[rachelsdad]

Should we be concerned about our transmissions???

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130903/OEM11/130909984/nissan-pathfinder-infiniti-jx35-transmission-line-probed#axzz2dqXgPtuJ

U.S. safety regulators opened an investigation into two 2013 Nissan Motor Co. models, the Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti JX35, after consumers complained that the transmission cooler line connection failed, a filing showed.

An investigation may lead to a recall, which would affect an estimated 110,000 vehicles, said the filing dated Aug. 29 on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site.

Nissan owners told the NHTSA that the failures caused a sudden loss of power from the transmission due to the loss of the transmission fluid.

Nissan spokesman Steve Yaeger said that the company was working with the NHTSA to address the agency's concerns. A repair procedure has been developed for the vehicles that experienced the problem, Yaeger said.

The filing did not say whether there had been any injuries or crashes because of this problem.

NHTSA typically begins a preliminary evaluation when consumer complaints or manufacturer service bulletins suggest there may be a harmful defect. Once that evaluation is complete, the agency either begins an engineering analysis or closes the inquiry. Based on the outcome of the engineering analysis, a vehicle may be recalled or the inquiry may be closed with no further action.

 

[GenieQ]

Is it the same transmission that the Qx60 is using though? Well for sure it does raise a concern.

 

[InfinitiFan]

Is it the same transmission that the Qx60 is using though? Well for sure it does raise a concern.

not sure but even 2014 Pathfinders still have the problem, it would have me being very concerned about the QX60

 

[KCQ]

Well has anyone with a 2013 JX or 2014 QX60 experienced the 'judder' as they call it? Its under acceleration when the engine is disengaged as the CVT tries to change ratios, when the engine reengages a big shudder/judder occurs. On some Pathfinders its only audible, on some the shudder is felt as well as heard...

A leaky CVT will definitely produce that effect. But not all users have reported the problem, its pretty localized to those who have abusive acceleration habits. If you accelerate like a competent driver you should never exceed 2g's on the Tach.

I know all CVTs misbehave under heavy acceleration...

 

[SameButDifferent]

I haven't heard anything about the QX60 having this problem. I have only heard of the problem existing for 2013 model year vehicles. I am not that worried. If Nissan is aware of the problem, they won't put out cars that continue to have it.

 

[foreverJX]

the pathfinder owners are having lots of problems with the shudder. the JX or QX60 doesn't seem to have the problems.

 

[KCQ]

the pathfinder owners are having lots of problems with the shudder. the JX or QX60 doesn't seem to have the problems.

I think that may have to do with differences of usage. The QX60 isnt designed to tow while the Pathfinder has been. CVTs by nature are designed for a narrower scope of operation than conventional geared trannys. CVTs work well for a long time inside small, low power cars. As they are put into larger, vehicles, especially those that are more likely to carry heavier loads, or even tow, the risks are higher (OH Hello Pathfinder).

CVTs are not for trucks, CVTs are not for towing...

 

[foreverJX]

I've heard of people having problems with the Pathfinder just out of the dealership.

Does the Pathfinder have a slightly different transmission?

 

[BobOB]

I've heard of people having problems with the Pathfinder just out of the dealership.

Does the Pathfinder have a slightly different transmission?

They changed the transmission to the same one used in the Altima. The transmission is the XTronic CVT, which will tow 5,000 lbs as compared to the JX models which tow about 3,000. The JX has 6 manual shift ranges and the late model JX and new QX60 have 7 manual shift ranges.

 

[InfinitiFan]

people are already reporting that the JX35 doesn't have a lot of the problems the Pathfinder has, i actually believe they have different transmissions.

i wouldn't worry too much about the QX60

 

[SameButDifferent]

I am under the impression that if you don't drive like a drag racer off red lights you won't feel the judder. It's just rapid heavy acceleration that causes the issue. Normal drivers shouldn't have an issue.

Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[foreverJX]

2013 Nissan Pathfinder drivers reporting loss of power, 'shuddering' [w/video] [UPDATE] - Autoblog

 

[KCQ]

They changed the transmission to the same one used in the Altima. The transmission is the XTronic CVT, which will tow 5,000 lbs as compared to the JX models which tow about 3,000. The JX has 6 manual shift ranges and the late model JX and new QX60 have 7 manual shift ranges.

I see that as the problem right there, the Pathfinders 5,000 pound tow rating is more than the Altimas 3,179–3,190 lb curb weight, plus the Pathfinders 4,290 lb curb weight you potentially have a CVT hauling around ~9,000 lbs. That is way in excess of what CVTs were ever designed to do.

The CVT in the QX60 is truer to original CVT transmissions, its heavy duty applications that get CVTs in trouble.

 

[Jmcathur]

I just purchased my QX60 on October 21. Today is November 1, and I just took it in because it was shuddering on acceleration. They said it was likely the transmission. So obviously, it's an issue that isn't settled.

 

[EricM]

Attached is a link to an article from Consumer Reports. Contained within it are the results of feedback from 1.1 million of its subscribers. Of note is that Infiniti's JX and Nissan's Pathfinder (both for the2013 year) are their respective Brand's Worst Model for Predicted Vehicle Reliability for 2014 models. I surmize that both these are on the list due to the CVT transmission and braking issues.

http://www.freep.com/article/20131028/BUSINESS01/310280088/General-Motors-Ford-Chrysler-automotive-Consumer-Reports

I will be in the market for a 7-passenger SUV/Crossover next year and was considering the QX60. However given the two brake recalls on the JX35 (the latest also on the QX60), the ongoing issues with the CVT transmission, along with a myriad of other issues new owners have been experiencing, it is very doubtful I will be purchasing a QX60 next year. I definitely like the exterior design, interior layout & certain available safety/convenience features. But unless the 2015 QX60 offers a normal transmission (and a more powerful engine would also be nice), I probably will strike it from my consideration list.

