Nissan Rogue Years to Avoid — three weak spots, three different decades.
The Rogue's problem years come in three kinds: the 2008–2013 for the CVT (the 2013 drew 610 complaints), the 2017–2019 for emergency braking that triggers on its own, and the 2023, whose 774 complaints are the most of any Rogue, many about engine failure.
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Quick Answer
- What Nissan Rogue years should you avoid?
- The 2013 and the rest of the 2008–2013 first generation for the CVT: 276 of the 2013's 610 complaints name the transmission. The 2023, for engine failures, with 774 complaints, the most of any Rogue. And be careful with the 2017–2019, where 156 complaints on the 2018 alone describe the emergency braking.
- What is the best year for a used Rogue?
- Leaving out years where a quarter or more of complaints are about the CVT or emergency braking, 2020 (154), 2021 (298), 2009 (320) drew the fewest complaints from 2008 to 2021. The 2024 and 2025 have drawn fewer so far (236 and 206), but both have the three-cylinder engine the bearing recalls cover.
- Do all Rogue CVTs fail?
- No. One owner below reports a 2008 at 237,000 miles on its original CVT after a couple of fluid changes. But the transmission is the single most common complaint on the 2008–2016, and several owners describe replacements before 50,000 miles.
Five checks for a used Rogue, starting with where it was built
US-market Rogues were built in the US, Japan and South Korea. The VIN says which, and the year says what to test.
- 1Read the first three characters5N1 is US-built, JN8 Japanese and KNM South Korean.
- 22008–2016: drive it warmShudder, whine or slipping on the highway are the CVT signs owners describe.
- 32017–2019: drive it in trafficOwners describe the emergency braking slamming on with nothing ahead.
- 42021–2025: ask about the engine recallsRecalls 25V437000 and 26V080000 cover engine bearings that can fail.
- 5Check title and mileage recordsA salvage brand or a mileage gap shows up by VIN; a replaced CVT does not.
Rogue Years at a Glance
Six groups of model years, and the complaint that dominates each in NHTSA's records.
2008–2012: the CVT
172 of the 2011's 363 complaints name the transmission.
2013: the CVT peak
610 complaints, 276 about the transmission.
2014–2016: a new design
Between 440 and 554 complaints a year; the power train still named most.
2017–2019: phantom braking
57, 156 and 91 complaints about the emergency braking.
2020–2021: quieter
154 and 298 complaints; the 2020 drew the fewest of any Rogue year.
2022–2025: the 1.5-liter
194 of the 2023's complaints describe engine failure or lost power.
Avoid: the 2013 Rogue and the First-Generation CVT Years
Every first-generation Rogue (2008–2013) used a continuously variable transmission, and it is the component owners name most: 888 complaints across the six years mention the CVT or transmission. The 2013, the last year of the design, drew 610 complaints in all, 276 of them about the transmission, against 319 for the 2012.
Owners describe the car losing power on the highway, shuddering, whining and, in the worst cases, a CVT that fails outright. Some say Nissan replaced it under warranty; others paid. The 2014–2016 second generation drew fewer transmission complaints, but the power train is still the component named most on all three years.
A first-generation Rogue with a documented CVT replacement or regular fluid changes is a different car from one with neither. Ask for the paperwork.
The CVT years by the numbers
- 144 · 172 · 276 complaints naming the CVT or transmission on the 2008, 2011 and 2013.
- 150 on the 2016 still name the transmission in the second generation.
- Recall 15V032000: 2008–2014 Rogues (and some Rogue Selects): salty water through the driver's floor can short a wiring connector and start a fire.
- Recall 09V411000: 2008–2009 Rogues, a steering gear housing screw that can loosen and fall out.
Be Careful With: the 2022–2023 Rogue and Its Three-Cylinder Turbo
For 2022 the Rogue switched to a three-cylinder 1.5-liter turbo. Complaints dipped from 298 for the 2021 to 271 for the 2022, then jumped to 774 for the 2023, the most of any Rogue year. The engine is the component named most on the 2023 (314 complaints), and 194 describe engine failure, knocking or a sudden loss of power.
