9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,750
Average Mileage:
82,050 miles
Total Complaints:
26 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (22 reports)
  2. replace or rebuilt cvt (3 reports)
  3. transmission cooler filter (1 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Nissan Rogue:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #26

May 022023

Rogue 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 167,901 miles

This is my only car, so I'm having lots of anxiety about this transmission problem. I was driving to work and car didn't accelerate, started shaking with lots of noise, fortunately I was about 4 minutes from the house, and I was able to get it to a mechanic a street away from my home. No particular warnings, since I had driven it to work the prior date just fine. Took them 2 days to quote the issue as the transmission replacement valued at about $7000. (Divorced, and only one income).

Nissan kinda of played a bunch of us for the almighty dollar, knowing their cars had this issue. Lesson learn Nissan.

- Hazanne O., La Marque, TX, US

problem #25

Jun 172018

Rogue Sport

  • CVT transmission
  • 88,000 miles

I purchased my 2012 Nissan Rogue on 6/13/17 from Woodhouse Auto Family in Omaha, Ne. At purchase the vehicle had 64,332 miles on it. It was financed through US Bank in Omaha, NE and purchase price was $11,900. I had no real issues at first with the vehicle I drove it back and forth to work that was until just a few weeks past owing the vehicle one year. On June 29, 2018 I was driving my 12 year old daughter and one of her teammates to her state softball tournament in Hastings, Nebraska which is about 2.5 hours away from our home. We were driving on the interstate about an hour into our trip when suddenly my 2012 Nissan Rogue starting loosing acceleration, and I pulled off the interstate onto the shoulder as their was an upcoming exit ahead at this point taking the exit my vehicle wouldn’t go over 20 miles per hour - no matter how far I pushed the gas pedal down it would not go.

I got to to the stop sign at the exit and saw a gas station. When I stopped and tried to pull out to the highway to get to the gas station my car completely stalled. I kept pumping the gas and it simply would not go, and an upcoming car was approaching fast as we sat in the middle of the road not able to move, almost killing us!! I panicked and decided to shut the car off and start it again and it finally would move but only 10 mph no faster.

We reached the gas station and I called triple a my insurance company. Meanwhile my daughter and her teammate had their first state softball game starting in 2 hours sit with me stranded. This was the very first time they had made it to the state softball tournament and they were very excited. My daughter being their lead first baseman she had to get there. Well, luckily, I was able to get ahold of one of the teammates parents and they stopped and picked up the girls so they didn’t miss their game. While I sat waiting for a tow truck missing my first child state softball game!! My heart was broken and I was angry as we had a hotel already paid for in Hastings for the softball weekend and here I sat not having a clue how I was going to get to Hastings to my daughter.

- Molly N., Yutan, NE, US

problem #24

Oct 082019

Rogue SV V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 106,799 miles

click to see larger images

loss of acceleration

Where to begin? This is now September 2021. I had a 2017 Nissan Rogue that I had leased for two years from the Mentor, Ohio Nissan Dealership. The lease was due to be turned into them by the end of July 2019. In the two years that I had the car, I only had put 1455 miles on it when I turned it in to Nissan.

I regress, when I leased the car from them in 2017, they saw me coming. I put $5000 down, that I had to take from my life insurance policy. I had to get my monthly payments down as I live only on Social Security. They assessed the value of the car as $16,608.75 when I was turning in to them. I was so stupid, I thought they were being nice and very helpful to me. I was there around three hours trying to get my monthly payment down and finally did.

Back to the 2012 Rogue I purchased from them USED. They had only given me $1500 as the trade in value. Dumb me again! So the new cash balance for the used car with 106,327 miles on it, the final price I now owed was $8150 and I financed it through my bank for 72 months and as of today I still owe around $5000 on a bad car that now has approximately 107,345 miles on it in two years again! It was a car to get me around for the next few years. Oh, I also had running boards put on the leased car to make it a bit easier for me to get in it. I purchased 2012 car since I liked the last Rogue and I wouldn't have to run around looking for another car. Hard when you are old. Hmmmm, how many times can you make the same mistakes and trust people.

