The Nissan Rogue is a compact crossover SUV that made its debut in 2007 by the Japanese automaker Nissan. Since the first model was announced in 2008, it has become a top seller, making car brands like the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4 close rivals. The Rogue can either come with an all-wheel drive or a front-wheel drive, depending on how the customer wants it.
The Nissan Rogue has proved to be a superb automotive for anyone who decides to own it. Unfortunately, however, some of the model years have been affected by so many problems that it is nearly impossible for these models to last for a long period of time. We will discuss further some of the common issues of the Nissan Rogue and which model years to avoid.
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7 Most Common Nissan Rogue Problems
Many people have bought and owned the Nissan Rogue compact SUV since the introduction of its first model. Although the Rogue seems to be a perfect vehicle, there have been a lot of complaints by the owners about the common problems they have faced while using it. In this section, we will discuss some of these Nissan Rogue issues.
1. CVT Transmission Problems
A Continuous Variable Transmission is automatic. It typically does not have any gears. Instead, it uses a pulley system and a steel belt for a smoother and more convenient vehicle operation. Unfortunately, the Nissan CVT transmission has become one of the common problems Rogue owners have faced and complained about. The complaints owners have had about the Nissan Rogue transmission are engine stalls, transmission failure, acceleration problems, slow CVT response time, low engine idle, and hard jolts or jerks, after which the check engine light comes on.
After Nissan discovered this flaw in the Rogue, they decided to increase their CVT warranty. They doubled the powertrain warranty of the Rouge from 5 years/60,000 miles to 10 years/120,000 miles. They also did the same for the Nissan Altima when it had the same transmission issues.
2. Incorrect Fuel Gauge
An essential aspect of a vehicle is its fuel efficiency for driving. For a car to work correctly, the fuel pump should be able to pump fuel from the tank into the carburetor. The function of the fuel gauge then is to show the gas level in the fuel tank. Unfortunately, there have been complaints about the fuel gauge of the Nissan Rogue. Many of those complaints state that the fuel gauge is incorrect. For example, it would indicate that the fuel tank is still full, whereas it is running out.
An incorrect fuel gauge can lead you to think you have a full fuel tank when you do not, causing your fuel to run out, especially in an inconvenient situation.
3. Suspension Problems
The suspension system ensures that a car is in control and runs smoothly. The struts, tires, springs, and shock absorbers are the elements of a suspension system. Unfortunately, over time, the suspension system degrades due to usage. When this happens, you will notice that the car’s driving conditions have deteriorated. The common symptoms most owners have complained about the Rogue suspension system is a clicking sound you can trace to the strut; also, driving can become loose or wobbly.
4. Air Conditioning Issues
The purpose of the air conditioning is to allow cool air into the cabin to make it feel more comfortable. Most people love to put on the air conditioning on hot days to relieve themselves of the heat and drive conveniently. No one wants it to have issues while the weather is hot.
When the air conditioning has issues, you will notice a few changes in its operations. There have been a lot of complaints from the Rogue community, and most owners have noticed that the air conditioning has problems. Some problems are sudden loss of cool air a few minutes after a while, foul smells, noise upon ignition, and the air not cooling. The air conditioning has several issues: refrigerant leaks, damaged condenser, cracked compressor, and electrical issues. These defects will stop the air conditioning from functioning correctly, so you must get it fixed if you want to enjoy it.
5. EVAP System Problems
The Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP) is designed to seal the fuel system or the fuel tank to prevent fuel vapors from escaping into the atmosphere. Though an EVAP leak will not cause any harm to your car, it is best to fix it as soon as possible because it is not safe to expose yourself and every other person to this harmful leak. This is why the EVAP is made to capture harmful emissions from the fuel tank from entering the environment. A check engine light and gas smell indicates that your Nissan Rogue has an EVAP leak. Also, the gas mileage of the Nissan Rogue can be seriously affected when the EVAP system has a problem.
6. Acceleration Problems
Acceleration is needed to help you control the speed of your car. The car should be able to speed up when you push the accelerator, but when this does not happen, the car most likely has acceleration problems. A lot of vehicle owners have noticed and complained about the acceleration problems of the Rogue. Some have mentioned that they have experienced the problem where the acceleration would not work while going up a hill and that the acceleration seems to be working fine until they take long trips. Some owners have reported this situation to their dealership, but they do not notice it not until they take a long trip which gets worse as they continue driving.
The acceleration problems in the Nissan Rogue make the vehicle unsafe for use because it can cause accidents if its acceleration stops unexpectedly.
7. Sunroof Glass Issues
The sunroof is an adjustable panel in the roof of the Nissan Rogue to allow extra ventilation and natural light into the cabin, making it appear bigger.
There have been a lot of complaints about the Nissan Rogue sunroof for a long time. Some of them have complained that the sunroof suddenly comes off or explodes while they are driving. Other complaints related to water leaks into the cabin through the sunroof. Some other vehicle owners also complained about the sunroof being unable to close entirely mainly because of the wind deflector, and sometimes it does not open up all the way. This problem is familiar with the early generation of the Nissan Rogue, 2008-2013.
Rogue Model Years To Avoid
If you are looking forward to buying a new car, preferably a Nissan Rogue model, you need to know which model years to consider or steer clear of. The Nissan Rogue has gotten a lot of good and bad reviews over the years, but there have been more complaints about the earliest model years. According to independent Rogue owners, the 2008-2013 and 2018 model years should be avoided at all costs. The 2008-2013 Rogue SUVs have prevailing transmission and acceleration issues. The 2014-2016 model years also have air conditioning issues alongside transmission issues. The 2018 model year is the only one that seems not to have transmission issues, but it has serious brake issues.
