The 2013 Nissan Rogue’s 2.5-liter inline-four engine features reduced piston ring friction and increased thermal efficiency over previous gen’s design. But owner complaints point to problems with engine vibration, unusual noises, and weak acceleration.
Key Points
- The 2013 Nissan Rogue offers a single 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve inline four-cylinder engine rated at 170 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. of torque.
- 2013 Rogue’s standard Nissan Xtronic CVT has adaptive logic control, a high-speed CPU, and a new standard Sport Mode switch.
- EPA fuel economy estimates are 23 mpg city/28 mpg highway via FWD and 22 mpg city/27 mpg highway via AWD.
- A reported 162,751 units were sold, with only around 300 owners of 2013 Rogues registering complaints with the NHTSA about the engine and powertrain.
- Despite consumer complaints citing strange engine noises, shudders, and weak performance, the 2013 Nissan Rogue is overall a reliable SUV named a Best Retained Value Award Winner by Edmunds.
2013 Nissan Rogue’s Sole Engine Option is a QR25DE 2.5L DOHC 16-valve Inline Four-cylinder Rated at 170 Horsepower
The 2013 Nissan Rogue‘s base engine is a QR25DE 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve inline four-cylinder that is rated at 170 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. torque. It is tuned to provide enough torque in the low-to-mid rpm range for stronger acceleration and response from a standing start.
The engine features an aluminum block; reduced piston and piston ring friction; and increased thermal efficiency (over the previous generation’s 2.5-liter engine design). The four-cylinder also has a large diameter intake port and exhaust manifold.
Every Rogue comes with a standard Nissan Xtronic CVT, which utilizes adaptive shift control and a high-speed central processing unit. Adaptive shift control offers the optimal shift pattern according to the driving situation and driver’s demands. The system uses driver input, road gradient, turning condition, and acceleration to automatically adjust shifting patterns accordingly. A “Sport Mode” switch is standard.
2013 Rogue Gets Up to 23 mpg City/28 mpg Highway with 2WD Models, while AWD System Provides Stronger All-weather Performance
The 2013 Rogue’s fuel economy is rated at 23/28 mpg city/highway in 2WD models and 22/27 in those with AWD.
Rogue AWD models have an intuitive AWD system that helps provide stronger all-weather performance and traction. The compact SUV also includes standard vehicle dynamic control with traction control and two-wheel or four-wheel limited slip.
The Rogue’s standard four-wheel independent suspension has front subframe-mounted independent struts with coil springs, high-performance shock absorbers with rebound springs, and a stabilizer bar. The rear independent multi-link suspension includes the same except with aluminum-alloy upper links.
Responsive steering is provided by an electric power-assisted steering system. The sport utility vehicle also comes equipped with standard power-assisted front and rear vented disc brakes with an anti-lock braking system with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.
SUV’s Engine Has No Recalls, but Owner Complaints Point to Common Problems with Unusual Vibration, Poor Acceleration
The 2013 Nissan Rogue has only one recall and one investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These aren’t bad numbers considering the vehicle has been on the road for about 10 years. Plus, neither the investigation nor the recall have anything to do with engine issues.
However, from the nearly 500 registered consumer complaints, over half relate to engine and powertrain problems. Common complaints point to issues with the engine’s weak performance when it comes to going up hills and/or trying to accelerate in traffic. Many owners mention that the vehicle shudders and hesitates while accelerating, with the check engine warning light often illuminated.
The NHTSA site has 17 pages of registered complaints about engine problems and 54 pages dedicated to powertrain issues. In addition to the aforementioned weak acceleration and engine vibration, a faulty transmission seems to be a catalyst for many other major problems.
“We bought a used Nissan Rogue and had it two days when we had no power at stop lights and the check engine light came on,” reports one owner. “We ran the tester on it and came back with lots of issues with the transmission. …I’m reading a lot about Nissan’s transmissions…and there needs to be a recall.”
