Home · 2011 Nissan Rogue · Complaints

What 361 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Nissan Rogue

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (361)Crash / fire / injury (23)Transmission & drivetrain (189)Speed control (62)Electrical system (52)Airbags (45)Engine (45)Steering (17)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (11)Body & structure (10)Brakes (8)Fuel system (7)

Newest first · 361 complaints · page 1 of 15

Dec 26, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

The CVT transmission started to fail. 1 day it started jerking some. 2 or 3 times. The next time was more jerking and harder. The last day the jerking was longer in length of time. Then the transmission became a little louder. The jerking was constant with acceleration. We made it home and parked the car. I did not see a code, the engine light only came on after three condition became questionable as to returning home. No dealer or mechanic has inspected the car. I'm positive it is the transmission from all i read on the internet.

NHTSA ODI 11707170

Aug 12, 2025Electrical systemFire

The contact owned a 2011 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked outside, unoccupied on the driveway, the front hood caught on fire. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that he was not home, and the neighbors had called 911. The local fire department arrived on scene to extinguish the flame. A police report was filed. The vehicle was left at the contact's residence for further investigation. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V032000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The source of the fire was undetermined however, it began under the front hood. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was sought. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

NHTSA ODI 11680104

Jul 27, 2025

Subject: Urgent Safety Issue: Car Doors Locking While in Park and Running Date: [XXX] To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to report a serious safety concern I experienced today with my vehicle. While my car was parked in my driveway and running, the doors automatically locked, locking me out of the vehicle. There is no auto-lock button enabled in the car or on my remote, and due to a previously replaced battery, the key fob no longer functions properly—I must manually insert the key into the ignition. This is extremely concerning because the vehicle should not automatically lock while it is running and in park. Had I not had a spare key available, I would have been completely locked out of my running vehicle. This is a manufacturer safety issue that needs to be addressed immediately. I cannot risk being locked out of my car in a different location or under more critical circumstances. I am requesting a thorough inspection and resolution of this malfunction to ensure it does not happen again. Please advise on the next steps to get this fixed as soon as possible. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] Nissan, Rogue, 2011 [VIN [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11676470

Jul 26, 2025AirbagsSpeed controlWheels

Me and my partner were giving a car for her birthday I use it more for work they gave us title but lately I been experiencing hits in car that we haven’t done or crash anyone or anything and also air bag activation and other problems the one has me worry is that rpm loses gas power on free way can’t go over then 20 loses power

NHTSA ODI 11676316

Jun 30, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

No idea why. My transmission has went up again. After about 55k ish since it was replaced the last time. Done at the Nissan dealer and everything.

NHTSA ODI 11670293

Mar 24, 2025SteeringElectrical system

The power steering failed while driving

NHTSA ODI 11650091

Dec 12, 2024SuspensionBody & structure

On interstate, the vehicle felt like it had a "float" feel and occasional shimmy while driving. Upon parking in town, stranger identified vehicle's driver-side rear wheel was not straight. Observation showed ground-contacting point of tire was angled outward from car. Diagnosis by both Nissan dealership and subsequent independent mechanic was extreme rust of undercarriage causing upper control arm to rust through and rot of the underside of car to the point of being "not salvageable" and non-fixable. This meant the rear wheel was wobbling while driving on the interstate and could have completely let go. This vehicle has been consistently maintained as a daily-driver and at only 59k miles, it was mentioned several times that the level of rust was extraordinary.

NHTSA ODI 11630472

Oct 18, 2024Airbags

Airbag indicator is flashing. Dealer says it is showing B1054 Error. Says it is a Drivers airbag module open. Cost of repair will be several 100 dollars.

NHTSA ODI 11620526

Oct 3, 2024Airbags

I purchased the vehicle from seventy 7 auto on mahoning avenue in Youngstown Ohio I was never told that the car didn’t have airbags it has a oil leak and bad catalytic converter after I took it back to the dealer they checked it and said it was good to go as I was leaving the dealer ship I was on the highway driving at the speed limit which is 60 mph then my vehicle did a hard jerk making interrupt the flow of traffic and proceeded to jerk until I was able to make it off the highway and it was never any lights on to tell me my engine oil was leaking or that the car didn’t have any airbags at all

NHTSA ODI 11617922

Jun 25, 2024SteeringElectrical systemAirbags

I am the 2nd owner of a 2011 Nissan Rogue purchased in 2016. I have had four problems with the vehicle, the major one being the transmission that will not cool and overheats as soon as the temperature goes up. With the most recent heat wave, I have experienced no power going to the wheels. I had no power steering and had to push my car off the road with a friend with in the car. I also experienced a short in the system where it had no power at all and seemed to have no battery power, it clearly is an electrical short. The fourth issue is the passenger seat airbag. I have never received any notice from Nissan about any of these issues since I purchased the car used in 2016. When I called today, I was told that there were no recalls on my car and hung up on by Nissan America. I clearly saw four recalls that had been issued over the years on all four of these issues. I drive for the elderly, homeless, homebound and other persons in need in my community and have done so since I was 14 years old. I am a good citizen and have gone out of my way to try to make things right and just for all people. I am appalled at the conduct and behavior that I received on the phone today. I understand that my car is older but I would have returned my car for service if I had received a recall of which I received none. I know for fact that the recall for the transmission came out in 2016 and should have covered my car. I cannot take care of the people and continue with what I do in my community without a working car. I cannot afford a new car and surely do not deserve such disrespect.

NHTSA ODI 11596457

May 22, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the contact smelled an abnormal odor after which the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer the vehicle to the shoulder before getting the vehicle to restart. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic and the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000.

