Nissan / Infiniti – Jatco CVT Failures (North America, 2000–Current)

Many Nissan and Infiniti vehicles sold in North America use Jatco continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), including families such as JF009E, JF011E (RE0F10A), JF015E, JF016E, and JF017E. These units have a documented pattern of reliability problems, including shuddering, overheating, delayed engagement, whining noises, loss of power, and complete transmission failure, leading to multiple class actions, extended warranties, and reimbursement programs for affected owners.

1. Nissan – North America

Year(s) Make Model Should Purchase? Notes
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Nissan Altima Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF011E / JF016E (RE0F10A / RE0F10D)
Symptoms: shuddering, overheating, delayed engagement, whining, loss of power, occasional complete failure
Legal context: covered by multiple CVT settlements with extended warranty (often up to 10 years / 120k miles) and reimbursement for prior repairs
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Nissan Sentra Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF009E (RE0F08B) early, later JF015E (RE0F11A)
Symptoms: shuddering, overheating, delayed engagement, limp mode, early CVT failure
Legal context: included in CVT class actions; extended warranty and reimbursement programs offered
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Nissan Sentra Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF015E (RE0F11A)
Symptoms: severe shuddering, hesitation, delayed engagement, overheating, frequent CVT replacements
Legal context: heavily represented in CVT settlements and arbitration programs due to high failure rates
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Nissan Versa / Versa Note Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF015E (RE0F11A)
Symptoms: whining noises, shudder, loss of power, delayed engagement, early CVT failure
Legal context: covered by CVT settlement reimbursement and extended warranty programs
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Nissan Rogue Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF011E (RE0F10A)
Symptoms: shuddering at highway speeds, overheating (especially on grades), loss of power, CVT “safe mode”
Legal context: included in CVT class actions; extended coverage and reimbursement available
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Nissan Rogue Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF016E (RE0F10D)
Symptoms: shudder, flare, delayed engagement, occasional complete CVT failure
Legal context: part of broader CVT complaint clusters; some extended warranty and goodwill policies apply
2014 2015 Nissan Rogue Select Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF011E (RE0F10A)
Symptoms: similar to first‑gen Rogue – shudder, overheating, power loss under load
Legal context: captured under Rogue‑related CVT settlements/coverage
2017 2018 2019 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport (Qashqai) Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF016E (RE0F10D)
Symptoms: shudder, surge, delayed engagement, whining
Legal context: part of later‑generation CVT complaint clusters in North America
2007 2008 Nissan Murano Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF010E (RE0F09B)
Symptoms: early CVT shudder, overheating, failure requiring replacement
Legal context: early CVT implementation; some coverage through goodwill and later settlements
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Nissan Murano Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF011E (RE0F10A)
Symptoms: whining, shudder, delayed engagement, loss of power
Legal context: part of broad CVT complaint patterns; some extended warranty coverage
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Nissan Murano Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF017E (RE0F10F)
Symptoms: shudder under load, overheating, harsh “flare”, occasional failure
Legal context: captured in later‑generation CVT complaints and arbitration programs
2013 2014 2015 2016 Nissan Pathfinder Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF017E (RE0F10F)
Symptoms: shuddering during acceleration, “bucking”, loss of power, failure under towing/load
Legal context: specifically named in CVT class actions; extended warranty and reimbursement programs apply
2007 2008 Nissan Maxima Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF010E / early JF011E
Symptoms: shudder, flare, occasional overheating and failure
Legal context: part of early large‑displacement CVT rollout; some coverage through goodwill and settlement
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Nissan Maxima Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF011E (RE0F10A)
Symptoms: hesitation, flare, shudder, whining, occasional failure
Legal context: included in broader CVT settlement landscape
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Nissan Juke Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF015E (RE0F11A)
Symptoms: delayed engagement, whining, shudder, loss of power
Legal context: covered in CVT settlements and extended warranty programs
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Nissan Cube Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF011E / later JF015E
Symptoms: shudder, whining, early CVT failure in some units
Legal context: included in smaller‑volume but similar CVT complaint patterns
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Nissan NV200 Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF015E (RE0F11A)
Symptoms: shudder under load, overheating in commercial use, early wear
Legal context: fewer class‑action references but similar hardware and failure modes
2018 2019 2020 Nissan Kicks Awareness Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF015E (RE0F11A)
Symptoms: emerging complaints of shudder, flare, delayed engagement
Legal context: newer application of an existing CVT family with known history; monitor for TSBs/coverage
2017 2018 2019 2020 Nissan Qashqai (Canada) Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF016E (RE0F10D)
Symptoms: similar to Rogue Sport – shudder, surge, delayed engagement
Legal context: Canadian‑market counterpart to Rogue Sport; same CVT family and risk profile
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Nissan Quest Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF011E (RE0F10A)
Symptoms: shudder, flare, overheating in minivan duty cycle, occasional failure
Legal context: fewer units than core sedans/SUVs but shares same CVT hardware and issues

2. Infiniti – North America

Year(s) Make Model Should Purchase? Notes
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Infiniti JX35 / QX60 Not Suggested Transmission: Jatco CVT – JF017E (RE0F10F)
Symptoms: shuddering on light throttle, “hunting”, loss of power, overheating, occasional failure
Legal context: explicitly named in CVT class actions; extended warranty and reimbursement programs provided
Early production years (market/trim dependent) Infiniti QX50 Awareness Transmission: Certain markets/trims referenced with Jatco CVT usage; North American models primarily used conventional automatics, but consumers researching imports or cross‑market vehicles should verify transmission type carefully.
Symptoms (where CVT‑equipped): similar shudder/overheating/whine issues as other JF017E applications
Legal context: generally not central in NA CVT settlements but relevant in global CVT risk discussions

Class Actions & Settlements

Nissan has been the subject of multiple CVT‑related class actions in the United States and Canada, covering models such as Altima, Sentra, Versa, Rogue, Pathfinder, Juke, and Infiniti QX60. These settlements typically provided extended warranties (often up to 10 years or 120,000 miles), reimbursement for prior CVT repairs or replacements, and arbitration programs for post‑settlement failures. Owners are encouraged to check their VIN against settlement websites and manufacturer portals to confirm eligibility and coverage.