The first problem I started to notice was when I was a light or stop sign, the RPM's would start to drop & I would have to give it some gas or it would die in the middle of traffic. Then 3 times I had to call Geico to come out and start my car for me at my apartments parking lot. It wasn't sitting for any length of time. As it turned out the same guy came out each time and he couldn't figure what was going on with it. He even commented that I had a new battery and I shouldn't be having this problem. The dealer did do one thing and when a friend found out for me that it had a bad cell in it they replaced as it was still under warranty.

I was told when purchasing the car that they had put in a new battery, they had replaced one tire, aligned and balanced wheels, and said they put new front brakes, pads and rotors. Also, oil check and replaced rear wiper blade. I had my son come stop over and he took it for a test drive on the freeway and we had them put it up on the rack to look at it.

I have had sooo many problems that cost me so much money for this car for one reason or another. A auto repair shop scrubbed the air sensor because it was filthy. I asked about a new sensor and was told it was very costly and to see if what they did helped with my problems.

The worst problem began in 2020 on back roads to go to see a doctor. The car would jerk and loss of acceleration and I would put my foot on the gas and a few seconds later it would lurched forward. I was on a two lane highway with (busy) cars & they would start to go around me and they my car would leap forward. I could see a light up ahead but with so much traffic it took me awhile to get up to it with the same problem happening over and over again. When I got to the light I made a quick right turn and the first driveway on my left, I made a turn into it. As it turned out it was a single lane drive and it appeared no on was at home. Without going to the long awful details, I was there for three hours and (as I was told) the tow truck, they were sending would take me home. Well, guess again. Nope, Covid 19, no one had let them Geico know when I checked later I was there for 3 hrs trying to figure out, making calls, to get home. Finally my son that to leave work and come and get me. So much more but you don't need to hear it.

It is tooooo long to go into everything that has happened with the car and my trying to pass a echeck. While in the process of repairs trying to find out why I couldn't pass, they gave me a list of the 3 things left that did not pass. I took the list home to check them out. Didn't get to it right away. So my repair guy after I left it there, got it to pass inspection with one day before my 80th birthday. So I quickly drove over to the DMV and as I walked in the door I was informed that the computers were down, not just their office, but the whole state. Yep, so I took a seat with all the, maybe 30 other people.

So after that fun thing, I drove over to my son's work and he and my grandson had a discussion. We decided to get the car up to a standard to last me a few years and soooo I had the front brakes, again, relined and rotors, 4 new tires, because son said I had dry rot, front end alignment, front quick struts with springs, oil change, serpentine fan belt, and new mass air flow sensor to the tune of $2345.72. We won't mention all the other problems I had to pay for in between.

After I had all this work done, I was coming home and was pulling into my drive and the car lost acceleration and jerked and I gassed it & made it to my parking spot. This is when I went on the computer to see if I could find anything out. I put in my car and year in and it took me to a place where I found something about 22 people and a transmission issue. So I clicked on it and it took me to CarComplaints.com. This is where I read all the problems that people have had over the years and the dangerous situations that they had been in with my same problems. What I also learned is that Nissan should have done a recall on the dangerous Continual Variable Transmission and have chosen not to do the right thing. I also have seen that someone did a class action lawsuit against them.

So here I sit with a car outside with two lights on and have been told it is VERY dangerous to drive and I still owe $5000 on it and the local Nissan will not return my calls because when I was speaking to a "Supervisor" and told him the problem and that I felt they should replace my transmission. Then he tells me that I would have to talk with the repair people in back. I guess he went in back and told them what I said to him. When I left a message and requested a call back, no call back. For several days I called and left a message and no one has called me back.

