P0965 Pressure control solenoid B control circuit range/performance

Pressure control solenoid B performance

P0965 in short

P0965 means the transmission computer saw pressure control solenoid B working outside its expected range. On Nissan CVTs it often comes with judder and other codes covered by Nissan bulletins. Fluid, the solenoid or valve body, wiring and internal wear are common causes. Have it inspected soon; stop if it loses drive.

Pressure control solenoids set the hydraulic pressure that clamps the belt in a CVT or applies clutches in a geared automatic. P0965 sets when solenoid B's circuit or the pressure it controls is out of the range the computer expects.

Most owner reports come from Nissan CVTs, where P0965 often appears with P0746, P0776 or P17F0 and judder. Nissan has bulletins for the 2013–2017 Versa and Versa Note and the 2018–2022 Kicks and Versa.

Most likely causes

  1. CVT valve body or internal fault on covered Nissan models

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Nissan bulletins cover P0965 with judder and related codes on the Versa, Versa Note and Kicks, and dealers have recommended CVT replacement.
    What would change this
    Rises on a covered Nissan with judder or P17F0, P0746 or P0776.

  2. Dirty fluid, clogged filter or blocked passages

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Dirty fluid, filter and blocked passages are listed causes.
    What would change this
    Rises if the fluid is dark or contaminated.

  3. Faulty pressure control solenoid B or valve body

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    The solenoid and valve body are listed causes.
    What would change this
    Rises if the solenoid fails a command test.

  4. Wiring or connector fault

    Common general cause
    Why it ranks here
    Wiring is a listed cause.
    What would change this
    Rises if the circuit is open, shorted or corroded.

What to test first

Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.

  1. Read codes from the engine and transmission modules with a scan tool that supports both, before anything is cleared.

    Low riskTool: scan tool that reads the transmission module

    • IfP0746, P0776, P0868 or P17F0 are also stored on a Nissan CVT

      It meansLook for the Nissan bulletin.

      Go to step 2

    • IfP0965 alone

      It meansLook for a bulletin, then have the circuit tested.

      Go to step 2

  2. Check for a P0965 bulletin for your VIN at a Nissan dealer or on the NHTSA site.

    Low risk

  3. Have a shop check the fluid condition, test the solenoid B circuit and compare commanded and actual pressure.

    Best left to a shopTool: scan tool with transmission data and output controls

    Warning:Shop test. It needs the maker's pressure specs and procedure.

Symptoms

  • Check engine light
  • Judder or shudder when pulling away
  • Slipping or harsh shifts
  • Will not drive after stopping, or stalls Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.

How to fix

  1. Do not clear the code before the transmission module has been read; the stored data helps the shop.

  2. Ask a dealer whether your VIN has an open P0965 bulletin or software update.

On your vehicle

Nissan

  • 2013–2017 · Versa

    Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan NTB17-034 covers CVT judder with P0965 (also 2014–2017 Versa Note). The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • 2018–2022 · Kicks

    Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan NTB22-021 covers P0965 with related CVT codes (also 2020–2022 Versa). The bulletin is on NHTSA, but whether it is still current is not verified, so it is labelled vehicle data rather than confirmed.

  • 2013 · Altima

    Supported by vehicle data

    A Nissan dealer recommended CVT replacement based on P2813, P0776 and P0965 after a stall, per an owner complaint to NHTSA. This is one owner report, not a bulletin.

  • NTB17-034kStatus unverified

    CVT judder and/or P0746/P0965/P17F0/P0846

    2013–2017versa, versa-note · issued · NHTSA 10172234

    2013–2017 Versa sedan and 2014–2017 Versa Note. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • NTB22-021AStatus unverified

    P0746, P0776, P0841, P0965, P17F0 and/or P17F1 stored

    2018–2022kicks, versa · issued · NHTSA 10232664

    2018–2022 Kicks and 2020–2022 Versa. Only the NHTSA flat-file summary was read, not the bulletin itself.

    We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.

  • P17F0Nissan: CVT judder detected, transmission (T/M) inspection needed

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan lists P17F0 CVT judder with P0965 in the same bulletins.

  • P0746Pressure control solenoid A is not working or stuck off

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan lists P0746 (pressure control solenoid A) with P0965.

  • P0776Pressure control solenoid B not working as expected or stuck off

    Shares causes Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan lists P0776 with P0965 on the Kicks and Versa, and an Altima owner saw both.

  • P0868Transmission computer sees fluid pressure lower than it should be

    Shares causes Possible — needs testing

    A Versa Note dealer diagnosis lists low fluid pressure P0868 with P0965.

All Transmission codes

Sources and review

  1. Toyota Camry Owner's Manual (OM06291U) — Toyota
  2. P0965 OBD-II Trouble Code: Pressure Control Solenoid B Control Circuit Range/Performance — Kelley Blue Book
  3. NHTSA complaint 11052159: 2013 Nissan Altima, P0965 — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  4. NHTSA complaint 11643169: 2014 Nissan Versa Note, P0965 — NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
  5. Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 13, § 1968.2 — Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements (OBD II) — California Air Resources Board (via Cornell LII)
  6. Nissan NTB17-034k: CVT judder and/or P0746/P0965/P17F0/P0846 — Nissan North America ,
  7. Nissan NTB22-021A: P0746, P0776, P0841, P0965, P17F0 and/or P17F1 stored — Nissan North America ,
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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