The Nissan Rogue entered the popular compact crossover SUV segment in 2007 for the 2008 model year, and right off the bat, it became a popular choice as a family hauler. The most recent model years come with a distinctive design language and make bold statements about reliability and longevity. But the story isn’t the same for the 2013 through 2016 models.
The Rogue should be on your list if you’re in the market for an affordable and hassle-free crossover SUV. However, if you want to stretch your dollar the furthest, you should avoid some problematic model years. Without further ado, let’s take a look at everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan Rogue.
Models From 2013 to 2016 Were Accompanied By Alarming Problems, Including Loss Of Acceleration And Malfunctioning A/C Systems
The Nissan Rogue Kicked off Its second-generation roughly. According to the Car Complaints website, the 2013 model received the most complaints, predominantly regarding the expensive engine and transmission overhauls.
From the 195 complaints registered to Car Complaints, almost 100 concern Nissan’s notorious CVT transmission. According to the reports, the 2013 Rogue stops sending engine power to the wheels despite depressing the gas pedal.
“Transmission lost power after an hour on the road on a warm July afternoon. I had to keep stopping to let it cool off. Finally made it to our destination and the vehicle got to rest for about 5 hours. Then the same problem happened on the way home,” quoted one owner in July 2020.
The problem typically occurs after about 74,000 miles, passing the SUV’s warranty, leaving owners with no choice but to pay to have their transmission replaced entirely.
On average, owners have spent $3,250 to rebuild the transmission, but owners have mentioned repair checks as big as $5,000.
Other second-gen models also suffer from transmission failure, but it is relatively more widespread in the 2013 model.
Another costly problem in the 2014 and 2015 models is the A/C not working correctly. Owners have complained about the heater blowing cold and the A/C failing to cool the interior space adequately. After visiting dealerships to diagnose the problem, owners have had to spend as much as $2,000 to replace the heat box with a new one. The problem has typically occurred after only 29,000 miles of use.
Regular Maintenance Can Stretch A Nissan Rogue’s Life Expectancy To 200,000 Miles At Most
While it’s not impossible to boast numbers well above 200,000 miles on the Nissan Rogue’s odometer, it is very unlikely. The CVT transmission problems would typically require a couple of thousand dollars at around 60,000 to 120,000 miles.
If you manage to keep the transmission up and running, you can expect 150,000 to 200,000 miles of reliable service with regular maintenance. That translates to about 12 to 16 years of driving 12,000 miles in a year.
Following the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule is critical to the Nissan Rogue’s life expectancy. Some of the essential services include:
- At 5,000 miles or 6 months: change engine oil and filter.
- At 10,000 miles or 12 months: inspect brake lines, brake pads, transmission fluid, and propeller shaft.
- At 15,000 miles or 18 months: replace in-cabin microfilter and inspect Intelligent Key battery.
- At 20,000 miles or 24 months: replace brake fluid and inspect the exhaust system.
- At 30,000 miles or 36 months: replace the air cleaner filter and the Intelligent Key Battery.
According to the RepairPal website, the newer models of the Nissan Rogue would cost $457 to maintain annually, which is about a hundred bucks lower than the average for all compact SUVs. Maintenance for a problematic year—like the 2013 model—can cost you as much as $524 in one year.
The Nissan Rogue Can Be Your Next Favorite Small SUV, So Long As You Avoid Problematic Model Years
The Nissan Rogue’s third-generation (2020-present) has so far proven to be a reliable crossover SUV with few problems. Although the third-gen needs more time on the road, it seems like Nissan has fixed the CVT problem.
From 2010 to 2017, the Rogue brought many headaches for its owners, including expensive transmission overhauls and A/C problems in the second generation. If you’re looking for a used small SUV under the $25,000 price point, almost all Nissan Rogue model years fall short of other popular and reliable choices on the market.
A 2015 Subaru Forester, for instance, comes with better standard options, ample cargo room, and can easily last over 250,000 miles with proper maintenance. According to the Kelley Blue Book prices, a used 2015 Forester can cost anywhere between $13,465 and $20,123.