Modern Auto Transmissions are suffering from too much technology

I noticed a flaw with the continuous variable transmission (CVT) of my 2008 Nissan Altima not long after it was purchased. As a seasoned enthusiast, I knew something was not quite right. Months later, Nissan sent out a notice requesting owners of that model to come into the workshop for an evaluation. Without hesitating, I dashed to the dealership in Arlington Texas where they replaced the entire unit at no cost. On the contrary, I have been driving my 2000 Mercedes Benz E-class daily for over 2-years and the tranny just responds with no hitch.

Modern Auto transmissions have become a headache to drivers and manufacturers alike with rising complaints and recalls. Since 2010, automakers have recalled 7.2 million vehicles in the United States for dangerous transmission defects. The problems range from software problem to malfunctioning gears or clutches. Some fixes are as easy as taking a vehicle to a dealership and having the software replaced. Other times, it may require an entirely new transmission at the cost of thousands of dollars to carmakers and weeks of headaches for new owners.

Kia recalled more than 400,000 vehicles recently because they would shift out of park when the brake was pressed. Honda had to recall some Civics and its new Fit due to problems with the continuously variable transmission they use.

Twenty years ago, most cars had four or five gear transmissions. Six gears is now the industry norm though some cars have seven, eight and even nine gears as in the Jeep and Chrysler front or all-wheel-drive models. There are also more cars sold today with continuously variable transmissions, which, technically, have an infinite number of gear ratios.

Tosan Aduayi has reported on Motoring since 1994 with trademark columns (Roadrunner, Carliners). He is the Founder and Publisher of Trendy Africa Magazine.