P17F4 Auxiliary gearbox clutch judder flagged by the transmission computer in a Nissan CVT

Nissan P17F4 CVT auxiliary gearbox judder

Severity not verified — if the car runs badly, have it inspected

Nissan says the new judder codes do not turn on the check engine light and describes hesitation and reduced power, but we found no source on whether the car is safe to keep driving.

It gets more serious if:

  • Inspect soon: The car hesitates, loses power or shudders more often.

Source: how we rate severity

P17F4 in short

On Nissan CVTs such as the Versa, Sentra and Kicks, P17F4 means the transmission computer detected judder from the auxiliary gearbox clutch, and it can also indicate belt slip. Expect shuddering or hesitation. Nissan bulletins call for a computer reprogram and sometimes replacement; we found no source on how long it is safe to drive.

Many Nissan CVTs have a small two-speed auxiliary gearbox behind the belt. The transmission computer compares speeds across its clutch, and when it sees judder it stores P17F4.

Nissan bulletin NTB23-048 describes the symptom as a vibration on quick re-acceleration after braking, during a 2-1 downshift of that gearbox. A trade magazine adds that the code may also mean push belt slip, with hesitation or reduced power.

Nissan bulletins list P17F4 with other CVT codes and call first for a computer reprogram. If the code sits in the permanent code list and will not erase, one bulletin says to replace the computer. Owners of 2015-2021 Sentra and Versa models report it.

Pick your make

P17F4 is a manufacturer-specific code: its meaning depends on who built the car.

Other makes: meaning not verified. Check with a scan tool that reads manufacturer definitions.

Most likely causes

  1. Transmission computer software that needs the judder update

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Nissan bulletins NTB20-037 and the related CVT series tell the technician to confirm the part number and reprogram the computer when it applies; only summaries were read.
    What would change this
    Rises if a dealer finds your VIN covered and the computer is not at the latest software. Falls if it is already current.
    How to test the transmission control module (tcm)

  2. Judder from the auxiliary gearbox clutch

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Nissan defines the code as auxiliary gearbox clutch judder and ties it to a 2-1 downshift vibration.
    What would change this
    Rises if the shudder shows on quick re-acceleration after braking. Falls if the shudder is steady at all speeds.

  3. Push belt slip inside the CVT

    Possible — needs testing
    Why it ranks here
    A trade article says the code may also point to belt slip; the Nissan bulletin does not say this.
    What would change this
    Rises if hesitation or reduced power comes with other CVT pressure codes. Falls if only the judder is present.

  4. Transmission computer that must be replaced

    Supported by vehicle data
    Why it ranks here
    Nissan NTB20-086 says to replace the computer when P17F4 stays in the permanent code list and will not erase.
    What would change this
    Rises only if the code will not erase after the service procedure. Falls if it clears normally.
    How to test the transmission control module (tcm)

What to test first

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

  1. Read all codes, including the permanent code screen, and note any other CVT codes stored with P17F4.

    Low riskTool: OBD-II scan tool

  2. Ask a Nissan dealer whether your VIN has a TCM reprogram or CVT judder bulletin that applies.

    Low risk

Symptoms

  • Vibration or shudder on acceleration
  • Hesitation or reduced power Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
  • Check engine light may stay off

How to fix

  1. Ask the dealer to check your VIN for a computer update before paying for any CVT repair.

Parts and cost context

  • Transmission control module (TCM):Nissan replaces the computer only in a stuck permanent code case.

Labor varies by vehicle and shop; get a quote before you approve a repair.

Compare used part prices on PartPriceGuide

On your vehicle

Nissan

  • 2018–2022 · Kicks

    Supported by vehicle data

    Bulletins NTB19-040H, NTB20-060, NTB23-048, NTB23-048A name P17F4 on the Nissan Kicks. Only the bulletin summary was read.

  • 2018–2022 · Versa

    Supported by vehicle data

    Bulletins NTB19-040H, NTB20-037, NTB20-086, NTB23-048, NTB23-048A name P17F4 on the Nissan Versa. Only the bulletin summary was read.

  • 2018–2019 · Sentra

    Supported by vehicle data

    Bulletins NTB20-037, NTB20-086 name P17F4 on the Nissan Sentra. Only the bulletin summary was read.

  • 2018–2019 · Versa Note

    Supported by vehicle data

    Bulletins NTB20-037, NTB20-086 name P17F4 on the Nissan Versa Note. Only the bulletin summary was read.

