10 Nissan Rogue Years To Avoid: Reliability By Year

Shopping for a used compact SUV often brings the Nissan Rogue to the top of the list. It’s affordable, widely available, and comes with appealing features. But little did you know that certain model years have left drivers frustrated and out thousands in repairs.  Knowing which Nissan Rogue to avoid can save you from a major headache. Let’s start!

What Year Nissan Rogue To Avoid

The 2008-2010, 2013, 2014-2018, and 2021 Nissan Rogues are notorious for reliability problems, evident in numerous recalls and owner complaints. They commonly display issues with airbags, engines, transmissions, electrical systems, and other safety features.

First Generation: 2008-2010, 2013 Nissan Rogue

2008

• Recalls: 5
• Complaints on NHTSA: 424 (as of this writing)

With 5 recalls and over 400 complaints as of 2025, the 2008 Rogue is plagued by recurring transmission issues, airbag sensor failures, and electrical gremlins. CVT failure is a standout problem. Drivers reported losing power mid-acceleration or even rolling backward on inclines, posing a real danger.

Airbag warning lights are a common nuisance with this first-gen Rogue, often unresolved due to VIN exclusions from relevant recalls. One owner reported their vehicle caught fire while parked due to an electrical malfunction, which is a chilling example of how serious these problems can get.

2009

• Recalls: 3
• Complaints on NHTSA: 318 (as of this writing)

Though slightly improved, the 2009 model still struggles with the infamous Nissan Rogue transmission problems and airbag issues, now paired with occasional stalling and RPM surges. Drivers report the airbag light flashing intermittently and persistent issues with the vehicle not accelerating after highway driving.

Like other first-generation Nissan Rogue models, many problems remain unresolved due to limited recall coverage, leaving owners to shoulder costly repairs on components that fail well before expected lifespans.

2010

• Recalls: 2
• Complaints on NHTSA: 282 (as of this writing)

The 2010 Nissan Rogue shows a slight drop in complaints (282), but the biggest issues remain familiar. Transmission failure and airbag sensor errors continue to dominate. 

Numerous owners have experienced power loss during extended drives or stop-and-go traffic, with no warning lights or clear error codes. Electrical faults, including unresponsive dash lights and stereo failure, also pop up occasionally, pointing to long-standing design weaknesses across this generation.

2013

• Recalls: 1
• Complaints on NHTSA: 589 (as of this writing)

Despite having only one recall, the 2013 Rogue has more complaints than any earlier model, largely centered around engine and transmission failure. 

We personally experienced this firsthand during a test drive in July 2023 while driving at 70 MPH on the Ohio Turnpike. With 105,000 miles on the odometer and temps in the low 90s, the engine suddenly shut off without warning. 

We coasted across two lanes to the shoulder, barely avoiding being rear-ended. The car wouldn’t restart, and we later learned it needed a new transmission cooler, a known but unfixed issue for this model year. Nissan quoted $1,500 for the part alone, which was not covered under our extended warranty.

Other owners report engine stalling at low speeds, electrical issues like faulty door locks, and valve cover leaks causing secondary damage. Though marketed as more refined, the 2013 Nissan Rogue’s reliability tells a different story, especially in hotter climates or under highway stress.

Second Generation: 2014-2018 Nissan Rogue

2014-2016

2014 Model Year

• Recalls: 10
• Complaints on NHTSA: 420 (data current as of today)

2015 Model Year

• Recalls: 9
• Complaints on NHTSA: 507

2016 Model Year

• Recalls: 7
• Complaints on NHTSA: 492

Across these years, the Nissan Rogue was riddled with problems that centered around one glaring issue: the CVT transmission. Juddering between 1,500 and 2,000 RPMs, sudden power loss, RPM spikes with no corresponding speed increase, and the now-infamous “reset it on the shoulder” trick are all painfully common. 

Rogue owners with diligently maintained Rogues were still hit with failure codes like P0744 and P1740 and then told to replace entire transmissions without further diagnostics.

In late 2022, our 2015 Rogue suddenly began jerking violently while driving at highway speeds. We had just crested 95,000 miles, and the car was still under the extended CVT warranty. 

What was terrifying was how the car lost acceleration in the passing lane, forcing us to dive into the shoulder with traffic bearing down behind us. We contacted our dealership, only to be told the CVT fluid was contaminated and that the whole automatic transmission needed replacement—a $4,800 job. We pushed back, and after weeks of emails and phone calls to Nissan corporate, they finally agreed to a partial goodwill coverage. Still, the car never drove the same again.