Nissan has recalled the engine twice. Recall 25V437000 covers 2021–2024 Rogues whose engine bearings may have manufacturing defects; 26V080000 covers 2023–2025 Rogues whose oil can break down at high temperature until the bearings seize. In both, NHTSA's summary warns that a failed bearing can breach the block and start a fire. Dealers update the software, and under the second recall inspect for metal debris and replace the engine if needed.
A third recall, 26V081000, covers throttle-body gears that can break on 2024–2025 Rogues. On any 2021–2025 Rogue, make sure all of them are done.
2022–2023 by the numbers
- 271 · 774 complaints on the 2022 and 2023.
- 80 · 194 describe engine failure, knocking or lost power.
- 314 on the 2023 name the engine, the most-cited component that year.
- Recall 21V957000: 2021 Rogues, a fuel pump that may wear, overheat and stop.
Every Nissan Rogue Model Year Compared
NHTSA complaints and recall campaigns for every Rogue from 2008 to 2026, read on 12 November 2026.
| Year | Generation | Complaints | Crash · fire reports | Recalls | Most-cited component |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1st | 429 | 11 · 2 | 5 | Power Train |
| 2009 | 1st | 320 | 5 · 5 | 3 | Air Bags |
| 2010 | 1st | 282 | 10 · 17 | 2 | Power Train |
| 2011 | 1st | 363 | 10 · 14 | 2 | Power Train |
| 2012 | 1st | 319 | 8 · 12 | 2 | Power Train |
| 2013 | 1st | 610 | 14 · 16 | 1 | Power Train |
| 2014 | 2nd | 440 | 22 · 9 | 10 | Power Train |
| 2015 | 2nd | 554 | 30 · 8 | 9 | Power Train |
| 2016 | 2nd | 543 | 35 · 3 | 7 | Power Train |
| 2017 | 2nd | 602 | 57 · 9 | 5 | Power Train |
| 2018 | 2nd | 609 | 32 · 1 | 3 | Service Brakes |
| 2019 | 2nd | 340 | 29 · 1 | 3 | Service Brakes |
| 2020 | 2nd | 154 | 10 · 7 | 1 | Forward Collision Avoidance |
| 2021 | 3rd | 298 | 22 · 3 | 10 | Electrical System |
| 2022 | 3rd | 271 | 5 · 1 | 6 | Engine |
| 2023 | 3rd | 774 | 24 · 3 | 6 | Engine |
| 2024 | 3rd | 236 | 6 · 2 | 4 | Engine |
| 2025 | 3rd | 206 | 6 · 1 | 3 | Visibility/Wiper |
| 2026 | 3rd | 0 | 0 · 0 | 2 | — |
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not divided by sales. NHTSA lists no complaints yet for the 2026. The Rogue Sport and Rogue Select are filed under their own names and are not in this table.
The Rogues Our Visitors Check, and Where They Were Built
Between 13 June 2026 and 11 November 2026, visitors ran 1,030 different Nissan Rogue VINs through our free preview. By the first three characters, 489 (47%) were built in the US, 387 (38%) in Japan and 154 (15%) in South Korea.
128 (12%) were first-generation 2008–2013 Rogues, the CVT years, and 255 (25%) were 2022–2025 models with the three-cylinder engine. The most-checked single year was the 2023, at 121 VINs.
What Rogue Owners Say on Reddit and YouTube
Rogue owners are blunt about the CVT and loyal about almost everything else. The comments below come largely from first-generation owners, under a repair channel's video on that generation's common faults, plus three Reddit threads on newer cars.
In owners' words (paraphrased)
- r/NissanRogue: a commenter says Nissan built some very poor cars from about 2007 to 2016 and earned its bad reputation.
- r/NissanRogue, third Rogue: an owner on their third, a 2014, 2018 and 2025, says none has given them trouble.
- r/NissanRogue, 2022: an owner of three years says they love the ride, handling and features.
- YouTube, 2013 bought at 46,000: an owner says the CVT failed around 49,000 miles; the dealer said the belt had melted.
- YouTube, 2008 bought new: an owner reports 237,000 miles on the original CVT with a couple of fluid changes, and more repairs after 160,000.
- YouTube, on the CVT: an owner says the major issue is always the CVT, and an external cooler costing about $500 helps.
- YouTube, 2013 at 197,000: an owner replaced the transmission at 186,000 miles, both front axles more than once, and the blower motor.
- YouTube, 2008 and 2013: an owner who had both says each needed a new A/C compressor, and there was always some small issue.
