The Xtronic CVT is an electronic, continuously variable transmission that is used in many Nissan– and some Renault– and Infiniti models. This went into production in the mid-2000s. Modern versions are equipped with a manual shift mode and have 6 virtual gears. Each Xtronic CVT is manufactured by Jatco of Japan, a subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
How the Xtronic CVT works
In most cases, the Xtronic CVT is a continuously variable transmission driven by a V-belt, electronically controlled and equipped with a hydraulic torque converter. This belt was replaced with a chain on more powerful engines. Variants for hybrid cars use a dry clutch instead of the torque converter.
The manual mode works with the help of an electronic control unit equipped with special software. To activate it, the driver must place the shift lever in the “D” position and then move it to the left to engage the gear. To shift to a higher or lower gear, the driver moves the selector left or right to the “+” or “-” position.
Popular Xtronic CVT
| Index | Max. Displacement, L | Max. engine torque, Nm | Type of drive | Year of manufacture | Models |
| JF009E (RE0F08A, RE0F08B) | 1.8 | 175 | Front wheel | 2002 | Nissan Cube Z11; Nissan Tiida C11; Nissan Note E11; Nissan Wingroad Y12 |
| JF010E (RE0F09A, RE0F09B) | 3.5 | 350 | Front wheel, 4WD | 2002 | Nissan Murano Z50; Nissan Presage U31; Nissan Altima L32; Nissan Teana J31; Nissan Quest RE52; Nissan Teana J32; Nissan Elgrand E52; Nissan Murano Z51; Renault Megane III; Renault Scenic 3 |
| JF011E (RE0F10A) | 2.5 | 250 | Front wheel, four wheel drive | 2005 | Nissan Altima L32; Renault Fluence 1; Nissan Murano Z51; Nissan Qashqai J10, J11; Renault Koleos 1; Nissan Sentra B16, B17; Nissan Teana J32; Renault Scenic 3; Nissan X Trail T31, T32; Nissan Juke F15; Renault Latitude 1; Renault Megane 3; Nissan Tiida C11 |
| JF016E (RE0F10D, RE0F10F) | 2.5 | 250 | Front wheel, 4WD | 2012 | Nissan Elgrand E52; Nissan Murano Z51; Nissan Altima L33, L34; Renault Arcana 1; Nissan Qashqai J11; Renault Megane 3; Nissan Serena C26, C27; Nissan Juke F15; Renault Koleos 2; Nissan NV200 M20; Nissan Sentra B17; Renault Clio 4; Renault Fluence 1; Renault Scenic 3; Nissan Rogue T32; Nissan Teana L33, L34; Nissan X-Trail T32 |
| JF017E (RE0F10G, RE0F10E) | 3.5 | 380 | Front, 4WD | 2012 | Nissan Altima L33, L34; Nissan Maxima A36; Nissan Qashqai J11; Nissan Pathfinder R52; Renault Latitude 1; Nissan Elgrand E52; Infiniti JX35 L50; Nissan Murano Z52; Infiniti QX60; Renault Koleos 2; Nissan Teana L33, L34; Nissan X-Trail T32 |
| JF018E (RE0F10F, RE0F03H, RE0F02H) | 2.5 | 350 | Front wheel, all-wheel drive | 2012 | Infiniti QX60; Nissan Pathfinder R52; Nissan Rogue T32; Nissan Serena C27; Nissan X-Trail T32 |
| JF019E (RE0F10H, RE0F10J) | 3.5 | 450 | Front Wheel, 4WD | 2014 | Nissan Murano Hybrid Z52; Nissan Altima Hybrid L33 |
Frequent defects in Xtronic CVT
| Defects | Transmission |
| The stepper motor often fails. | JF009E (RE0F08A, RE0F08B); JF010E (RE0F09A, RE0F09B); JF011E (RE0F10A) |
| Aggressive driving style with heavy braking will cause the CVT belt to stretch. | JF009E (RE0F08A, RE0F08B); JF011E (RE0F10A); JF010E (RE0F09A, RE0F09B) |
| Once the solenoid valves are clogged, the gearbox starts to slip. | JF009E (RE0F08A, RE0F08B); JF016E (RE0F10D, RE0F10F); JF017E (RE0F10G, RE0F10E); JF018E (RE0F10F, RE0F03H, RE0F02H); JF010E (RE0F09A, RE0F09B) |
| The oil pump pressure control valve has a short service life and is prone to contamination and clogging. | JF009E (RE0F08A, RE0F08B); JF011E (RE0F10A); JF017E (RE0F10G, RE0F10E); JF010E (RE0F09A, RE0F09B); JF019E (RE0F10H, RE0F10J); JF016E (RE0F10F, RE0F10D) |
| The transmission control unit breaks down prematurely. | JF010E (RE0F09A, RE0F09B) |
| Overheating can cause the CVT's input and output encoders and relief valve to fail. | JF011E (RE0F10A) |
| Even with low mileage, the bearings of the input – and output shaft wear out. In this case, they generate a specific buzz. | JF011E (RE0F10A) |
| The CVT's guide roller bearing often fails. | JF016E (RE0F10D, RE0F10F) |
| The hydraulic torque converter may fail prematurely. | JF016E (RE0F10D, RE0F10F) |
| Due to its position, the transmission oil cooler gets dirty very quickly, causing the transmission to overheat. | JF017E (RE0F10G, RE0F10E); JF018E (RE0F10F, RE0F03H, RE0F02H) |
| The spline shafts wear out quickly due to high torque caused by aggressive driving style. | JF017E (RE0F10G , RE0F10E) |
| The valves of the electromagnetic clutch burn out. | JF018E (RE0F10F, RE0F03H, RE0F02H) |