One 2013 Nissan Rogue owner’s complaint seems to sum up all the common engine issues in one experience: “Only a month after I bought the car, I was going normal highway speeds (around 70 mph) and it felt as if my car slipped into neutral, I had zero acceleration and continued to slow down on the highway. I shifted into low gear and back to drive and it picked up again. This has happened four more times where the car’s automatic transmission has slipped.”
Owners Report Issues with Engine Failure and Transmission Damage in Vehicle History Reviews
Vehicle History‘s recent review of the 2013 Nissan Rogue addresses some of the engine’s common problems, including lack of acceleration power, which could signal there’s transmission damage and the gearbox thus may eventually fail.
Also, a 2013 Rogue owner on Vehicle History echoes these problems in a 2021 comment. “I had this vehicle for seven years and recently it suddenly decelerated, lost power, and vibrated on the freeway, causing some unsafe and anxious moments,” writes the SUV owner. “My vehicle was tested and a transmission/CVT problem was detected. I now have to pay the dealership $4,400.00 to repair the vehicle.”
“The car gets weaker over time,” reports another 2013 Rogue owner in a 2021 Vehicle History comment. “…The longer I have had my car, the more I realize that it is very weak. It does not have too much power, so even going up hills it feels gutless. But it does get me around and has not had too many problems.”
The SUV’s transmission also seems to be the root of some problems. “I recently had to have my whole AC compressor replaced because it froze up my car’s belt, which prevented it from starting,” says another 2013 Nissan Rogue owner. “It is a very costly part. But it is fairly good on gas. I fill up about every 1.5 weeks.”
2013 Rogue Owners Talk Engines in Online Forums, Noting Common Problems with Weak, Noisy Performance
Owners of 2013 Nissan Rogues have been sharing their experiences with the engine online in various auto and mainstream forums, including on Vehicle History.
One car shopper on the consumer site Red Flag Deals posed the question “Is Nissan Rogue a reliable used car?” and received some sound advice about its QR25DE engine.
“If you end up going with the Rogue, set expectations ahead of time so you are not disappointed,” commented a fellow Nissan owner. “The 2011+ CVTs in those cars are pretty reliable transmission-wise. But the 2.5 CVTs can be noisy, [and experience a] slight jerk at low speeds. …The QR25DE does not have hydraulic lifters, so, minus 20 temperatures or cold starts may have the engine making a ‘slapping’ sound until it is warmed up. …In general these engines are noisy.”
‘Mechanic Advice’ Forum Conversation Addresses Issues with Rattling Noise in the Engine
A 2020 “Mechanic Advice” Reddit thread covers one 2013 Rogue owner’s problem with his engine making a rattling noise. The original poster is a 2013 Nissan Rogue owner with 111,000 miles on the odometer. “My old car was also a Rogue, 2008, and it had all sorts of issues, from the heat shields, to losing power after long drives,” he says.
“I bought the 2013 pre-owned with a nice warranty,” he continues, “so, my first three years were great. But lately, it’s been giving me headaches. From fans making noise inside the car to a wheel arm controller breaking, and now there’s also a rattling…”
In the same Reddit conversation, a self-professed dealership professional says, “I’ve had a few late-model pre-owned Rogues on my lot, and they just look and feel really half-assed. I’d suggest steering towards a Kia Sorento or Ford Edge.”
2013 Rogue’s 2.5L DOHC Inline Four-cylinder is Overall a Solid Engine that Powers a Very Successful SUV
Nissan used the 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve inline four-cylinder engine because the automaker was confident that this is all that was needed to make the Rogue a successful daily driver and weekend warrior.
It accomplished that goal, which was confirmed when Edmunds named the 2013 Nissan Rogue a Best Retained Value Award Winner, taking top honors for SUVs under $25,000, with a retained value of 48.2% residual value after five years.
And while some consumer complaints point to potential issues with strange engine noises, shudders, and weak performance, the reports come from less than 300 owners who voiced their concerns to the NHTSA.
This is a concerning number, but when considered with how many years the SUV has been on the road and its number of satisfied consumers (162,751 units were sold), the sport utility vehicle is overall a solid investment. Plus, it remains one of Nissan’s best-selling vehicles.
Photos: Nissan
