We know a friend who owns a Nissan Murano equipped with a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and before his purchase he was always a little concerned about the reliability of such a transmission. Several other vehicle manufacturers have made use of the CVT transmission in many of their models including most of the new hybrid vehicles you see on the road today. To make all of the customers of Nissans equipped with CVT transmissions, Nissan has decided to double the powertrain warranty coverage on the CVT transmission. That means anyone that owns a Nissan equipped with CVT transmission gets a new extended powertrain warranty for the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) to 10 years/120,000 miles (whichever occurs first) for CVT transmission repairs, replacement, and related towing on all 2003-2010 model year Nissan vehicles.

The current powertrain warranty covering other components in CVT equipped Nissans remains at the original 5 years/60,000 miles. The owners who had to dish out money for CVT related repairs or replacements will receive a reimbursement.

CVT Program Details

[source: Nissan]

Dear Nissan Owner:

On behalf of everyone at Nissan, we would like to thank you for choosing to drive a Nissan. One of the many technologically-advanced features of your vehicle is the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), an innovative transmission that offers smooth, seamless shifting, while tailoring the vehicle’s output to your driving style.

While Nissan is proud to offer this technology on many of our models, a small percentage of owners of early models equipped with CVTs have expressed concerns about the cost of repair of their transmissions after the warranty expires. We take these comments about the cost of vehicle ownership seriously. We strive to provide an exceptional ownership experience and are implementing a thorough Customer Satisfaction Program to address this topic.

First, to provide you with additional assurance regarding your overall cost of ownership we have doubled the warranty period for the Continuously Variable Transmission in your Nissan. The existing powertrain warranty coverage of 5 years/60,000 miles will be extended at no cost to you, for CVT repairs, replacements or related towing, to 10 years/120,000 miles, whichever comes first.

This extension is effective immediately and requires no action on your part. The remainder of your powertrain warranty coverage for components other than the transmission remains unchanged, at 5 years/60,000 miles, and your basic warranty coverage also remains unchanged. All other warranty terms, limitations and conditions otherwise apply. This extended transmission warranty is also fully transferable to future owners of your vehicle.

Second, Nissan will reimburse customers who have previously paid to repair or replace their CVT, if the repairs would have been covered within the new extended warranty period. Even if you no longer own your Nissan we will reimburse you for past CVT repairs that would have been covered under this extension of the warranty.

Further, in the unlikely event that your vehicle’s transmission should need repair beyond the extended warranty period we are working to decrease the cost of repair and have already reduced the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of a replacement CVT. In addition, we continuously strive to enhance our products, and have made ongoing improvements to our CVTs over the years.

Nissan is taking these actions to demonstrate our confidence in the CVT technology and to show our commitment to stand behind our products.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

If you have previously paid for repairs to your CVT within the time and mileage limits of this new extended warranty, we ask that you download the Reimbursement Claim Form and follow the instructions on the site. If you have additional questions, please contact the Nissan CVT Customer Assistance Center at 888-388-0318. Please be aware that the deadline for submitting the Reimbursement Claim Form is July 31, 2010.

The extended warranty coverage for CVT repair or replacement is effective immediately.

If you seek coverage for a repair under this extended warranty you will need to bring your vehicle to an authorized Nissan dealer. The factory-trained technical staff at the Nissan dealer will have the diagnostic tools and knowledge to provide you with the appropriate service and submit your warranty claim. If you have additional questions regarding this program, contact the Nissan CVT Customer Assistance Center at 888-388-0318 for assistance.

At Nissan we and our dealers work daily to deliver an outstanding ownership experience that will earn your confidence and trust. We are committed to doing the right thing for our customers and look forward to a long relationship that you find satisfying and rewarding. Thank you for choosing Nissan.

Sincerely,

Kevin Martin
Vice President Total Customer Satisfaction

Both Ford and GM have announced new programs in hopes of encourage consumers to enter into the car buying market. Within each program both Ford and GM will offer protection to the consumer if they were to lose their job. That means Ford or GM will pick up the payments for a specified amount of time for those who are in the position to qualify for unemployment benefits. The programs are similar to that of Hyundai’s Assurance Program but the terms are even better than Hyundai’s.

Ford offers a new Job Loss Protection that covers payments of up to $700 a month for up to 12 months on any new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle if the new purchaser/loan holder loses his or her job.

The GM plan, called the Total Confidence Program, is a combination of a few deal sweetening features. Gm will offer the payment protection program but theirs will consist of covering you for 24 months after the purchase of a new GM vehicle where they will make up to nine payments valued up to $500 a month. Basically, if you qualify for unemployment benefits, you qualify for the program. In addition to the payment protection, included in GM’s Total Confidence Program is one year of OnStar and the 5-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

GM’s new Total Confidence plan actually begins on April Fool’s Day, April 1^st and will continue until April 30, 2009 with a slight possibility of being extended if it “works”. Meaning, if sales go up as a result of this new program then GM will be extending for additional time.

Ford has not released many details other than their new program will take place immediately and run through June 1^st. Ford has said buyers can also take advantage of zero percent financing offers through Ford Motor Credit for qualified buyers.

Today is my “what to do in case of Automotive Industry emergency” news day. All of the major news networks are steadily reporting today updates of the Obama administration’s plans for the automotive industry. It seems they already want federally regulate everything else so why not do it with the Automotive industry. I mean, heck, they already gave Rick Wagoner, GM’s CEO, the boot and now they will guarantee the federal government paying for any warranty repairs on a General Motors or Chrysler vehicle if either company can’t because of financial problems or a bankruptcy filing. That’s actually good news now that I think about it because all my neighbor has to say about his Chevy Tahoe other than it is gas guzzler is that GM may not be able to fulfill their 100,000 mile warranty if they go under.

This has been the topic of discussion for thousands who happen to drive a GM or Chrysler vehicle currently. Many of these cars are still under warranty considering the 100,000 mile warranty offered in the past couple of years by both GM and Chrysler.

“Given where the industry is, these highly unprecedented actions are consistent with the unprecedented times we’re in,” Standard & Poor’s analyst Robert Schulz told Reuters today.

Let’s face it, bankruptcy is a very feasible option for Chrysler and GM and many are finally realizing this. We all knew it may come to this. I guess for now it is good that the government and/or Obama administration is on our side… or are they?