Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Nissan Rogue problems

Owners filed 319 complaints about the 2012 Nissan Rogue with NHTSA between Nov 2011 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (136).

Complaints
319
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
12
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Tires7
  11. Structure6
  12. Electronic stability control (esc)5
  13. Seat belts4
  14. Steering3

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20111
20124
20139
201412
201526
201644
201738
201848
201936
202030
202111
202222
202313
202413
20257
20265

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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 fires1 related recall
“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

Vehicle speed control

41 reports1 crash
“1/2024 car loses power going from 70mph to about 40mph - dealership adjusted transmission fluid, 12/2024 started having power issues again dropping from 40mph to 20mph. Dealership said they couldn't do anything until it starts happening more frequently. So I'm suppose to just drive it with a potential crash that could hurt or kill someone. Not acceptable, Nissan needs to recall 2012 Rogues due to transmission issues before someone gets killed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 3, 2025Vehicle speed controlODI 11633835

Air bags

41 reports5 crashes
“Air bags are common problem. It can be googled. Ours stopped working. When braking the steering wheel shakes bad. Got fixed and came right back week later. Common problem. O2 sensor needed changed cause when slippery road indicator comes on car won't accelerate over 25 mph. Have to cut engine off wait for seconds and cut back on and its fine. Oil leak is where everyone online said there's is. There should be recall on these things it hurting environment n dangerous for drivers on the road.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 9, 2024Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11564382

Fuel/propulsion system

17 reports
“The main and most dangerous issue is first hearing high pitch whining/winding sound while driving as the rpm's start to spike and stay high resulting & causing vehicle to lose power and speed for no apparent reason. Subsequently, as you attempt to depress the gas pedal to increase speed to try to mitigate the issue, the vehicle continues to lose power and speed regardless of how depressed gas pedal is (even completely depressed to floorboard). Within seconds vehicle is forced to a stop from lack of power and acceleration and will not continue to drive at all. This issue is nothing less than terrifying and incredibly dangerous especially while on the freeway with heavy traffic speeding and whizzing past you at 70+ mph. If this is happening to people at night, it's only a matter of time before someone will be killed by the speeding and oblivious traffic coming from behind if that has not already occurred. I was travelling with my child and our dog in the back and wonder would have happened if I couldn't have merged into the slower lanes in heavy traffic and off to the shoulder to "safety." What will happen to a family in the fast lane that is not able to merge to…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 3, 2024Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11598723
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

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