 

[foreverJX]

Attached is a link to an article from Consumer Reports. Contained within it are the results of feedback from 1.1 million of its subscribers. Of note is that Infiniti's JX and Nissan's Pathfinder (both for the2013 year) are their respective Brand's Worst Model for Predicted Vehicle Reliability for 2014 models. I surmize that both these are on the list due to the CVT transmission and braking issues.

http://www.freep.com/article/20131028/BUSINESS01/310280088/General-Motors-Ford-Chrysler-automotive-Consumer-Reports

I will be in the market for a 7-passenger SUV/Crossover next year and was considering the QX60. However given the two brake recalls on the JX35 (the latest also on the QX60), the ongoing issues with the CVT transmission, along with a myriad of other issues new owners have been experiencing, it is very doubtful I will be purchasing a QX60 next year. I definitely like the exterior design, interior layout & certain available safety/convenience features. But unless the 2015 QX60 offers a normal transmission (and a more powerful engine would also be nice), I probably will strike it from my consideration list.

thats understandable. what else are you looking at?

 

[EricM]

I am looking at purchasing a 2015 between Aug.-Oct. next year. Besides the Infiniti QX60, the others I am considering are:

Buick Enclave (Leather Group)
Dodge Durango Citadel
Acura MDX (Technology Package)
Honda Pilot (Touring)

I like the exterior designs on the Enclave & the Durango. My parents have a 2012 Enclave which I drove for many miles in May when my wife and I went with them on vacation to South Dakota. It drove nice and has adequate power. The interior was also comfortable. I have a 2007 Dodge Charger R/T so I am used to having power when I need it. I would suspect the Durango would be sufficient in this category too.

The Durango has adaptive cruise control available in the 2014 whereas the Enclave does not, so I am hoping it is available in 2015 on the Enclave. IMO from what I have read, the MDX appears to be the best performer & most gas efficient. However, I am not crazy about the front "beak" design and the price point to get the adaptive cruise control is too high (unlike the Durango & QX60). It remains to be seen what the 2015 Pilot will look like & offer.

Our other vehicle is a 2006 Honda Odyssey of which overall we have been pleased. This is the vehicle we will be trading. It currently has over 140K miles, so we drive it almost 20K miles a year. Perceived long-term reliability will play an important factor in our buying decision.

 

[ningster]

Here's my understanding of the whole CVT issue....

the earlier model JX (pre 2013/05 production date) have the belt driven CVT, it's from the Murano platform and have been proven to be durable from the last 10 years of being used on the Murano. but it's weaker and not made to tow (only 3500 lbs)

so Nissan switched to a chain driven CVT, this is a stronger and more flexible CVT, which gets better mpg, and tows up to 5000 lbs. Nissan liked this CVT so much, it made a mid-year-update on the JX, as well as putting it on the new Pathfinders and QX60....

there had been some shuddering issues with this one, it seems to happen more frequently in the pathfinders though.... although we have seen a few complaints from new QX60 owners. but Nissan/infiniti had been acknowledging this type of failure and honoring the warranty on the PF/Q60/JXs by replacing torque converter, or whole transmissions....

I am not sure what the failure rate is, my guess is maybe 1 out of 100 is defective... which is not bad and shouldn't steer anyone away from buying a beautiful large crossover as the JX/QX60....

 

[foreverJX]

I am looking at purchasing a 2015 between Aug.-Oct. next year. Besides the Infiniti QX60, the others I am considering are:

Buick Enclave (Leather Group)
Dodge Durango Citadel
Acura MDX (Technology Package)
Honda Pilot (Touring)

I like the exterior designs on the Enclave & the Durango. My parents have a 2012 Enclave which I drove for many miles in May when my wife and I went with them on vacation to South Dakota. It drove nice and has adequate power. The interior was also comfortable. I have a 2007 Dodge Charger R/T so I am used to having power when I need it. I would suspect the Durango would be sufficient in this category too.

The Durango has adaptive cruise control available in the 2014 whereas the Enclave does not, so I am hoping it is available in 2015 on the Enclave. IMO from what I have read, the MDX appears to be the best performer & most gas efficient. However, I am not crazy about the front "beak" design and the price point to get the adaptive cruise control is too high (unlike the Durango & QX60). It remains to be seen what the 2015 Pilot will look like & offer.

Our other vehicle is a 2006 Honda Odyssey of which overall we have been pleased. This is the vehicle we will be trading. It currently has over 140K miles, so we drive it almost 20K miles a year. Perceived long-term reliability will play an important factor in our buying decision.

I test drove the MDX and I do like the MDX. Not as spacious as the JX but I like the looks and it droves a bit lighter than the JX.

 

[QxSixty]

I test drove the MDX and I do like the MDX. Not as spacious as the JX but I like the looks and it droves a bit lighter than the JX.

I also had the chance to see one in person at the local acura dealer and it's just not what I expected a new 2013 vehicle to be, the only highlight of it was the jewel eye LED headlights.

The JX is better, ahead of it's time and beats the MDX by far.