Why does my 2015-2018 Nissan Murano feel like the transmission is slipping?

Short answer: On 2015-2018 Muranos, slipping or shudder when pulling away slowly, often past 100k miles, usually points to a worn CVT. Have the codes read and the fluid checked first. If it's already setting CVT codes like P17F2, a fluid change or added cooler likely won't save it, so get a quote for a valve body or CVT repair.

Symptom: Slipping like a manual clutch, shudder or judder pulling away slowly at low rpm, whining, a transmission warning or check engine light, and codes like P17F2.

What to check first

1. Read the codes, including transmission codes like P17F2.
2. Check the CVT fluid level and condition, and confirm NS-3 fluid was used.
3. Note whether a whine follows engine rpm (CVT) or road speed (wheel bearing or transfer case).
4. Ask a Nissan dealer to check your VIN for any service bulletins or warranty extensions.
5. Get a written quote for valve body, subassembly or full CVT before deciding.

Likely causes

1. Worn CVT (belt/chain, pulleys or valve body). A CVT (continuously variable transmission) uses a steel belt or chain between two pulleys instead of fixed gears. As it wears, it can slip or shudder, especially pulling away slowly. The valve body is the part that routes fluid to control it.
2. Old or low CVT fluid. These CVTs need the right Nissan fluid (NS-3) at the right level. Old fluid can make shudder worse, though a change won't fix a CVT that's already failing.
3. Wheel bearing or transfer case (whining tied to speed). A Nissan tech pointed out that CVT whine rises with engine rpm. A whine that only follows road speed is more likely a wheel bearing or AWD transfer case.

What it usually costs

One owner (with a 2014) said a replacement CVT runs about $3,000. A fluid drain and fill costs much less but won't fix a failing CVT.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Usually drivable for now if it only shudders a little, but a slipping CVT can fail without much warning and leave you stranded or lose power in traffic. If it slips badly, won't move or goes into a limp mode, stop driving it and get it checked.

DIY or shop?

Reading codes and checking the fluid level are DIY on some cars. CVT repair or replacement is a shop job.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: NHTSA lists 7 recall(s) for the Nissan Murano in these years, and none is for this problem. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 81 keyword-matched complaints for Nissan Murano 2015–2018 (of 436 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-04; keywords: cvt, transmission, shudder, slip, whin, judder, hesitat). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 2015 Murano CVT issue? on Reddit r/MechanicAdvice, a 2015 Murano owner at about 130k miles said it sometimes feels like the transmission is slipping, almost like a manual, with a shudder when pulling away slowly at low rpm. One reply suggested asking Nissan about the CVT warranty extension, but the owner said it seemed to cover Altima, Versa, Sentra and Juke, and their dealer found nothing for the Murano. A 2014 Murano owner said they replaced the transmission at about 140k miles, had problems after, and would sell before putting about $3,000 into a new one.
• In 2016 Nissan Murano with transmission starting to go... Is looking into External CVT Cooler something that would make sense? on Reddit r/MechanicAdvice, a 2016 Murano owner with about 168k km (about 104k miles) and a transmission 'starting to go' asked if an external CVT cooler would help. Replies said a cooler won't save a CVT already showing failure codes, that the current code (P17F2) rather than the old communication codes was the real concern, and to budget for a transmission. One reply said a Nissan bulletin calls for a new valve body and a chain inspection, and that Nissan now sells a chain and pulley subassembly instead of always replacing the whole CVT. A fresh drain and fill with NS-3 fluid likely won't fix it but won't hurt.
• In 2015 Nissan Murano with CVT, 114k miles, stock. Whining noise that gets higher-pitched when I speed up. How bad is it? on Reddit r/MechanicAdvice, a 2015 Murano at 114k miles on its original CVT had a whine that got higher-pitched with speed. Replies said to check the CVT fluid level and change it, since CVTs need fluid changes even more than regular automatics. A Nissan tech of 5+ years said CVT whine usually follows rpm, so a noise that follows road speed is more likely a wheel bearing or the transfer case.

Quick tip

Read the codes and check the fluid before spending money, and don't pay for a cooler on a CVT that's already failing.

Vehicle focus: Nissan Murano, 2015-2018 (third generation) with the CVT.

Safety / mechanic note

A slipping transmission can lose power in traffic. Verify with a mechanic.