Automotive
Drivers of certain Nissan Murano and Maxima models may finally be seeing some closure after years of complaints about defective constantly variable transmissions (CVTs), however the recent class-action lawsuit settlement may feel more like a consolation prize than a real win for a lot of. The automaker has agreed to a $3.47 million payout and an prolonged warranty for affected vehicles, but the vast majority of the settlement money is headed straight to the lawyers — and the warranty extension offers limited real-world value to most owners.
The category-action lawsuit, originally filed in Tennessee in late 2022, accused Nissan of knowingly selling vehicles equipped with faulty CVTs. Specifically, it involved the 2015–2018 Nissan Murano and 2016–2018 Maxima, vehicles that owners claimed suffered from premature transmission failures. Plaintiffs sought sweeping remedies: transmission replacements, full disclosure from Nissan, and a right away stop to sales of the problematic units. What they got was far less.
In response to court documents, Nissan has not admitted any wrongdoing as a part of the settlement. As an alternative, the corporate agreed to a lump sum payout of $3.47 million. Of that total, just $20,000 is earmarked for the 4 lead plaintiffs — about $5,000 each. The remaining $3.45 million goes to the legal team. It’s a well-recognized scenario in class-action settlements: large legal fees and comparatively minor compensation for those directly impacted.
Beyond the money, Nissan is offering an prolonged warranty of 84 months or 84,000 miles, whichever comes first. The catch? These vehicles are already at or beyond that seven-year mark, meaning many house owners will likely not profit from the extra coverage. In other words, the extension may read well on paper, but in practice, it does little for many who already endured costly transmission failures.
There are a number of ways owners can still profit. Nissan has agreed to reimburse customers for “qualifying” CVT repairs performed throughout the now-extended warranty window. Repairs done at a Nissan dealership could also be covered in full, while work performed at independent shops might be reimbursed as much as $5,000. Moreover, owners who had two or more transmission replacements or repairs could also be eligible for a $1,500 discount on a brand new Nissan or Infiniti purchase or lease — but they need to make a choice from that and the reimbursement. They will’t have each.
A final fairness hearing is scheduled for July 18, which can determine whether the settlement becomes official.
This lawsuit is just the newest chapter in a broader narrative of ongoing challenges for Nissan. As covered in our recent article about Nissan’s troubles with looming layoffs, the automaker is already bracing for significant restructuring, including potential workforce reductions. The timing of the CVT settlement only adds to the brand’s mounting headaches as it really works to rebuild consumer trust and stabilize its global operations.
For consumers researching long-term reliability and the risks related to CVT-equipped vehicles — especially from the 2015–2018 era — this case serves as one other red flag. Nissan’s response to systemic transmission issues continues to lift eyebrows, particularly in light of comparable complaints in other models and markets. For a lot of, the settlement doesn’t do enough to handle the core problem or prevent future issues.
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This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
