CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Nissan Rogue powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2010 Nissan Rogue have filed 119 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 73,952 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
119
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Rogue | 145 |
| 2009 Rogue | 92 |
| 2010 Rogue (this page) | 119 |
| 2011 Rogue | 189 |
| 2012 Rogue | 134 |
| 2013 Rogue | 312 |
| 2014 Rogue | 113 |
When does it fail?
Of the 119 powertrain complaints filed for the 2010 Nissan Rogue, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 42% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 8 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 119 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
ABNORMAL NOISE, VIBRATION AND/OR BINDING FEELING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN AWD MODELS; ABNORMAL NOISE, VIBRATION AND/OR JUDDER FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN AWD MODELS; ABNORMAL NOISE, VIBRATION AND/OR JUDDER FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2010 Nissan Rogue's CVT transmission has a chronic overheating and power-loss problem that shows up mainly on highway driving after 1.5–2 hours, in hot weather, or on inclines. Owners describe the vehicle suddenly losing power from 70 mph down to 40–50 mph even with the pedal to the floor. The transmission enters a fail-safe or "limp" mode to protect itself, but gives zero warning before it happens. Engine RPMs race but the car won't accelerate. Owners have to pull over and let it sit 15–20 minutes to regain function, sometimes temporarily.
The transmission also exhibits slipping at stops—the car won't move when you press the gas, then lurches forward after a delay. Some owners report this happens from day one; others get 60k–80k miles before the first incident. Many Rogues have required complete transmission replacement by 44k–50k miles. Worse, replacement transmissions develop the same symptoms. One owner needed two CVT replacements on the same vehicle.
Nissan acknowledges the flaw via extended warranty (10 years/120,000 miles) and a service bulletin. The fix they offer is an external transmission cooler ($1,200–$1,400), but they often refuse to cover it, claiming it's an upgrade, not a repair—even while the vehicle is under the extended warranty. Dealers struggle to diagnose the fault because it doesn't always trigger a code, and they won't take the car on a highway test drive to reproduce it. Owners get told to come back when it fails completely. The intermittent nature of the fault and the gap between symptom report and warranty expiration mean many owners end up paying for repairs out of pocket despite having extended coverage.
Same Nissan Rogue powertrain reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
CVT transmission power loss / limp mode activation
CVT transmission enters fail-safe (limp) mode during extended highway driving or under thermal stress, causing dramatic loss of power and inability to accelerate. Vehicle speed drops from 70+ mph to 40-55 mph or lower, with no warning. Owners report engine revs but vehicle does not accelerate, sometimes requiring 15-20 minute rest periods to regain function temporarily. Mode reactivates after short periods of normal driving.
When: Typically after 1.5-2 hours of continuous highway driving, in hot ambient temperatures (85°F+), on inclines, or under high RPM/high speed conditions (4000+ RPM or 65+ mph sustained). Can occur as early as 10k-50k miles, or repeatedly in same vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden speed reduction from highway speed to 40-55 mph despite full throttle; Engine races but vehicle does not accelerate; Cruise control disengages or ceases to function; Whining or grinding noise from transmission; Check engine light and transmission codes (P0744, P1778) or no codes present; Hazard situation: vehicle becomes traffic obstacle on multi-lane highways; rear-end collision risk
Codes mentioned: P0744 (Transmission solenoid), P1778 (Step-motor malfunction), Overheat code in CPU
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan dealerships recommend external CVT transmission fluid cooler installation ($1,200–$1,400). Some owners report cooler is backordered 2+ months. Transmission fluid flushing/cleaning cited as temporary fix but issue recurs. Complete CVT transmission replacement required in advanced cases ($3,800–$4,890 retail, ~$3,200 with rebuilt unit). One owner reports two CVT replacements on same vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan extended CVT warranty from 5/60k to 10/120k miles. Service Bulletin NTB14-002A acknowledges the issue as 'reduced performance due to CVT fluid temperature protection logic' and specifies exact conditions triggering fail-safe. Nissan initially claims warranty covers repairs but later denies coverage of cooling-kit installation. Many owners report Nissan will not authorize repair without technician replication of fault, which is difficult on local driving. Warranty claim denials common when repair is requested near or after warranty expiration, despite extended warranty notification not reaching many owners.
CVT transmission slipping and failure to engage
Transmission exhibits slipping behavior where accelerator input produces no forward motion or delayed motion. Vehicle lurches, hesitates, or fails to respond when accelerating from stops or traffic lights. Some owners report inability to shift out of Park. Grinding, vibrating, or whining sounds accompany slipping.
When: From new (5-month period) through high mileage (100k+). Early occurrence noted in multiple complaints within first 5 months; recurs after transmission replacement at 78k-90k miles on replacement unit.
Symptoms owners cite: No forward motion when gas pedal depressed at stop light or stop sign; Delayed acceleration (2-5 second lag) before vehicle moves; RPM revs high but minimal forward motion; Violent jerking or lurching when vehicle finally engages; Inability to shift out of Park; Grinding or vibrating sensation during acceleration; VDC & Slip warning lights illuminated (in some cases)
Codes mentioned: Transmission codes (specific codes not always reported), No code present in many cases
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership may diagnose as dirty transmission fluid (one owner charged $1,800 for fluid change that did not resolve issue). Transmission replacement required (same cost range as above). Front lower control arm replacement cited as concurrent repair ($650).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan extended warranty covers CVT defects but replication requirement means undiagnosed failures are not authorized under warranty. Dealers claim inability to replicate slipping on short test drives; recommend full highway drive test but will not authorize this. One dealership reports this is 3rd transmission problem on 2010 Rogue at same location.