The model years with the least amount of complaints are the Nissan Rogue 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021 models. We recommend sticking to these model years if you can manage it.
Overall Nissan Rogue Reliability
Are Nissans reliable? Nissan is one of the most reliable automotive manufacturers. They are known for their excellent fuel economy, nice interior, and standard safety features.
The National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) rates a vehicle’s safety features. Luckily, the Nissan Rogue’s overall safety features rate four out of five, but a meager crash test rating of two out of five stars for the front passenger’s side. RepairPal also rates the Nissan Rogue based on the repair cost, the severity of actual repairs, and frequency. The overall rating of the Nissan Rogue’s reliability is four out of five, which is above average, ranking 13th out of 26 compact SUVs. JD Power also rates Nissan Rogue 84 out of 100 based on resale, dealership experience, driving experience, and quality & reliability. These ratings prove that Nissan Rogues are reliable vehicles.
Tips For Fixing Common Problems With Your Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue, as mentioned earlier, has some common problems that need fixing. We will be going through some of these problems and tips on fixing them. To fix a CVT transmission problem, you first need to change the old transmission fluid with the new fluid. If changing the transmission fluid does not help the problem, you should take it to a professional to help you get it fixed. They will give you an estimate of the transmission repair cost. Acceleration problems are common in Nissan Rogues, but the best way to fix them is to take them to a mechanic.
The main reason a fuel gauge reading is incorrect is that it has a broken fuel level sensor. To fix this problem, you’ll have to replace it with a new sensor. If it’s a suspension-related issue, the problem may be the shock absorber struts. In that case, replacing any of them would be helpful. On the other hand, the suspension problem may be a few bolts in your Rogue’s undercarriage that need to be tightened. You can fix these issues on your own, but it’s recommended that a professional mechanic diagnose the issue further using specialized equipment.
The Bottom Line
The Nissan Rogue is an admirable car. Nevertheless, it has some problems many owners have complained about. Each model year’s complaints are different and more significant than the other. Model years with the most complaints are usually the ones that will give you a lot of issues if you own them, and you should probably avoid them, while the years with the least amount of complaints are the ones you should consider buying. The 2008-2016 and 2018 models have been categorized as the worst. It is best not to use any of them. 2017, 2019-2021, and the latest models have shown that the Nissan Rogue is worth buying as there have been very few complaints about them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Nissan Rogues have a lot of problems?
Yes, the Nissan Rogue has a lot of problems. Even though the Rouge is one of the best compact SUVs you can come across, it has many issues many customers have complained about. Unfortunately, these issues have caused a setback for some of the Rouge’s model years. The CVT transmission problem is common in most of the model years. The symptoms of the transmission problems are hard jolts, engine stalls, transmission failure, and acceleration problems. These problems threaten the safety of the drivers and other passengers in the vehicle.
There are also times that Nissan customers have complained that the fuel gauge reads incorrectly. For example, the fuel tank may run out of fuel while the gauge indicates that the tank is still full. This becomes a real issue when fuel gets exhausted at an inconvenient time. The Nissan Rogue also has problems with the EVAP system, air conditioning, acceleration, sunroof glass, and the suspension system.
What is the average cost of repairs for a Nissan Rogue?
When you notice that your car has faults preventing it from running smoothly, you should focus on fixing them immediately. Luckily, the repair cost of a Nissan Rogue is quite affordable and differs depending on which part of the car you would like to fix.
The average cost of rebuilding a CVT transmission is $3,500.
Changing the fluid transmission will also cost around $58-$68.
Sunroof switch replacement will cost about $304-$337.
The ball joint replacement of a Nissan Rogue costs an average of $200.
Suspension and strut replacement can cost an average of $897-$1,075.
To replace the air conditioning compressor of a Nissan Rogue, you’ll need about $1,070-$1,219.
The fuel gauge sensor replacement cost is around $1,290-$1,372.
The EVAP system replacement cost is around $456-$568.
To fix the acceleration problem, you need to get a throttle replacement which costs about $1,278-$1,310.
The overall annual maintenance of a Nissan Rogue will cost $467.
Is the Nissan Rogue a reliable car?
A factor to consider before selecting a vehicle for use is its reliability. Knowing the overall performance and durability of a car is essential before setting out to buy it. In case you are buying a used car, the reliability of a car also has to do with how the previous owners have treated it.
The Nissan Rogue’s reliability is rated 4 out of 5 stars and ranked 13th out of 26 compact SUVs according to RepairPal. The rating is based on the cost, frequency, and severity of the Nissan Rogue. The repair cost is affordable, and the frequency of repair visits and severity of significant problems are minimal. The safety features of the Nissan Rogue are also rated four out of five stars by the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Nissan Rogue also performs well any time the crash test is conducted.
Does the Nissan Rogue have transmission problems?
Yes, Nissan Rogues have transmission problems, which are common among their customers. The transmission is supposed to power up your vehicle to move at any speed you want, but it can come up with faults that can harm the car’s overall performance. These transmission issues can cause sudden hard jolts while driving, sudden acceleration or no acceleration at all, the car not being able to park, a rise in RPM, and a decrease in gas mileage. One way that Nissan has tried to salvage the issue is by increasing the vehicle’s powertrain warranty from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 10 years / 120,000 miles.
If you’re experiencing transmission issues, there are two alternatives you can take to handle the problem. The first is rebuilding the Rogue’s transmission, and the second is replacing it entirely.
