Nissan Rogue Years to AvoidThe weakest years — and the one you should buy instead
After reviewing every Nissan Rogue we've analyzed (8 years), these are the 1 weakest. Each one has either an absolute low reliability score, chronic repair issues, or unusually high ownership costs relative to other Rogue years.
Proceed with caution
2018 Nissan Rogue
The 2018 Nissan Rogue offers a comfortable ride, good fuel economy, and ample cargo space, but its continuously variable transmission (CVT) poses a significant long-term reliability concern. While individual components are generally solid, the looming threat of a costly CVT failure makes it a vehicle to approach with careful consideration and a robust pre-purchase inspection.
Why this year scores low
The Xtronic CVT is notorious for premature failure, manifesting as shuddering, slipping, loss of power, or complete transmission failure. This is often due to internal component wear, fluid breakdown, or overheating, particularly under stress or neglect.
Owners report issues with the blower motor failing or making excessive noise, as well as blend door actuators failing, leading to inconsistent heating or cooling, or air only blowing from certain vents. This can be an annoying and moderately expensive fix.
The Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) system can exhibit phantom braking events or give false warnings, often related to sensor calibration or environmental conditions. While sometimes a software update helps, persistent issues can be distracting and concerning.