The facelift for 2011 has given Nissan’s compact SUV, the Rogue a fresh lease of life, bringing with it a significant increase in demand compared to the previous iteration. However, seeing the way things have turned in a short while, we doubt whether Nissan can upkeep this spike in interest. 2 recalls and 336 user complaints can’t even be classified as remotely bad, but when you realize that more than half of the issues are related to the powertrain is when things start to get a bit concerning. So, should the 2011 Nissan Rogue be on your affordable compact SUV purchase list? Well, this section might get you the answer to that. At base prices of $21,460, the 2011 Nissan Rogue would be going against some super popular options like the Honda CR-V, the Toyota RAV4, and the Subaru Forester.
2011 Nissan Rogue User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical Complaints
- Transmission/CVT Problems- More than half of the user complaints that have been registered against the 2011 Nissan Rogue fall under this category. CVTs have always been an Achilles heel for Nissan and it continues to be. Excessive jerks, noises at high RPMs, clunky throttle on/off transitions, acceleration problems, and slippage are some of the most common indications of a failing CVT. Like every Nissan that uses this transmission, torque converter lock-up clutch/ solenoid issues, control valve assembly issues, pulley failure and excessive wear due to overheating are the commonly reported issues. Oil cooler lines on these are also reported to leak at high mileages. Transmission replacements are not that uncommon and costs are estimated to go in upwards of $4,000.
Electric System complaints
- Wiring issues- Though not widespread, a few cases of cabin fire and smoke have been reported against the 2011 Nissan Rogue. However, it was later discovered that water seepage into a wiring harness was creating a short, which went comes in contact with combustible materials like floor carpeting and emits smoke and burning odor. The issue has received the manufacturer's notice and is under recall (ID-15V302000) for ensuring necessary levels of water resistance coating in the connectors.
Structural Complaints
- Steering problems- Power steering failure is not that uncommon on the 2011 Nissan Rogue. Several owners have reported losing steering assist and even facing complete lock-up of the system while driving. The issue was later traced to the faulty mounting of the assist unit resulting in premature circuitry failure. A recall (ID-11V565000) was initiated to look into this issue and replace all affected electronic power steering units.
- Door lock issues- The driver-side door handle on the 2011 Nissan Rogue is prone to failure. A brittle retainer clip in the linkage can easily snap on repeated usage, causing the doors to not unlatch from both inside and outside. If that doesn’t solve the issue, you might need to replace the door lock actuator which is also known to be quite frail.
Safety Complaints
- Airbags Issues- Passenger side occupant sensor failure has been reported as a common anomaly on the 2011 Nissan Rogue. Several owners have reported needing a replacement of the unit and it does not come covered under warranty. Owners have complained about the need for replacing the entire passenger seat in some cases which can push the cost to over $2,000. A faulty steering clock spring also reputedly causes the airbag light to remain on, in which case, the clock spring would require a replacement.
2011 Nissan Rogue Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
26th January 2015 |
15V032000 |
Electrical short due to water seepage |
The affected vehicles may experience an electrical short in the harness connector due to a mixture of snow/water and salt seeping through the carpet on the driver side floor near the harness connector, increasing the risk of fire. |
The dealers will inspect the kick panel wiring harness connector and will if necessary install a new harness connector and waterproof seal, free of charge. The recall began on February 26, 2015. |
|
2 |
23rd November 2011 |
11V565000 |
Electric power steering assist control unit |
The circuit board may not have been installed in the correct position on certain electric power steering (eps) assist control units. This may cause additional stress on the solder of the terminal to the circuit board resulting in the solder cracking and separating from the circuit board, causing a loss of steering assist and increasing the risk of ac rash. |
Dealers will replace the eps control unit if necessary, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in December 2011. |
Should you buy a used 2011 Nissan Rogue?
If you are looking for a long-term, affordable daily, which you probably are at this price, the Nissan Rogue with its known CVT problems might pose a major hurdle in this compact SUVs ownership. Though the initial predicted reliability rating on this SUV is on par with most of the competition here, mid-life powertrain issues definitely raise concern here, especially with reports of vehicles needing transmission replacements at mileages as low as 40,000 miles. Though the 2011 Nissan Rogue does come out to be a decent seller for the automaker, as it stands, recommending one is definitely a tough choice, more so for preowned examples.
