“It’s bold, it’s exciting, and it’s redefining the Crossover driving experience across the world.” Those are some of the words used to describe the Qashqai—with many praising the car’s reliability and power. Yet, even with such high praises, the Nissan Qashqai automatic gearbox problems are a big concern for motorists. 

Some drivers have reported that their cars suddenly slip out of gear, or that they are unable to change gears at all. 

Below, we run you through some of the most common problems that you might encounter with your Nissan Qashqai automatic gearbox. 

So whether you are a prospective buyer or you own a Qashqai, this guide will help you identify these problems and take the necessary course of action.

Before we move towards the Nissan Qashqai automatic gearbox problems, it’s important to know a bit of the background of the vehicle.

Nissan Qashqai History

The Nissan Qashqai is a mid-sized crossover SUV that is well known for its stylish and sporty exterior, as well as its interior. It was one of the first cars to be marketed as a “crossover” vehicle—and has been very popular with families and young adults alike. 

The first Nissan Qashqai was introduced to the market in 2007, with a 1.6 L petrol engine. Other engine choices include 1.5-L diesel engines, or 1.6/2.0 L petrol engines (depending on the version). The Qashqai is also available as an electric/hybrid model.

All three engines types come with a six-speed manual gearbox but can be optioned to include a seven-speed automatic gearbox, also known as a sequential manual gearbox.

The 1.5-liter diesel engine is the only engine to come with a six-speed manual gearbox as an option. The rest of the petrol engines can be specified with or without a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

The first Qashqai model was produced between 2007 – 2013, with a facelift in 2012 that included revised exterior changes and updates to the cabin such as an updated infotainment system. It was sold in Australia, Japan, and other markets under the brand name Nissan Dualis.

The current Qashqai is the second generation model, released in 2013. Although it is not sold in Japan, it circulates everywhere—but the U.S.—as Nissan Qashqai. In America, it is badged as Nissan Rogue Sport.

Nissan Qashqai Automatic Gearbox: The Different Types

There are a few different types of gearboxes available for the Nissan Qashqai:

• Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission (CVT) – This is the most commonly used type of gearbox. It relies on pulley-operated bands to keep a near-infinite gear ratio which can be adjusted by the computer. This type of box has been around for years and was innovative when it first appeared, but now people are looking for something more modern.

• Dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) – This type of gearbox works like a manual, but instead of gears, there are two clutches acting on distinct parts of the powertrain. The advantage to this over a conventional automatic box is that the shifts happen very quickly and free up horsepower for other things like acceleration.

• Robotized automatic gearbox – This type of transmission has a form of manual shifting that is extremely easy to use. It comes from Mercedes-Benz and involves levers on the wheel which can be used to change up, or down without moving your hands from high up on the wheel.

• Common automatic gearbox – This is a conventional transmission that relies on gears to change the speed and torque of the engine as it moves. It’s easy to use, but there are some disadvantages in regards to efficiency and acceleration power.

What Are the Common Problems With Nissan Qashqai Automatic Gearbox?

Now, let’s look at some of the most common problems that come with the Nissan Qashqai automatic gearbox. 

Delays In Changing Gears

This is one of the main problems with the Nissan Qashqai gearbox. The occurrence of delayed, or no up-shifting between gears can be caused by internal problems inside the gearbox. It happens when internal parts have worn down, or broken by external problems such as:

• Being unable to select a gear because of a faulty selector; or,
• By a lack of oil in the gearbox because it was not filled up at a service

When this problem occurs, it can also include other transmission issues like severe shuddering during acceleration. 

Sudden Loss Of Drive

Another common Nissan Qashqai gearbox issue results in the vehicle experiencing a sudden loss of drive. This problem is usually caused by internal faults that require internal replacement or expensive repairs to rectify. 

However, some minor issues that cause this problem can be resolved using easy and inexpensive remedies.

The most likely cause of sudden loss of drive is a broken or cracked input shaft, which prevents the driver from selecting any gears or reverse. 

