The big issue with CVT's

[Exhaustgases]

Internal parts ! Can't even get a push belt from the dealer for a 2016 up HR-V, that has a habit of tearing them up.
Go figure, parts are readily available for the step transmissions and engines.
So funny thing is I think some factory authorized rebuilder is getting parts from some place.
I guess the only way they care to sell said parts is to sell a multi thousand dollar replacement unit?

 

[Donald]

Internal parts ! Can't even get a push belt from the dealer for a 2016 up HR-V, that has a habit of tearing them up.
Go figure, parts are readily available for the step transmissions and engines.
So funny thing is I think some factory authorized rebuilder is getting parts from some place.
I guess the only way they care to sell said parts is to sell a multi thousand dollar replacement unit?

Isolated part shortage.

Subaru is warranty their CVT for 100K miles

 

[CharBaby]

We've had 4 CVT vehicles since 2015, and 2 being 2015 models.
My biggest concern with CVT's is their poor reputation for reliability. Otherwise, they're my clear choice for everyday driving.
And even though I know there is a CVT under hood, I really can't detect that there is a CVT under hood. They just go about their business without fuss.

We haven't had a failure yet nor even a hiccup. But, it still concerns me should we own them past warranty. My friends & family members or whom ever might drive with us, don't even know that there is a CVT under hood. I must confess that I do early CVT fluid changes and we generally drive like a human being and not like we stole the vehicle. Our aggressive type of driving is the equivalent of maybe having too much coffee, if that makes sense.

 

[supton]

When the belt goes, does the pulleys it is on go also? I would think slippage on one would impact the surface finish on the other.

 

[D1dad]

We've had 4 CVT vehicles since 2015, and 2 being 2015 models.
My biggest concern with CVT's is their poor reputation for reliability. Otherwise, they're my clear choice for everyday driving.
And even though I know there is a CVT under hood, I really can't detect that there is a CVT under hood. They just go about their business without fuss.

We haven't had a failure yet nor even a hiccup. But, it still concerns me should we own them past warranty. My friends & family members or whom ever might drive with us, don't even know that there is a CVT under hood. I must confess that I do early CVT fluid changes and we generally drive like a human being and not like we stole the vehicle. Our aggressive type of driving is the equivalent of maybe having too much coffee, if that makes sense.

I’m ok with a cvt, you just can’t neglect them. You really can’t do that with any powertrain, there’s plenty of traditional transmissions that die the same neglected death that a cvt would. My impala was warrantied once and I traded it off when the replacement started slipping. I did have my 09 Altima replaced under warranty, but that was at 95k and I never serviced it, the dealer told me that consult said it was fine. I’ve got two current Nissans, one is approaching 100k and the other is well over. I’ve also did a spill and fill every spring and they’re both strong with no issues in sight.

 

[repairman54]

When the belt goes, does the pulleys it is on go also? I would think slippage on one would impact the surface finish on the other.

Yes. I have experience with CVT's on snowmobiles and SxS's. Those use rubber belts so no real wear on sheaves but there is a little over time mostly in the primary clutch which sees initial engagement. In those belt wear is normal and a Maintenace item.
Automotive CVT uses a metal belt so metal to metal wear making fluid service more important IMO. On the Nissan CVT's that were problematic there was complete unit replacement, no rebuilds and I believe the wear factor and parts costs made complete unit replacement more economical.

 

[svtrit]

CVT problems seem to be over reported in my opinion.

However, they can’t be driven like Altima drivers like to drive if you expect longevity. They also need more fluid changes than a traditional transmission. My son and sister in law are pushing it on their Rogues whereas my Rogues seem to have no issues, with on hitting 150k miles on the original CVT and only one fluid change at 100k miles.

 

[RobbS]

Isolated part shortage.

Subaru is warranty their CVT for 100K miles

You have to service the fluid every 30k miles to have a chance of reaching beyond 100k miles, corre t?

 

[martinq]

When the belt goes, does the pulleys it is on go also? I would think slippage on one would impact the surface finish on the other.

It's quite possible that the belt can wear out with only marginal damage to the pulleys. From what I've read and seen, the pulleys can be cleaned up fairly easily but it might not be necessary. If the belt comes apart then you're likely to see some pulley damage as opposed to just mild wear.

Any metal suspended in the fluid (keep your magnets clean!) will increase wear on the belt & pulleys and other extreme-pressure areas of the CVT. Keep the fluid / pan / magnets clean and you reduce wear, reduced wear helps keep the fluid clean. It's so much easier to change fluid and clean magnets then it is to change the belt / CVT.

I would drop the pan annually to clean and inspect. If there's nothing to clean then skip to two or three years, etc. Also a good idea to know if your fluid is overheating. I use the $5 app (CVTz50) and a $20 bluetooth OBD2 adapter (Veepeak VP11) to keep an eye on mine (Nissan / Jatco).