I am old and just need a car to drive locally and I have always tried to do the right thing. I don't understand how they won't fix a wrong that they know that they should done way back in time. Besides still owing money on my car, I don't have $5000 to get it fixed or get another car. I am now having to drive it five minutes away and take my chances. For the longer places, dial a ride, which is awful. I have instructed my sons to go after Nissan big time if anything happens to me in the car. It has been a long haul. So much more that I don't have the strength to type all the problems and costs that Nissan has cost me in so many ways. They are still doing it and won't step up and do the right thing. I hope some one will find a way to fix this mess. :(

- leolady 827, Mentor On The Lake, US

problem #23

Jan 192022

Rogue SL 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 132,591 miles

Here is another example of a 2012 Nissan Rogue CVT Failure. I bought it used from a Dealership with 35,231 miles on the clock and added an extended warranty, good up to 120k. Well, it did roll through 132500 miles before letting go. Since my purchase, this Rogue is a garage queen driven by my wife. Also, all service was run through the dealership except for the upgraded aftermarket brakes. This SUV drives 45 miles a day back and forth to work and home with literally no elevation change and mostly highway. The temp in West Michigan isn't too hot either, so it was not stressed in my tenure. The vehicle looks great but the known problem of the CVT just turned this vehicle into an expensive stereo on wheels. I'm trying to decide my next course of action. This will get expensive for sure.

- Rick M., Grand Haven, US

problem #22

Jun 192019

Rogue S

  • CVT transmission
  • 75,186 miles

I recently purchased a used 2012 Nissan Rogue in Hamilton Ontario in Canada. It was as is, and appeared to be in good shape. This cars is having CVT transmission problems. In spite of this being a very common problem, there has been no recall, no reprogramming, no nothing and the very expensive repair Nissan is not doing anything about it. I have no more money to fix it. Is there an option to buy insurance to get this problem fixed. I meant extended warranty etc can be an option or its too late to buy a warranty? How does that work?

- M A., Toronto, ON, Canada

problem #21

Sep 072018

Rogue Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,463 miles

I'M JUST SO UPSET WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHEN YOU DRIVE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR THE TRUCK WON'T GO PAST 70. IT STARTS TO SLOW DOWN AND YOU CAN'T GET ANY SPEED. I WAS GOING TO WV AND IT STARTED MESSING UP I COULDN'T EVEN PULL THE HILL. IT WOULD JUST GO SO SLOW, COULDN'T GET IN ANOTHER LANE. IT WAS SO SCARY. THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET HIT. YOU HAVE TO CUT THE TRUCK OFF, LET IT SIT A WHILE TO GET THE SPEED TO COME BACK UP. THE NEXT DAY I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE BEACH AND IT WOULD NOT GO PAST 20MPH. MASH THE GAS TO THE FLOOR AND IT WOULD JUST MAKE NOISE. OTHER THAN THAT I LIKE THE TRUCK.

- Doris D., Darlington, US

problem #20

Jun 112018

Rogue SE 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 74,500 miles

So here is my story. Helped my daughter find and purchase this used 2012 Rogue about 18 months ago. Did a lot of routine repairs for her, tires brakes filters and had Nissan dealer service the cvt fluid. Now all of a sudden she calls me (I live 3 states away} and tells me the car will barely move and she is scared of being hit by another vehicle. Towed car to dealer and was told cvt unit needs to be replaced. I have called Nissan motor corp and was told car needs a trans cooler at a cost of $921 with NO guarantee it would solve problem. I asked Nissan for help with this problem as it appears to be an on going problem with these cvt transmissions. Nissan told me they can not help at all due to car being 6yr old and 74k miles. I am furious with Nissan as they SHOULD repair this problem as they have created it due to poor design with the trans cooler system. I am now in the process of filing a lawsuit to recoup the cost of repair.

- Donna V., Wantagh, NY, US

problem #19

Jun 252018

Rogue

  • CVT transmission
  • 84,000 miles

A definite design flaw. Had it occur several times now over the last 18 months. A lovely vehicle for the Mid-west but totally unreliable in the mountains. Nissan acts like it's no big deal. It is unsafe to drive in the mountains and I live in Salt Lake City. If I drive an hour in any direction I am at risk. The car may lose the ability to accelerate or even maintain speed when going uphill.

