Nissan Rogue 2008-2013 problems, pros and cons

Updated: September 28, 2021
The Nissan Rogue is a practical fuel-efficient 5-seater SUV with a good engine. After the second-generation 2014 Rogue went on sale, the first-generation Rogue continued to be sold in the U.S. through 2014 and 2015 as the Nissan Rogue Select.
Nissan Rogue interior 2011 Nissan Rogue interior.
The Rogue has a 4-cylinder engine and comes with front- or all-wheel drive. The only transmission choice is a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Read also: Pros and cons of buying a car with a CVT transmission. The Rogue/Rogue Select is one of the most fuel-efficient all-wheel drive vehicles on the used car market.

The Rogue is a comfortable car to drive, but what are the reported problems and trouble spots to watch out for?

Nissan Rogue Problems: Overall the number of reported complaints is fairly small. The most complaints are about the transmission.

The Nissan service bulletin AT16-013 for the 2011-2013 Rogue and 2014-2015 Rogue Select (S35) describes a problem where the CVT might enter the fail-safe mode (reduced vehicle speed). Possible solutions include replacing the control valve assembly and (or) installing the external CVT fluid cooler kit.
Nissan had extended the CVT warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles on all 2003-2010 models. The cost to replace a CVT transmission with a new unit can run up to $4,200.
The blower motor can fail. Replacing a blower motor in a repair shop could be costly because it is located far under the dash and it takes some work to replace it. Watch these videos describing the repair.

An A/C compressor can fail and cause the A/C not to work. Replacing the A/C compressor is 2-2.5 hours job and aftermarket parts are available. In some cases, it's the failed A/C compressor clutch coil causes the compressor not to engage. It's a cheaper part, but not every shop will want to replace it separately.

The Check Engine light with the code P0455 could be caused by a bad EVAP vent control valve (solenoid), although to confirm it, the EVAP system must be tested.
2013 Nissan Rogue 2013 Nissan Rogue.
An updated vent control valve part can be purchased from a Nissan dealer. The repair is not very expensive. Read more about this code.

A bad wheel bearing can cause a humming noise that becomes louder when driving at higher speeds. The wheel bearing replacement will cost from $320 to $460.

The fuel level sensor in the sending unit can fail, causing inaccurate fuel gauge reading.
Tire pressure sensors are also known to fail. Replacing one tire pressure sensor will cost from $120 to $170.
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The service bulletin NTB11-015a describes the problem with the QR25DE where a bad oil cooler gasket can cause an oil leak from the upper end of the engine oil cooler. As per the bulletin, the gasket must be replaced, which is a fairly simple repair.

Engine: The only choice is the 170-hp 2.5L DOHC inline-4 QR25 engine. It's a good engine and it has been used on many Nissan vehicles for years. With proper maintenance, this engine shouldn't have too many problems.

Timing belt or timing chain? The QR25 engine has a timing chain; there is no timing belt. The chain doesn't need to be replaced at regular intervals.

Pros: Practical interior, fuel economy, comfortable seats, car-like handling, compliant ride, rear seat space, five-stars side-impact protection.

Cons: The engine is a bit noisy, rear visibility, plain interior styling, cargo space could be better, the liftgate glass doesn't open separately, CVT issues, costly CVT replacement.

Owner reviews: We looked through hundreds of owner reviews on various forums and other websites. Reviews are mixed.
Nissan Rogue seats folded Rear seats fold down.
Many owners like the fuel economy, handling and ride comfort, good front visibility and easy access. Poor rear visibility and blind spots in the rear corners are the commonly-mentioned drawbacks. A number of owners have experienced issues with the keyless entry system and the CVT transmission. Motorists from southern states often mention that the air conditioner is weak.

Overall: The Nissan Rogue is a practical fuel-efficient crossover, however it's more suitable for city driving; we would not recommend it for towing or other heavy duty use. As of September 2021, Consumer Reports rates only the 2012 and 2013 Rogue 'average' for reliability; other model years are rated 'below average.' One of the areas where the Rogue scored poorly is the CVT transmission. Read also: What mileage is OK for a used car? and How to inspect a used car - illustrated guide.

Related reviews:
Nissan Rogue 2014-2020
Used Subaru Forester 2009-2013
Subaru Outback 2010-2014
Used Toyota RAV4 2006-2012
Used Honda CR-V 2007-2011
Volkswagen Tiguan 2009-2017
Nissan Murano 2009-2014

What to look for when buying a used Nissan Rogue: Check the rear visibility when backing up and changing lanes. Test all electrical accessories. Does the blower motor work in all speed settings? Does the fuel gauge show different readings when the car is just started and after the test drive? Test the air conditioner: Is it strong enough? During the test drive, pay attention to the way the CVT transmission works. Are there any whining noises, vibrations, jerks or delays or loss of power? Do the engine RPMs fluctuate when driving at a steady speed? Test drive for as long as you can, because some CVT issues may only be obvious when the transmission is warmed up. If something doesn't feel right, avoid the vehicle. Does the vehicle accelerate smoothly from a stop? Are there any noises when turning or when driving slow over bumps? Is the vehicle quiet at highway speeds? Read also: How to inspect a used car - illustrated guide. Before buying, have the vehicle properly inspected.

Maintenance: Nissan recommends changing your engine oil and filter every 3,750 miles or 3 months; 5W-30 is the recommended viscosity. You can find the maintenance schedule in the Service and Maintenance Guide, which can be downloaded from the U.S. Nissan Owners website.
To see if the CVT fluid needs to be replaced, ask the dealer to check the fluid deterioration data with a scan tool. According to Nissan Service and Maintenance Guide for the 2010-2013 Rogue, if the deterioration data is more than 210,000, change the CVT fluid. A cabin air filter is recommended to be replaced every 15,000 miles.

Fuel Economy: The 2008-2010 AWD Rogue is rated at 21/26 mpg city/highway by the EPA. The front-wheel drive 2008-2010 models get 22/27 mpg on regular gasoline. The 2010 FWD Rogue can drive up to 343 miles (553 km) on a 15.9-gallon (60 L) tank. The EPA rating for the 2012-2013 FWD Rogue is 23/28 mpg. The 2011-2013 AWD Rogue gets 22 mpg in city driving and 26 mpg on the highway.