So, fresh out of 10 days in the shop for CVT recall replacement @50k miles on my 2020 Ascent, I only made it 50 miles before noticing a horrific grinding noise from the transmission, only in reverse, only under load. I first noticed it backing up on soft ground, where a little revving was needed to start rolling. I could also replicate it in motion on level pavement by assertively accelerating in reverse — grinding noise would kick in about 2500 RPM. Not quite as alarming as when my 2019 Ascent CVT chain let loose on the highway, but definitely un-good metal-on-metal sounds.
After another 3 days in a loaner, it’s now fixed and the dealer’s writeup says:
Cause: VERIFIED HIGH CVT LOAD IN REVERSE/VIBRATION DUPLICATED
Correction: ADJUSTED REAR TRANSMISSION MOUNT AND RETESTED. OK NOW
I’m not familiar with the mounting arrangement, but given the grinding noise & verified installation problem, I’m concerned for possible damage to the brand new CVT / existing drivetrain. The service advisor assured me that the noise was “all external” to the transmission and not to worry. Thoughts?
