The Nissan Rogue hit the market in 2008 as one of Nissan’s top compact crossover SUVs and has been a mainstay ever since. In fact, the Rogue is so ubiquitous that it’s since become Nissan’s best seller.
When it’s in tip-top shape, a Nissan Rogue can be an excellent vehicle for you and your family to own. However, not every model has been built to last, so it’s important to know which ones to look out for. Here are the Nissan Rogue years to avoid to ensure you get only the highest quality models.
Quick Answer: Avoid Nissan Rogue Year Models 2008-2016 & 2018
Most of the Nissan Rogue year models have some significant defects, mainly with their transmissions. The only Rogues that have had very few complaints are from the past few years, specifically the 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021 models. We recommend avoiding Rogues manufactured from 2008 to 2016 and the 2018 model if you can manage it.
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Which Year Models of Nissan Rogue are Safe to Buy Used?
Though there are genuinely few Nissan Rogue year models that don’t have a litany of complaints issued against them, you can be sure that they’re pretty reliable vehicles and can be trusted to keep you and your passengers safe. For the most part, this means springing for a Rogue released in the last few years, which is costlier than buying an older one, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. We recommend purchasing a used version of one of these Nissan Rogues:
- Nissan Rogue 2017
- Nissan Rogue 2019
- Nissan Rogue 2020
- Nissan Rogue 2021
The 2017 Rogue has the highest number of complaints from this batch, but they’re either minor problems or sporadic occurrences. The most concerning issue with the 2017 year model is a jittering sensation that cost a few thousand dollars to fix, but this seems to have been a one-time thing and shouldn’t be a problem for you.
The newest Nissan Rogue models, the 2019, 2020, and 2021 years, are great cars and have had almost no complaints whatsoever. In fact, the few reports that have come through about them tend to be related more to parts of the Rogue’s design that drivers didn’t like rather than malfunctioning equipment. For example, some dissatisfaction has been expressed with the 2019 model’s fuel economy, but you can research this beforehand and decide whether it’s satisfactory.
Which Year Models of Nissan Rogue to Avoid:
Unfortunately, many Nissan Rogue year models have had various complaints reported against them. This list comprises most of the years that have been released, which means that finding a used Rogue that isn’t on this list might be challenging. For this reason, we’ll differentiate between the worst and best models here so that you have some backup choices in case your options are limited when you go to make a purchase. In any case, these are the Nissan Rogue years to avoid if you can help it:
- Nissan Rogue 2008
- Nissan Rogue 2009
- Nissan Rogue 2010
- Nissan Rogue 2011
- Nissan Rogue 2012
- Nissan Rogue 2013
- Nissan Rogue 2014
- Nissan Rogue 2015
- Nissan Rogue 2016
- Nissan Rogue 2018
The most prominent issue that these Nissan Rogues have pretty much across the board is transmission failure. Your transmission is essential to allowing you to steer as you please and shift gears, so a sudden failure in this system could mean your car goes out of control and refuses to listen to your inputs. It’s a massive problem with the Nissan Rogue and is especially concerning because it could endanger someone’s life.
The fact that it’s so widespread among Nissan Rogues is a real issue, so if you wind up going with one of the cars on the above list, have a trusted mechanic evaluate the car first and ask for a pre-inspection report so that you can minimize your risk. If you’re traveling at high speeds or on a slippery road, a transmission failure could cause a dangerous accident.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE NISSAN ROGUE
Read on to learn more about the most reliable Nissan Rogue, the general reliability of the model, and anything else you should know.
Transmission problems are the significant defects in the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 Rogue models. In addition to total transmission failure, a sudden acceleration loss is also prevalent. The 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018 models have more complex issues. For the most part, they all suffer from similar transmission breakdowns, but some of them have additional problems thrown into the mix.
The 2014 and 2015 models have had a streak of broken air conditioning units and broken interior accessories. The A/C problems continued into the 2016 model, with the addition of an annoying suspension defect in which noise emanates from the front end when turns are made. The 2018 year model is the only one that doesn’t have transmission problems, but it does have some severe brakes issues. It’s been reported that the 2018 tends to suddenly brake while driving with no warning, which could get you into an accident.
If you have to get one of the above Nissan Sentras, the 2014, 2015, and 2018 models seem to be a lot safer than the rest. We still believe these are Nissan Rogue years to avoid, but they can be backup options in an emergency.
Common Nissan Rogue Problems
Overall, the Nissan Rogue is a reliable crossover SUV, but some years have some glaring problems that car shoppers should know.
