Transmission issues can make a big dent in your Nissan Maxima’s performance. Since the vehicle’s CVT transmission moves engine power to the drive wheels, the consequences of a problematic transmission can be dire.
Ignoring transmission problems with your Nissan Maxima can render it inoperable. But worry not because there are ways to notice and address them.
The most common issues you might face include gear shifting problems, transmission slipping, missing gears, and overheating transmission. Below, I’ll discuss how to troubleshoot these Nissan Maxima transmission problems.
Answer: Common Transmission Problems With Nissan Maxima
Note that some CVT transmission issues can be daunting and require an experienced technician to address them. Therefore, I’ll detail the problems you can fix yourself and those needing an expert.
Gear Shifting Problems
Nissan Maxima’s gears should shift smoothly to allow the vehicle to move off or travel at high speeds. Unfortunately, improper handling of the gears or poor transmission system maintenance can cause shifting problems. For example, you might notice the gears shifting inconsistently or failing to shift at all.
Gear shifting problems can result from several issues. The most common cause is low or contaminated transmission fluid. This fluid lubricates moving parts in the system to allow smooth shifting.
You can check the fluid’s level in the reservoir with the dipstick. If the fluid level is below the recommended point, top it up as required.
Dirty or contaminated transmission fluid can’t lubricate moving parts, including the gears. When checking the fluid level, take note of the fluid’s color. Transmission fluid should be dark red. However, the fluid is dirty or degraded if it looks dark brown or black. Drain dirty transmission fluid from the system and refill the reservoir with fresh fluid.
Besides transmission fluid, Nissan Maxima’s gear may have shifting issues due to a worn-out gear lever assembly. In this case, find an expert to inspect, repair, or replace the gear assembly.
The electronic sensor and its connections can be defective and cause shifting problems. This sensor and connections communicate with the ECM while shifting gears. A dirty, loose, or damaged sensor and connections can prevent gears from shifting appropriately.
Locate the sensor and spray some sensor cleaner if it’s dirty. Then, wipe everything out with a rag. You can test the sensor and wiring with a multimeter to see if they’re functional. Replace the defective sensor/wiring or hire an expert to do the job.
Transmission Slipping
Your Nissan Maxima’s transmission can slip out of gear without you shifting it. This issue can put your life at risk or leave the vehicle inoperable. Transmission slipping happens when you shift gears, where the gear slips into neutral.
Like many Nissan Maxima transmission problems, a gear slipping issue can result from low transmission fluid. Low fluid level causes the pressure that allows gear engagement to decrease. As a result, the gears will slip after shifting them. Troubleshooting this issue involves checking the fluid level and adding more if necessary.
Worn clutches might also cause your Maxima’s transmission to slip. Over time, the clutch plates succumb to natural wear and tear and lose their grip. A worn clutch plate can’t hold gears properly and will cause them to slip.
Inspecting and replacing worn clutches is best left in the hands of an expert.
If your Nissan’s transmission continues to slip, the transmission solenoid might be faulty. This component controls transmission fluid flow in the valve body. A faulty solenoid will disrupt fluid flow and cause the transmission to slip.
Your professional technician can help diagnose the problem and replace the malfunctioning solenoid.
Missing Gears
Missing gears in your Nissan Maxima indicate that your transmission is experiencing premature failure. You’ll notice this problem when one or more gears fail to engage or work intermittently.
The leading cause of missing gears is low transmission fluid level. So start by adding more fluid if necessary. If the problem persists, your Maxima’s transmission system might have defective linkage controls or a faulty vacuum. Another cause of missing gears is damaged gears or a failing internal clutch.
Fixing a missing gear issue can be daunting as it might involve replacing the entire transmission. Take your Maxima to an experienced mechanic or the dealership to address the problem. Replacing the transmission costs up to $5,000.
Overheating Transmission
An overworked or improperly maintained transmission can overheat and result in severe damage. If your Maxima’s transmission is overheating, it’s best to address the underlying problem on time. Thankfully, an overheated transmission can be easy to detect due to the following symptoms:
- Temperature light popping up on the dash
- Transmission shifting inconsistently
- White smoke resulting from burning transmission fluid
- Burning smell due to overheating transmission components
- Delayed gear engagement
Various Nissan Maxima transmission problems can cause the system to overheat. For example, a low fluid level fails to lubricate moving parts in the transmission. As a result, these parts rub against each other and overheat. Dirty or contaminated fluid can also cause the transmission to overheat.
Always check the fluid level and top it up when necessary to avoid this issue. You may also need to change the transmission fluid after every 30,000 to 40,000 miles.
A broken radiator fan or water pump might cause the Maxima’s transmission to overheat. Inspect the radiator fan and replace it if it looks damaged or worn. If the water pump is the culprit, allow a professional to examine and fix it.
Excessive Engine Revving
Does your Nissan Maxima engine rev excessively before going into gear? If you fail to resolve this issue, your vehicle might burn a lot of oil and cause severe engine damage.
Excessive engine revs can result from an issue with the shifting mechanism. The fluid might be to blame if you haven’t serviced the transmission for long. So check the fluid level and quality in the reservoir. Refill the reservoir if necessary or change the fluid if it’s dirty.
Another issue in the transmission that might cause excessive engine revs is a clogged filter. Locate and inspect the transmission filter for clogs. Replacing a clogged or worn filter might help resolve the problem.
Lastly, if the engine revs persist, the sensor might be dirty, loose, or damaged. A defective sensor won’t detect when there’s a need to shift gears.
Answer: Signs of Nissan Maxima Transmission Issues
There are several symptoms of transmission problems in your Nissan Maxima. Some of them include:
- Unresponsive transmission
- Transmission warning light
- Malfunctioning clutch
- Leaking brake fluid
- Burning smell from the transmission
- White smoke from the engine bay
- Vehicle shaking violently
- Problems with braking
Wrapping Up
Nissan Maxima transmission problems can affect your vehicle’s performance. If left unresolved, these problems can cause severe damage to the car and render it undrivable.
When you notice signs of a defective Maxima’s transmission, diagnose and address the root cause of the problem. Always consider hiring an expert to troubleshoot transmission problems you can’t handle yourself.