MajorCommonTransmission

Nissan Presage: QR25DE Jatco CVT Belt Slip from Fluid Degradation

QR25DE Jatco CVT Belt Slip from Fluid Degradation is a common transmission fault on the Nissan Presage on the 2003–2009 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $200 to $6,000 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 14 documented faults on the Nissan Presage.

Vehicle: Nissan Presage
Engine: QR25-DE
Years: 2003–2009
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: cvt
System: Transmission

This page covers the Nissan Presage 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 Presage faults14 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph of the CVT belt and pulleys yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of a different part.

What goes wrong

The QR25DE-equipped Presage U31 uses a Jatco CVT that is sensitive to fluid condition. CVT fluid degradation from extended service intervals causes variator belt slip under load, presenting as a juddering or shuddering sensation between 30–60 km/h during light acceleration. Left unserviced, belt slip causes wear of the steel push-belt and pulley surfaces, rendering the transmission unrepairable without a full rebuild or replacement unit. NZ-imported examples frequently have CVT fluid that has never been changed despite age and mileage.

What you would notice

Shuddering or juddering between 30–60 km/h during light throttle
Hesitation or stumble during acceleration from rest
RPM flare without corresponding vehicle acceleration
Transmission overheating warning in severe cases

How to check it

Where to look. CVT transmission, accessible via sump drain

Test drive from both cold and operating temperature.
Accelerate gently from 30–60 km/h and feel for shuddering or vibration through the floor or driveline.
Check CVT fluid condition — should be pink or red, not burnt-smelling or discoloured.
Verify CVT fluid change history.
Budget for fluid change at purchase if history is unknown.

Parts involved: CVT belt and pulleys.

What it costs to put right

$200 to $6,000 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

“When was the CVT fluid last changed?”
“Any shuddering or juddering during acceleration?”
“Have there ever been any transmission fault codes?”
“What is the total mileage and service history?”

Now check the Nissan Presage 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 Presage buyer questions

Is qr25de jatco cvt belt slip from fluid degradation serious on a Nissan Presage?

We rate it major and common on the Nissan Presage. The QR25DE-equipped Presage U31 uses a Jatco CVT that is sensitive to fluid condition. CVT fluid degradation from extended service intervals causes variator belt slip under load, presenting as a juddering or shuddering sensation between 30–60 km/h during light acceleration. Left unserviced, belt slip causes wear of the steel push-belt and pulley surfaces, rendering the transmission unrepairable without a full rebuild or replacement unit. NZ-imported examples frequently have CVT fluid that has never been changed despite age and mileage.

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

$200 to $6,000 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 Presage years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2003–2009 Nissan Presage. 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 drive from both cold and operating temperature. Accelerate gently from 30–60 km/h and feel for shuddering or vibration through the floor or driveline. Check CVT fluid condition — should be pink or red, not burnt-smelling or discoloured. Verify CVT fluid change history. Budget for fluid change at purchase if history is unknown. Look here: CVT transmission, accessible via sump drain