- Faulty brakes: If you own a 2018 Rogue, you’d best lookout for its malfunctioning brakes. According to the complaints, The Rogue’s brakes would engage out of nowhere, whether you’re driving at moderate speeds or pulling up to your garage. This issue is suspected to be caused by the automatic braking feature.
- Inaccurate fuel readings: Owners of 2008-2018 Rogues complained about their vehicle’s faulty fuel gauge, which may display false readings. The likely cause of this issue is the defective fuel level sender, which had to be replaced to correct the readings.
- Loss of acceleration: Multiple Rogue years struggled with transmission problems, which got Nissan into a class-action lawsuit. The problematic transmission system is the likely culprit for the Rogue’s most reported issue: acceleration loss. Reports claimed they experienced shaking, jerking, and stalling before the SUV accelerated.
- Faulty A/C: The Rogue’s A/C system is prone to malfunction, causing it not to heat or cool the interior. This can be a painful experience, especially if you drive during extreme weather. The suggested fix is to replace the evaporative emissions control system (EVAP) sensor.
- CVT transmission issues: Adding to the Rogue’s transmission woes is Nissan’s CVT transmission system. According to many owner reports, the Rogue’s CVT transmission has caused numerous problems including slow/stuttering acceleration, overheating, and slow response time. The sluggishness of the Rogue’s CVT can be a major safety hazard, like when you’re trying to merge onto a busy freeway or highway. Making things worse is that this issue tends to rear its ugly head on low mileage Nissan Rogues.
- Exploding sunroofs: Owners of 2012-2013 Nissan Rogue models have complained about exploding or rattling sunroofs. Nissan’s panoramic sunroof, which is an upgrade feature, has the tendency to rattle or outright shatter. There’s a class-action lawsuit related to this issue, with the plaintiffs claiming that the glass would explode without warning once the compressed layer is compromised.
- Clogged EVAP system: Apparently, the first and second Rogue generations were prone to EVAP system clogs, which can cause the gas to splash back while fueling. As a result, your vehicle will almost guarantee to fail its next inspection. A warranty extension was authorized by Nissan back in March 2017 to address the issue.
FAQs: Nissan Rogue Years to Avoid
Q: Which Nissan Rogue years should I avoid?
A:As per the guide above, avoiding Nissan Rogue models from 2008 to 2016 and the 2018 model is recommended. These years have been identified as having significant defects, mainly with their transmissions, which can be a pain to deal with.
Q: Did any of the Nissan Rogue years to avoid have other significant issues?
A:Besides transmission problems, the 2014 and 2015 models experienced issues with their air conditioning units and interior accessories. The 2016 model also had suspension problems, and the 2018 model was reported to have serious brake issues, including sudden and unintended braking.
Q: Are newer Nissan Rogue models more reliable?
A:Yes, the newer Nissan Rogue models, specifically the 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 years, have shown to be more reliable with almost no complaints. These models have improved design and overall construction, and Nissan has addressed many issues in earlier years.
Q: Is the Nissan Rogue a good car to purchase?
A:While the Nissan Rogue has faced reliability issues in specific model years, it remains a popular and generally reliable compact crossover SUV. By avoiding the problematic years and opting for models with a better track record, the Nissan Rogue can be a good purchase.
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Nissan Rogue Problem Counts by Year
These are the most prevalent issues reported by owners on trusted platforms such as carproblems.com, carcomplaints.com, and Car Talk Community. Primary problems include loss of acceleration, transmission failure, and broken air conditioning units.
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Are Nissan Rogues typically reliable?
Regrettably, the Nissan Rogue doesn’t have a good reputation for dependability. Most model years are problematic. However, this doesn’t rule out every Rogue. Some cherry-picking between model years can produce a Rogue with a better reliability history.
How much does a used Nissan Rogue typically cost?
The price for a used Nissan Rogue directly reflects its age and condition. An older first-generation example from 2008 might sell for $5,000 if it has higher mileage (150,000 miles or more). Yet, newer Rogues are priced much higher. Expect to spend, on average, $27,305 for a 2019 Rogue, according to CoPilot Price Pulse. Tight supply and strong demand make this price 27% higher than normal market conditions.
Is the Nissan Rogue a good car to purchase?
Certain Nissans, such as the Rogue, have a spotty reputation for dependability. We strongly suggest doing your homework so you can choose a Rogue model year that’s more likely to be trusty transportation. Learn more about Nissan reliability before proceeding.
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