CriticalCommonTransmission

Nissan Teana: QR25DE CVT Failure and Shudder

QR25DE CVT Failure and Shudder is a common transmission fault on the Nissan Teana on the 2007–2013 cars, and we rate it critical. Putting it right costs $2,800 to $6,500 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 20 documented faults on the Nissan Teana.

Vehicle: Nissan Teana
Engine: QR25-DE
Years: 2007–2013
Fuel: petrol
Gearbox: cvt
System: Transmission

This page covers the Nissan Teana 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 Teana faults20 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 Jatco CVT paired with the QR25DE 2.5-litre four-cylinder is the most significant known fault on 4-cylinder Teana variants across J31 and L33 generations. Early J31 units (2003–2008) suffer outright CVT failure from belt and pulley wear, particularly on high-mileage JDM imports without transmission service records. L33 units (2013–2022) exhibit CVT shudder at light throttle and overheating under sustained load — a pattern specifically warned about by NRMA and Australian consumer groups. Use of non-Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid or delayed fluid changes greatly accelerates failure. Replacement units from Japan are common but carry their own mileage risk.

What you would notice

Shuddering or vibration during light-throttle acceleration from 40–80 km/h
Slipping or flaring RPM with no corresponding acceleration
Overheating warning or limp-home mode under sustained highway driving
Whining or grinding noise from the transmission tunnel
Delayed engagement when selecting Drive or Reverse

How to check it

Where to look. Transmission tunnel, forward of centre console

Drive at light throttle between 40–80 km/h and feel for shudder or vibration through the drivetrain.
Check CVT fluid colour and smell — should be translucent pink or red, not brown or burnt.
Confirm CVT fluid has been changed at least once with correct NS-3 specification.
Request any transmission service receipts and scan for transmission fault codes.

What it costs to put right

$2,800 to $6,500 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 ever been changed, and with which fluid specification?”
“Has the transmission ever shuddered, slipped, or gone into limp mode?”
“Is there any transmission service history for this vehicle?”

Now check the Nissan Teana 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 Teana buyer questions

Is qr25de cvt failure and shudder serious on a Nissan Teana?

We rate it critical and common on the Nissan Teana. The Jatco CVT paired with the QR25DE 2.5-litre four-cylinder is the most significant known fault on 4-cylinder Teana variants across J31 and L33 generations. Early J31 units (2003–2008) suffer outright CVT failure from belt and pulley wear, particularly on high-mileage JDM imports without transmission service records. L33 units (2013–2022) exhibit CVT shudder at light throttle and overheating under sustained load — a pattern specifically warned about by NRMA and Australian consumer groups. Use of non-Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid or delayed fluid changes greatly accelerates failure. Replacement units from Japan are common but carry their own mileage risk.

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

$2,800 to $6,500 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 Teana years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2007–2013 Nissan Teana. 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?

Drive at light throttle between 40–80 km/h and feel for shudder or vibration through the drivetrain. Check CVT fluid colour and smell — should be translucent pink or red, not brown or burnt. Confirm CVT fluid has been changed at least once with correct NS-3 specification. Request any transmission service receipts and scan for transmission fault codes. Look here: Transmission tunnel, forward of centre console