One way to determine whether this issue has occurred is to gently rock the car forwards and backward while in gear—if this causes resistance, it could be an indication that the input shaft is broken.

Jerky Gear Changes Due To Lack Of Enough Power For The Gearbox

Sometimes a car may not produce enough power for the gearbox and this causes the gears to grind together when changing from one gear to another. 

If you have been experiencing problems with your Qashqai, then it is probably because the gears aren’t working together smoothly—which leads to rough or jerky changes in speed, especially when changing to a higher gear.

If this is happening, there are two things you could try before taking the car in for repairs: 

• One solution is to make sure that your air conditioning system has enough charge or just turn it off completely as this could lead to problems with the gears if it is draining too much power from the engine. 
• The second solution would be to change the gearbox mode which you can do by pressing your car’s ECO button.

Unusual Vibrations In The Car

The CVT transmission system has two separate modes: Neutral and Reverse. Some drivers have found that the car’s engine will make a loud noise whenever they reverse, making them wonder if there is something wrong with the car.

This issue often occurs after driving for some time; once the engine has reached its optimum temperature, it usually stops happening.

Delayed Downshifts When Slowing Down Or Jerky When Accelerating

Another common problem that people complain about with the Qashqai is that it can be jerky when accelerating from a standstill.

There are also some reports of the car occasionally remaining in first gear when accelerating away from a stop or slowing down for an intersection, or it can be slow to pick up speed.

Concerns Over Anti-Lock Brake System Failures

There are also some reports from drivers that the car’s anti-lock braking system (ABS) can fail to activate when they brake suddenly. Although, this is not as common as some of the other Nissan Qashqai automatic gearbox problems.

However, it is obviously a very serious issue and could cause accidents, injuries, and potential fatalities, especially if you are driving in traffic or on the motorway. 

Gearbox Whines

Another common problem with the Qashqai is gearbox whines, but this is usually found to be caused by a faulty bearing in the propeller shaft. 

A whine coming from the rear of the vehicle can also indicate that there is a fault with either one or more of the driveshafts, differentials, or axle bearings.

Have There Been Any Recalls Over These Issues?

Nissan has not yet issued any recalls for the Nissan Qashqai over these gearbox problems. They claim that only a small number of vehicles are affected by them, and they will be able to resolve them all.

That said, the best way that you can protect yourself from any of these issues is to get an extended warranty on your car if it is still under its original three-year warranty at the end of this year. 

FAQs

What automatic gearbox does Nissan use?

Nissan uses the CVT gearbox. 

Dubbed Nissan’s Xtronic, the gearbox features a “stepless” gear transmission—and to some extent, it is similar to a regular auto. Other makers that use the CVT gearbox in their automobiles include Honda, Toyota, and Audi’s Multitronic auto.

Does Nissan Qashqai have CVT problems?

Yes. Recorded Nissan Qashqai problems involve transmission slips, power loss, CVT coolant hose leaks and faults, a CVT error message, and engine RPM drop. These faults cast doubt on Nissan CVT’s durability and efficiency—and they can trigger safety risks.

Why do Nissan CVT transmissions fail? 

Nissan transmissions are known to overheat, causing premature failure. Many believe that the overheating is caused by the use of undersized cooling systems. 

As the CVT self-destructs, it vibrates excessively, sending the car into the fail-safe mode—thus limiting the engine’s RPMs in an attempt to prevent more damage.

How long do Nissan CVT transmissions last?

The average lifespan of a factory-installed Nissan CVT automatic transmission is about 200,000 miles (322,000 km). 

Anything beyond comes down to proper maintenance and following the recommended service intervals in your vehicle’s owner guide. 

Final Thoughts

When it comes to your car, you’ll want a reliable and efficient product. Although Nissan has been around for decades, their Qashqai automatic gearbox is still experiencing problems with the transmission. 

Should you experience any of the above problems with your Nissan Qashqai automatic gearbox, first and foremost, we would recommend bringing it to a mechanic as soon as possible. 

The mechanic will be able to diagnose whether or not there is actually an issue with your car’s CVT transmission system, and if so they will be able to recommend a solution.