WONDERING ABOUT CVT RELIABILITY? THESE 10 USED CARS TELL THE STORY

A Continuously Variable Transmission, or CVT, is super different from a traditional automatic transmission. It’s a relatively new type of transmission that promises increased fuel efficiency and an all-around smoother drive. However, it doesn’t have the best reputation.

Mainly due to major issues in Nissan vehicles from 2003 to 2017, people tend to have a really negative perception of the CVT. Many other automakers have also made use to the transmission though. Is the hate warranted or is the problem isolated to a single Japanese automaker?

To answer this question, we’ve taken a look at a wide variety of used vehicles that have made use of the transmission over the years. We take a look at their reliability scores as well as reviews from verified owners to determine just how bad the transmission is and if there are some examples of older cars that actually managed to make it work.

In compiling this article, we have cross-referenced information for vehicle reliability, maintenance, and pricing from sources like J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, RepairPal, CarEdge, and Consumer Reports, to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible. Please note that we have ranked the following models from least to most reliable.

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2018 Subaru Impreza

Reliability Score: 73/100

The Impreza is a nameplate historically associated with muddy roads and rally racing. Introducing a mild-mannered CVT was one of the bigger signs that its identity had changed and that it was now more of an urban crawler. This isn't a bad thing, if you're able to push nostalgia to the side, as it is actually a pretty decent family car. On the used market, they currently list at an average price of $16,064.

Reliability

Very happy with the reliability. Extremely smooth ride. The CVT transmission is a bit "catchy" sometimes, but I think that's just the nature of the kind of transmission it is... Overall, the Impreza is great.

Cars.com

Despite its low-reliability score on J.D. Power, scoring 73/100, owners seem to have a different opinion of the sedan. Looking through owner reviews, we were hard-pressed to find anything really negative about this model year, Impreza. None of the many comments mentioned reliability as a negative.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $488 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,129 (CarEdge)
  • Recalls: 5
  • Worst Impreza Year To Buy Used: 2013

2016 Honda Civic

Reliability Score: 74/100

The Honda Civic has always been the ultimate budget buyer's car. When they made the swap to a continuously variable transmission, it made sense and aligned with the ideology of the small sedan. The Civic was fully redesigned for the 2016 model year, bringing it into the modern age, with new tech, a new look, and a super-efficient 1.5-liter turbo. The 2016 Civic lists for around $15,905 on average.

Reliability

It took a month or so to get used to the CVT transmission, but eventually found the sweet spots and really never need to use sport mode because its unnecessary... No mechanical problems, runs like a champ. I love this car so much.

Cars.com

The Civic has always been considered one of the most reliable Japanese cars. When looking through owner reviews, not one mentioned that the CVT was a source of reliability issues. The main concern that people had with this model year was that they were rolling out with faulty air conditioning units. This likely contributes to the 2016 Civic's lower score on J.D. Power for quality and reliability.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $339 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,620 (CarEdge)
  • Recalls: 4
  • Worst Civic Year To Buy Used: 2006

2013 Nissan Altima

Reliability Score: 76/100

Nissan is debatably the source of many people's concerns when it comes to CVTs. There were a couple of years when transmission failures were rife and consumers were constantly dealing with issues. This has been an ongoing issue for years. The Altima was redesigned for the 2013 model year, and it was given tons of upgrades that made it enjoyable to drive outside its noisy CVT. The average used price of this sedan sits at around $8,951.

Reliability

...the "CVT" transmission on the Altima totally failed a month ago, the repair cost estimate for which exceeded $5,000. With just 110,000 miles on the odometer after ten years, this car should have been worth anywhere from $8,000 to $12,000. Instead, the CVT transmission failure essentially turned the car into scrap metal.

Cars.com

Nissan's shoddy CVT really is the source of the Altima's bad reputation from this time period. More than one owner complained about how their transmission failed and cost them thousands of dollars. These issues caused Nissan to extend warranties on vehicles built from 2003 to 2017. This doesn't help now that most warranties have lapsed. Newer Altima's have fixed their issues and are now much more reliable.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $587 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,880 (CarEdge)
  • Recalls: 10
  • Worst Altima Year To Buy Used: 2013
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2017 Nissan Versa

Reliability Score: 79/100

If we're to go off of what Nissan claims, 2017 marked the time when they were coming out on the other side of their CVT debacle. Their transmissions had been reworked, and their cars were more reliable. The Versa is the perfect example of a car from this era, aiming to be a simple cost saver, a reputation it upholds today. On the used market, the average price of one of these sedans sits at $9,313.

Reliability

While some consumers complained about the CVT, there were much fewer issues than on earlier cars. Most of the reliability complaints surrounding the 2017 Versa related to the A/C compressor giving out and general maintenance costing much more than they expected for a cheap economy car.

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  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $321 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,550 (CarEdge)
  • Recalls: 3
  • Worst Versa Year To Buy Used: 2009

2013 Lexus ES

Reliability Score: 84/100

During the same period that Nissan was having major issues with their CVTs, there were plenty of other automakers using the transmission quite successfully. The Lexus ES nameplate is one that has instilled confidence for as long as it has been around, providing luxury and reliability in a single package. You can pick up the 2013 model year at an average price of $14,936.

Reliability

I will suggest do an oil change every 3-4K miles for city/highway and do transmission fluid change every 3rd motor oil change after 70-80K miles on odo. In time change air filters and it should last a very long time.