 

[supton]

On mine my current plan is to change 2L every 10k I think, least amount of work. Not the easiest job but not too bad. Reluctant to touch the pan bolts, they are fine at this age but just seems like a hassle I don’t need.

 

[CKN]

Internal parts ! Can't even get a push belt from the dealer for a 2016 up HR-V, that has a habit of tearing them up.
Go figure, parts are readily available for the step transmissions and engines.
So funny thing is I think some factory authorized rebuilder is getting parts from some place.
I guess the only way they care to sell said parts is to sell a multi thousand dollar replacement unit?

There are spot parts shortages everywhere-for anything. Vehicles, air conditioners, it runs the gamut.

 

[Nessism1]

Before buying my 2017 Civic, I was concerned about the CVT. As time has gone on, though, I think it's a fine transmission as far as driveability is concern. Fun fact: the 10th gen Civic is faster than the 11th gen with the same engine, in large part, because of the CVT tuning. I think 11th gen went after more mpg, and they added fake shifts also.

People always harp on changing CVT fluid at 30k miles, which I did, but it seems to me that the filters (two of them) will remove metal debris from circulating though the valve body. I drag strip launch at every stop, unless cars are in front, and at 30k miles, the fluid looked very good; just a ting of darkening of the fluid.

The CVT reputation is still stuck in my head, though. Every once in a while, while launching from a stop, I imagine some slight hesitation or slipping. Pretty sure it's just in my head, but with so much bad talk about CVT's, I'm still not sure about long term durability.

 

[D1dad]

Not sure on Subarus, but my Nissans every spring take around 3.75 qts like clockwork. Once the fluid is set correctly it’s as easy as filling up a gallon Walmart pitcher with new that matches the used fluid. My first D&F is always a double separated by a few hundred miles. My 18 rogue has driven through the Appalachians twice a year to our condo, from Ohio. I monitor my temps and I’ve never seen over 210 and that was reaching the top of a mountain doing 80 and loaded for bear.

The new Nissan cvts run hot! By hot I mean 210-225 all the time. My tech spoke with Nissan about it and they’ve connected condensation in the fluid to failures. I don’t know if I buy that, but they know more than I. One more reason I do a service after winter time.

 

[CarbonToast]

Sourcing parts was difficult when I replaced the bearings in my Subaru TR580. The only option was aftermarket.

The parts and rebuild info is out there. The aftermarket industry covers this.

 

[supton]

The CVT reputation is still stuck in my head, though. Every once in a while, while launching from a stop, I imagine some slight hesitation or slipping. Pretty sure it's just in my head, but with so much bad talk about CVT's, I'm still not sure about long term durability.

Ha! I've had the same thing happen a time or two, taking off from a stop, and it feels like slippage or something. For all I know it's wheel spin (quit laughing, I know it's a Corolla already) or just a momentary bog.

There's always something to worry about.

 

[Donald]

Ha! I've had the same thing happen a time or two, taking off from a stop, and it feels like slippage or something. For all I know it's wheel spin (quit laughing, I know it's a Corolla already) or just a momentary bog.

There's always something to worry about.

Today I am worrying more about ankles getting sunburned at a beach on Nevis than my SUbaru CVT.

 

[supton]

Today I am worrying more about ankles getting sunburned at a beach on Nevis than my SUbaru CVT.

Wear socks, that has always worked for me. That and avoiding beaches—too much sun there, might get a burn.

 

[Exhaustgases]

When the belt goes, does the pulleys it is on go also? I would think slippage on one would impact the surface finish on the other.

The ones in video's say no. Its the bands that break over time, heat treat or material selection.

I'm sure there are plenty of parts available, just not for the average pee on that is DIY.

 

[JTK]

When the belt goes, does the pulleys it is on go also? I would think slippage on one would impact the surface finish on the other.

Yes. As far as I know you're talking micro-finish tolerances between the "belt" and sheave surface. I'm sure you can clean the area up, but you're not going to get the life out of it you would with new parts.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

That is not restricted to CVTs. Internal parts availability is not a CVT-specific issue at all

If there was a widespread failure with them, Sonnax would probably have some kind of aftermarket upgrade by now.

Honestly, Honda makes one of the best CVT transmissions out there, and it is VERY easy to change the fluid on them, too, even easier than changing the oil. They also don't pretend it's lifetime fluid, either. The minder will tell you when to change the CVT fluid; just wait for code 3.

I've changed CVT fluid on an Accord, and it was so easy! I used Autozone STP CVT fluid (made by Amalie). It is amber in color, like the OE Honda stuff.

If you think Honda's CVT is bad, check out Subaru! They have much more widespread CVT problems, and if you want to change the fluid yourself, you need a flat surface and a scan tool to read the transmission temperature, and Subaru only sells the CVT fluid in 5 gallon buckets (though aftermarket fluids in the green color are available). Subaru also likes to pretend that it's lifetime fill.