Automatic gearbox Nissan: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the Nissan models it appears in.

- High severityFrequency: OccasionalCVT XtronicOil leaks and internal wear that can force gearbox replacementYes: Autopista describes rapid wear of internal components in the Qashqai's Jatco JF015E gearbox that can cause oil leaks and force replacement of worn parts or, in the most advanced cases, the complete gearbox.
In Juke I, Micra IV, Note II, Pulsar and Qashqai II
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalCVT XtronicLimp mode and loss of traction due to rev fluctuationsOn the Qashqai II, fiches-auto.fr describes the Xtronic gearbox as able to end up "in safe mode" if pressure or internal parts degrade; Nissan also recalled units with the CVT gearbox built between July 2013 and July 2014 over a risk of loss of traction.
In Juke I, Micra IV, Note II, Pulsar and Qashqai II
- High severityFrequency: Occasional2.0 MR20DE / 2.5 QR25DECVT gearbox oil cooler leak on the Qashqai I 2.0On the Qashqai I 2.0 with the optional CVT gearbox, the German guide and a Polish report flag the gearbox oil cooler as a weak point: over time it can leak oil and, if nobody notices, damage the gearbox through lack of lubrication.
In Qashqai I, Sentra B16, Sentra B17 and X-Trail II
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Qashqai ICVT automatic gearbox described as unreliableA source specialising in reliability lists the Qashqai's continuously variable (CVT) automatic gearbox among its best-known faults, describing it as a gearbox that often gives trouble and does not last over time.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Qashqai IIJerking and oil leaks in the Xtronic CVT automatic gearboxYes: the specialist press describes jerking while driving and oil leaks in the Qashqai's Xtronic CVT automatic gearbox, with internal wear that forces parts to be replaced; in a compilation of owner accounts, gearbox problems are among the most repeated.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonCVT XtronicJerking, vibrations and a slipping sensation under accelerationYes: several owner fault roundups point to the Xtronic gearbox as a weak point of the Qashqai, X-Trail, Juke, Pulsar and Koleos II: jerking and vibrations under gentle acceleration, the engine revving without the car keeping pace, and sometimes grinding noises.
In Juke I, Micra IV, Note II, Pulsar, Qashqai II and X-Trail III
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalNissan Qashqai IIIXtronic CVT gearbox jerking in mild hybrids and response delays in e-PowerYes: on mild hybrid versions with the Xtronic CVT automatic gearbox, a specialist source describes jerking when you lift off the accelerator, and on e-Power versions it documents delays in power delivery, difficulty manoeuvring at low speed and the odd case of the ESP briefly switching off.

By Nissan model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

Frequently asked questions

What faults with the automatic gearbox do Nissan cars have?

In 11 models from Nissan there are 7 documented faults with the automatic gearbox. The most important: oil leaks and internal wear that can force gearbox replacement, limp mode and loss of traction due to rev fluctuations and CVT gearbox oil cooler leak on the Qashqai I 2.0. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which Nissan models have the most problems with the automatic gearbox?

Nissan Qashqai II (4 faults), Nissan Juke I (3 faults), Nissan Micra IV (3 faults) and Nissan Note II (3 faults).

Which Nissan engines have faults with the automatic gearbox?

CVT Xtronic (3 faults) and 2.0 MR20DE / 2.5 QR25DE (1 fault).