Is the Nissan Murano’s CVT transmission really as bad as people say?
Car enthusiasts and owners of Nissan vehicles like the Murano have been hotly debating the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) in Nissan vehicles. It has been called a ticking time bomb by some, and a holy grail by others. The problems come from reported previous Nissan models, but the company says it has improved greatly in recent years. But as with all gearboxes, how well the vehicle is driven, maintained, as well as climate can influence CVT longevity. The result is conflicting anecdotes and opinions, making it hard for potential buyers to tell fact from fiction. In this question we try to find out from real world experiences and opinions from experts about the Murano CVT reliability in newer models.
I've had my 2018 Murano now for over 100k miles and the CVT has been smooth sailing. Other than that, just keep up with the fluid changes every 60k miles, and don’t drive it like you’re in NASCAR. The horror stories you hear about the old ones are way better than these newer CVTs.
I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. Look. My 2015 Murano's CVT died at 90k miles. Nissan wouldn't cover a $4000 repair. Yes, some people have good experiences, but it’s a gamble I wouldn’t take again.
I’ve seen my fair share of CVT problems as a mechanic, but the Murano has tended to fare better than smaller Nissans. It takes less strain off the transmission because of the V6 engine. However, religious maintenance is essential. When you’re buying used make sure there is a solid service history.
The CVT hate is, I think, overblown. We have had three Muranos (2011, 2017, and 2022) in my family and never a transmission issue. They are comfortable, efficient, and the CVT is super smooth. If you don't abuse it, you'll be fine.
Why take the risk that the CVT is not as bad as some say it is? The truth is that there are plenty of great SUVs out there with traditional automatics that have proven reliability. But that lingering doubt about the transmission would drive me nuts, so the Murano is nice.
I'm an engineer, and technically speaking CVTs are brilliant. They are more efficient and give a smoother drive. Yes, Nissan's early implementation had problems, but they've made big improvements. The trick is knowing how to drive and maintain your CVT equipped vehicle.
The thing is, while the CVT is more reliable these days, Muranos (and most Nissans) get a hit in resale value because of it. Even if you don't have problems, you may lose out when you go to sell or trade in.
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Discussions and Questions Is The Nissan Muranos Cvt Transmission Really As Bad As People Say
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