well. Obviously each car is different and everyone drives differently but I'd like to hear your thoughts on the "expected" miles I can get out of the original CVT (a mileage that many CVTs dies at), and if so, how does it usually die? Any safety implications? What can I do to prevent it (if anything)? For instance, is there a particular part prone to failure that I can replace beforehand?
I'm considering selling the car at a later time if the risk is too significant.

Thanks

No worse than any other modern car. At 51K miles on an 8-year-old car, I would expect to get another 16 years before expecting any major issues under the same driving conditions if well maintained.

The reason you hear so much about the CVT is because of repair costs. Unfortunately, it's the same for just about every model out there now. The 2K tranny rebuild is a thing of the past. Due to the way the engine/CVT is assembled, labor is almost double the cost of the actual rebuild itself. Even non-CVT setups have the same issue with labor.

Good luck.

Have a good day.

 

[jbarnett250]

Not statistically significant but seems like I see posts here with people from 120-140k complaining about CVT issues fairly frequently. A few earlier but more with this kind of mileage. You never know how they maintained them though. The lady that owned my 2nd gen before me had it fail at something like 50k miles. Most of the failure modes I read about are drivability issues like it won't go or it shudders. Nothing safety related that I recall. And other than the recommended fluid service, I don't think there's much you can do to prolong the life of the transmission.

To me it sounds like you're on the safe end of the spectrum when it comes to car owners......
1. Lower miles than typical
2. Aware of potential vehicle weak points and performing required maintenance to minimize risk

This is probably not the average car owner's behavior (drive the hell out of it and don't maintain it). I think you should rest easy and keep the car if you like it or sell if if you want something else. If you're looking for a reason to sell it and get something else, you could always chalk it up to this if it makes you feel better.

 

[YoGeorge]

We have 2 vehicles with CVT's and one with a 6-speed automatic ('16 Dodge Grand Caravan). The Grand Caravan got a new transmission under warranty at 40k miles; the CVT's are doing fine at 42k ('18 Murano) and 56k ('17 Subaru Forester). This is not a statistically significant statement but just my recent experience.

It's not like every transmission shop and car dealer has lots full of broken CVT vehicles.

When I started driving in 1970, an automatic transmission rebuild was $200, yes two HUNDRED dollars.

 

[Pilgrim]

I don't know the average length of service for all conventional automatic (multi-gear) transmissions, but I would bet that it's not unusual for transmissions to require a rebuild between 125K and 200K miles. Heck, clutches in manual transmission cars often need replacement around 100K and 150K miles or less.

Two things make transmission rebuilds expensive and a huge pain in the Murano:

1) It is a FWD, transverse engine with transmission attached, like many, many other cars. Doing a rebuild is more complicated than putting it on a lift, dropping the tranny and rebuilding it. The entire engine and front cradle is involved, which increases labor and difficulty. But remember, this comes with FWD transverse engines, which is one reason I'm not a fan of them in any vehicle. I much prefer the longitudinal engines and transmissions found on RWD-based vehicles.

2) Nissan won't sell your tranny shop parts for the CVT rebuild, they want you to buy a complete unit from them. Unless you can find a good used CVT from some wrecking yard / Auto Recycler, you're down for at least $2000 in addition to a normal rebuild cost for a replacement.

But it is what it is. Given the cost of vehicles today, if you have a solid Murano with a good body that drives well, spending $5000 for a transmission is easy to justify. You can't buy a reliable replacement vehicle for $5000.

 

[chidog]

Your doing the correct thing, changing the fluid frequently. CVT's can be rebuilt the difficult thing is getting the parts, not impossible to do, and there are some rebuild kits for them too.
Like Pilgrim says the difficult part of the transmission job is getting it out of and back in the car. In the old days it was about a half hour job or even less removing the transmission. Now it can be an all day job. And no the engine does not have to come out to remove the transmission in a 2004 murano (its what I worked on), but the the whole front suspension and subframe has to come out, with so many things to remove and wires to disconnect. My transmission rebuild cost about $1300 or so for parts and a few supplys. Most of the CVT transmission is a fairly decent design, the variators and belt impressed me, I expected them to be a huge mess and a major problem area. Jatco did great on the material selection and heat treats of those parts, the major problem area is aluminum valves in the valve body.
Even with the coatings on them they still wear from abrasive metal particles, CVT's are good at making them, and is why the fluid changes are a good thing. If I had a CVT I would be changing the fluid every 15K or so thats me.

