What are the most common Nissan Rogue problems?
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2012 Nissan Rogue has 13 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Steering Column Lock / Electronic Steering Lock Failure Causing No-Start, P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Stuck Off from JATCO CVT Lock-Up / Valve Body Failure, Driver Seat Track / Seat Frame Looseness and Rocking While Driving. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Nissan Rogue reliable?
The 2012 Nissan Rogue has 13 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Steering Column Lock / Electronic Steering Lock Failure Causing No-Start and P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Stuck Off from JATCO CVT Lock-Up / Valve Body Failure. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Nissan Rogue problems?
Repair costs for known Nissan Rogue issues range from $100 to $5,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Steering Column Lock / Electronic Steering Lock Failure Causing No-Start, typically costs $800-$1,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2008-2013 Nissan Rogue Steering Column Lock / Electronic Steering Lock Failure Causing No-Start?
A documented no-start condition on push-button-start Rogues can occur when the electronic steering column lock (ESCL/steering lock unit) fails and the vehicle will not transition to READY/ON normally. Owners report the key fob is recognized but the ignition stays stuck, often wit… Repairs typically run $800-$1,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2008-2020 Nissan Rogue P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Stuck Off from JATCO CVT Lock-Up / Valve Body Failure?
The Rogue's JATCO continuously variable transmission uses a torque converter with a lock-up (TCC) clutch, and P0741 sets when the ECM/TCM commands lock-up but the clutch doesn't engage or slips. On the Rogue this is part of the notorious Nissan CVT failure pattern: contaminated/d… Repairs typically run $500-$5,000. Severity: high.
What is the 2008-2013 Nissan Rogue Driver Seat Track / Seat Frame Looseness and Rocking While Driving?
Multiple Rogue owners report the driver seat developing fore-aft play, rocking during braking/acceleration, or clunking from the seat base. The issue is usually traced to wear in the seat track, loose mounting hardware, or play in the seat frame/adjuster mechanism. While not alwa… Repairs typically run $100-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2008-2020 Nissan Rogue P0302 — Cylinder 2 Misfire from Worn Spark Plug / Ignition Coil (QR25DE)?
P0302 indicates a misfire confined to cylinder 2 on the QR25DE 2.5L. While an ignition coil is always a suspect, on this engine a worn or fouled spark plug is a high-probability cause of a single-cylinder P0302, especially past the plug service interval — the widened electrode ga… Repairs typically run $100-$350. Severity: medium.
What is the 2008-2020 Nissan Rogue Catalytic Converter Low Efficiency (P0420) and High Theft Vulnerability?
The catalytic converter degrades or clogs over time (often accelerated by a rich fuel condition from a failing upstream O2 sensor, MAF sensor, or worn plugs), setting a P0420 catalyst-efficiency check-engine light and causing sluggish acceleration and rattling from a broken inter… Repairs typically run $1,000-$2,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2008-2013 Nissan Rogue Clock Spring / Spiral Cable Failure Causing Airbag Light and Loss of Steering Wheel Controls?
A known failure point on many Nissan models of this era is the steering wheel spiral cable (clock spring), which can break internally from repeated wheel rotation. On Rogue, owners report the airbag warning light illuminating along with loss of horn, cruise control, or audio cont… Repairs typically run $300-$800. Severity: medium.
What is the 2008-2013 Nissan Rogue EVAP Vent Control Valve / Charcoal Canister Faults Triggering Check Engine Light and Hard Refueling?
Rogue owners commonly report EVAP system faults caused by a sticking vent control valve, contaminated canister, or related hose issues. The problem often shows up as a persistent check engine light and, in some cases, the gas pump repeatedly clicks off during refueling because th… Repairs typically run $250-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2008-2013 Nissan Rogue Front Exhaust Flex Pipe / Catalytic Converter Heat Shield Rust and Exhaust Leak Rattle?
In rust-belt use especially, owners report the front exhaust flex section and attached heat shields corroding, leading to exhaust leaks, metallic rattles, and louder engine noise under acceleration. Some complaints describe a buzzing or tinny rattle at idle that is traced to loos… Repairs typically run $150-$1,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2008-2020 Nissan Rogue P0301 — Cylinder 1 Misfire from Failed Ignition Coil (QR25DE)?
P0301 flags a misfire isolated to cylinder 1 on the Rogue's QR25DE 2.5L. On this coil-on-plug engine the most common single-cylinder cause is a failed ignition coil — the #1 coil breaks down under heat/load and stops delivering consistent spark. The classic confirmation is a swap… Repairs typically run $100-$350. Severity: medium.
What is the 2008-2020 Nissan Rogue P0303 — Cylinder 3 Misfire from Oil-Fouled Coil (Leaking Valve Cover / Spark Plug Tube Seals)?
P0303 is a cylinder 3 misfire on the QR25DE 2.5L. Beyond a plain coil or plug failure, this engine has a well-known root cause: the valve cover gasket and its integrated spark-plug-tube seals harden and leak oil down into the spark plug wells. Oil pooling around the plug and coil… Repairs typically run $150-$500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2008-2015 Nissan Rogue Throttle Body Carbon Buildup Causing Rough Idle, Hesitation, and Stalling (P2111/P2135)?
On the naturally-aspirated QR25DE Rogue, carbon and oil grime accumulate inside the electronic throttle body and physically stick the throttle plate, causing rough idle, hesitation, surging, stalling, and a check engine light. P2111 (throttle actuator stuck open) is very commonly… Repairs typically run $100-$700. Severity: medium.
What is the 2008-2020 Nissan Rogue P0128 — Coolant Below Regulating Temp from Stuck Thermostat / Water Control Valve (QR25DE)?
P0128 means the engine did not reach normal operating temperature (about 195-205°F) within the ECM's expected time, or coolant temperature drops at highway speed. The QR25DE 2.5L in the Rogue has a distinctive cooling system with TWO regulating components: the main thermostat AND… Repairs typically run $150-$400. Severity: low.
What is the 2011-2020 Nissan Rogue Clear Coat and Paint Peeling / Bubbling on Roof, Hood, and Hatch (Class Action)?
The factory clear coat on many Rogues is applied so thin it fails to bond, then peels and flakes off — most commonly on the roof, hood, and rear hatch, spreading over time. In some cases sheets of clear coat blow off the roof onto trailing windshields. A class-action settlement c… Repairs typically run $500-$3,000. Severity: low.