NHTSA ODI 11590208

Mar 20, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

Bought 2011 Nissan Rogue [XXX]. Had new battery put in and radiator bracks installed along with antifreeze tank. $469 Then code PO744 Torque converter circuit bad. Now I need new transmission so it doesn't overheat!! $3000 plus to fix. I can't afford this! I'm [XXX] and receive $1081 a month. Please help me!! Thanking you in advance, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11578604

Jan 20, 2024Airbags

The airbag stopped working. The mechanic said it stopped working because of water damage in the seat. Why doesn’t Nissan inform their consumers about the airbags? I wonder if other people are experiencing the same problem.

NHTSA ODI 11566643

Dec 31, 2023Electrical system

Unknown

NHTSA ODI 11562853

Dec 5, 2023Electrical systemAirbagsSeats

With no clear reason the passenger seat airbag system became defective. It did not detect passenger and always stays off. Took it to a certified Nissan dealer and they said it is a common issue, and the only fix is to reset it electrically or pay 2,500 for a new passenger seat. I opted to reset it electrically which cost $150 and was a temporary fix as the system resumed being defective after a few days. The defect is very dangerous as is disables the passenger airbag completely and will not deploy in the event of an accident which can be deadly.

NHTSA ODI 11558614

Sep 29, 2023Electrical systemAirbagsSpeed control

I have no back tail lights , mechanic says it's an electrical issue yrans module needs fixed right front hub bearing and head light switch, my air bag system is constantly on my car cruise control system is messed up the cruise control steering switch needs to be replace my cars control panel all messed up.

NHTSA ODI 11547394

Aug 24, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

I'm reporting the same as many others so that I have documentation. Last week while my daughter was driving back to college (about 170 miles), about halfway the vehicle began to slow down. As she pressed the accelerator, the engine would rev but the car would not accelerate. This was extremely scary as she was travelling on the expressway and there was a semi-truck directly behind her when this happened. A major accident could have happened. She ultimately made it to school taking about an hour longer than normal. She should have pulled over, but it was getting dark, and she was travelling alone. After she called and explained to me what happened, I researched the issue and found that this seems too very common relating to the trans fluid over-heating. The fix requires a cooler to added to the system to cool the fluid. Having personally worked on many cars including changing transmissions, this is not a quick cheap repair. Again, I'm thankful she wasn't rear ended. Nissan needs to address this known issue and compensate those impacted by this. I pray no one gets seriously injured.

NHTSA ODI 11540548

Jun 8, 2023Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

The car will not go when she come to stop at shakes and jerks, so hard you cannot accelerate once you come from a stop if you do the car dies the car dies when trying to merge onto the highway due to the acceleration especially on hot days almost died a few times on the way home from work hitting St. Louis traffic. The car is a piece of junk. Good luck surviving trying to drive it.

NHTSA ODI 11526127

Mar 15, 2023Electrical systemSpeed control

I have had this 2011 Rogue in a repair shop 6 times for the same issue and each time the technician replaced the air flow sensor because of “ code reading “ the rogue lost power without warning and stalls at red lights. My most recent repair the technician stated the cruise control spring needed replaced and could be the issues with sudden power loss . I have had the O2 sensor replaced, catalytic converters replaced, starter, alternator and MAS with the problem returning within 3 months . The Rogue is very dangerous and I am filing a complaint in hopes other people do not sink thousands of dollars into a bad vehicle!

NHTSA ODI 11511955

Mar 5, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

While driving, the rpm’s go up but the speed decreases. The transmission is not performing correctly.

NHTSA ODI 11510228

Jan 16, 2023Electrical systemAirbagsSeats

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Code: B1018, OCS Sensor failure in passenger seat which controls the passenger airbags. Passenger side airbag light kicks on thinking there is a "child" or something light in the front seat which disables the airbag. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Passenger side airbag light kicks on thinking there is a "child" or something light in the front seat which disables the airbag. This is a known issue of the manufacturer but yet the refuse to include other years of these vehicles in their recall. There even has been a lawsuit on their "fix" because they just continue to use the same sensors even when replacing the recalled vehicles sensors. They also expect you to pay 2700 to replace an ENTIRE seat cushion to replace said sensor. I am sorry but poor people do not have that kind of money laying around. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes was reproduced and confirmed by a local Nissan Deal. They even cleared the code and within 2 weeks it appeared again in the same way/format. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Air bag warning light and the passenger side airbag light kicks on thinking there is a "child" or something light in the front seat which disables the airbag.

NHTSA ODI 11501951

Dec 4, 2022

When it rains, water leaks down on my left foot when I'm driving. Etc. Catalytic converter issues.

NHTSA ODI 11495960

Sep 28, 2022Airbags

The contact’s daughter owns a 2011 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The contact stated that the light came on intermittently at first but now it is on all the time. There is no recall on this issue so the contact would have to pay out of pocket for the repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11486839

Sep 18, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission got hot and started slipping transmission does not have a sufficient cooler transmission needs replaced

NHTSA ODI 11485112

Jul 26, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The CVT transmission would over heat numerous times in uphill drive after 30 miles driving. The overheating would result in sudden slowing of vehicle and loss of acceleration even when acceleration pedal is fully pressed. It puts vehicle to danger because it can be in front of fast moving vehicle. It also makes exiting a freeway and stopping merging into traffic dangerous because vehicle stops responding to driver commands.

NHTSA ODI 11476029

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Working with the data? Download all 361 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Nissan Rogue verdict →