The Nissan Rogue is a compact crossover SUV produced by Nissan, a Japanese multinational manufacturer, and has been manufactured since model years 2008 until the present. The current model is in the third generation and is currently Nissan’s highest-selling vehicle in the United States – despite prevalent Nissan Rogue transmission problems.
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Nissan Rogue Transmission Types
Nissan has various types of transmissions in its lineup, depending on the type of performance each car needs. Nissan has its own spinoff, called Jatco, a company that produces transmission in many Nissan vehicles, like the Nissan Rogue. Knowing the different Jatco transmission types utilized in the different models can help you pinpoint where the Nissan Rogue transmission problems originate.
The first category of Nissan Jatco transmission is a longitudinal engine rear-wheel-drive transmission. The first kind used was a 3N71, 3-speed engine in the 1969-1989 cars, while the next kind produced is the 4N71. The most modern longitudinal engine used in Nissan cars is the 5R05 and the 7R01, 5-speed and 7-speed transmissions.
The second type of transmission used in Nissan cars is the transverse engine front-wheel drive transaxle. This type ranges from a 3-speed ultra-lightweight, 3-speed transaxle, 4-speed transaxle, 4-speed ultra-light compact, and 5-speed medium transmission. The transverse engines are typically used in the Nissan Tilda, Note, March, Altima, and X-Trail, making this kind not the culprit for the Nissan Rogue transmission problems.
The final kind of transmission used in Nissan cars is the continuously variable transmission, with front-wheel drive options ranging from the Jatco JF011E until the Jatco CVT8. The latter option is used in the Infiniti QX60, Nissan NV200, Nissan Serena, Nissan Teana, Nissan X-Trail, and the Nissan Rogue, making this type of transmission the root of the prevalent Nissan Rogue transmission problems.
Worst Years of Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue’s worst years focus on engine concerns, AC and heater issues, and the frequent Nissan Rogue transmission problems. The top three issues across every single model year of the Rogue are the loss of acceleration in the 2013 Rogue, the AC and heater not working in the 2015 Rogue, and the car not being able to accelerate in the 2011 Rogue.
The worst model years are the 2011, 2013, and 2015 years, with the 2013 having the most-reported problem of the loss of acceleration. This model year is also considered the least reliable due to the severity and onset of problems.
2011 Nissan Rogue Problems
The main problem categories in the 2011 Nissan Rogue are the transmission, AC and heater, body and paint, and interior accessories. Owners state that the transmission stops while driving, the transmission fails prematurely, the car makes a loud whining noise, and the CVT vibrates during use.
The most common solution for fixing the car not being able to accelerate is to replace the transmission, install a transmission cooling kit, replace switches, or replace the brake sensor at around 87,000 miles. The average of these repairs usually comes to just below $3,000, making this an expensive fix for the Nissan Rogue transmission problems.
2013 Nissan Rogue Problems
The top categories of concern in the 2013 Rogue are the transmission, body and paint, engine, seat belts and airbags, and the steering system. The main transmission problems are the loss of acceleration, the transmission failure, a wing and whistling noise, and the car not working properly.
The loss of acceleration can usually be repaired for around $3,140 by either replacing the CVT transmission, adding an external cooler, or replacing the valve body at around 73,000 miles. Replacing the transmission and the cooler can help fix the Nissan Rogue transmission problems before they worsen.
2015 Nissan Rogue Problems
The 2015 Nissan Rogue was a car plagued with AC and heater, transmission, interior accessories, and engine category problems. Owners cite concerns with the vibrations, stuttering while shifting, CVT transmission failure, and a whining sound from under the hood.
2021 Nissan Rogue Reliability
The 2021 Nissan Rogue earned a favorable ranking in the Compact SUV category due to the ample passenger and cargo space, luxurious cabin quality, high-scoring predicted reliability rating, and favorable fuel economy and handling. However, it lost points due to the poor acceleration, loud and unreliable transmission, high base price for the class, and NissanRogue transmission problems.
The #4 ranking in the Compact SUV category is based on the US News Scorecard ranking of 8.1 out of 10, with the critics’ rating being an 8.1, the performance earning a 6.4, the interior earning an 8.1, and the JD Power Reliability rating earning a 4 out of 5. The 2020 Rogue also earned #10 in the Crossover SUV category and #7 in SUVs with 2 Rows category.
The Nissan Rogue added some changes and benefits in the years before the 2020 hit the market. In 2017, the interior and the exterior were refreshed, the car gained emergency braking, and included adaptive cruise control for complete handling. In 2018, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were introduced.
In 2019, the car added lane departure warning, pedestrian detection, and high beams added to the standard features list. In 2020, there were no major changes, which is part of why the Nissan Rogue transmission problems remained in the car throughout the years. Superficial issues and other safety problems were addressed, but the transmission concerns lingered throughout all model years.
Causes of Nissan Rogue Transmission Problems
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Driving Conditions
How you take care of your car while driving is key to how it maintains itself. Driving conditions and how you drive your car can determine your transmission’s overall health and lifespan and prevent Nissan Rogue transmission problems.
The way you drive in heavy traffic, frequently stop, and drive on rough terrain can take a toll on your transmission. “Tough” driving with your vehicle can quickly lead to Nissan Rogue transmission problems that will only worsen over time.
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Weather
If you frequently drive in cold weather or winter conditions, then this can negatively affect your transmission system. Cold weather can wreak havoc on a car’s transmission system, causing the transmission to slip and rough idling. In these cold weather conditions, the system can freeze and cause the fluid to leak out of damaged and cracked transmission lines.
To avoid harming your transmission during cold weather driving, you can store your car in a warmer garage, or invest in an engine heater that lets you safely idle your car.
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Clutch Pedal
If your clutch pedal is engaging very low, this is usually an issue with the linkage or the hydraulic system that operates the clutch. In order to fix this issue, a simple adjustment or bleeding of the system could solve the problem – granted that there are no hydraulic leaks. If the clutch pedal is grabbing very high, this could be due to a worn clutch disc, worn pressure plate, and cause further Nissan Rogue transmission problems.
Transmission Replacement Guide
The transmission is one of your car’s most important parts and one of the most expensive parts to replace. This is why it is crucial to note the signs of a bad transmission before it is too late. This part aims to shift gears and monitor the vehicle’s torque levels if you start to experience any issues with the transmission. You should know that a transmission replacement may be necessary.
To replace a transmission, the replacement cost is typically between $1,800 and $3,500 on average. It can take hours for this repair to be completed at the mechanic shop so that labor costs will be upwards of $850 for this crucial fix.
Transmission Replacement Cost Comparison
We have given you a list of how much you can expect to spend when replacing your transmission – replacing your transmission in a timely manner helps prevent signs of a bad transmission. At your local mechanic, the total cost will range between $825 and $1427.
At Midas, the total cost will range between $801 and $1487, while the cost at Mr. Tire will be a bit more expensive, costing $820 on the low end. At NAPA, the price is much higher due to the 24-month warranty, ranging between $1032 and $1327.
If you are just purchasing the part for the transmission replacement, the total cost of the parts at Walmart is between $204 and $587, while the parts at Amazon will range between $177 and $612. As you can see, the price of fixing Nissan Rogue transmission problems can be quite expensive.
The Bottom Line
Analyzing the average transmission replacement cost can help you determine if the expensive Nissan Rogue transmission problems are worth the price! By keeping an eye and ear out for t common signs of problems, like a burning smell, low transmission fluid, overheating, and performance issues, you can help diagnose the issue before it worsens and leads to a more costly repair.