[avishal26]

OK - So I've had my QX60 for about 1 month. I have two questions that I'm hoping others with the QX/JX or members from the dealerships can help me with...

1. There is this weird electrical buzzing noise I hear when I'm stopped - if I didn't know any better I would've said its the HID Ballast but there is no way I would be able to hear that from inside the car...?? It's like electric static - the best way to describe it. If any of you have been around transformers, thats what this sounds like (except this is slightly higher pitch). I think it goes away when I go past 10km / hr but not entirely sure.

2. When I'm slowing down to come to a full stop at a light, most car's I've driven have a noticeable downshift in the tranny when it goes down to 1st gear. In my 2006 M35, it is barely noticeable. However in the QX60, I notice a substantial jerk when it downshifts to first. Sometimes its a bit worse than others. Also, when slowing down, it sounds like the tranny is whining (pitch getting lower as the speed slows) - has anyone else heard this? Is this just how the design of CVT's are? I find it very un-refined for a 60k SUV. Especially since my 06 M doesn't even do this and it has 95k miles (150k kms) on it.

Any thoughts? I pay attention to everything my cars do so maybe I'm being paranoid lol but I'm definitely not exaggerating - I've driven plenty of different cars to know when something doesn't sound normal.

 

[InfinitiFan]

About that buzzing sound, how loud is it? Do you feel a pulse at the break pedal when you hear that sound?

 

[avishal26]

No - no pulse at the brake pedal. I noticed today the sound is constant when at full stop - and it decreases when I speed up and disappears completely at 10mph (almost exactly 10mph) If I vary the speed a bit between 5mph and 15, I notice it coming on and going off... what could it possibly be??!

 

[QxSixty]

I wish I could say what it it but it seems like it could be something drivetrain related. Best thing to do is stop by the dealer, a good infiniti dealer.

 

[KCQ]

I'd be more concerned about the CVT than i would be about the buzzing. From what I've seen of the pathfinder thats how the judder starts, jerky downshifts. I'd recommend clicking through one of the new pathfinder forums to see what they've been going through. The '14 QX60 has the pathfinders chain driven CVT...

 

[avishal26]

hmm.. the CVT is not acting up too much... it seems to be just a more noticeable downshift when coming to a full stop - otherwise it drives just fine. Anyway - I don't think its actually an issue so I didn't bring it up to the dealer.

As for the buzzing sound - had it checked out by the dealer - apparently thats 'normal' because it is coming from the power steering pump (electric). Interesting that the pitch changes depending on idle - but after leaving the dealership, when I heard the sound, I moved the steering and sure enough the sound goes away while moving the steering - but comes back when you let go of the steering. Interesting.... not happy with it but it is definitely not very loud. Only one I noticed it over the music - I guess I'll live with it.

Also - while I was at the dealership - I had them check out the passenger air bag sensor (in the seat) because I noticed the light came on once when my wife was sitting in the car. She didn't just get in - but was sitting in it for a while and the light came on... so dealer did a reset and says it should be fine now. There were no faults thrown though from the airbag sensor....

 

[avishal26]

hmm.. the CVT is not acting up too much... it seems to be just a more noticeable downshift when coming to a full stop - otherwise it drives just fine. Anyway - I don't think its actually an issue so I didn't bring it up to the dealer.

As for the buzzing sound - had it checked out by the dealer - apparently thats 'normal' because it is coming from the power steering pump (electric). Interesting that the pitch changes depending on idle - but after leaving the dealership, when I heard the sound, I moved the steering and sure enough the sound goes away while moving the steering - but comes back when you let go of the steering. Interesting.... not happy with it but it is definitely not very loud. Only one I noticed it over the music - I guess I'll live with it.

Also - while I was at the dealership - I had them check out the passenger air bag sensor (in the seat) because I noticed the light came on once when my wife was sitting in the car. She didn't just get in - but was sitting in it for a while and the light came on... so dealer did a reset and says it should be fine now. There were no faults thrown though from the airbag sensor....

I will see what happens over the next few kms until first service (currently only 2300kms). I will make sure dealer documents every issue I bring up so that in case it comes down to it - at least it will be on the record. I have full warranty so not really worried.

 

[avishal26]

Went back in to the dealership this week - passenger airbag off light kept coming on while seat was occupied. Turns out the sensor in the passenger seat is faulty - will be replaced as soon as part comes in.

Also, I keep getting a 'shudder' when accelerating lightly from 5 kph to 25 kph - dealer couldn't replicate the problem during their test drive so no fix yet.

These two issues I'm having seem eerily similar to the following TSB and Recall for the 2013 JX:

Subject: SB 2013-2014 JX/QX60; Judder During Light Acceleration
Summary of ITB13037:
IF YOU CONFIRM When driving an Applied Vehicle a judder (shudder, single or multiple bumps or vibrations) happens during light acceleration, and all of the following when the issue occurs: * Vehicle speed is between 5 and 35 mph. * Throttle position is about 10%. * When issue occurs, if more throttle is applied issue stops. * No DTCs are stored. ACTION To determine the root cause perform the Service Procedure starting on page 3. NOTE: This bulletin does not apply to a condition calledfuel economy drone. If the customer describes their issue as a lugging or as a groan/drone at low speed this is a normal condition to maximize fuel economy. Some customers will describe the condition as similar to a manual transmission vehicle in high gear at low speed. Please see this bulletin for further details.

Transport Canada Recall # 2013079

Recall Date 2013/03/14
Notification Type Safety Mfr
System Airbag
Manufacturer Recall Number PC213 (Sentra), PC214 (Altima), PC216 (Pathfinder), PC217 (JX35)
Units Affected The number of vehicles or components affected by the recall. 7,796

 

[QxSixty]

wont be too surprised if it turns out to be some widespread issue within the production time frame yours was produced in, hopefully not

 

[Soccer Dad]

I'm surprised there's not a lot more replies in this trend. I have 400 miles on new 2015 and I too can hear the weird droning noise. I too wonder if it coming from the brake or CVT. And it's not just mines. My aunt's and a loaner I'm driving have the same noise. Here's how I replicate it:

1. Turn off audio
2. Drive to a speed of 10 or 15 mph
3. Slow down normally to a complete stop
4. Observe weird droning or growning noise coming from brakes or CVT

Should be we worry or that's the nature of the beast?

I'll try to get a recording on my phone

 

[Sparkyd21]

Anyone have any additional information on the power steering pump noise or the drudder sound during deceleration..I have a 2014 QX60..seems to be having the same issues..taking to the dealer this week...

 

[Mathi C]

Anyone have any additional information on the power steering pump noise or the drudder sound during deceleration..I have a 2014 QX60..seems to be having the same issues..taking to the dealer this week...

Can you please post the updates?

My car 2015 qx 60 , is close to 30K and it started producing mild white noise type on acceleration and deceleration..
On acceleration, it appears upto 15-20 miles/ hr and then stops
on braking..it appears again close to 15 to 0...