The Rogue is a dependable compact crossover SUV made by Japanese automobile manufacturer Nissan. This model was first announced in 2007 for the 2008 model year and continues to be one of Nissan’s best-selling vehicles in the US.
If you’re in the market for an all-around ride, the Nissan Rogue can be your versatile daily driver. Let’s break down what makes it a dependable vehicle and what you can expect from this model.
Are Nissan Rogues Reliable?
Despite its name, the Nissan Rogue is not a rogue vehicle. If there’s anything that these SUVs are known for, it’s their good fuel economy, driving range, tech features, and comfort. Many owners report that their Rogues have been reliable and offered good fuel mileage for years—in part due to consistent maintenance.
Car reviewers also have high praise for the Nissan Rogue, commenting on its quality, reliability, and resale value. RepairPal gives it a 4 out of 5 or above average rating based on its low average annual repair cost and the nature of annual repairs. Consumer Reports and J.D. Power gave the Rogue generally positive reviews based on quality, reliability, resale value, driving experience, and dealership experience.
According to users, the best features and qualities of the Nissan Rogue include customization, comfort, storage, fuel economy, and driving range. Meanwhile, some owners feel that its interior and instrument styling, along with the forward visibility and maneuverability, could be improved.
Overall, the Nissan Rogue is a dependable SUV that can take you where you need to be.
What Are the Most Common Issues with Nissan Rogues?
While being generally dependable, the Nissan Rogue still has its share of issues. As a potential buyer, you’ll want to know what these issues are before making a decision.
Transmission Issues
Some owners of 2012 and 2013 Rogues have reported a loss of acceleration while driving their SUVs. According to these owners, they experienced a loss of acceleration and power, as well as shaking and an unusual whistling noise. Owners were advised to replace their continuously variable transmission (CVT) to fix the issue.
While there are no recalls for this issue, Nissan has issued technical service bulletins (TSBs) to address it, including TSB #NTB16-090 and TSB #NTB15-086D.
Affected Model Years:
- 2012
- 2013
Problems with Exterior Accessories
A few Nissan Rogue owners have also reported issues with the exterior accessories and parts of their SUVs. Most notable is the issue with the sunroof not closing completely. This issue is caused by interference from the wind deflector. Nissan released a revised wind deflector to solve this issue.
There have also been reports of paint chipping on some 2013 Rogues. Some owners have observed paint bubbles, which eventually pop and cause the paint to chip. The common solution to this issue is to repaint the affected area.
Affected Model Years:
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2016
- 2017
HVAC Issues
There are also reports of certain 2015 Nissan Rogues having issues with their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. According to these reports, the heater did not function well or simply stopped working altogether. Some owners solved this issue by flushing their refrigerant, while others have had to replace their heater core case.
Affected Model Years:
- 2015
Engine Trouble
According to some owners of Nissan Rogues, they have experienced unusual rattling or knocking sounds from the engine. The NTB15-048a TSB was released to give more information and repair instructions to address this knocking sound.
Affected Model Years:
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
Inaccurate Fuel Gauge
In some cases, the fuel gauge on Nissan Rogues may read incorrectly. This may be due to a faulty fuel sender in the tank. To restore the fuel gauge’s normal function, the malfunctioning fuel sender will need to be replaced.
Affected Model Years:
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
Noisy Strut Bearings
Some owners have reported unusual popping sounds whenever they make turns or back in and out at slow speeds. Others have even heard a clicking sound when they turn the steering wheel.
According to these reports, fixing the wheel alignment or replacing the strut bearings addresses the issue.
Affected Model Years:
- 2016
What Are the Best Model Years for the Nissan Rogue?
If you’re planning on getting a used Rogue, you may want to stick to the best model years according to reliability ratings and user reviews.
Here are the best model years for the Nissan Rogue:
- 2015
- 2017
- 2018
- 2020
- 2021
- 2023
FAQ
Does the Nissan Rogue have an alert system?
An “alert” system either means anti-theft features or driver assist features. Fortunately, the Nissan Rogue has both. It is equipped with the Nissan Anti-Theft System or NATS (also called Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System or NVIS), which prevents the engine from starting unless a registered NATS key is used. This system has been standard in all Nissan vehicles since 2007. The Rogue also has a suite of driver assist and safety features (including Automatic Emergency Braking With Pedestrian Detection, High Beam Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Automatic Braking) called the Nissan Safety Shield® 360, which comes standard in all trims starting from the 2021 model year.
How long do Nissan Rogues last?
How long a vehicle lasts largely depends on how it’s driven and how well you keep up with routine maintenance. With proper care and diligent upkeep, a Nissan Rogue can typically last up to 200,000 miles.