  • 2015–2017 · Sentra

    Supported by vehicle data

    Owners of 2015, 2016 and 2017 Sentras report P17F4 read by a shop or dealer, often with hesitation or judder.

  • NTB23-048AStatus unverified

    DTC P17F4 STORED IN THE TCM IF YOU CONFIRM The customer reports transmission vibration when accelerating,

    2018–2022kicks, versa · issued · NHTSA 11031703

    Lists P17F4 among the CVT codes that lead to a TCM reprogram or diagnostic procedure, or that sit in the permanent DTC screen. 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.

  • NTB23-048Status unverified

    DTC P17F4 STORED IN TCM IF YOU CONFIRM The customer reports transmission vibration when accelerating, HINT:

    2018–2022kicks, versa · issued · NHTSA 10237836

    Lists P17F4 among the CVT codes that lead to a TCM reprogram or diagnostic procedure, or that sit in the permanent DTC screen. 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.

  • NTB19-040HStatus unverified

    DTC P0741/4/6, P0776, P0841, P0875, P0965, P2857/8/9, P17F0/1/2/4 AND/OR P285A STORED IN THE TCM, AND MAY

    2018–2021kicks, versa · issued · NHTSA 10211994

    Lists P17F4 among the CVT codes that lead to a TCM reprogram or diagnostic procedure, or that sit in the permanent DTC screen. 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.

  • NTB20-086Status unverified

    PERMANENT DTC SET IN TCM AND WILL NOT ERASE IF YOU CONFIRM One or more of the following DTCs are stored in

    2019sentra, versa, versa-note · issued · NHTSA 10185442

    Lists P17F4 among the CVT codes that lead to a TCM reprogram or diagnostic procedure, or that sit in the permanent DTC screen. 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.

  • NTB20-060Status unverified

    2018-2019 KICKS: ENHANCED DIAGNOSTIC LOGIC FOR CVT IF YOU CONFIRM The customer reports a transmission judder

    2018–2019kicks · issued · NHTSA 10179616

    Lists P17F4 among the CVT codes that lead to a TCM reprogram or diagnostic procedure, or that sit in the permanent DTC screen. 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.

  • NTB20-037Status unverified

    2018-2019 SENTRA, VERSA SEDAN, AND VERSA NOTE; ENHANCED DIAGNOSTIC LOGIC FOR CVT IF YOU CONFIRM The customer

    2018–2019sentra, versa, versa-note · issued · NHTSA 10176250

    Lists P17F4 among the CVT codes that lead to a TCM reprogram or diagnostic procedure, or that sit in the permanent DTC screen. 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

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan bulletin NTB20-037 introduces P17F0 to P17F4 together as CVT judder codes.

  • P17F1Nissan: CVT judder detected, control unit (C/U) inspection needed

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan bulletin NTB20-037 introduces P17F1 with P17F4 as part of the same judder logic.

  • P285AClutch B pressure disengagement performance fault in the transmission (seen on Nissan CVTs)

    Same system Supported by vehicle data

    Nissan CVT bulletins NTB19-040E to NTB19-040H list P285A with P17F4 for hesitation and reduced power.

All Transmission codes

Sources and review

  1. Nissan NTB23-048: DTC P17F4 stored in the TCM (2018 Kicks) — Nissan North America (read via CarComplaints.com mirror) ,
  2. Nissan NTB20-037: enhanced CVT diagnostic logic (2018-2019 Sentra, Versa) — Nissan North America (read via CarComplaints.com mirror) ,
  3. Nissan CVT Judder Codes and Diagnostics: What Sets P17Fx Codes and How to Repair Them — GEARS Magazine (Keith Clark) ,
  4. Nissan NTB20-086: permanent DTC set in TCM and will not erase — Nissan North America ,
  5. Nissan NTB19-040H: CVT codes with hesitation or reduced power — Nissan North America ,
  6. NHTSA complaint 1677129: 2017 Nissan Sentra, P17F4 — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  7. NHTSA complaint 1977262: 2016 Nissan Sentra, P17F4 — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  8. NHTSA complaint 1957759: 2015 Nissan Sentra, P17F4 — NHTSA (owner complaint)
  9. Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 13, § 1968.2 — Malfunction and Diagnostic System Requirements (OBD II) — California Air Resources Board (via Cornell LII)
Last reviewed
Written by
Saurabh K.
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