After being on the highway for about an hour, the car will no longer accelerate. It will hold a constant speed but will not increase. If speed drops it will not increase beyond the current speed. Cruise control kicks off. No check engine light or over heating. Mechanic could not diagnose.
2011 Nissan Rogue cruise control problems
severe 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
4crashes
3injuries
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2011 Nissan Rogue owners report serious transmission acceleration loss on highway driving (after 30+ minutes) and dangerous unintended acceleration at low speed—both linked to a known CVT overheating issue Nissan acknowledges in service bulletins but refuses to recall. Expect out-of-pocket transmission cooler costs ($800–$1,200) with no guarantee of lasting fix; this is a hazardous defect with a poor track record.
The 2011 Nissan Rogue exhibits two distinct cruise-control and transmission failure patterns. Most common: after 30 minutes to over an hour of highway driving—especially in heat, on hills, or at sustained 65+ mph—the transmission stops responding to the accelerator. Engine RPMs climb but the vehicle either stalls or limps along at 40–60 mph with the gas pedal floored. No warning lights appear. Owners report this resolves after a cool-down but recurs on the same trip or future drives. One owner drove from Denver toward Raton Pass and could not exceed 25 mph uphill; another lost power halfway through a 7-hour road trip repeatedly. Nissan acknowledges transmission overheating in service bulletins (issued for 2008–2012 models) but refuses recalls, offering only a cooler kit at owner expense ($800–$1,200). One owner reports the kit failed to prevent recurrence.
A second, more dangerous pattern: sudden unintended acceleration at stop signs or while parked—even with foot on brake. Three owners reported collisions: one into a pole at 5–6 feet, another into a concrete wall with airbag deployment, a third over a fence into vehicles at the dealership. Injuries included bruising, swelling, and totaled vehicles. Nissan investigations stalled or never materialized; no recalls issued.
All owners express alarm that Nissan knows of the CVT issue yet refuses responsibility, leaving drivers stranded and endangered on interstates.
Same Nissan Rogue cruise control reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission loss of acceleration after extended driving
After 30 minutes to over an hour of highway or extended driving, vehicle loses ability to accelerate or maintain speed. Engine revs high but transmission fails to transmit power; vehicle maxes out at 40–60 mph despite floored gas pedal.
When: Typically after 30 minutes to 1+ hour of highway driving; temperature-dependent (worsens in heat); may occur when climbing hills, traveling at 65+ mph, or extended uphill driving (5+ miles). Recurs on restart after cool-down.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of acceleration despite floored gas pedal; Engine revs high (RPMs up) but vehicle will not accelerate; Vehicle decelerates from 65–80 mph down to 40–60 mph and maxes out at that speed; Vibration and loud/fighting sound from transmission; Transmission overheating (confirmed by Nissan techs in some cases); No warning lights or fault codes displayed; Problem resolves temporarily after engine cool-down (5–30 minutes); Cruise control cuts off when loss of acceleration occurs; Problem does not occur in short trips; Worsens in Florida heat or when ambient temperature 96°F or higher
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan dealers recommend transmission cooler kit ($800–$1,200 to install) but do not cover cost. Some owners mention part back-orders. One owner reports cooler kit does not permanently resolve issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued service bulletin (08-12 Rogues have CVT failure under specific conditions). Nissan acknowledged overheating problem to some owners but refused recalls. Extended CVT warranty offered only for 2003–2010 models, not 2011. Owner in #1 reports Nissan refused to provide loaner or reimburse rental while waiting for back-ordered part. Owner in #5 states Nissan agreed to replace transmission but refused to pay for labor.
Sudden unintended acceleration while parked or low-speed maneuvering
Vehicle suddenly accelerates at high rate without driver input or despite foot on brake, occurring while parked, attempting to park, or at stop signs. Results in collision with objects or other vehicles.
When: While parked or attempting to park; at stop signs; when placing vehicle in Park while braking. Mileages range 4,875 to 18,000 miles (low-mileage events).
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden unintended acceleration at high rate; Vehicle accelerates despite foot on brake pedal; Vehicle lunges forward when attempting to park or at stop sign; No warning lights; Loss of vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle in #9 totaled by insurance (damage to passenger side, both front doors hard to open, owner suffered abdominal bruising, swollen abdomen, knee and breast bruising). Vehicle in #14 crashed into concrete wall; airbags deployed; bumps and bruises to left leg, groin, chest. Vehicle in #15 went over fence, down hill, landed on top of vehicles at dealership; both side airbags deployed; vehicle totaled. Vehicle in #17 crashed into parked vehicle while attempting to park; police report filed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer in #14 stated engineer would inspect vehicle but vehicle was not repaired. Owner in #9 contacted Nissan verbally and in writing with pictures and injury photos but received no response from Nissan. Manufacturer in #17 was not made aware of failure.
Brake switch failure or brake system malfunction
Brake switch fails or malfunctions, potentially triggering transmission issues or preventing proper braking control. One owner reports brake switch replacement did not resolve loss-of-acceleration problem.
When: At least once reported; one owner had brake switch replaced in November 2013, problem recurred.
Symptoms owners cite: Brake-related malfunction (specific symptoms not detailed by owner)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner #1 reports brake switch replacement at Nissan service (November 2013). After replacement, loss-of-acceleration issue still occurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan service identified brake switch as needing replacement in one case.
Gas gauge malfunction
Fuel gauge fails to register correct fuel level or move dial; may coincide with transmission/acceleration failures.
When: Coincided with loss-of-acceleration event in at least one case (after 96,000 miles). Problem resolved after engine restart.
Symptoms owners cite: Gas gauge does not register fuel level correctly; Fuel gauge dial does not move; Issue intermittent; resolves after engine restart
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2011 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 cruise control problem on the 2011 Nissan Rogue?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 27,197 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 65,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 27,197; a quarter make it past 90,000. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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/2011/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.