MajorCommonTransmission

Nissan Note: E11 Note CVT Shudder and Premature Wear

E11 Note CVT Shudder and Premature Wear is a common transmission fault on the Nissan Note on the 2006–2013 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $2,500 to $7,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 31 documented faults on the Nissan Note.

Vehicle: Nissan Note
Engine: 1.4L / 1.6L
Years: 2006–2013
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: cvt
System: Transmission

This page covers the Nissan Note as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Nissan Note faults31 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

The E11 Note equipped with Nissan's CVT (typically JF009E or JF011E unit behind CR14DE or HR16DE) is prone to shudder and judder caused by fluid degradation. NZ/AU examples are frequently ex-Japan imports with unknown or missed CVT fluid history. The shudder typically appears at low speed under light throttle and worsens progressively. Early intervention with NS2 fluid flush can extend life, but advanced cases require unit rebuild or replacement.

What you would notice

Judder or shudder under gentle acceleration at 15–50 km/h
Transmission hesitation pulling away from rest
CVT warning lamp or check engine light
Slipping sensation under uphill load
Droning or whining noise from transmission

How to check it

Where to look. CVT transaxle bolted to engine, front of engine bay

Test at low speed under light throttle on level ground.
Pay attention between 20–40 km/h for vibration or shudder through the seat.
Check CVT fluid colour and smell — dark brown or burnt is a red flag.
Look for CVT service records with correct fluid specification.

What it costs to put right

$2,500 to $7,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

“Has the CVT fluid been serviced, and with what specification fluid?”
“Has the transmission ever juddered or slipped?”
“Does the car have a complete service history from Japan or NZ?”

Now check the Nissan Note you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Nissan Note buyer questions

Is e11 note cvt shudder and premature wear serious on a Nissan Note?

We rate it major and common on the Nissan Note. The E11 Note equipped with Nissan's CVT (typically JF009E or JF011E unit behind CR14DE or HR16DE) is prone to shudder and judder caused by fluid degradation. NZ/AU examples are frequently ex-Japan imports with unknown or missed CVT fluid history. The shudder typically appears at low speed under light throttle and worsens progressively. Early intervention with NS2 fluid flush can extend life, but advanced cases require unit rebuild or replacement.

How much does it cost to fix on a Nissan Note?

$2,500 to $7,500 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Nissan Note years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2006–2013 Nissan Note. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Test at low speed under light throttle on level ground. Pay attention between 20–40 km/h for vibration or shudder through the seat. Check CVT fluid colour and smell — dark brown or burnt is a red flag. Look for CVT service records with correct fluid specification. Look here: CVT transaxle bolted to engine, front of engine bay