MajorCommonTransmission

Nissan Stagea: RE5R05A Automatic Transmission Torque Converter Lockup Shudder

RE5R05A Automatic Transmission Torque Converter Lockup Shudder is a common transmission fault on the Nissan Stagea on the 2001–2007 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $400 to $4,200 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 22 documented faults on the Nissan Stagea.

Vehicle: Nissan Stagea
Engine: 3.5L
Years: 2001–2007
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: auto
System: Transmission

This page covers the Nissan Stagea 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 Stagea faults22 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

A cutaway automatic transmission torque converter showing the internal turbine and stator. — A torque converter, sectioned. The lock-up clutch inside is what shudders.
No machine-readable author provided. BerndB~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims). · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

What goes wrong

The M35 Stagea fitted with the 3.5-litre VQ35DE uses the Jatco RE5R05A five-speed automatic transmission. The torque converter lockup clutch engages at light throttle cruise speeds to improve fuel economy, but the organic friction lining on the lockup clutch disk degrades over time and with degraded ATF. As the lining wears, the lockup clutch slips intermittently rather than locking cleanly, transmitting vibration through the drivetrain as a cyclic shudder. The condition is aggravated by Nissan-specified ATF breaking down its friction modifier additives, and it worsens progressively until the converter requires replacement or the ATF is refreshed with fluid containing the correct friction modifiers.

What you would notice

Cyclic shudder or vibration through the cabin at 80-110 km/h under steady light throttle, resembling a rough road surface
Shudder disappears when accelerating firmly or decelerating because the lockup clutch disengages
Transmission fault codes related to torque converter clutch performance (P0740 or P0743) in advanced cases

How to check it

Where to look. Torque converter inside the automatic transmission bellhousing, between the engine and transmission

Drive at steady highway speed (80-110 km/h) under light throttle with the transmission in lockup. A rhythmic vibration or shudder that feels like driving over a rumble strip indicates lockup clutch slip. Check ATF condition — dark or burnt-smelling fluid accelerates wear. Perform a fresh Nissan Matic-S or equivalent ATF drain-and-fill as an initial diagnostic step; if shudder persists after a fluid service, the converter requires replacement.

Parts involved: Torque converter.

What it costs to put right

$400 to $4,200 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 automatic transmission fluid ever been changed, and with what fluid specification?”
“Does the car shudder or vibrate at highway cruise speeds under light throttle?”

Now check the Nissan Stagea 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 Stagea buyer questions

Is re5r05a automatic transmission torque converter lockup shudder serious on a Nissan Stagea?

We rate it major and common on the Nissan Stagea. The M35 Stagea fitted with the 3.5-litre VQ35DE uses the Jatco RE5R05A five-speed automatic transmission. The torque converter lockup clutch engages at light throttle cruise speeds to improve fuel economy, but the organic friction lining on the lockup clutch disk degrades over time and with degraded ATF. As the lining wears, the lockup clutch slips intermittently rather than locking cleanly, transmitting vibration through the drivetrain as a cyclic shudder. The condition is aggravated by Nissan-specified ATF breaking down its friction modifier additives, and it worsens progressively until the converter requires replacement or the ATF is refreshed with fluid containing the correct friction modifiers.

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

$400 to $4,200 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 Stagea years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2001–2007 Nissan Stagea. 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.