Checking a Rogue for Sale?
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Fewest vs. Most Rogue Complaints
Fewest is limited to 2008–2021 and leaves out years where a quarter or more of complaints are about the CVT or emergency braking (2008, 2010–2013, 2016 and 2018–2019).
Fewest complaints
- 2020: 154 complaints, 1 recall
- 2021: 298 complaints, 10 recalls
- 2009: 320 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2014: 440 complaints, 10 recalls
- 2015: 554 complaints, 9 recalls
Most complaints
- 2023: 774 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2013: 610 complaints, 1 recall
- 2018: 609 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2017: 602 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2015: 554 complaints, 9 recalls
Recall counts include multi-model campaigns.
Rogue Complaints by Year Group
The chart shows three humps: the first-generation CVT years, the 2017–2019 braking complaints, and the 2022–2023 engine. The 2020–2021 sit in the gap between them.
What to Check on a Used Rogue
By year, the faults to look for.
2008–2016: the CVT
Drive 20 minutes, including the highway. No shudder, whine or flare.
2008–2016: CVT records
Ask for fluid changes or a replacement in the service history.
2017–2019: the braking
Drive in traffic and watch for false collision warnings.
2021–2025: engine recalls
Confirm 25V437000 and 26V080000 were done where they apply.
2008–2013: blower and axles
Run the fan on every speed and look for torn CV boots, as owners describe.
Any year: VIN records
Open recalls, title brands and odometer history.
Reading Rogue Complaint Numbers
NHTSA does not divide complaints by sales, so a year that sold more collects more complaints for the same fault rate. Compare years with each other: 298 for the 2021 against 774 for the 2023 is the signal, not either number alone.
The fault counts come from searching the words owners used. A CVT complaint that says only "the car lost power" is not counted, so treat 276 on the 2013 as a minimum. The newest Rogues have had a year or two to collect complaints, which is why "fewest" stops at 2021.
Related Checks and Guides
Recalls, history checks and the Rogue's rivals.
Where These Facts Come From
Complaint and recall figures are NHTSA's own records; owner experiences are linked so you can read them in full.
NHTSA records read 12 November 2026. Written by the CarCheckerVIN editorial team with AI assistance, from NHTSA's complaint and recall records, our own preview logs and the owner posts linked above; figures checked November 2026. CarCheckerVIN is not affiliated with Nissan.
Nissan Rogue Years to Avoid — Frequently Asked Questions
The CVT, the braking and the new engine.
What is the worst year for the Nissan Rogue?+
By NHTSA complaint count, the 2023 (774), then the 2013 (610) and the 2018 (609).
Which Rogue years have CVT problems?+
The 2008–2013 most clearly: 888 complaints across the six years name the CVT or transmission, 276 on the 2013 alone. The 2014–2016 still list the transmission as the component named most.
Why does my Rogue brake by itself?+
Owners of 2017–2019 Rogues describe the automatic emergency braking engaging with nothing ahead; 304 complaints across the three years describe it.
Is the 2021 Rogue a good used buy?+
It is one of the quieter years, with 298 complaints, and it predates the three-cylinder engine. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for it, including 21V957000 for the fuel pump, so check they are done.
Are 2022–2025 Rogue engines safe?+
Nissan has two engine-bearing recalls, 25V437000 and 26V080000, covering 2021–2025 Rogues. A Rogue with the recall work done and records to prove it is the one to buy.
Will your report show these problems?+
No history report can see inside a transmission. Ours lists title brands, NMVTIS junk and salvage records, insurance total-loss records, odometer readings, and auction records with the damage the auction recorded and its photos for the VIN. Recalls are free to check on NHTSA's site.
Check the Rogue, Then the Year
The year tells you what to test; the VIN and the paperwork tell you what's been fixed. Free preview first; the full report is $14.99 and lists title brands, NMVTIS junk and salvage records, insurance total-loss records, odometer readings, and auction records with the damage the auction recorded and its photos.
Complaint and recall figures are NHTSA's public records as read on 12 November 2026; complaints are unverified owner reports. Owner comments are paraphrased from the linked posts. CarCheckerVIN is not affiliated with Nissan. Records in our reports reflect what was reported to our data providers. Our reports do not include police or repair-shop accident entries.
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