Cars.com

Around 2013, the perception of CVTs wasn't fantastic, and as such, there are still one or two owners who complained about the transmission. With the Lexus ES, though, they are by far in the minority. Most owners praise the Lexus sedan for being such a reliable daily driver. We have a comprehensive guide of this Lexus ES generation and its reliability.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $492 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,571 (CarEdge)
  • Recalls: 2
  • Worst ES Year To Buy Used: 2007

2014 Toyota Corolla

Reliability Score: 84/100

If you ask most people who they think produces the most reliable cars, chances are someone will say Toyota. The Corolla is especially praised for its ability to run forever and the fact that it is particularly cheap to maintain. The Corolla was fully redesigned for the 2014 model year and the CVT was an optional extra on some models. The average price of a used 2014 Corolla sits at around $12,549.

Reliability

My 2014 Corolla has 300,000km on it. Still has the original belt, rear brakes, and exhaust. I average about 47mpg on a road that allows me to drive 80km/h with the engine at 1,200 rpm. I drive a combination city/highway miles. I tow a trailer quite often. I plan on keeping this car for another 9 years / 300,000 kms.

Cars.com

The consensus seems to be that the Corolla is a super reliable buy. There are plenty of owners who claim high mileage on their cars and have nothing negative to say about their overall reliability. The only complaints are related to the cheap build quality. Corollas from this era are considered even more reliable than their new counterparts.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $364 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $4,229 (CarEdge)
  • Recalls: 2
  • Worst Corolla Year To Buy Used: 2009
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2020 Kia Soul

Reliability Score: 86/100

Jumping forward to an example of something a little more modern that features the controversial transmission, we take a look at the quirky Kia Soul. This little SUV stirred up the market with a love-it-or-hate-it exterior design. There is no denying its value for money though, with Kia packing it full of features at an affordable price, and many say it is one of the best first cars you can buy your teen. You can pick up a used 2020 Soul at an average price of $15,334.

Reliability

The 2020 Soul is considered to be a pretty reliable SUV and there are almost no complaints regarding its CVT, which most people say feels like a regular automatic. However, there was a serious recall regarding piston oil rings that caused a stir among owners. If you plan to buy one used, make sure this recall was honored.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $437 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,182 (CarEdge)
  • Recalls: 1
  • Worst Soul Year To Buy Used: 2014

2018 Toyota Prius

Reliability Score: 86/100

When it comes to cost saving, the Prius is considered one of the best cars you can buy. This is thanks to its incredibly efficient hybrid powertrain and the fact that it is extremely reliable. It isn't an exciting car by any means, but it is comfortable, comes with plenty of standard features, and is easy on fuel. The average used price of a 2018 Toyota Prius currently sits at $19,877.

Reliability

With over 65K miles on my 2018 Prius, I'm getting 52 mpg over the life of the car. No major mechanical problems.

Cars.com

While it's pretty fun to dog on the Prius for being unexciting, finding someone who owns or owned one with a single negative thing to say about it is nigh impossible. This is in large part thanks to how reliable the little hybrid is. The CVT certainly isn't a problem in this car. Treat the Prius right, and it's capable of racking up some serious mileage.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $408 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $4,157 (CarEdge)
  • Recalls: 1
  • Worst Prius Year To Buy Used: 2010

2019 Chevrolet Malibu

Reliability Score: 87/100

We haven't had many local examples of automakers making use of a CVT on this list. The Malibu is Chevrolet's affordable little family sedan and the nameplate has a long history. Unfortunately, it'll be getting shelved very soon. The 2019 model year is essentially the same as the current car, with very little changes being made over the years. The average used price of this car is currently $15,896.

Reliability

I purchased the car with 22k miles on it, and the transmission went out at 40k. I got the transmission warranty replaced, which took 2 months, just for it to fail again at 81k miles. Warranty replaced again, and it's slipping again at 90k.

Cars.com

While J.D. Power claims an incredibly high quality and reliability score for the Malibu, it seems that there are still plenty of owners out there who have experienced trouble with the transmission. There are lots of owners who managed to avoid major issues, but when the transmission does fail it does so catastrophically.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $532 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,642 (CarEdge)
  • Recalls: 1
  • Worst Malibu Year To Buy Used: 2004
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2013 Nissan Murano

Reliability Score: 90/100

Topping off our list is another Nissan from the brand's troubled era. The Murano is perhaps one of the most underrated cars in terms of its value for money. This mid-size SUV offers you a ton at a really affordable price. The 2013 model year is considered to be one of the most reliable used mid-size SUVs, according to J.D. Powers scores. The average price of a 2013 model is $8,945.

Reliability

I bought a 2013 Murano 4 years ago. The car has 96,000 miles on it and the transmission is gone. Going to cost me $4,573 to have a rebuilt transmission in it and there is only a 1 year/12,000 mile warranty.

Cars.com

Going through user reviews, the transmission issues in the Murano seem to be hit or miss. Some owners have made it to relatively high mileage without any major issues while others have had to replace the transmission due to major failures. This seems to be the story of any Nissan/Jatco transmission from 2003 to 2017.

  • Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $594 (RepairPal)
  • Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,810 (CarEdge)
  • Recalls: 1
  • Worst Murano Year To Buy Used: 2005

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