Nissan Rogue Model Years to Avoid
If you are shopping for a used Nissan Rogue, the year matters more than with most compact SUVs. The gap between a 2015 Rogue and a 2022 Rogue is not just age -- it is a different engine, a different transmission, and a fundamentally different ownership experience.
Years to Avoid: 2014, 2015, 2018
These three model years have the highest owner complaint rates and the most documented mechanical failures. The culprit in all three is Nissan's continuously variable transmission (CVT). These CVTs were prone to premature failure, shuddering under acceleration, and overheating on highway drives. Replacement costs ranged from $3,000 to $5,000, typically occurring between 80,000 and 120,000 miles.
The 2014 and 2015 Rogues had the highest failure rates. The 2018 model year saw Nissan attempt a fix that did not fully resolve the underlying problem. Multiple class action lawsuits were filed against Nissan specifically over these CVT issues.
Use Caution: 2016, 2017, 2019
The middle years of the second generation are not terrible but are not clean either. The 2016 and 2017 models showed some improvement over the early CVT problems but were not fully resolved. The 2019 model is better still.
If you are buying any of these years used, get a pre-purchase inspection specifically focused on the transmission -- listen for shuddering under light acceleration, check for any CVT-related service records, and factor potential repair costs into your offer.
Best Years on NHTSA Data: 2020, 2022, 2024
Among the 2014–2024 model years, these three have the fewest owner complaints on file with NHTSA: 152 for 2020, 266 for 2022 and 215 for 2024 (see the table below).
The 2021 redesign was a genuine improvement, and for 2022 Nissan replaced the 2.5-liter four-cylinder with a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine paired to a revised CVT that has shown far fewer problems in real-world ownership.
The 2024 and 2025 models received updated interior technology and expanded standard safety features. The 2026 model continues on the same solid platform. Two engine-bearing recalls cover the 2021–2025 Rogue (NHTSA campaigns 25V437000 and 26V080000), so for any of these years check the VIN for open recalls and ask for proof the work was done.
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Nissan Rogue Recalls and Complaints by Model Year (NHTSA Data)
The table below shows, for each Rogue model year from 2014 to 2026, the number of recall campaigns and the number of owner complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). We pulled the counts from NHTSA's public recall and complaint database on October 16, 2026. They are raw counts. They are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, and newer model years have had less time to collect complaints. The Rogue Sport and Rogue Select are listed separately by NHTSA and are not included.
| Model year | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | Most-cited complaint area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 10 | 440 | Power train |
| 2015 | 9 | 553 | Power train |
| 2016 | 7 | 541 | Power train |
| 2017 | 5 | 599 | Power train |
| 2018 | 3 | 609 | Service brakes |
| 2019 | 3 | 337 | Service brakes |
| 2020 | 1 | 152 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2021 | 10 | 291 | Electrical system |
| 2022 | 6 | 266 | Engine |
| 2023 | 6 | 736 | Engine |
| 2024 | 4 | 215 | Engine |
| 2025 | 3 | 191 | Visibility/wiper |
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | – |
"Most-cited complaint area" is the NHTSA component category named most often in that year's complaints, leaving out complaints filed as "unknown or other." One complaint can name more than one component.
Best and Worst Rogue Years on the NHTSA Numbers
- Most complaints: 2023 (736), 2018 (609) and 2017 (599).
- Fewest complaints among the 2014–2024 model years: 2020 (152), 2024 (215) and 2022 (266).
- Most recall campaigns: 2014 and 2021 (10 each), then 2015 (9). Fewest: 2020 (1).
- Power train is the most-cited complaint area for 2014, 2015 and 2016. Service brakes lead for 2018 and 2019. Engine leads for 2023, with 290 complaints naming it.
- Two engine recalls cover recent years. Campaign 25V437000 covers certain 2021–2024 Rogue vehicles; NHTSA's summary says "the engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure." Campaign 26V080000 covers certain 2023–2025 Rogue vehicles with the 1.5L VC-Turbo engine, where NHTSA says "increased temperatures can break down the engine oil, which may cause the engine bearings to seize."
Whatever the year, run the vehicle's VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup before you buy, and ask for proof that any open recall work was completed.