- John F., Salt Lake City, UT, US

problem #18

Jul 312017

Rogue ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

This has happened several times on the way from my home to WVVA. Usually in the summer months. Nissan running fine then you stop at a light and cannot pull out, no matter how far you push the gas pedal. I have also had this to happen while on the interstate and be going 70 or better. All of the sudden everything is passing us. I always travel with my with children. Very scary and dangerous to be in front of a semi and you can't get out of the way! Would think Nissan would contact all current owners of 2012 Nissan Rogues to fix whatever this is before someone gets hurt or killed. I don't have $4000 to sink into a transmission!

- Patricia F., Claudville, US

problem #17

May 212018

Rogue S

  • CVT transmission
  • 87,000 miles

Nissan knows that the CVT needs fixing/replaced, thus extended warranties to cover them. Ours went out driving back from Kansas City, made it home, took it to the South Colorado Springs Nissan and they said, "Sorry. If it was older (<2010), or had less miles (60,000), we could help you." Talked to the Asst GM. Talked to Nissan Corporate, who said, "we'll file a claim. but we want this to end in your favor, of course." That last piece I highly doubt.

Nissan knows this is a problem and someone could get killed! The reports are all over the web.

Nissan, make this right.

- Brian R., Colorado Springs, US

problem #16

Sep 012017

Rogue ES

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

Driving home from Provo on I15 going up hill, my car goes from 80 mph to 40 mph. It's very dangerous and it's gonna eventually cause an accident. Also, when you stop and then try to go, the car takes a few seconds to get going. I hate this vehicle and will not trust it with my family on long trips. It does ok in town but that's about it. I will never suggest this vehicle to anyone. Nissan needs to look into this problem before something happens to someone and a lawsuit happens

- Kendra P., Orderville, US

problem #15

Feb 072018

Rogue

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

Driving to work on the NJ turnpike doing about 65mph, the car suddenly slowed to 30mph. Got to work but on my return home from work the car did the same thing, this time I was almost wiped out by a trailer. I hope Nissan finds out what the problem is because the tech is talking about $4000,for a tranny.

- Frank F., Brooklyn, NY, US

problem #14

Aug 072017

Rogue Special Edition 3.2L

  • CVT transmission
  • 108,000 miles

I had been on the road for 5 1/2 hours and when I finally made it to where I was going the car was not even moving. The RPM was going up the more I pressed the gas but it was not moving. So I pulled over at a gas station once I cut it off and then cut it back on to let it cool off. The feeling I had was not good I was taking my son to college plus I had my other 2 children in the car hoping to make it back home safely. It also happened twice on my way back coming out of Dallas and right when i made it back to the town I live in. Now something has to be done that is the only so I thought reliable car that I have at this time and is still paying for. I have always heard that Nissan are good cars but now I'm starting to think twice.

- ytalesha, Mount Pleasant, US

problem #13

Aug 262017

Rogue S 2.5L 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 111,110 miles

revving but its losing power while running

Frustrating i was not able to travel for more than 2 hours straight when going to another location, when i was on the freeway the car suddenly losing power, it has an acceleration but its not moving, right now i am not using it for long travel i am sacred im gonna get an accident along the way.

- gwapo_202, Sterling Heights, US

problem #12

Mar 262017

Rogue SV 4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

I had the service department look at when it first occurred. I was told that there was nothing wrong with the Rogue. I just drove to California, a 12 hour drive. I noticed that after driving about 5 hours the car lost acceleration at 3000 RPM, same as the last time. I had to pull as I was losing speed on a busy highway. I let the car cool down for about half an hour. Continued my trip and didn't have an issue. On my way back home the same issue happened. I have reached out to Nissan Corporate and I haven't heard from them. I will suggested you don't purchase vehicles from Nissan.

- Jose M., Salem, CA, US

problem #11

Feb 052017

Rogue S 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,700 miles

This is my first complaint on this site however the same issue has occurred more than 5 times in the past 6 months however I wasn't aware of this site until recent to post with each occurrence. I'm driving on TX highway with speed limit of 80 and because I have a 4 year old on board, I typically stay within 70-75 MPH so yeah there are cars, trucks and semi-trucks passing me. So I'm not getting up to speeds uncommon to what we drive on most state highways. Suddenly, acceleration stalls out and a strange buzzing/humming noise sounds off with the RPM increasing from 2000 - 7000 and the MPH gauge decreases quickly to 40 down to 30 and I'm panicked because no matter how hard I press down on gas pedal nothing happens!

