This Is The Nissan Rogue Model Year With The Best Reliability Record
A Good SUV Let Down By An Infamous Transmission
It may live in the shadow of its Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V rivals, but the Nissan Rogue is a capable compact crossover and one of the best-selling vehicles in America, with over 245,000 units finding homes in the country in 2024. A new one starts at under $29,000, but for a lot less, you can pick up a used Rogue. This is where the importance of reliability records come in, as nobody wants a used vehicle that will spend more time in the shop than on the road. We’ve trawled through the available data to find the best Nissan Rogue for reliability.
How We Found The Most Reliable Rogue
We combed through Nissan Rogue complaints and recalls by model year to determine which model year is the least troublesome. Sources like J.D. Power , the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Car Complaints , and RepairPal were consulted.
The total number of complaints, as well as the severity of those complaints, have been considered. In this way, we place greater importance on one major issue than a series of smaller issues that can be considered annoying, but not necessarily detrimental to overall dependability.
Rogue models from the 2021 model year and newer have been excluded, as these are still too new to get a clear picture of how reliable they’ll be.
2020 Is The Most Reliable Nissan Rogue Model Year
The final second-gen Nissan Rogue was produced for the 2020 model year, and this model is our pick for the most reliable Rogue model year. On Car Complaints , it received just 15 complaints so far, whereas a number of earlier Rogue models have amassed over 100 complaints each.
The 2020 model has only one recall to its name, regarding an ignition key that could collapse and shut off the vehicle while driving. While this can be hazardous, the simple solution proposed was for dealers to insert a spacer into the key slot of models with a jackknife key, free of charge.
Further solidifying our choice is the 2020 Nissan Rogue’s J.D Power quality and reliability rating of 83 out of 100, a significant improvement over the 2019 model’s score of 78/100.
It's easy to see why this is the Nissan Rogue's best year to buy if you're looking for a used model.
A Solid Engine, But CVT Requires Proper Maintenance
The 2020 Rogue was the last one to be offered with a naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine. The 2.5-liter mill produces only 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, so acceleration is not rapid. However, it’s considered more reliable than the newer 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo engine equipped to newer Rogues . This 1.5L engine is already under investigation by the NHTSA , based on claims of engine failure/seizures and loss of power. Evidently, newer isn’t always better.
The 2.5L engine in the 2020 Rogue is quite efficient, returning 26/33/29 mpg city/highway combined with front-wheel drive, or 25/32/27 mpg with all-wheel drive. This comparatively simple engine is a big reason why the 2020 model is the best year for the Nissan Rogue.
However, Nissan has persisted with a continuously variable transmission in the Rogue across all generations of the SUV. There were many complaints about the CVT in earlier Rogues, so much so that a class-action lawsuit was initiated, leading to Nissan extending its warranty on Rogues produced between the 2014 and 2018 model years.
The 2020 Rogue seems less prone to CVT issues, which is just as well, since the average cost to replace a Nissan CVT transmission is between $3,500 and $8,000, according to Lemon Law Experts .
Nissan Rogue Repair Costs
CarEdge data indicates that the cost of maintenance and repairs for a Nissan Rogue over the first ten years of ownership will be $8,039, marginally below (by $169) the average for popular SUVs. Given that we’re focusing on the 2020 model, you can expect to spend about $960 on annual repairs/maintenance in the crossover’s sixth year, rising to $1,062 in the seventh year.
How Much Is A 2020 Nissan Rogue Today?
The major advantage to purchasing a 2020 Nissan Rogue, besides reliability, is how much you’ll save compared to an all-new 2025 model.
Kelley Blue Book indicates that the base S model has a fair purchase price of $14,977 today, which is $13,000 less than the original MSRP. Expect to pay around $16,000 for the mid-range SV and just under $18k for the range-topping SL. The SL adds amenities like a heated steering wheel, a Bose sound system, navigation, and an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror.
Other Reliable Rogue Model Years
The Nissan Rogue doesn’t have the same strong reliability reputation as the best-selling Toyota RAV4, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other dependable Rogues to consider. In all cases, we advise to check that the CVT is operating smoothly, and that a proper maintenance schedule has been followed for the transmission, especially on older Rogues.
2019 Nissan Rogue
One year older than the 2020 model, the 2019 Rogue has fewer overall complaints than the average Rogue. It does have two extra recalls, though: One involves a faulty backup camera and another is for engine harness damage that could result in a stall. In other respects, it appears to be roughly as reliable as the 2020 version.
Final Thoughts
Outside of the later second-generation Rogues, it's not easy to recommend many most reliable Nissan Rogue model years. Older Rogues have many CVT-related issues, while the third-gen model’s more advanced three-cylinder engine is another potentially serious hurdle to reliable long-term ownership.
If Nissan produced a manual Rogue or one with a conventional automatic, it would be an easier SUV to recommend. That’s not the case, so we’d recommend sticking to low-mileage examples if you buy an older Rogue.
FAQs
Which is more reliable: The Honda CR-V or Nissan Rogue?
Across all generations of these models, the CR-V has a superior reputation for longevity.
What's a common problem on a Nissan Rogue?
The CVT transmission, especially on earlier Rogues, is the most significant issue experienced by owners.
What is the most reliable Nissan SUV?
For ultimate durability, it's hard to beat the previous-gen, V8-powered Nissan Armada. However, the 2020 Nissan Rogue featured here is a reliable option at the more affordable end of the price spectrum.
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