Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2012 Nissan RogueRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 319 owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Rogue. Most complaints involve power train (136) and electrical system (43). The EPA rates it 23–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
23–25mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jan 2015
Owner complaints
319
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Nissan Rogue vehicles manufactured March 7, 2007, to November 26, 2013, and 2014 Nissan Rogue Select vehicles manufactured September 23, 2013, to July 2, 2014. 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.

Electrical systemReported Jan 26, 2015NHTSA 15V032000

Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 MURANO AND ROGUE VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 23, 2011 THROUGH JANUARY 11, 2012. DURING ASSEMBLY, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138,”TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM.”

TiresReported Feb 22, 2012NHTSA 12V068000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

319 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2011 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train136
  2. Electrical system43
  3. Engine43
  4. Vehicle speed control41
  5. Air bags41
  6. Fuel/propulsion system17
  7. Service brakes10
  8. Wheels9
  9. Seats8

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Rogue model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2008429
2009320
2010282
2011363
2012319
2013610
2014440
2015554
2016543
2017601
2018609
2019340
2020153
2021295
2022270
2023766
2024227
2025199
202654
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
12
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

136 reports
“August 1, 2025 I was trying to get to [XXX] from [XXX] to see my mother, before Kansas City, Mo. Before getting to KC while cruise was engaged car RPM’s began amping but car did not speed up. I put it park and turned motor off and tried to drive again, but did the same thing. I called my mechanic in XXX and he suggested I try to come back but I couldn’t go over 30mph driving on the shoulder ALL the way back to XXX.!! Very tramatic experience.!! Mechanic said it sounded like possible transmission problem.!!! That’s when my son told me about Nissan’s new transmission they went to that is in this Nissan.!! They know it was a bad idea.!!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2026Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11727612

Electrical system

43 reports1 crash11 fires
“The car had been parked for 2 days. It began smoking from underneath and it was an electrical smell. The power locks would not operate, nor would the remote. Within 3 minutes of increasingly heavy smoke, fire broke through the windshield. I was able to break the glass and extinguish the fire however the vehicle was destroyed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11772700

Engine

43 reports1 crash2 fires
“The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, before the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The contact noticed black smoke coming from under the hood. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact had the spark plugs and boots replaced. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that an abnormal sound was coming from the engine when the vehicle was restarted. The check engine warning light and the TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The failure had progressively worsened, and the vehicle was no longer driven. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of gasoline. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 210,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 25, 2025EngineODI 11669200
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Rogue FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
232825$2,550355
Rogue AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
222623$2,800386
  • Rogue FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    23 city · 28 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Rogue AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    22 city · 26 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Nissan Rogue SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Nissan Rogue SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 6556Vehicle 6177
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 Rogue questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Rogue have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2012 Nissan Rogue problems?

Owners filed 319 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (136), electrical system (43), engine (43). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Nissan Rogue get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Rogue at 23–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Nissan Rogue?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Nissan Rogue 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026