 

[okthom01]

It’s hit or miss. Maintenance and treatment of the vehicle contribute to the longevity of the CVT. I’m in a Facebook group with a 2020 Murano at 400k miles (mostly highway) with no issues. get a extended warranty for a peace of mind

 

[shaun_shawna]

I have a 2015 Nissan Murano that I bought new. I've driven it lightly since my commute is only a few miles. It has about 51k miles now. I changed the CVT fluids at a Nissan dealer at 30k miles, and plan to change it every 30k miles. But I'm still a bit concerned about the CVT failing given what I've read. It's not just the financial aspect but safety as well. Obviously each car is different and everyone drives differently but I'd like to hear your thoughts on the "expected" miles I can get out of the original CVT (a mileage that many CVTs dies at), and if so, how does it usually die? Any safety implications? What can I do to prevent it (if anything)? For instance, is there a particular part prone to failure that I can replace beforehand? I'm considering selling the car at a later time if the risk is too significant. Thanks

I bought an 09’ Murano SL before knowing/understanding cvt issues. when it began going into limp mode at 200k, every shop said internal transmission, needs replaced. Best price I got was $4200. After researching/learning, I drained cvt fluid, dropped valve body, cleaned valve body, replaced stepper motor and pressure control selenoid. Added new cvt and an additive called LubeGard cvt recharge along with filter. No more issues. $220.

 

[Harry Đoàn]

I have a 2015 Nissan Murano that I bought new. I've driven it lightly since my commute is only a few miles. It has about 51k miles now. I changed the CVT fluids at a Nissan dealer at 30k miles, and plan to change it every 30k miles. But I'm still a bit concerned about the CVT failing given what I've read. It's not just the financial aspect but safety as well. Obviously each car is different and everyone drives differently but I'd like to hear your thoughts on the "expected" miles I can get out of the original CVT (a mileage that many CVTs dies at), and if so, how does it usually die? Any safety implications? What can I do to prevent it (if anything)? For instance, is there a particular part prone to failure that I can replace beforehand? I'm considering selling the car at a later time if the risk is too significant. Thanks

Dear friend, You don't need to worry too much about the CVT transmission of your Nisan Murano. Because it has only run less than 100,000 km. I have a 2007 Nisan Murano that I'm still using and has run over 200,000 km but the transmission still runs normally. Just change the transmission oil every 30-40 thousand km and the car will run fine, you don't need to worry too much.

 

[HandyAndy]

I have a 2015 Nissan Murano that I bought new. I've driven it lightly since my commute is only a few miles. It has about 51k miles now. I changed the CVT fluids at a Nissan dealer at 30k miles, and plan to change it every 30k miles. But I'm still a bit concerned about the CVT failing given what I've read. It's not just the financial aspect but safety as well. Obviously each car is different and everyone drives differently but I'd like to hear your thoughts on the "expected" miles I can get out of the original CVT (a mileage that many CVTs dies at), and if so, how does it usually die? Any safety implications? What can I do to prevent it (if anything)? For instance, is there a particular part prone to failure that I can replace beforehand?
I'm considering selling the car at a later time if the risk is too significant.

Thanks

As far as the life of the CVT goes, the more you go full throttle, especially when its not warmed up, you are not helping the CVT, and, when parking on an incline, always engage the parking brake before putting the car into park.

 

[Expat21]

I have a 2015 Nissan Murano that I bought new. I've driven it lightly since my commute is only a few miles. It has about 51k miles now. I changed the CVT fluids at a Nissan dealer at 30k miles, and plan to change it every 30k miles. But I'm still a bit concerned about the CVT failing given what I've read. It's not just the financial aspect but safety as well. Obviously each car is different and everyone drives differently but I'd like to hear your thoughts on the "expected" miles I can get out of the original CVT (a mileage that many CVTs dies at), and if so, how does it usually die? Any safety implications? What can I do to prevent it (if anything)? For instance, is there a particular part prone to failure that I can replace beforehand?
I'm considering selling the car at a later time if the risk is too significant.

Thanks

If you’re changing the fluid every 30k, you should expect a normal service life. This is assuming you’re not towing or loading the car down with excess weight.

You’re likely to have a leaking transfer case if you haven’t already. They had faulty seals and there’s a TSB for it. It’ll be about $1,500 job unless you can do it yourself.

