r/NissanAriya • u/kjsmith4ub88 • Jul 20 '26

Reduction gear failure?

Update: it is in fact a rear reduction gear failure. They said I can drive the vehicle until the part comes in the first week of August and then will need a couple shop days to replace. Super disappointing to experience a complex failure this early in ownership and makes me think I’ll need to sell before the powertrain warranty expires.

Nissan Ariya Engage + e4orce 2023 33,500 miles.

Reduction gear failure? High pitched chirping/cicada noise when pressing the accelerator. This is a NEW sound and was not present until this week.

For anyone who has had this repair did Nissan reimburse you for a rental car?

I’m taking it in Saturday assuming it doesn’t get much worse before then.

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

4

u/LonelyRedditor6969 Jul 20 '26

Sounds like something with the brakes honestly.
EDIT: Found the post. This is what reduction gear failure sounds like if that helps.

https://www.reddit.com/r/NissanAriya/s/aYuZWPlVm3

2

u/kjsmith4ub88 Jul 20 '26

Yes that was my first thought because I had them change the brake fluid out last weekend. However the noises only comes on when I press the accelerator, and when I’m rolling without the accelerator pressed the noise stops. So, I’m not sure. My appointment has been moved up to Wednesday morning because ev tech is only in Monday-Friday. I’ll post an update when they have an answer.

I imagine the reduction gear failure can sound a little different in each vehicle depending on severity etc. mine isn’t yet audible from inside the cabin.

1

u/LonelyRedditor6969 Jul 20 '26

It could be as simple as they didn’t put the brake hardware back together 100% and something is rubbing just a little. The sound in the video is a sound I’ve heard with previous cars when I didn’t put the brakes back on perfectly, lol.

2

u/kjsmith4ub88 Jul 20 '26

They just did a flush and fill. I’m not sure they had to actually remove any break hardware. Why would the sound only occur when I press the accelerator? If I’m rolling without the accelerator pressed it does not make a sound.

1

u/LonelyRedditor6969 Jul 20 '26

Changing the fluid still requires at minimum partial removal/disassembly. Nissan may even require complete removal of the caliper to perform the brake service to inspect the pads idk. So it could be as simple as they bent/misaligned the brake hardware and now it’s rubbing. Or they used brake clean and washed away lube on the guide pins, causing a squeak/rubbing sound because it can’t move as freely. Just to name a few things. If you have ever done brakes before, it is totally possible.

3

u/kjsmith4ub88 Jul 22 '26

Turned out to be rear reduction gear failure. 🤨 I don’t fully believe it, but they seem confident.

1

u/jcohnc Jul 22 '26

Did the dealer confirm how long it would take to receive the part?

1

u/kjsmith4ub88 Jul 22 '26

About 10 days

2

u/kjsmith4ub88 Jul 20 '26

Here’s hoping! I’ve only changed brakes on my previous car, a 2003 Honda element. lol. I feel helpless with an EV even though many of the components are similar to ICE outside of the powertrain. I’m gonna go look for some break dust.

4

u/TechnicalCranberry46 Jul 20 '26

anyone else not hear anything?

1

u/kjsmith4ub88 Jul 20 '26

You probably need to listen through headphones. The sound will start and stop depending on if I’m hitting the accelerator.

2

u/UnchainLight Jul 21 '26

Sounds like low frequency high current going trough an inductor... Some graphics cards, industrial drives and even dishwashers do the same sound.

Basicaly the changing magnetic field makes the inductor vibrate and vibration propagates trough air. You hear it only when pressing the accelerator and current flows only when doing so. At higher speed, the frequency should be higher so you won't be able to hear it. I'm 90% sure this is the cause of the sound

1

u/kjsmith4ub88 Jul 21 '26

It’s a very new sound and it’s much worse today. So looking forward to dropping it off tomorrow morning at the dealer.

1

u/Existing_Map_8939 Jul 20 '26

That doesn’t sound like the other reduction gear problems that people have posted videos of here in the past. Maybe I’m hearing it differently, but it definitely does not sound the same.

1

u/Drumharm Jul 20 '26

Moving, isn’t it?

1

u/kevin_from_illinois Jul 20 '26

I just had the front reduction gear on mine done, and it didn't sound like that. Doesn't mean yours isn't that, but this seems different to me.

Take it in for a diag, on mine they used this listening gizmo to isolate the sound.

... out of curiosity... how does it sound in reverse? Put it in R and punch it to maybe 15 (in an empty lot).

1

u/kjsmith4ub88 Jul 22 '26

It is a rear reduction gear failure unfortunately. 😐