Nissan 9 Speed Transmission Lawsuit Alleges Shift Shock, Lurching and Clunking Noises

Last Updated on November 2, 2023

Nissan is facing a proposed class action lawsuit over its 9-speed “GE9R01A” transmission found in the 2020-2021 Nissan Titan and Frontier trucks. Plaintiffs allege the transmission is plagued by erratic shifts, lurching, hesitation and clunks.

Additionally, the suit alleges that Nissan has known about the problem for some time, but failed to recall affected vehicles.

If you’re impacted by this defect, what can you do? Read on for more information.

Owners Allege The Nissan 9 Speed Transmission is a Safety Hazard

Nissan owners have taken to the internet to share their stories of 9-speed transmission problems with the 2020-2021 Nissan Titan and 2020-2021 Nissan Frontier trucks.

Owners report transmission problems such as abrupt and hard shifts when coming to a stop, as well as “clunking” noises when shifting.

Other symptoms reported are lurching forward unintentionally and without warning. Hesitation and a lag while attempting to accelerate from a stop.

One Nissan owner even reported that while in heavy traffic, their transmission suddenly failed. Leaving the vehicle owner stranded for almost two hours. Making for a dangerous situation for both the driver and passengers.

Some owners allege that the vehicles transmission seems to get “confused” when shifting at low speed or transitioning from low speed. Particularity, in roll stop situations, vehicles have been reported to jerk and jump as it accelerates. Similar to what one might experience during a stalling vehicle situation.

While Nissan has yet to acknowledge any issues with the GE9R01A 9-speed transmission, it’s clear that something is wrong.

The Software Update Reportedly Doesn’t Resolve Transmission Woes

Nissan released several technical service bulletins starting on April 6, 2021 that aimed to address customers complaints with the 9-speed transmission.

The fix included updating the vehicles engine control module software, and reprogramming the transmission control module.

However, according to Nissan Titan and Frontier owners, the software update that was supposed to fix reported problems with the 9-speed transmission had not been effective. Vehicles continued to jerk, hesitate and lag within days after the software update.

This has been disappointing news for Titan and Frontier owners who were hoping for a quick and easy fix to their transmission problems.

Making matters worst, dealerships allegedly told vehicle owners that the transmissions are operating normally. This despite Nissan’s own marketing claims that the 9-speed transmission offered smoother and improved acceleration, and smoother operation with better fuel economy.

And despite mounting transmission complaints on the internet forums, Nissan continues to sell Titans and Frontiers with the GE9R1A 9-speed transmission.

Common Symptoms of the Nissan 9 Speed Transmission Defect

The Nissan 9 Speed Transmission defect can cause a variety of symptoms, include the following:

• Slipping
• Jerking on acceleration
• Shifting erratically
• Lurching forward
• Clunking noises on downshift

Status of the Nissan 9 Speed Transmission Class Action Litigation

This is an active class action lawsuit. This suit has been brought on behalf of the Plaintiffs and a class of current and former 2020-2021 Nissan Titan and 2020-2021 Nissan Frontier vehicle owners.

Boone, et al., vs. Nissan North America, Inc. case number 3:22-cv-00191, was filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Plaintiffs are seeking relief to remedy the defective Nissan transmissions. Vehicle owners argue that the transmission defect is a safety hazard to the driver, passengers, and pedestrians due to the fact the vehicles are unable to maintain a proper stable speed.

Nissan 9 Speed Transmission FAQs

Who Makes The Nissan Titan and Frontier 9-Speed Transmission?

JATCO is the official manufacturer of the Nissan Titan and Frontier 9-speed transmissions. Jatco’s manufacturing number for the 9-speed transmission is JR913E.

Does Nissan Titan Have a CVT Transmission?

No, both the Titan and Frontier models feature the Jatco designed and manufactured 9-speed automatic transmission.

Why Did Nissan Only Offer a Software Update as a Fix for the 9-Speed Problems?

Automatic transmissions such as the one in the Nissan Titan and Frontier are tied to sensors and solenoids that communicate with your car’s computer. As the bands and clutches in the transmission begin to wear out, this communication with the computer can break down.

As a result, you may begin to notice shift shock, poor shift quality, and slipping. If these aren’t due to an actual mechanical problem with the transmission, a reflash can solve these issues.

Questions About This Lawsuit?

MyCarVoice.com is not counsel or the settlement administrator in this class action lawsuit. Our goal is to inform owners of these vehicles of the recent lawsuit. This post will be updated when/if new suit information is released.

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Have you owned or leased a vehicle manufactured by Nissan containing a defective 9-speed transmission? Add your voice to this post in the comments below. 

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