I have a 2015 Nissan Murano that I bought new. I've driven it lightly since my commute is only a few miles. It has about 51k miles now. I changed the CVT fluids at a Nissan dealer at 30k miles, and plan to change it every 30k miles. But I'm still a bit concerned about the CVT failing given what I've read. It's not just the financial aspect but safety as well. Obviously each car is different and everyone drives differently but I'd like to hear your thoughts on the "expected" miles I can get out of the original CVT (a mileage that many CVTs dies at), and if so, how does it usually die? Any safety implications? What can I do to prevent it (if anything)? For instance, is there a particular part prone to failure that I can replace beforehand?
I'm considering selling the car at a later time if the risk is too significant.

Thanks

 

[il Vetri]

I have a 2015 Nissan Murano that I bought new. I've driven it lightly since my commute is only a few miles. It has about 51k miles now. I changed the CVT fluids at a Nissan dealer at 30k miles, and plan to change it every 30k miles. But I'm still a bit concerned about the CVT failing given what I've read. It's not just the financial aspect but safety as well. Obviously each car is different and everyone drives differently but I'd like to hear your thoughts on the "expected" miles I can get out of the original CVT (a mileage that many CVTs dies at), and if so, how does it usually die? Any safety implications? What can I do to prevent it (if anything)? For instance, is there a particular part prone to failure that I can replace beforehand?
I'm considering selling the car at a later time if the risk is too significant.

Thanks

Continue replacing the transmission fluid (Nissan NS3) every 30,000 Miles, and be sure to replace the external filter and internal strainer. There are also circular Neodymium magnets in the bottom of the pan that should be removed, cleaned then replaced. I purchase Kendall Advanced Test Kits and send a fluid sample to be examined. This will show you if you have excessive wear metals and it will show you the fluid's condition with recommendations to increase or decrease change intervals.

 

[Galactus]

Continue replacing the transmission fluid (Nissan NS3) every 30,000 Miles, and be sure to replace the external filter and internal strainer. There are also circular Neodymium magnets in the bottom of the pan that should be removed, cleaned then replaced.

I don't realize we have to take off the oil pan and change internal strainer also when replacing the CVT oil. Is this applicable for Murano 2012 LE AWD?
I am about to change the CVT oil and the CVT oil filter. Is that enough or more is needed?

 

[shaun_shawna]

The internal filter is easy. 10mm all around. Two of the 10mm are holding a bracket on passenger side back corner of filter that is designed to ensure wiring to stepper motor in valve body do not get caught in lower ratio control arm.
Once off, be sure your new filter is exact same depth. There’s been some aftermarket issues with neck bottoming out in cvt pan, starving trans.

 

[rcasey56]

I Bought a 2019 Murano SL with a tech package new and now only have 23500 on it due to working from home during covid. I also got an extended warranty and have been watching this forum for commentary on the CVT's. I plan to continue the service intervals as per the book for now anyhow. I had a 2013 Juke with a CVT which my son has now and it has 110k on it. The CVT was serviced at 60k and that car seems to be doing great. So I am concerned about the CVT's and hoping for the best. Other than that I love this Murano. It has a great engine.

 

[Galactus]

The CVT was serviced at 60k and that car seems to be doing great.

What do you mean by serviced here? change the cvt oil or total rebuilt?

 

[rcasey56]

What do you mean by serviced here? change the cvt oil or total rebuilt?

The fluid was changed by the nissan dealer and other normal maintenance for that mileage was done as well.

 

[Galactus]

The fluid was changed by the nissan dealer and other normal maintenance for that mileage was done as well.

thanks. I thought you meant the CVT was bad and need rebuild

 

[Pilgrim]

Then why are you concerned about the CVT? It has not been problematic and it has been serviced. Sounds like all is well.

 

[rcasey56]

Then why are you concerned about the CVT? It has not been problematic and it has been serviced. Sounds like all is well.

The CVT that we were discussing which was serviced was in the 2013 juke. The one in my 2019 Murano has not yet been serviced at 23500 miles. I have noticed that it upshifts from a stop sign very quickly which then seems to me to put things in a strain unless I put more throttle to it then it will think about it a bit before eventually downshifting. I have asked the dealer about it and they said nothing was wrong with it after they did a road test. I also have noticed a lag of time when I shift from reverse to Drive that could be a problem if you needed to make that shift quickly. I have shifted to drive and applied the gas pedal before the transmission was ready once or twice before I realized that it was not ready and it has jerked itself a bit. That kind of reminds me of an improperly adjusted throttle position sensor but I don't think this car has anything like that. Also this is my first Murano so I'm just wondering if the transmission is like this in all of the models.