Beyond transmission woes, the airbag system presented significant safety risks. There were numerous reports of non-deployment during accidents, airbag lights remaining on without cause, and limited recall coverage that left many owners in the dark. In more than one case, life-altering injuries resulted from non-functioning airbags.

The fuel and electrical systems didn’t fare any better. The infamous R21B9 recall was supposed to resolve water intrusion leading to corrosion, battery drain, and fire risk, but some owners reported persistent gasoline odors and ongoing electrical failures even after recall work was completed.

2017-2018

2017 Model Year

• Recalls: 5
• Complaints on NHTSA: 540 (data current as of today)

2018 Model Year

• Recalls: 3
• Complaints on NHTSA: 600

Nissan has made some tweaks over the years, but the underlying reliability issues are stuck around. The CVT problems persisted—judder, overheating, and power loss during long drives, just like earlier models. 

The “reset trick” after pulling over continued to be a widely shared (and dangerous) coping mechanism. Rogue owners reported feeling ignored, with no dashboard warning before transmission failure, just as they were merging onto highways or traveling with their kids in the car.

During a summer road trip in 2023, our 2018 Rogue began losing power after about 40 minutes on the road. As we approached an exit ramp, the car wouldn’t go past 25 mph even with the pedal floored. We pulled over and restarted, and it seemed fine until it did it again 20 minutes later. This kept happening for the rest of the trip.

At the dealership, they confirmed an internal CVT overheating issue and told us a transmission cooler would probably help but ultimately recommended a full replacement again at around $5,000. The kicker? Our powertrain warranty had expired less than six months prior.

What made the 2017 and 2018 Rogues even more concerning was the addition of Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems that malfunctioned frequently. 

Multiple drivers reported the car braking aggressively for no reason, including on highways and in intersections. Some ended up in multi-car pileups or hit highway barriers. The warning often flashed just after the brakes had already been engaged.

Brake issues were sometimes tied to phantom sensor alerts, which Nissan struggled to address. In more than one case, AEB falsely activated in clear weather with no vehicles nearby. Complaints described how the Rogue would lock up mid-turn or while accelerating through a green light, turning a safety feature into a liability.

Third Generation: 2021 Nissan Rogue

• Recalls: 9
• Complaints on NHTSA: 159 (data current as of today)

Electrical issues are among the most reported. Many Rogue owners found their air conditioning system suddenly stopped working after winter, with no leaks or visible damage. Diagnostic codes often pointed to a failed IPDM module, but Nissan only issued a service bulletin, not a recall, despite numerous reports. 

Gear shifter failures are also a serious concern, with reports of the shifter becoming stuck in Park due to water entering the electronic components. Some incidents occurred in the middle of traffic, raising safety concerns.

Owners report that no water was spilled inside, suggesting a design flaw in how the system is sealed. Numerous complaints also revealed that windshield and roof leaks could lead to internal water damage, further affecting electronics and safety systems.

Under the hood, engine and drivetrain problems persist. Engine complaints include stalling, no-start issues, and early transmission trouble. Some had to replace engine mounts at just 60,000 miles or dealt with faulty fuel readings leading to unexpected shutdowns—raising serious safety concerns.

The forward collision system of this third-generation Rogue is also unreliable, frequently shutting off without warning, even in clear weather. These major issues leave drivers questioning the Rogue’s long-term dependability despite its refreshed design.

6 Common Nissan Rogue Problems

• Transmission failures (all generations): Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) issues are Rogue’s most persistent flaws, ranging from jerking, power loss, overheating, and full transmission failure, often with no prior warning. Many owners faced high repair costs despite regular maintenance.
• Airbag malfunctions: From 2008 to 2016 especially, airbag lights were frequently illuminated without cause, and some airbags failed to deploy in crashes. Many vehicles were excluded from applicable recalls, leaving safety systems unreliable.
• Electrical system issues: Reports include sudden AC failure, battery drain, faulty door locks, and, in rare cases, vehicles catching fire while parked. Water leaks from the windshield or roof also damage internal electronics in later models.
• Engine stalling & starting failures: Across multiple years, drivers report engines stalling mid-drive, hesitation on acceleration, or complete no-start conditions. Some problems trace back to fuel pump failures or faulty sensors, creating safety hazards.
• Forward collision system errors: Especially in newer models (2017+), the Forward Collision Warning and AEB systems often shut off unexpectedly or engage without reason—leading to near-accidents or unnecessary panic stops.

Interior water leaks & gear shifter issues: In newer Rogues, water intrusion near the gear shifter can cause the vehicle to get stuck in park. This points to poor sealing and design, not user error—especially dangerous if it happens while in traffic.