Recalls & faults: Nissan L33 Altima (2013-17)

Recalls: Nissan L33 Altima

Overview

Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.

Recalls: Nissan L33 Altima

No recall information is available for the Nissan Altima (L33). To search for recalls of Nissan models, please visit Product Safety Recalls Australia: Nissan.

Problems and faults: Nissan L33 Altima

Overview

This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.

To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.

Nissan L33 Altima 2.5i: CVT judder, delayed engagement and hesitation

In the USA, Nissan North America has issued a series of technical bulletins for Nissan L33 Altima vehicles that had 2.5-litre QR25 engines and continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). According to the bulletins, these vehicles may exhibit the following symptoms:

• Sudden, unexpected shaking and violent jerking (commonly referred to as “juddering” or “shuddering”) when the driver attempts to accelerate;
• CVT delayed engagement (i.e. takes longer than three seconds to engage ‘Drive’ or ‘Reverse’ gear); and,
• Hesitation and/or lack of power.

AustralianCar.Reviews understands that these symptoms were due to the steel belt inside the CVT slipping and becoming worn. For background, the CVT used two variable-diameter pulleys with a steel belt running between them to change speed (rather than a gearbox and clutch system). To change ratios, the pulleys could adjust their width to make the belt turn faster or slower, depending on the speed of the vehicle and the torque needed.

2013-16 model year Nissan L33 Altima QR25: CVT delayed engagement (NTB15-084)

In April 2016, Nissan North America issued technical service bulletin NTB15-084b for 2013-16 model year Nissan Altima vehicles that had 2.5-litre QR25 engines. According to the bulletin, these vehicles may exhibit transmission judder (i.e. shake, shudder, single or multiple bumps or vibration) and Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P17F0 or P17F1 may be stored in the Transmission Control Module (TCM) –

• If DTC P17F0 was stored in the TCM, the CVT assembly was to be replaced;
• If DTC P17F1 was stored in the TC, the control valve (valve body) was to be removed so that the CVT belt could be inspected with a borescope. If the CVT belt showed evidence of belt slippage (demonstrated by scuffing of the belt), then the CVT assembly was to be replaced. If not, the valve body was to be replaced.

2013-16 model year Nissan L33 Altima QR25: CVT delayed engagement (NTB15-084)

In April 2016, Nissan North America issued technical service bulletin NTB15-085b for 2013-15 model year Nissan L33 Altima vehicles that had 2.5-litre QR25 engines. If:

• the CVT in these vehicles exhibited delayed engagement when shifting into Drive or Reverse (i.e. longer than three seconds); and,
• there were no diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in the engine control module (ECM) and/or transmission control module (TCM),

then

• the TCM was to be re-programmed if this had not previously been done;
• the control valve (valve body) was to be removed so that a borescope could be used to inspect the CVT belt; and,
• if there was no evidence of belt slippage, the valve body was to be replaced. If there was evidence of belt slippage (demonstrated by scuffing of the belt), then the CVT assembly was to be replaced.

Furthermore, a CVT cooler flush was required after a valve body or CVT assembly replacement.

Nissan L33 Altima QR25: hesitation and/or lack of power (NTB15-086d)

In August 2016, Nissan North America issued technical bulletin NTB15-086d for 2013-16 model year Nissan L33 Altima vehicles that had 2.5-litre QR25 engines. According to the bulletin, the malfunction indicator light (MIL) may illuminate, the vehicle may hesitate and/or have reduced power. Furthermore, diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0766 (PC Solenoid B – Pressure Control Solenoid ‘B’ Performance/Stuck Off) may be stored.

For affected vehicles, the control valve (valve body) was to be removed so that the CVT belt could be inspected using a borescope. If there was evidence of belt slippage (indicated by scuffing of the CVT belt), then the CVT assembly was to be replaced; if not, the valve body was to be replaced. For 2013-15 model year vehicles, however, the TCM was to be re-programmed regardless.

2013-16 model year Nissan L33 Altima QR25: CVT delayed engagement (NTB15-084)

In April 2017, Nissan North America issued technical service bulletin NTB15-087a for 2013-16 model year Nissan L33 Altima vehicles that had 2.5-litre QR25 four-cylinder engines. If:

1. One or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) were stored in the Transmission Control Module (TCM): P0740, P0743, P0778, P0779, P0847, P0848, P084C, P084D, P0962, P0963, P0966, P0967, P2814 and P2815; and,
2. No other DTCs were stored; and,
3. The diagnostic procedure in the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) for each listed DTC which was stored in the TCM had been performed, then
4. The CVT valve body assembly (control valve) was to be replaced with a new one. As part of this procedure, the CVT cooler was also to be flushed.

Nissan L33 Altima 3.5i: CVT judder and vibration

In the USA, Nissan North America has issued a series of technical bulletins for Nissan L33 Altima vehicles that had 3.5-litre VQ35 engines and continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). According to the bulletins (summarised below), these vehicles may exhibit the following symptoms sudden, unexpected shaking and violent jerking (commonly referred to as “juddering” or “shuddering”) when the driver attempted to accelerate.

In a class action against Nissan North America (Batista & Ors v Nissan North America Inc), it was alleged that the CVT juddering was due to the steel CVT belt becoming worn and slipping (‘CVT belt slip condition’) or a failure of the CVT8HT’s chain drive to transfer power through the transmission and accelerate the vehicle. The class action alleged that the defect typically manifested itself as shuddering or juddering when the driver attempted to accelerate from low speed or from an engine speed under 2000 rpm.

Nissan L33 Altima VQ35DE: CVT judder during light acceleration (NTB13-086)

In September 2013, Nissan North America issued technical service bulletin NTB13-086 for 2013-14 model year Nissan L33 Altima vehicles with V6 engines. According to the bulletin, these vehicles may experience a judder (i.e. a shudder, single or multiple bumps or vibrations) during light acceleration when:

• Vehicle speed was between 8 km/h and 60 km/h;
• Throttle position was about 10 per cent;
• The judder ceased when more throttle is applied; and,
• No diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) were stored after the judder.

Initially, the transmission control module (TCM) was to be re-programmed. However, if the judder was:

1. Due to ‘lock up shock’, then the torque converter was to be replaced; or,
2. Due to ‘pressure vibration’, then the CVT was to be replaced.

Nissan L33 Altima V6: CVT judder and DTC P17F0 or P17F1 (NTB15-015b)

In September 2015, Nissan North America issued technical bulletin NTB15-015b for 2015 ‘model year’ Nissan L33 Altima V6 vehicles. If these vehicles exhibited transmission judder (i.e. shake, shudder, single or multiple bumps or vibration), then diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) would determine the course of action –

• If DTC P17F1 (CVT_JUDDER (C/U INSPECTION)) was logged, then a CVT inspection was to be performed. Depending upon the inspection, either a control valve would be replaced or the CVT assembly would be replaced; and,
• If DTC P17F0 (CVT_JUDDER (T/M INSPECTION)) was logged, then the CVT assembly was to be replaced.

If neither of these codes were logged, however, then the technical bulletin did not apply.