Top 8 Symptoms to Look For to Identify a Transmission Problem

Your transmission is one of the most important systems in your vehicle. When it begins to fail, the early signs are often subtle, but they become more obvious as the internal components wear. Identifying these symptoms early can prevent a minor issue from becoming major internal damage.
If you want to understand the basics of how a CVT works before reading on, visit What is a CVT for a clear explanation of CVT operation, common parts and how wear begins.

1. Whining Noise From the Gearbox

A whining noise usually indicates a problem with pressure, bearings or fluid quality. CVT transmissions rely heavily on clean, high-quality fluid to reduce friction and maintain hydraulic pressure. When the fluid breaks down or internal bearings wear, the gearbox often begins to produce a high-pitched whine that increases with vehicle speed.

If you are unsure whether this noise is normal or a sign of early CVT damage, the FAQ page covers fluid questions, service intervals and common symptoms to look for.

2. Vehicle Shudder on Take Off

A shudder or vibration when accelerating from a stop is one of the most common CVT symptoms in vehicles like the Suzuki Swift, Nissan Juke and Mitsubishi Mirage. This usually happens when the CVT belt or torque converter begins to slip, or when the transmission fluid has broken down and can no longer hold pressure effectively, caused by leaking seals or Pistons.

Shuddering is often an early warning sign. The Warning page explains why ignoring early symptoms can lead to rapid CVT damage.

3. Surging While Driving

Surging is when the engine speed rises and drops repeatedly without you pressing the accelerator. This occurs when the transmission struggles to maintain stable pressure due to worn solenoids,worn seals and  contaminated fluid, or early internal wear in the valve body.

Surging is not a normal behaviour and often becomes worse with heat. For general CVT operation and common performance issues, see our FAQ page.

4. Flaring (Revs Jump 300 to 400 Then Drop)

Flaring is a delay in power delivery. You press the accelerator, the engine revs climb sharply, then drop suddenly as the transmission finally engages. In a CVT, this usually means pressure loss, early belt slip or worn internal components.

Because flaring often starts mild and becomes more severe over time, it should be checked as soon as possible. To learn why a CVT must maintain stable pressure to operate correctly, visit What is a CVT.

5. Stuck in One Gear (1st, 2nd or 3rd)

If your vehicle suddenly becomes stuck in a single gear or will not change ratios, the transmission has likely gone into limp mode to protect itself. Limp mode is triggered by internal faults such as sensor issues, pressure loss or belt slip.

Driving while in limp mode can lead to major internal damage. The Warning page outlines the risks of continued driving with unresolved transmission issues.

6. Moves on Start Up but Will Not Accelerate

If the vehicle rolls forward slowly but refuses to accelerate when you press the pedal, the CVT belt, torque converter or internal hydraulic pump may be failing. This symptom is often a sign that the transmission is very close to complete failure.

To understand why CVT belt and pulley wear affects acceleration, see What is a CVT.

7. Transmission Slipping Under Acceleration

If the engine revs rise but the vehicle speed does not increase, the transmission is slipping. CVT slip happens when the belt cannot grip the pulleys properly or when the transmission cannot build enough hydraulic pressure. Fluid breakdown is a common cause.

For advice on fluid condition and service questions, visit our FAQ page.

8. Rattling Noise When Decelerating

A rattling or metallic chatter when lifting off the accelerator is often caused by worn bearings or pulley issues inside the CVT. These noises tend to get louder over time and are a strong indicator that internal components are wearing out.

The Warning page explains why noise should never be ignored, as it often indicates early internal failure.

What You Should Do Next

Transmission faults progress quickly once symptoms start. Early diagnosis can dramatically reduce the cost of repair and prevent more serious internal damage.

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If you have noticed any of the symptoms above and want to speak with a CVT specialist, contact our team directly through our Contact page.