Auto Trans Issues (threads merged)

[Western PA Nitro]

ResumeSpeed,

Thank you so much for this link! I am hoping it will help me with my Nitro's hesitation/bucking issue although I had my torque converter changed out in Jan 2007.

[Western PA Nitro]

I have had my Nitro since 11/25/06. I noticed around 200 miles (purchased with 100 miles on it) that it seemed to not engage quite right going up slight inclines. Then I began to notice that it did it on a straight away too, between 35-45 mph (400 miles), it would hesitate/buck while maintaining a steady speed. Called and made an appointment with my "wonderful" dealership. They preformed the update TSB 18-037-06 in Dec 2006. This just made the problem worse because it now did the hesitation/bucking at all speeds.

I called again and was told after waiting 4 days for STAR to get back to the dealership that I need to continue to drive it until it had 1200 miles. It was at 1100 the day they told me this. So Christmas goes by and I call the day after, still doing it. They ordered a torque converter which was installed Jan 19th. It basically behaved for another 400 miles and it started all over again.

I call again in Feb and have to wait 2 days for STAR to get back to them. I am now told that I have to bring it in and drive it with a tech to make sure I am keeping steady pressure on the gas pedal. I guess they assumed that it must be me not the vehicle. So I play by their rules, (PA lemon law requires 3 visits for the same issue) and take it in. The tech drove and recreated the problem and would call STAR the next morning. In the meantime my tech admitted that the 3.7 liter is not the correct engine for the Nitro, it has to work harder because it is bigger than the Liberty. And he also said he thought they didn't know what to do with my vehicle because STAR was stating it isn't a national problem. Based on this forum, I’d have to say they were lying.

After a day of diagnostic tests, I am given the solution of "THIS IS NORMAL TO THIS VEHICLE". So I am pursuing the Lemon Law statutes of my state.

DaimlerChryler’s customer service is Horrible, between waiting 10 minutes to speak to a person who only can tell you that they have noted it and it will be passed along. I haven’t heard from them on my 2nd or 3rd complaints so far. I also have the misfortune to have an even worse dealership when it comes to customer service, let alone satisfaction.

If anyone does get a solution, please post it. It might just help!!

[TRAVIS D]

I have experienced the same problem also and was told the same as you. It seems to me that this is a huge problem for chrysler and it is more cost effective for them to lose us as a customer than to fix all of the nitros.If anyone has used the lemon law on this vehicle please post it.

[Spyde087]

Oh man, I don't have a warm fuzzy feeling about my Nitro now! I've been having the trans shudder since putting around 400 miles on it and now with 3300 miles I was finally told that the solution was to replace the torque converter. I have an appointment tomorrow to get it replaced, but after reading these post I'm more than a little concerned. This will be the fourth time that the dealer's had the truck, and if it's not fixed, permanently, I'll be filing for relief under FL's lemon law.

[canuck]

My Nitro is only 3 months old had the torque converter replaced Mar 7, it did not fix the problem it just does it at a different rpm now. Have complained to chrysler Canada about it. It will be going back again until they find a fix.

[KenCary]

Originally Posted by 4x4

I have test driven several automatics and they all had the same problems with the transmission shifting hard, finding a gear, etc. I asked several dealers and they said that there might be a problem with the auto transmissions on the Nitro's... That's why a bought a 6 speed manual transmission and it drives alot smoother and have had no problems with it!

Finally another SXT owner with a stick!

I detest automatics and the availability of a stick in the Nitro was a big reason that I picked this one over a flock of other interesting mid-size SUV's.

The 6 speed Nitro's are so hard to find that I never got to test drive one (mine is on order).

How does yours shift? Somone on one of these forums complained that 6th gear was a bit tough to find.

Your experience?

Ken

[corsairkid]

Originally Posted by LVMYNITRO

I haven't experienced any hard shifting or anything in the 800 miles so far. The one thing I have noticed that seems very different from any other automatic transmission vehicle I've ever had is that it rolls back when starting off on a slope. I haven't had a chance yet thanks to traffic (LOL) to see just how far back it would roll but it seems considerable.

And when parked on a down slope, going into reverse seems to take a bit for the transmission to finally shift and grab to move backwards.

I know EXACTLY what you are saying. It almost seems as if the idle speed is not fast enough or powerful enough. Like if Im pulling into the garage and I dont want to over accelerate, I will idle in. It is hard to do with the nitro as it seems to get stuck...

[KenCary]

I am convinced that Mopar has a fundemental design flaw in more than one automatic. My friend had to get a new tranny put into his Hemi Grand Cherokee and it is less than a year old with less than 10K mi. He takes great care of his vehicle and does not beat on it.

[NitroNoob]

I to have the 6 peed manual, I love it. 6th is not hard to find but a little awkward, I found Reverse to be the only one this is a bit tough. But as far as driving I feel the 6 speed is awesome.

[KenCary]

Originally Posted by NitroNoob

I to have the 6 peed manual, I love it. 6th is not hard to find but a little awkward, I found Reverse to be the only one this is a bit tough. But as far as driving I feel the 6 speed is awesome.

To all reading this thread who have not yet ordered, join the 6-speed club and you will not need to worry.

True you will not get some of the plush goodies of the SHT but you will not miss much as most everthing else can be added in the aftermarket anyway.

Ken