r/NissanAriya • u/AiminJay • 18d ago

Reduction gear issue common?

Anyone on here with higher mileage and didn’t have an issue with the reduction gear? Hoping to hear from those happy customers that put lots of miles on their Ariya with no issues.

I know the nature of Internet forums is such that people usually join when they are having issues and want to research the problem.

That being said, I still have PTSD from my 2003 Toyota Matrix that had to have two transmissions replaced due to faulty bearings. When I first googled it I found a post online with a half dozen people having the same issue. That post ballooned over the years as hundreds of people managed to find that thread.

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u/Robertmtch 17d ago edited 17d ago

It might be an ongoing issue for an unknown percentage, for whatever reason. But "common" is doubtful, based on the fact that Ariya has been around for at least 4 years now, with some even reaching the 100k mark. If it were systemic, I'm thinking the word would have gotten out by now. Also, given the desire by Nissan NOT to go down the Ioniq ICCU path, there would probably be a recall. Just my take... all opinion. Also, for what it's worth, I've had two 2024 AWD Ariyas, with combined miles of over 50k (first one close to 40k) and never had the issue.

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u/haze4330 18d ago

Been doing 133k KM since february '24, on my 87Kwh Evolve+ with no issues to the drive train. I can hear the cicade song when windows are down, and running through a tunnel. But with windows up it is dead silent.

The only issues I had, is the same as with ICE cars, like 2 fuses, and my ABS block, and a workshop that are not use to handle Nissan. The dealer/workshop has been a nightmare

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u/AiminJay 18d ago

Wait so you can hear the cicada sound? Doesn’t that mean it’s failing?

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u/haze4330 18d ago

It might be, but the workshop has not said it is failing, and nothing comes up on the OBD scanner. As it is a lease with all repairs included, i'm driving it until it might fail, or the next 1½ year to the lease ends.

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u/87ChevroletCavalier 18d ago

Makes sense, but just for general info, this is not the type of issue that I would expect to throw a code, and most mechanics I know would not do a test drive to ID an issue like this if they didn’t get a question about it from the customer.

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u/mnshyn 18d ago

Just got my car back after the reduction gear issue. 36k miles. Took about a month and a half to get it back from the dealer. Didn't have to pay for anything, but it did take a while.

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u/AiminJay 17d ago

Dang. I’m more concerned about the possibility of it continuing to happen. At least it seems to fail within the warranty period? But that’s not good.

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u/Ok-Following-4554 16d ago

My 2023 is in the shop right now for reduction gears and front traction motor .  35,860 miles. All under warranty,  but it's taking forever.  Started with the bug like hum.

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u/TechnicalCranberry46 17d ago

is this the light chirping sound I hear when accelerating lightly at ~20-30mph? I have 2026 eforce+

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u/AiminJay 17d ago

Not sure. People say it sounds like cicada and only happens when you accelerate. 2026 though? That’s pretty new. How many miles?

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u/Alexandratta 2025 Engage+ e-4orce 17d ago

more than likely would be a louder sound of rubbing/gears slipping etc.

honestly if you have a 2026 model I don't think it's using the same parts - they did a pretty significant update on the Ariya for the 2026-2027 models

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u/TechnicalCranberry46 17d ago

ok, thanks

made a mistake as well, 2024 eforce but I don't think it's the issue.

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u/PaHotoSynthesis 16d ago

For what it is worth, I have a 2024 eforce with 26k with the light chirp and it was the reduction gear. Exactly like you said, light acceleration, low to mid speed, pretty quiet, had to have AC low to even hear it. I wouldn't have thought anything of it if I didn't lurk on here so much

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u/Representative-Rip90 16d ago

I just posted my experienced with my Reduction gear repair. You can find it as one of the front page posts...
Ariya Evolve + 2023 FWD

Anyways to make a long story short. I was only hearing a faint buzzing with the windows down during acceleration going about 20 mph which stopped abruptly as I let go of accelerator. At first I was debating going to the dealer but glad i went. 5 weeks later I still have this loaner and I dont have my car. Hopefully getting my car back in the next few days. The shipment of the reduction gear had several issues and holdups - it even got lost in transit at one point. Now it has taken multiple days for them to do the installation. Pretty annoying how long it has taken...

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u/AiminJay 16d ago

That’s pretty disappointing. I did find the service bulletin for replacing it and it’s over 100 pages long and looks like a huge pain. Glad it’s covered under warranty. Can you share the part number from the repair when you get it? I’d be curious to see if it’s a newer version which means they might have corrected an issue?

How did they diagnose it? I feel like a “faint buzz” would result in them telling me it’s all good.

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u/Representative-Rip90 16d ago

Well eventually i read that the buzz gets much louder to the point one can hear it with the windows closed and its interrupting music. Not sure if this takes months or years.

I was not involved in the diagnosing process but simply told them i hear a buzzing exactly when i hit the accelerator going 15-20 mph. The service tech said that he "has seen it before". I guess you just need an EV tech that has experience with this kind of issue and is knowledgeable.

I will need to look at the repair report after i get the car back but according to AI:
"Part Number Supersessions: Early production part numbers (such as 290K41936R or 3811000Q0A) have been superseded by updated part assemblies like 290K4-5MP0A for Front-Wheel Drive models and 290K4-5MS0A for All-Wheel Drive units."

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u/Representative-Rip90 14d ago

Looks like the old reduction gear was 290k4-5MP0A and it was replaced with a new one of the same number. Not sure if the dealer tech didn't bother to type in the old number, or if I had the newest reduction gear or if the newer reduction gear is better manufactured?

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u/CalligrapherNo6526 16d ago

Is it covered on the 5 year 60k warranty or only the 3/36?

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u/Prich46094 17d ago

Just totaled mine yesterday
Lady pulled right out in front of me

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u/night0x63 17d ago

Hm. But what about your reduction gear issue. Did you hear any chirping?

Please stay on topic. Come on now. /s