Classification:

Reference:

AT16-018C

Date:

NTB16-109C

March 3, 2022

INFORMATION TO PREVENT CVT REPLACEMENT
DUE TO MISDIAGNOSIS OF NOISE
This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page.
Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

APPLIED VEHICLES:

All Nissan vehicles equipped with CVT

SERVICE INFORMATION
With the engine running and the vehicle on a hoist, noise heard from the CVT may be
louder (in Park, Neutral, Drive, or Reverse) than a non-CVT type transmission.
CVT transmissions are much louder without drive load, which may lead to misdiagnosis.
Do not judge CVT noise as abnormal due only to noise on a hoist (with or without the
wheels turning).
CVTs replaced for a noise issue may be requested for return. CVTs that do not have a
defect will be charged back to the dealer.

Refer to the information in this bulletin before replacing a CVT for a noise issue.


General Noise Descriptions – From Front of Vehicle When Driving/Idling:
Page 2



Bearing Noise Diagnosis: Page 3



Bearing Noise From Front of Vehicle Flow Chart: Page 4



CVT Replacement For Noise – Check Sheet: Page 5
o This check sheet must be completed and attached to the repair order
before replacing a CVT for a noise issue.

Nissan Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified technicians are
properly trained individuals who have the equipment, tools, safety instruction, and know-how to do a job
properly and safely. NOTE: If you believe that a described condition may apply to a particular vehicle, DO
NOT assume that it does. See your Nissan dealer to determine if this applies to your vehicle.
1/6

General Noise Descriptions – From Front of Vehicle When Driving/Idling

Noise Descriptions
Commonly Blamed on the CVT

Explanation

CVTs are designed to allow very low engine
rpm with torque converter locked to improve
Cabin booming (low frequency) noise or
fuel economy. This is normal behavior and
steering vibration at lowest rpm after CVT
not warrantable.
torque converter lockup (about 1200 engine If noise or vibration is worse than a known
rpm and about 30 mph).
good vehicle, check for exhaust contact with
body due to incorrect installation or impact
damage.
Kicks (P15), Sentra (B17), and Versa (E12,
N17, N18) CVTs have a single gear shift
that can occur between 20-50 mph,
depending on the throttle opening. A slight
whine noise during that shift is normal
behavior and not warrantable unless it is
much louder than a known good vehicle.

For Kicks (P15), Sentra (B17), and Versa
(E12, N17, N18) vehicles only:
Slight whine noise and “shift feeling” at
low to moderate speed.

Warbling/whining noise in Drive when
moving, but is not heard in Drive when
stopped.

If noise only occurs when in motion, check
for noise from wheel bearings and propeller
shaft bearings (refer to Bearing Noise
Diagnosis on page 3).
If a CVT is replaced for noise and follow up
repair of front wheel bearing is performed
due to improper noise diagnosis, CVT repair
may be charged back.

Slight whining noise when coming to a stop
while braking.

A slight whine noise when coasting or
braking to a stop at less than 10 mph may
occur. This is normal, and is not
warrantable.
If noise is worse than a known good vehicle,
check for contact between the CVT and
body.

Slight whining noise idle and accelerating,
any gear position.

A slight whine noise when idling or
accelerating can be due to engine oil pump,
H-EPS power steering pump (if equipped),
or CVT oil pump. This is normal and not
warrantable.
If noise is worse than a known good vehicle,
unplug the H-EPS pump (if equipped) to see
if the noise goes away, or use chassis ears
to isolate the source of the noise.
2/6

NTB16-109C

General Noise Descriptions – From Front of Vehicle When Driving/Idling (continued)

Noise Descriptions
Commonly Blamed on CVT

Explanation

Rattle noise that increases/decreases with
engine rpm, but may not increase/decrease
with vehicle speed.

Generally caused by an exhaust heat shield
that is loose or contacting the exhaust.

Bearing Noise Diagnosis
General bearing noise description: A warbling noise that increases frequency with vehicle
speed or engine speed.

General Noise Location

Action

Noise direction from front of vehicle.

Proceed to Bearing Noise From Front of
Vehicle Flow Chart on the next page.

Noise direction from rear of vehicle.

Perform a 2 channel chassis ear test, one
on each rear spindle, to confirm rear bearing
noise. (If AWD, perform a 3 channel test and
include rear propeller shaft bearing.)

Noise direction cannot be determined.

Perform a 2 channel chassis ear test, one
on each rear spindle, to confirm rear bearing
noise. (If AWD, perform a 3 channel test and
include rear propeller shaft bearing.)
If no abnormal noise is isolated with chassis
ears, proceed to Bearing Noise From
Front of Vehicle Flow Chart on the next
page.

3/6

NTB16-109C

Bearing Noise From Front of Vehicle Flow Chart

Bearing Noise From Front of Vehicle

Noise occurs in Neutral/Park – Not moving

Noise is
unaffected
by shifter
position or
A/C ON/OFF

Noise stops
when A/C
compressor is
turned OFF

Noise only occurs when
vehicle is moving

Noise stops
when shifting
into Drive, but
vehicle not
moving

With noise occurring while
driving at constant speed,
does noise increase /
decrease with steering input
(back and forth) or when
cornering?
YES

Remove drive
belt or use
stethoscope
to check
bearings on
belt tensioner
pulley / AC
compressor
clutch /
alternator /
PS pump

Use chassis
ears on A/C
compressor to
confirm A/C
compressor
bearing noise

For Kicks (P15),
Sentra (B17),
and Versa (E12,
N17, N18) only:
Use chassis
ears on CVT to
confirm CVT
input shaft
bearing noise

NO

Perform a 4 channel
chassis ear test
(1 channel on each
front spindle, 1 on
CVT body, and 1 on
drive shaft bearing) to
isolate the source of
the noise

Perform a 2 channel
chassis ear test
(1 channel on each front
spindle) to confirm front
wheel bearing noise and
isolate which side

4/6

NTB16-109C

CVT Replacement for Noise – Check Sheet


Print a copy of this page and attach it to the repair order.



Before replacing a CVT for a noise issue, perform diagnostics to confirm the noise is
coming from the CVT.



Place a check mark in each box below to confirm the diagnosis for that item has
been done.

Noise was confirmed with customer on road test
(test drive), not on hoist

Noise is much louder than known good vehicle

Noise is not a wheel bearing

Noise is not a driveshaft / axle or propeller shaft
bearing

Noise is not engine oil pump noise

Noise is not engine accessory (idler pulley /
alternator / AC compressor)

Noise is not H-EPS Pump or power steering pump

Noise is not an exhaust heat shield rattle

5/6

NTB16-109C

AMENDMENT HISTORY
PUBLISHED DATE REFERENCE

DESCRIPTION

November 11, 2016

NTB16-109

Original bulletin published

August 2, 2017

NTB16-109a

Changes made on pages 3 and 5

May 17, 2018

NTB16-109b

Publication date updated to include the latest
models and model years

March 3, 2022

NTB16-109C

Publication date updated to include the latest
models and model years, and changes made
on pages 2 and 4

6/6

NTB16-109C