Very sorry to hear of your transmission problem. The Jatco CVT has a mixed history in the Patriot, not exactly the best executed implementation of an application. Having said that, numerous other vehicle manufacturers have had tranny issues and it is certainly not uncommon to need an auto transmission rebuild in the 130,000 + range. Why do you think there are so many tranny shops around?

Jatco has an agreement with Chrysler that forbids Chrysler from rebuilding these CVTs, usually a much cheaper alternative. Chrysler is only allowed to replace them.

It is rather alarming/coincidental that the tranny has allegedly gone out immediately after your front end work. But, I have seen similar coincidences in my lifetime.

Options?

- IF you have a local Nissan dealer or tranny shop(s), check into the cost of getting it rebuilt.

- Check out the Nissan/Jatco threads for extended warranty enforcement when Jatco was called out on problematic trannies. Maybe you can leverage some kind of deal if you are skilled and persistant.

Study this thread for some ideas: http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c9132_ds433333


Did you ever change the "lifetime" fluid?? This lifetime concept is ridiculous and even my 2014 recommends fluid service at 120,000 (way too high in my opinion).

Hopefully those with actual experience will chime in. Good luck and again, sorry for your unfortunate circumstance.

 

Jatco has an agreement with Chrysler that forbids Chrysler from rebuilding these CVTs, usually a much cheaper alternative. Chrysler is only allowed to replace them.

.

While the end result is the same, you have it backwards.
It was Chrysler who demanded that they not have to undergo all the parts stocking, training and etc that goes with servicing the CVT. If JATCO wanted to supply them, then they had to provide Chrysler with replacements in the case of warranty failure. Source:Allpar

So they tell JATCO they have another horked CVT, JATCO ships them a replacement for free and then Chrysler charges the end user for full replacement if it isn't a warranty claim.

Nissan uses not only JATCO CVT's but they use the exact same one as the Patriot in the Sentra, I think. My local Nissan dealership provides all services on a Patriot CVT...a solution I haven't had to use thankfully.

They have the specialized dip sticks, the fluid, the factory trained techs...a rebuild is always less expensive than a new install...they are pretty simple from a mechanical point of view.

One thing I have been told by Nissan techs over and over again is to not park with the CVT under tension...so don't bump the curb and then put it into park. If you run your tires onto a curb, back off a titch to normalize the transmission before using park. Same on a hill or grade...use the parking brake to immobilize the vehicle first, then put it into park.

 

Thanks for straightening out my "facts". :doh: I hate to spread bad information.