Alleged Nissan Altima, Sentra, Versa Transmission Problems Spark Class Action Lawsuit

New to ClassAction.org? Read our Newswire Disclaimer

A proposed class action alleges certain model year Nissan Altima, Sentra, Versa and Versa Note vehicles are equipped with a defective transmission.

The 31-page case says that the apparent defect in the continuously variable transmission (CVT) in the following Nissan models can cause a vehicle to hesitate significantly during acceleration or otherwise stall, jerk, lurch, judder or shake during operation:

According to the complaint, the Nissan transmission defect poses an “extreme and unreasonable” safety hazard, in part because it may cause a driver to be unable to maintain the proper speed while merging into traffic or passing other vehicles.

The lawsuit alleges Nissan of North America and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. knew that the above-listed vehicle models were defective and unfit to provide safe and reliable transportation yet “actively concealed” the transmission problem from consumers. To date, the automaker has not recalled affected vehicle models, offered drivers a suitable repair free of charge, or otherwise offered reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs related to the issue, the suit says.

The lawsuit states that a continuously variable transmission does not use conventional gears to achieve the various required ratios while driving. Instead, a CVT uses a segmented steel belt between pulleys that can be adjusted to change a transmission’s reduction ratio, the suit says. This process, per the case, is supposed to occur smoothly and continuously during operation.

Nissan drivers have reported, however, a delay in the vehicle’s response to the depression of the gas pedal, which, in the affected models, is accompanied by the engine revving and little to no increase in speed, the complaint relays.

According to the filing, other Nissan vehicle models have also been plagued by similar recurrent CVT problems for the last decade, and the automaker has issued to authorized dealers “scores of technical service bulletins” concerning the alleged transmission problems.

The case looks to represent all individuals who bought or leased in the U.S. any of the Nissan vehicle models listed on this page.

Get class action lawsuit news sent to your inbox – sign up for ClassAction.org’s free weekly newsletter here.