The Nissan Rogue is a good option for those looking for an affordable SUV with decent cargo space. However, with some expensive problems, including a failure-prone transmission, you’ll want to beware of some major issues with the 2012 model.
Key Points
- Nissan’s continuously variable transmission is a common failure point on the Rogue and could cost $4,000 to replace.
- Drivers have reported that the Rogue will stop accelerating at highway speeds, likely due to the transmission overheating.
- Airbag sensors on the 2012 Rogue may be faulty and costly to replace. No investigation has been launched for airbag problems.
- Reportedly, the A/C compressor on the Rogue may fail and see owners having to pay over $1,200 in repairs.
- If you’re looking to buy a small SUV, be aware of the 2012 Rogue’s problematic transmission. A Ford Escape and VW Tiguan are solid alternatives.
2012 Nissan Rogue Has Been Recalled Twice, but Hundreds of Registered Consumer Complaints Show the Real Issues
Nearly half a million Nissan Rogues were recalled for problematic wiring harness connectors. The connectors may come into contact with moisture, such as snow or rain, causing an electrical short.
However, the 265 complaints registered through the NHTSA website show that the 2012 Rogue has much greater problems.
According to owner complaints, the airbag sensors on the 2012 Nissan Rogue can be unreliable, including defective airbags that may fail to deploy.
Complaints show some Nissan dealerships quoting the airbag repair at around $2,000. Despite how common the problem is, there’s been no investigation into the issue.
Rogue’s Air Conditioner Compressor is Known to Fail and Could Cost $1,200 to Replace
The A/C compressor on the 2012 Rogue may reportedly fail. Owner posts on the Consumer Reports website show the failure seems to occur at around 40,000 miles.
Expectedly, nearly all of the 2012 models on the used market will have surpassed 40,000 miles. Thus an A/C compressor failure could be a possibility after buying a used Rogue.
According to Repair Pal, the cost of a replacement A/C compressor on the 2012 Rogue is between $969 and $1,207. This is an expensive repair on a vehicle that costs under $10,000 used, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Transmission Problems are Common With the 2012 Rogue and Can Make for Expensive Repairs
Nissan’s continuously variable transmission is known to be problematic, especially around the 100,000-mile mark. Most NHTSA complaints relate to problems with the CVT.
According to Car Complaints, many reported transmission problems ended with complete transmission failure. A typical repair cost is nearly $4,000.
Also, according to a Nissan technical service bulletin, dealer repairs may be denied if genuine Nissan fluid was not used.
For instance, if you previously took the car to a mechanic for a fluid change, the dealership could refuse to make repairs if the fluid used was not Nissan fluid.
Vehicle Speed Control Complaints Reveal More Transmission Issues With the 2012 Rogue
The 2012 Nissan Rogue’s vehicle speed control is another issue owners addressed in NHTSA complaints. The vehicle will reportedly randomly decelerate, often at highway speeds.
“While I was driving at highway speed, the vehicle, without warning, decelerated and dropped to 35 mph,” says one owner.
It seems that many of the problems are the result of the aforementioned problematic CVT paired with faulty electronics.
Drivers say the issue subsides temporarily after pulling over and letting the transmission cool down.
Buyers May Want to Avoid the 2012 Rogue and its Problematic Transmission, as the Repairs Could Add Up
Buyers in the market for a used small SUV should stay away from the 2012 Nissan Rogue. Many used models will have high mileage, so, you’d be taking some risks with the transmission.
The CVT is the biggest failing point, with costly repairs likely in the future for a used Rogue. So, buyers should be extremely cautious.
Rivals like the Ford Escape or Volkswagen Tiguan have similar price points and far fewer serious problems.
Photos: Nissan
