Continuously variable transmissions promise smooth, efficient driving, but a long paper trail of complaints, lawsuits and warranty extensions shows where the technology has struggled. This list draws on owner reports, class actions and manufacturer bulletins rather than guesswork. Here are twelve cars and SUVs where the CVT has drawn the most scrutiny.
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1. Nissan Altima: Worst Year Arrives Early
According to CarComplaints’ Altima records, 2013 is the Altima’s worst year, with 974 complaints led by CVT shuddering, vibration and hesitation. Those repairs averaged $3,100 at about 56,000 miles.
Anyone shopping for a used Altima from that period should ask for transmission service records and take a long test drive with stop-and-go traffic, listening and feeling for shudder or hesitation at light throttle. Checking the VIN at NHTSA for open recalls and bulletins adds another layer of protection before any purchase.
2. Nissan Rogue: Lawsuit Targets Rogue CVTs
A a 2022 class action report says 2019 and 2020 Rogues with CVTs hesitate, jerk, slip and lose power, up to complete CVT failure. The suit cites four plaintiffs and four service bulletins.
These are allegations in a lawsuit, not confirmed defects. Owners of those model years can check for open bulletins and recalls by VIN at NHTSA and keep dealer records of any transmission complaints. Keeping every dealer visit documented also helps if a pattern of transmission symptoms ever needs to be shown to a manufacturer.
3. Nissan Sentra: Sentra Joins the Suit
Sentras from 2017 and 2018 appear alongside the Altima in a Nissan transmission lawsuit, which alleges defective CVTs that judder, shudder, clunk, jerk and cause acceleration problems.
As with the other Nissan lawsuits, the claims are allegations. A buyer eyeing one of these Sentras can test-drive it through low-speed acceleration and ask whether any transmission work was documented. Because lawsuit terms vary, reading the official settlement notice for the exact model year is better than assuming broad coverage.
4. Nissan Versa: Settlement Extends Coverage
In a settled class action over 2018 and 2019 Versas, owners said the CVTs jerk, shudder, judder and clunk. Nissan extended transmission coverage by 24 months or 24,000 miles and agreed to reimburse repairs at non-Nissan shops up to $5,000.
Coverage terms depend on the specific vehicle and its repair history, so a current owner should confirm eligibility with a dealer. Keeping repair receipts matters if reimbursement is ever in play. Recalls and coverage extensions can change over time, so a quick call to a dealer for current status is worth making.
5. Nissan Pathfinder: Belt Slip Trouble
The 2013-2014 Pathfinder’s CVT suffered belt slip that caused power loss and shuddering, according to a SlashGear transmission roundup. A $277.7 million class-action settlement covers 2015 through 2018 models.
Pathfinder shoppers should note that the settlement covers later years than the original belt-slip complaints. Checking a specific vehicle’s VIN for recalls and software updates is a sensible first step. Because the complaint pattern centers on belt slip, early symptoms such as shuddering at launch are worth reporting promptly.
6. Jeep Compass: Overheating at 70,000 Miles
CarComplaints’ Compass page lists a 2011 Compass CVT that overheated, with the repair averaging $1,700 at 70,000 miles. The page covers 540 complaints in total for the model.
Mid-range mileage is when this kind of issue surfaced, so a used Compass near that mark deserves scrutiny. Ask about transmission fluid service and watch for warning lights during a test drive. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent transmission shop can put the real condition of any used example on paper.
7. Jeep Patriot: Faulty CVT Complaints
Three 2011 Patriot transmission-failure complaints in three 2011 Patriot complaints are tagged CVT, with a typical repair of $3,000 at 82,800 miles. One owner calls it a ‘well-documented faulty CVT’.
Three complaints is a small sample, so the figure is a signal rather than a verdict. Still, a 2011 Patriot with an unknown service history is a risk worth pricing in during negotiation. Treating the complaint count as one input among several, alongside service records and a test drive, keeps the picture balanced.
8. Subaru Forester: Doubled CVT Warranty
Subaru doubled CVT warranty coverage on 2016-17 Foresters, from 5 years or 60,000 miles to 10 years or 100,000 miles, in a 2018 Subaru bulletin issued in September 2018. It applies to both the 2.5L and 2.0L turbo versions.
An extension like this signals that the maker saw a problem worth covering. Owners can ask a Subaru dealer whether a specific Forester remains within the extended coverage. Because transmission service intervals can matter, asking what fluid changes have been done is a simple, useful question.
9. Subaru Outback: Same Bulletin, Same Fix
The the same Subaru bulletin that covered Foresters also extended CVT coverage on 2016-17 Legacy and Outback models, from 5 years or 60,000 miles to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Both the 2.5L and 3.6L engines are listed.
A longer warranty can offset repair risk, though coverage may depend on mileage and maintenance. Anyone buying a used Outback from those years should verify eligibility with a dealer before relying on it. Because warranty extensions typically depend on the vehicle’s repair and maintenance history, preserving paperwork is worthwhile.
10. Honda Civic: Rollaway Risk Alleged
A proposed class action described in a CarComplaints class action report says nearly a million 2016-2018 Civics have CVT and gear-shift problems that can let cars roll away while the shifter shows Park. About 350,000 model year 2016 Civics were recalled.
The class action is proposed rather than decided. Owners can check recall status by VIN at NHTSA, and drivers should always set the parking brake as a habit. Since this case centers on gear-shift behavior, any odd shifter feel or Park warning deserves prompt attention at a dealer.
11. Mitsubishi Outlander: Slippage in a Small Sample
CarComplaints’ Outlander slippage page logs CVT transmission slippage on the 2016 Outlander, with two complaints at an average of 110,900 miles. The entry cites Jatco CVT failures.
Two complaints is a thin sample with no cost data, so this is a flag rather than a pattern. A buyer can still ask for service records and check that the transmission shifts cleanly under load. Pairing the complaint record with a careful test drive and a look at recent transmission service gives a fuller picture.
12. Subaru Ascent: Eight-Year Extended Warranty
A settlement described in a 2024 settlement report covers 2019-2020 Ascents with the TR690 CVT, alleged to hesitate, jerk, shudder and stall. It gives an 8-year or 100,000-mile extended powertrain warranty on affected parts.
Owners of these Ascents should look into whether the extension applies to their vehicle. Anyone considering a used one can ask for documentation of any CVT-related repairs. Settlement terms can include conditions and deadlines, so reading the notice carefully matters for anyone who may be eligible.
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