Source: NHTSA recalls API and NHTSA complaints API (queried for each model year), counts as of October 16, 2026; recall summaries from NHTSA campaigns 25V437000 and 26V080000.
Is the Nissan Rogue Reliable in 2026?
For the current generation (2021+), yes. In J.D. Power's owner-based ratings, the 2026 Rogue scores 87 out of 100 for quality and reliability and 85 out of 100 overall (J.D. Power 2026 Nissan Rogue ratings, checked October 16, 2026).
The earlier reputation for CVT problems was earned, but it applies specifically to the 2014-2020 models. If you are asking about a 2023 or 2024 Rogue, check the VIN for open engine recalls first: both years are covered by the engine-bearing recalls, and 2023 has the most NHTSA complaints of any Rogue model year (736).
Fuel Economy
The Rogue delivers 30 MPG city and 37 MPG highway in front-wheel-drive configuration -- among the best in its class for a non-hybrid compact SUV. AWD models get 29 city and 34 highway, which is still competitive. For comparison: the Toyota RAV4 gets 27 city/35 highway, and the Honda CR-V gets 28 city/34 highway. Fuel economy is one of the Rogue's most consistent advantages.
Safety Ratings
The 2025-2026 Rogue received a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating and earned a 2025 IIHS Top Safety Pick. Standard safety features include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning. Nissan's ProPILOT Assist -- semi-autonomous driving with adaptive cruise control and lane centering -- comes standard on SV and SL trims, which is above what most competitors include at equivalent price points.
Nissan Rogue vs. Toyota RAV4 vs. Honda CR-V
These three compete directly for the same buyers. Here is the honest comparison:
- Toyota RAV4 wins on long-term reliability and resale value. RAV4s regularly reach 250,000+ miles. The RAV4 Hybrid is one of the most efficient compact SUVs available. For buyers planning to keep their vehicle 10+ years, Toyota's track record is the strongest argument in the segment.
- Honda CR-V wins on interior cargo space and ride quality. The CR-V's turbocharged engine is smooth and efficient, and it offers more usable cargo room than either the Rogue or RAV4. Resale value is strong.
- Nissan Rogue wins on price and technology at comparable trim levels. The Rogue typically undercuts both competitors by $1,000-$2,000 at similar trims, has better fuel economy than the non-hybrid RAV4, and ProPILOT Assist offers a more advanced semi-autonomous experience than most competitors at the same price points.
Bottom line: if reliability is the top priority, get the RAV4. If cargo space is the priority, get the CR-V. If value and technology matter most and you are buying a 2021+ model, the Rogue is a strong choice.
Common 2021+ Rogue Issues
No car is perfect. The current-generation Rogue has seen some reported issues worth knowing:
- Occasional software glitches with the infotainment system and ProPILOT Assist -- typically resolved with software updates at the dealer
- Some reports of rough idling on cold starts from the 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder
- Rear seat comfort criticized for longer highway drives, though this is a segment-wide issue more than a Rogue-specific problem
These are minor issues relative to the major CVT failures of the previous generation. The 2021+ Rogue is a more reliable vehicle than its reputation -- built largely on 2014-2018 ownership data -- suggests.
Cost of Ownership
Annual maintenance costs average around $500-$600 for the Rogue, in line with compact SUV averages. Insurance rates are moderate. Resale value is reasonable, though not as strong as the RAV4 or CR-V -- which actually makes the Rogue a strong lease candidate, since faster depreciation means lower residual value gap and competitive monthly payments.
If you are considering a new 2025 or 2026 Rogue, getting a free quote through Vantage lets you compare pricing without negotiating directly at a dealership. Nissan frequently offers competitive lease incentives on the Rogue -- we pull current numbers from multiple NJ dealers for a real comparison.
The Bottom Line
Avoid the 2014, 2015, and 2018 Rogues. Be cautious about 2016, 2017 and 2019. For 2021 and newer, check the VIN for open engine recalls; on NHTSA complaint counts, 2022 and 2024 are the strongest of the current generation and 2023 the weakest. The Rogue's older reputation is real for the older cars -- the current car is a meaningfully different product.
For more reliability comparisons, see our guide on whether Kias are reliable, or browse current SUV lease deals in NJ.