Transmission overheating and thermal management failure
CVT transmission fluid overheats under normal driving conditions (long highway trips, mountainous terrain, hot weather) causing fail-safe activation. The transmission is sealed and cannot be checked for fluid level. Fluid requires Nissan-proprietary formulation. No active cooling system in baseline design; owners are told the external cooler is a retrofit, not original equipment.
When: After 60-80k miles in some cases; can occur as early as first long trip after purchase. Recurs on repeat long-distance drives even after fluid service.
Symptoms owners cite: Gradual power loss or abrupt deceleration on hills or under load; Transmission fluid overheating detected by vehicle CPU; Excessive heat under hood; hood hot to touch after 1 hour drive; Overheat code in computer; Fail-safe mode activation (as described above); No warning given before power loss occurs
Codes mentioned: Overheat code in CPU (exact code varies)
Repairs/costs cited: External CVT transmission cooler ($1,200–$1,400 installation). Nissan service bulletin confirms this is a known issue. Cooler is aftermarket retrofit, not factory equipment. One owner documents issue on YouTube. Cooler installation often requested at customer expense despite extended warranty in place.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan admits transmission overheating issue via service bulletin and extended warranty, but refuses to cover cooler installation under warranty in most cases, citing it as an enhancement rather than repair. Owners are directed to dealership; cooler frequently backordered.
Transmission failure requiring replacement at low mileage
CVT transmission fails completely or enters permanent limp mode, requiring full transmission replacement. One vehicle had two CVT replacements (at 44k miles and again at 92k miles, the second replacement failing at 124k miles). Replacement units are themselves reported to develop the same power-loss issue.
When: First failure as early as 44k–50k miles; second failure on same vehicle at 78k–92k miles on replacement unit. Some vehicles show failure by 60k miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power or inability to move vehicle from stationary position; Vehicle stalls in intersection or on highway; Violent jerking or banging noise prior to failure; Vehicle will not move even with accelerator floored; Check engine light present or no codes
Codes mentioned: Transmission-related codes or none
Repairs/costs cited: Complete CVT transmission assembly replacement required ($3,800–$4,890 new; ~$3,200–$3,200 rebuilt with 12-month/12k-mile warranty). Nissan parts: 'Transaxle Assy, Trans Exchange Expense, CVT TRANMI, Transmission CO, Cooler Kit-AUTO.' Programming of TCM (transmission control module) required after replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan covers first transmission failure under extended warranty (if within 10/120k period). Second failure on replacement unit often denied, with Nissan claiming warranty has expired despite owner never being notified of extended coverage before first failure. Dealers informed owners of extended warranty only after failure occurred.
Inadequate dealer diagnostic and repair authorization process
Dealers unable or unwilling to diagnose transmission issues without physical replication. Technicians claim no codes present when owners report clear symptoms. Service managers refuse authorization from Nissan until problem is replicated under dealer test-drive conditions (usually short local drives). Owners directed to drive vehicle until it 'breaks' completely before warranty repair authorized.
When: Throughout ownership period; delays repair by months in some cases while owners operate defective vehicle.
Symptoms owners cite: Dealer test-drive shows no fault despite owner symptom reports; Codes clear before vehicle reaches dealership (intermittent fault); Dealer refuses long-distance test drive to replicate highway-induced failure; Service managers state 'computer doesn't show any codes' and deny repair; Owner informed to return when problem is 'worse' or codes are persistent
Codes mentioned: No code present during dealer diagnostic (codes are intermittent)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers may charge diagnostic fee ($100–$300) with no repair authorization. No repair performed until vehicle catastrophically fails or owner pays out-of-pocket.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan consumer affairs and regional specialists support dealer policy of no replication = no repair. Owners escalate to NHTSA after Nissan refuses assistance. Some dealers cite new Nissan policy (effective 12/24/2013) requiring replication before authorization. Nissan supports this stance even when extended warranty in effect.
Synthesized from 119 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
While driving on the highway, my 2010 Nissan rouge suddenly would drop the speed to under 55mph. I would push the pedal to the floor but it still would not accelerate. No warnings or engine light displayed on the panel. This was a very scary experience. What is someone didn't pay attention and rear-ended me because of my sudden speed reduction without a warning. I am scared to drive my car…
When turning right, there was no acceleration as I pushed down on the gas pedal. This has happened on a regular basis and occasionally has happened heading straight in traffic. There is often a lag in acceleration when pushing down on the pedal. Tough in merge situations. *tr
My car have issues with the control arm switch for the lights I put the high beam and the directional light comes on the emergency light everything happens went the light are on
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan rogue. The contact stated that the vehicle would not accelerate forward when driving on an incline. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure nor was the vehicle repaired. The current mileage was 10,043. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2010 Nissan Rogue?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2010 Nissan Rogue?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 119 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 103 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 55,000 and 103,690 miles, with the median around 73,952. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 103,690. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Nissan/Rogue.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.