Hazard lights on, I pull over to shoulder and turn car off while waiting with my scared toddler! I wait for about 5 min to turn ignition on and try to press on gas pedal again...nothing happens! I turn off and wait another 10 minutes...let me add that it's starting to get dark outside and no gas station, safe rest stop, or alternate main roads in sight...so naturally I'm a concerned and pissed mother! After waiting for 15-20 min, I start it up again and waahh-lahh...we are off and with another 1.5 hours to get to our destination and my thoughts are,"we are good...for now at least".

I've read the insane amount of complaints with this CVT type of transmission and for all those others who've been on the road traveling in this vehicle like myself, we have to be heard sooner than later for an investigation to begin. Do they expect people to die from this issue to constitute as reason to look into & resolve??? I'm sure I'll be posting the next complaint within a few weeks since I'm due to travel again. Oh and if you're wondering...I'm definitely in process of purchasing a different vehicle & highly recommend other Nissan Rogue owners to do the same!

- Amanda M., San Antonio, TX, US

problem #10

Jan 092017

Rogue SL 2.5L I-4

  • CVT transmission
  • 55,600 miles

When trying to accelerate at times the vehicle will not receive a response from the gas pedal (it seems like) not sure if this is the transmission not responding or if its the throttle body not responding.

Either way based on what I have read online, the bulk of complaints are pointing to the CVT Transmission & mileage is relatively similar to my vehicle that have this problem as well.

My kids travel in this vehicle every morning that I purchased new from Nissan. This is completely unacceptable from Nissan not to address this problem when they (I'm sure) know of all the complaints.

- anand.sawh, Minneapolis, MN, US

problem #9

May 112016

Rogue Limited 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Loss of acceleration on a highway is very dangerous. We were on our way back to my son college..Vehicle came to a stop on the highway..It was God on our side why we are alive..After cooling down the car started back..A 4 year old car..I don't have $4,000 to repair this car...

- Michelle H., South Ozone Park, US

problem #8

May 282016

Rogue Special Edition 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 54,280 miles

I bought my Rogue new in 2012. It had 12 miles on it and has run fine since I got it until last year. In July 2015 on a long trip it completely lost acceleration going through the mountains. I had my children with me and was forced to pull over in the accident investigation lane to let it sit. It was going fine, doing around 70 mph up and then it just sort of choked itself out. I cut the hazards on and crept 30 mph up to the pull off with it whining and maxed out at 3000 rpm. Took it to NIssan and was told they could find no issue with it. The tech actually suggested that maybe it was bad gas in it. Fast forward to Memorial weekend 2016 on our way as a family to go on vacation and it does THE EXACT SAME THING. We pulled over, had lunch and it ran fine the rest of the way (300 miles trip). Coming back home 3 days later it again loses all power, floored and maxed out at 3000 RPM doing 30-35 mph up the mountain. We take it to a different dealer and they had it 2 days. They come to the same conclusion. There is no problem with the car. It "could" be the CVT going bad but since it doesn't show up on the diagnostic they cannot do anything about it. The best this tech can offer is to continue bringing it in so that even when it does run out of warranty, it will be covered. I had planned on giving this to my son next year but now I hesitate to even want to keep it myself. We have owned 6 Nissans and have NEVER had this issue.

- Samantha F., Knoxville, TN, US

problem #7

Jan 222016

Rogue Special Edition 2.5L

  • CVT transmission
  • 49,000 miles

Buying a Nissan Rogue is a big mistake. My Nissan Rogue, being a 2012, and already having problems with the transmission acceleration. If you are looking forward on buying a Rogue I recommend you to not buy it because they are just pain in the ass. I drive a 2003 Ford Ranger to work and never had problems with the transmission.

- Magaliel R., Fort Worth, TX, US

Read the next 6 complaints »